The Duffer Brothers, the Emmy-nominated creators of Stranger Things, have signed an exclusive four-year deal with Paramount. Starting in April 2026, when their current Netflix contract concludes, the Duffer Brothers’ production company, Upside Down Pictures, will develop feature films, television series, and streaming projects for Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, and Paramount Direct-to-Consumer.
The partnership marks the first major talent deal of the Skydance-led Paramount era. Duffer brothers will also continue to be involved in Stranger Things and other existing projects in development at the OTT service.
Commenting on the new deal, Duffer brothers said, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining the Paramount family. David, Josh, and Dana are passionate about bringing bold, original films to the big screen. To be part of that mission is not just exciting – it’s the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. And to do so at a studio with such a storied Hollywood legacy is a privilege we don’t take lightly. We’re also excited to reunite with our friends Cindy and Matt, who were among the very first to believe in us and an unusual little script we wrote that became Stranger Things. They took a chance on us in 2015, and they’re taking a chance again – we can’t wait to create new stories together.”
“Our time at Netflix has been incredible. Ted, Bela, and Peter have given us the kind of creative freedom and support that artists dream of but so rarely receive. A decade in, they are family. We’re excited to continue collaborating – not only on the upcoming release of Stranger Things 5, but also on shows we’re deeply proud to be producing, including Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen and The Boroughs. And we look forward to building out the future of Stranger Things together – there are many more stories to tell beyond Hawkins, and we can’t wait to share them,” they added.
“We are thrilled that the incomparable Duffer Brothers are joining our Paramount family,” said Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, co-chairs of Paramount Pictures. “Their singular talent for creating stories and worlds that shape culture sets them apart, and this partnership is a great example of the new Paramount in action – our film, television, and streaming businesses united to offer Matt and Ross the full power of our platforms to tell their best and most ambitious stories yet.”
Cindy Holland, the chair of Paramount’s Direct-to-Consumer, added: “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Matt and Ross for over a decade and worked with them from their earliest stages through their deserving global success. We have seen firsthand their extraordinary creative vision and exceptional gift for storytelling. We couldn’t be more excited to reunite and welcome them to Paramount.”
