Takeaways
- Netflix is filming Stranger Things: The First Shadow for a future streaming release.
- The Broadway production is being professionally recorded at the Marquis Theatre.
- Performances paused Feb. 10–14 for filming and resumed Feb. 15.
- The play has grossed approximately $1.4 million in recent weeks.
- The stage prequel connects directly to the events of the Netflix series’ final season.
Netflix is officially bringing “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” from Broadway to streaming.
The hit Broadway play, based on the Stranger Things universe, is being filmed for a future Netflix release — giving global audiences access to the theatrical prequel that has become one of Broadway’s top earners.
For fans and entertainment professionals alike, this marks another major moment in the growing trend of Broadway-to-Netflix adaptations.
Netflix Films ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ on Broadway
Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions temporarily canceled performances from Feb. 10 through Feb. 14 to capture the production at New York’s Marquis Theatre. The show resumed performances on Feb. 15.
While Netflix has not announced an official release date, the professionally filmed version will preserve the original Broadway company in its current form.
This move follows the success of other filmed stage productions that found new life on streaming platforms — reflecting a growing demand for hybrid theater and digital entertainment.
A Broadway Hit With Strong Box Office Momentum
Since opening on April 22, 2025, Stranger Things: The First Shadow has become one of Broadway’s strongest performers.
- Recently posted grosses of approximately $1.4 million per week
- Interest surged following the release of Netflix’s final season of Stranger Things
- Continues to draw both theatergoers and devoted series fans
The production originally debuted in London’s West End in December 2023 before transferring to Broadway.
Cast and Creative Team
The Broadway cast is led by Tony nominee Louis McCartney, who stars as Henry Creel — a role he originated in London.
A new ensemble will take over in late March, including:
- Victor de Paula Rocha as Henry Creel
- Ayana Cymone as Patty Newby
- Shea Grant as Joyce Maldonado
- Juan Carlos as Bob Newby
- Matthew Erick White as James Hopper Jr.
The production is directed by Stephen Daldry and co-directed by Justin Martin. It features a cast of 34 and blends large-scale practical effects with cinematic storytelling.
The Duffer Brothers serve as creative producers, with 21 Laps Entertainment acting as associate producer.
What Is ‘The First Shadow’ About?
Written by Kate Trefry and based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Trefry, the play serves as a standalone prequel within the Stranger Things universe.
Set in 1959 Hawkins, Indiana, the story follows teenage Henry Creel and his family as they move to town seeking a fresh start.
But something is wrong.
As mysterious events begin unfolding, Henry suspects he may be connected to the growing darkness threatening Hawkins — laying narrative groundwork that ties directly into the Netflix series, including its fifth and final season.
For longtime fans, the play deepens the mythology of the Upside Down while exploring the origin story behind one of the franchise’s most pivotal characters.
Why This Matters for Entertainment Professionals
The filming of Stranger Things: The First Shadow reflects a broader industry shift:
- Major streaming platforms investing in live theater properties
- Expanding IP universes across stage and screen
- Creating long-tail revenue streams for Broadway productions
Netflix previously released a documentary, Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the stage show.
Now, the full production will join the streaming giant’s content lineup — preserving a theatrical event for a global audience.
The Rise of Broadway-to-Streaming Content
In recent years, professionally filmed Broadway productions have seen increasing demand. With streaming platforms competing for premium IP, beloved franchises like Stranger Things offer built-in audiences and cross-platform storytelling opportunities.
For actors, directors, and production crews, this hybrid format opens doors:
- Expanded visibility beyond live audiences
- Global reach via streaming distribution
- Long-term archival preservation
As franchises continue to expand across film, television, gaming, and stage, cross-medium storytelling is becoming the new standard.
What’s Next?
With cameras rolling inside the Marquis Theatre, the Broadway chapter of Stranger Things is preparing for a second life on Netflix.
While no release date has been announced, fans worldwide will soon get a front-row seat to Hawkins — no Playbill required.
