Duffer Brothers and Shawn Levy Left Netflix
Key creatives behind Stranger Things transitioned to new studio partnerships following their tenures at Netflix.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Television
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In April 2026, the Duffer Brothers officially moved to Paramount following their announcement of a four-year exclusive deal in August 2025. Concurrent to these departures, Shawn Levy signed a new production deal with Disney's 20th Television.
Why it matters
The shifts reflect a broader move by top creative talent to expand into theatrical film and manage growing commitments to external projects like Star Wars. While the creators have departed, Netflix retains the rights to the Stranger Things franchise.
The Duffer Brothers signed a four-year exclusive agreement with Paramount. The pair previously spent 10 years at Netflix and are currently 40 years old.
The players
The Duffer Brothers
They are the creators and executive producers behind the hit Netflix science fiction series Stranger Things.
Shawn Levy
He is a prominent producer and director who manages his own production company, 21 Laps Entertainment.
Netflix
This is a global streaming platform that maintains ownership of the Stranger Things franchise.
Paramount
This is a major American film and television studio that recently secured an exclusive deal with the Duffer Brothers.
Disney
This is a multinational entertainment conglomerate that entered into a production agreement with Shawn Levy.
The details
The Duffer Brothers transitioned to Paramount to focus on creating theatrical films, while Shawn Levy sought a new arrangement at Disney to accommodate his directing work on Star Wars: Starfighter and other commitments. Levy continues to oversee production on the Netflix hockey drama Sticks through his company, 21 Laps Entertainment.
Timeline
August 2025: The Duffer Brothers announced an exclusive four-year deal with Paramount.
April 2026: The Duffer Brothers officially joined Paramount.
October 2027: Shawn Levy's deal with Disney's 20th Television begins.
Industry Dynamics
These moves reflect the ongoing talent migration away from legacy streaming platforms toward traditional studios that prioritize theatrical releases. This shift highlights a departure from the exclusive long-term contracts that defined the previous decade of streaming content production.
Viewers can expect the Stranger Things universe to continue on Netflix despite the departure of its creators. Fans of Shawn Levy and the Duffer Brothers will soon find their new projects distributed through Paramount and Disney platforms.
The takeaway
The move suggests a shifting priority for top creators who seek the wider theatrical distribution models offered by major studios. Audiences should prepare for a diversification of where these creators' future works are available as they exit the streaming-exclusive era.
What happens next
Shawn Levy's production deal with Disney's 20th Television is set to commence in October 2027, with future Star Wars projects expected to follow his work on Starfighter.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit the Television section.
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