Paramount Secures Duffer Brothers and UFC Rights in Daring Moves
Under its fresh administration, Paramount has made audacious plays. Specifically, the enormous steps of acquiring UFC rights and attracting the Duffer Brothers, along with their company Upside Down Pictures, from Netflix stand out. Even though these two will be transferring their comprehensive agreement to Paramount in 2026, this doesn’t imply that their ongoing undertakings at Netflix are getting the axe.
As a refresher, Netflix entered an all-encompassing agreement with Upside Down Pictures, previously known as Monkey Massacre Productions, in September 2019, which extends until April 2026. This pact covers all film and TV projects. However, Paramount has now secured a deal with the duo which reunites them with Cindy Holland, their original collaborator from Netflix during Stranger Things.
The freshly inked deal extends until 20330 and is set to encompass theatrical films, an opportunity they either weren’t offered or didn’t capitalize on during their tenure at Netflix. The status for the fifth season of Stranger Things is currently in the post-production stage. The series of Stranger Things, unluckily, has been minimal productions that had to weather two notable disruptions within Hollywood.
Due to the pervasive 2020-21 pandemic, the fourth season faced severe delays and repercussions, while the fifth season was largely marred by two major strikes in 2023 impeding filming. Yet, the shooting managed to push through, and the series is now poised to return. Comparing to Netflix’s vast catalogue, only Squid Game and Wednesday eclipse this series in terms of popularity.
The upcoming installment, which was first introduced on the platform in 2016, is slated for a return in three distinct sections. This sequence will put a conclusive end to the captivating narrative that was gripping the world since its inception. More details regarding the show, especially about the fifth season, will be shared in our exhaustive preview, without reiterating every detail here.
Needless to say, that the show doesn’t plan to end on a subdued note. The first part, which will have 4 episodes, is set to be unveiled on November 26, 2025. Next, the second segment that comprises the ensuing 3 episodes, is scheduled to be released on December 25, 2025. Lastly, the grand finale, also known as the third part, is due for premiere on December 31, 2025.
Stranger Things is anticipated to grow beyond its original series with a new project titled Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, set to launch in 2026. It showcases the events during the winter of 1985, in between the second and third seasons of the primary series. The animated series, already renewed for a second season, brings back the original cast who combat with new and familiar monsters to solve a paranormal mystery engulfing their town.
Contrary to some speculation, the projects differ dramatically in their narrative scopes and storylines. Besides, there’s a stage play titled The First Shadow now performing on Broadway in New York and in London’s West End indefinitely. We’ve received information there’s no current intention to make a recorded version available on Netflix, but there’s a possibility that this could change contingent on the end of the stage shows.
Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen, another series project with The Duffers in executive producer roles, is confirmed for a 2026 release, currently in post-production. The project, named The Boroughs, is helmed by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews. The shoot took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from September 2024 through early 2025, presenting a quaint retirement community in the New Mexico desert where a band of unexpected heroes attempts to counteract an alien threat intending to steal their most vital asset, time.
The most recent project in development, announced in Summer 2025, is intended to be a series based on a Ron Currie novel. Currie also participates as a writer on the series with Joshua Mohr, the fellow writer. The story takes pace in Waterville, a small town in Maine, focusing on Babs Dionne, a revered Franco-American lady who is a caring grandmother and the fierce crime lord of the town.
She controls the local drug trade, with assistance from her teenage confidantes and her oldest daughter Lori, who is a Marine veteran grappling with addiction. The plot complicates when a drug kingpin, observing a drop in his trade in the upper northeast, sends a mysterious and sinister figure known as ‘The Man’ to probe. Meanwhile, Babs’ youngest sister disappears.
The status of Death Note remains ambiguous. Adapted from a manga and anime following a smart teenager who discovers a supernatural black notebook that grants him control over life and death. After the initial announcement, Halia Abdel-Meguid was later confirmed to be a writer and executive producer for the project. Abdel-Meguid’s website still currently lists the series as an ongoing project.
This could potentially be a positive sign as Dan Lin, who was attached as a producer before moving to Netflix as Head of Film, initially worked on the project. The status of The Talisman is also unknown. First unveiled for Netflix in March 2021, the adaptation based on Stephen King and Peter Straub’s book is still undergoing development.
Amblin Television, under the supervision of Steven Spielberg, was announced to be producing the series. However, there haven’t been any significant developments since the original announcement. The series promises a blend of different genres like sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, creating a thrilling mix for the viewers.
In conclusion, while the loss of the Duffer Brothers and Upside Down Pictures to Paramount might initially seem significant, Netflix continues to produce a variety of exciting projects. These include the much-anticipated continuations of classic series like Stranger Things, and the introduction of new thrilling projects. As always, Netflix remains a dominant player in the world of streaming content, continuing to create captivating narratives that enthrall audiences worldwide.