The long-running Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things is finally coming to an end. Fans across Connecticut have a few ways to experience the highly anticipated series finale.
With a full two-hour conclusion arriving on New Year’s Eve, viewers can tune in at home or check out the finale on the big screen at several movie theaters around the state.
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A blockbuster farewell for a cultural phenomenon
After nearly a decade of monsters, synth soundtracks, and supernatural suspense, Stranger Things wraps up its story on Netflix at 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The series first dropped in July 2016 and quickly became one of the streaming platform’s most successful and influential shows.
How the final season was released
The fifth and final season rolled out in stages to keep fans hooked through the holidays. The first four episodes landed on Nov. 26, and three more followed on Christmas Day.
Now the story ends with a feature-length, two-hour finale meant to give closure to the residents of Hawkins and the global fanbase. Netflix executives call the ending cinematic in scope. Maybe that’s why some Connecticut theaters wanted in on the celebration.
Connecticut movie theaters hosting the finale
Fans in cities and towns like Milford, Manchester, Danbury, Trumbull, Plainville, and Norwalk can watch the finale on giant screens with theater-quality sound. At least six Connecticut cinemas are hosting special screenings on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Participating theater locations
- Cinemark Connecticut Post 14 in Milford
- Cinemark Buckland Hills 18 in Manchester
- AMC Danbury 16 in Danbury
- AMC Marquis 16 in Trumbull
- AMC Plainville 20 in Plainville
- AMC SoNo8 in Norwalk
Showtimes vary by location, so it’s best to check individual theater websites before heading out. Watching the finale alongside other devoted viewers just might make saying goodbye a little easier—or at least more memorable.
Local connections deepen Connecticut’s excitement
Part of the reason Stranger Things resonates in Connecticut is its ties to the state. One of the show’s most beloved stars has roots right along the shoreline.
Gaten Matarazzo’s Connecticut beginnings
Actor Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin Henderson, was born in 2002 at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London. He and his family only lived in Mystic for about two months before moving to New Jersey, but the connection still means a lot to Connecticut fans.
Over the years, Matarazzo has occasionally acknowledged his New England ties, which always delights viewers in New London County and beyond.
Behind-the-scenes ties to New Haven
The show’s got another Connecticut connection, too. Director and executive producer Shawn Levy studied acting at Yale University before launching his Hollywood career.
A return to Yale
Earlier this year, Levy came back to New Haven to speak at Yale. He shared the stage with actor Ryan Reynolds.
The visit really highlighted just how much the state keeps influencing creative talent. Connecticut’s creative energy keeps popping up in popular culture, and honestly, that’s kind of cool to see.
Viewers in Hartford, Bridgeport, Stamford, Waterbury, and New Haven are getting ready to say goodbye to Stranger Things. The finale isn’t just the end—it’s a little reminder of Connecticut’s small but real part in the show’s story.
Whether you’re watching from your couch or in a crowded theater, the last chapter looks like it’ll stick with you. Unforgettable? Maybe. We’ll see.
Here is the source article for this story: The ‘Stranger Things’ finale is out tonight. Here’s how fans can watch it in Connecticut theaters
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