Stranger Things director Shawn Levy says Netflix took a "huge swing" with the sci-fi show, because "on paper, this made not a lot of sense"

1. Entertainment
2. TV
3. Sci-Fi Shows
4. Stranger Things

Stranger Things director Shawn Levy says Netflix took a "huge swing" with the sci-fi show, because "on paper, this made not a lot of sense" News By Molly Edwards published 25 November 2025

Shawn Levy thinks Stranger Things was a "staggering" bet for Netflix

Comments (0) ()

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Stranger Things director Shawn Levy thinks the sci-fi show was a massive bet for Netflix – since the show, on paper, didn't really sound like it should work.

Stranger Things debuted in 2016, back when Netflix wasn't quite the pop culture juggernaut it is today.

"Because the [Duffer] brothers always envisioned this as an eight-hour movie, the streaming binge model always made the most sense," Levy explained to Variety. "It was not necessarily the coolest place to be; it was not the obvious place to be. Netflix was one exhibition outlet among many, and it was not the de facto first choice among any.

You may like

• Stranger Things creators The Duffer Brothers used the Game of Thrones snowball effect in their storytelling
• After 10 years of Stranger Things, Ross and Matt Duffer say Netflix's patience was "wearing a little thin" when it came to ending the supernatural series: "I wish we had gotten it done a little faster"
• Stranger Things still has "movie touch points" in season 5, but its creators were more concerned with doing justice to the story it began almost a decade ago

"But this streaming model, where people could experience a story contiguously and as the eight-hour movie that the Duffers envisioned, that always made tremendous sense," he continued. "Back then, Netflix was a much smaller company. My memory is that the circle of decision-makers was much smaller. And to be clear, the freaking bet the Netflix put on us and this show was staggering – and the kind of huge swing that we don’t see that often at any network or streamer anymore.

"This was an original show with kids, but not for kids; with two 30-year-old, unproven filmmakers; a movie director who had never done TV and whose movie career at that point was predominantly family comedy – on paper, this made not a lot of sense. But it was just that good. It was just that good," he concluded.

Stranger Things has gone on to become one of Netflix's most popular ever shows, so it's safe to say the big swing paid off.

Stranger Things season 5 is arriving on the streamer imminently, with Volume 1 landing on November 26 in the US (November 27 in the UK). Check out our Stranger Things release schedule for the full breakdown.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

In the meantime, you can fill out your watchlist with our guide to the best Netflix shows, or everything new on Netflix in November 2025.

CATEGORIES Netflix Streaming Services Molly EdwardsSocial Links NavigationDeputy Entertainment Editor

I'm the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Stranger Things creators The Duffer Brothers used the Game of Thrones snowball effect in their storytelling    After 10 years of Stranger Things, Ross and Matt Duffer say Netflix's patience was "wearing a little thin" when it came to ending the supernatural series: "I wish we had gotten it done a little faster"    Stranger Things still has "movie touch points" in season 5, but its creators were more concerned with doing justice to the story it began almost a decade ago    Stranger Things season 5 finale won't get a theatrical release after all, says Netflix content chief: "Releasing it on Netflix is giving the fans what they want"    If Stranger Things season 5 was a movie, it would reportedly be one of the most expensive movies ever made    Stranger Things creators defend season 5's three-part split, and you'll be fine with it too once you hear their plans for Volume One's "mega-movie"    Latest in Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things creators say the casts' aging throughout the series is "not as dramatic as people think" and the only issue is the deeper voices: "We’re still dealing with that"    Steve, Dustin, Nancy, and Jonathan head into the Upside Down in the official trailer for Stranger Thing season 5 volume 1, and we're even more worried now    It sounds like Stranger Things will avoid a Game of Thrones style finale disaster, as one star says she's "extremely happy with where they took the characters at the end"    Stranger Things season 5 has the "most violent death" yet, so get ready to have your heart ripped out of your chest    Over a year after being canceled, The Acolyte creator speaks out over "completely valid" criticisms: "The first one through the wall is the bloodiest"    The Acolyte creator says she was "not surprised" her Star Wars show got cancelled, but she was "surprised at the swiftness of it and the publicness" of the announcement    Latest in News Stranger Things director Shawn Levy says Netflix took a "huge swing" with the sci-fi show, because "on paper, this made not a lot of sense"    Hugh Jackman is "never saying never" about returning to the MCU as Wolverine, but also jokes "they have enough for an AI version of me"    Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser says GTA is so successful because of its "sense of freedom," and because it "smashed together" shooting, driving, and simulation genres in a way games hadn't done before    No, it's not just you – Dune: Awakening NPCs really did become harder as Funcom admits to "undocumented changes" in the survival MMO's last big update, says "we will revert it"    Far Cry is being turned into an anthology TV show with a "new cast", "new setting" and creative powerhouse Noah Hawley involved    It: Welcome to Derry showrunner promises "unexpected" things from Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise in the rest of the horror spin-off: "[He] has opportunities with this character that the films did not present"    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1Constance review: "If Hollow Knight: Silksong seems too daunting, this wonderful paint powered adventure should do nicely"
2. 2This enthralling team board game is perfect for playing with family this Thanksgiving
3. 3Kirby Air Riders review: "This racer is also equal parts fighting game, minigame collection, and roguelike – and I'm shocked at how well that works"
4. 4Demonschool review: "This Persona-inspired RPG is full of fun, flair, and ready to chomp away at your free time"
5. 5Morsels review: "The Binding of Isaac style roguelike shooting gets somehow grosser, but struggles to set itself apart"

1. 1Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
2. 2The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
3. 3Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
4. 4Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc review "Storytelling just as compelling as the chainsaws, devils, and visually excessive fight scenes"
5. 5Tron: Ares review: "Misses out by swapping the Grid for the real world"

1. 1Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
2. 2The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
3. 3IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
4. 4Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"
5. 5Marvel Zombies review: "A fun expansion of the What If episode with delightful MCU Easter eggs and truly gross R-rated kills"