Netflix's Stranger Things Play Coming To Broadway Next Year

Lisa Liberati and James McAvoy attend the "Stranger Things: The First Shadow" World Premiere at the Phoenix Theatre on December 14, 2023 in London, England.

Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images

Netflix is bringing Stranger Things to Broadway’s Marquis Theatre next March with a new play titled Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Set years before the events of the streaming series. The play premiered in London’s West End last year.

Set in Hawkins, Indiana, in 1959, the story focuses on a young Jim Hopper, Joyce Maldonado, and Bob Newby’s sister as they encounter the town’s new arrival: Henry Creel. The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, are credited as the original story and creative producers, with Kate Trefry as the writer.

Since its debut, Stranger Things: The First Shadow has won two Olivier Awards for best new entertainment and best set design. Reviews and Reddit threads suggest the play features “dynamic action” and “impressive” special effects.

One reviewer said, “I saw it in London just last month. Very cool show. I think it's definitely worth seeing if you're a fan of the show and just a fan of theater/stage craft.” Another commented, “Visiting London from Florida to see it this summer. London friends tell me it's as spectacular as The Cursed Child.”

Someone else wrote, “As a massive Stranger Things fan, I thought it was awesome. The effects were sick, the production value was obviously insane and I thought the actors did an incredible job of fully immersing themselves into already well-crafted characters.”

If a trip to New York isn’t feasible, you can watch the show’s fifth and final season from the comfort of your home when it premieres next year.

Broadway May Be The Way To Go

While the idea of Stranger Things on Broadway might seem unusual, the success of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child suggests it could be a strong fit. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has had an impressive run, surpassing 1,793 performances as of May 21, 2024, making it the fifth-longest-running play in Broadway history.

Based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a play by Thorne, directed by Tiffany. It envisions the Harry Potter character of Rowling’s novels as he enters parenthood. It explores Potter’s son, Albus, befriending the son of Harry’s rival, Draco Malfoy.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest-grossing non-musical play in Broadway history with over $330 million total sales and over 2.583 million tickets sold.

Broadway Stranger Things

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Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.