Excited for ‘Stranger Things’ finale? When, where to watch in California theaters
As fans prepare for one final departure into the Upside Down, theaters across the country — including in California — will show Netflix’s “Stranger Things” finale.
After nine years, Netflix’s hit supernatural drama is coming to a close — concluding its fifth season with a two-hour finale episode airing New Year’s Eve.
If the streaming service app on your phone, laptop or TV are still too small to watch the crew hunt down the sinister Vecna, movie theaters in the Sacramento area and the rest of California are screening the show’s epic conclusion for two nights only.
Moviegoers get free seats with the purchase of so-called “concession vouchers.” The price of the voucher varies by theater.
Here’s how you can score tickets to watch the final episode of “Stranger Things” on the big screen:
What is happening in Season 5 of ‘Stranger Things’?
Netflix released the first four episodes of the fifth and final season of “Stranger Things” on Nov. 26 as Volume 1.
Volume 2 contains three more episodes and will be released at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day — followed by the final episode of “Stranger Things” one week later.
“Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna,” a supernatural being with psychic powers, the official Netflix description of the episode reads. “But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown.”
Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding,” Netflix said. “As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before.
“To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.”
Where can I watch ‘Stranger Things’ finale in Modesto?
Two movie theaters in the Modesto area have scheduled showings of the final episode of “Stranger Things,” being released in theaters as “Stranger Things 5: The Finale,” according to Netflix.
Galaxy Riverbank Luxury+, 2525 Patterson Road in Riverbank, has four available showtimes each Wednesday, Dec. 31, and Thursday, Jan. 1.
Tickets are available as concession vouchers for $10, not including online fees. Each of those showings was more than 80% full as of Tuesday, Dec. 23, according to the theater’s website.
AMC Manteca 16, 848 Lifestyle St. in Manteca, has 27 available showtimes of “Stranger Things 5: The Finale.”
Showings run from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31 and 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 1, according to the theater’s website. Tickets cost $20 each.
Where can I find ‘Stranger Things’ showings near Fresno?
Regal Fresno River Park, 250 Paseo Del Centro in Fresno, has several showings of the finale on Wednesday, Dec. 31 and Thursday, Jan. 1 — but they were sold out with the exception of accessible seating as of Tuesday, Dec. 23, according to the theater’s website.
Regal Cinemas concession vouchers are $11 each.
The closest theater showing the “Stranger Things” finale to Fresno, with available tickets on Tuesday, was nearly 100 miles away in Riverbank, according to Netflix.
When can I watch ‘Stranger Things’ finale in Sacramento?
Three movie theaters in the Sacramento region have scheduled showings of the “Stranger Things” series finale, according to Fandango.
In Arden Arcade, Cinemark Century Arden at 1590 Ethan Way has 35 showings on its schedule between Wednesday, Dec. 31, and Thursday, Jan. 1.
The screenings span from 5 p.m. to past the ball drop on New Year’s Eve. The finale’s first showing of 2026 starts at 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, with the last just past midnight on Friday, Jan. 2.
Cinemark Century Laguna 16, 9349 Big Horn Blvd. in Elk Grove, also has 35 showtimes listed on its site with the majority on Jan. 1. New Year’s Eve showings run from 5 to 11:15 p.m., while a string of New Year’s Day screenings run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Cinemark “Stranger Things” screenings are available for $20 concession vouchers.
In Folsom, CinemaWest theater Palladio Cinema, 240 Palladio Parkway, scheduled 34 screenings of the finale. On Dec. 31, the theater is offering showtimes from 5 p.m. until midnight, and from 7:10 a.m. on Jan. 1 to 12:10 a.m. Jan 2.
Concession vouchers cost $22 each.
You can also rent out the Palladio Cinema’s private View Movie Lounge for the ultimate watch party for up to 12 people.
The private lounge screenings cost $242, and concessions can be delivered directly to the room. As of Tuesday, eight time slots were available.
Is ‘Stranger Things’ showing in Merced? San Luis Obispo?
As of Tuesday, there were no theaters in Merced showing the “Stranger Things” finale.
“Stranger Things” fans in San Luis Obispo County will have to travel to Santa Barbara if they want to watch the finale in theaters.
The Metro 4 Theatre, 618 State St., in Santa Barbara, has two available showtimes on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and four on Thursday, Jan. 1. You can snag a seat in exchange for an $18 concession voucher.
Tickets can be purchased at the Fandango website or the movie theaters’ websites directly.
This story was originally published December 24, 2025 at 9:02 AM with the headline "Excited for ‘Stranger Things’ finale? When, where to watch in California theaters."
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