(L-R) Anamaria Ross and April Patterson pose in front of a poster before the Strangers Things series finale at the Tara Theater in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
People are now more likely to stream a new movie than go to a theater, according to a recent Associated Press poll. As a result, movie theaters have lost around 30% of the pre-pandemic audience,
Netflix is a major beneficiary and driver of this shift. When asked at a Time100 event in April if the moviegoing experience is “an outmoded idea,” Netflix chief Ted Sarandos said “it is ― for most people.”
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Kyle, Lex, Henry, and Sarah Roberts wait to see the Strangers Things series finale at the Tara Theater in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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Kelly and her mom Riley DeVoe watching the series finale of “Stranger Things” at the Tara Theatre in Atlanta New Year’s Eve happened to sit in the same seats where actors Caleb McLaughlin and Sadie Sink kissed during a scene. RODNEY HO/AJC

“Stranger Things” scene from the series finale shot at Tara Theatre in Atlanta. NETFLIX SCREENSHOT
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Christina Wolverton, Will Pugh and Caitlin Pugh pose in front of a Stranger Things themed backdrop before the Strangers Things series finale at the Tara Theater in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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Emily Hardaway, a Marietta communications director for the city of Douglasville, came to the Tara to view the final episode of “Stranger Things” specifically for the “shared experience.” on New Year’s Eve. RODNEY HO/AJC
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After two screenings of “Stranger Things” series finale at Tara Dec.31, 2025 in which patrons paid a $7 voucher for food and drink, employees faced overflowing garbage cans. RODNEY HO/AJC
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Tara Theatre Operations Manager Kevin Kelley sets up cones for fans lining up to see the Stranger Things series finale at the theater in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.ajc.com ’















