After the jaw-dropping twists of Stranger Things Season 4 in July 2022, the world collectively asked itself: “What are the Duffers up to next?” The answer came with the announcement of Upside Down Pictures, their very own production company. For fans who have grown up alongside Eleven, Mike, and the gang, this move was thrilling news — not only does it promise new stories, but it also confirms that the Duffers are committed to creating worlds where the supernatural, the nostalgic, and the intimate co-exist seamlessly.
With Season 5 on the horizon, it’s clear that the Duffers’ immediate focus remains on delivering the grand finale of Hawkins’ epic battles. Yet, Upside Down Pictures signals their intent to expand creatively, taking the sensibilities that made Stranger Things resonate — suspense, heart, horror, and 1980s-infused nostalgia — into entirely new realms. Matt Duffer has spoken about wanting to “create the kind of stories that inspired them growing up,” focusing on “the beautiful crossroads where the ordinary meets the extraordinary.” For anyone who has ever yearned for a story that balances spectacle with emotional depth, this is promising territory.
Upside Down Pictures: The Next Chapter Beyond Stranger Things
Upside Down Pictures’ upcoming slate immediately caught attention with a mix of adaptations and original content. Among the most exciting announcements is a live-action adaptation of Death Note, the iconic Japanese manga and anime about a teenager wielding the power to control life and death through a mysterious notebook. This new iteration promises to move beyond Netflix’s previous 2017 adaptation, delving deeper into morality, power, and psychological tension — themes that the Duffers are particularly skilled at exploring.
Then there’s The Talisman, a collaboration with none other than Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and Paramount Television. Matt Duffer emphasises that The Talisman diverges from Stranger Things’ tone, leaning into “robust fantasy elements, horror influences, and richly layered storytelling.” Fans of the Duffers’ work can anticipate a narrative that marries large-scale fantasy spectacle with intimate character-driven drama, a signature approach that has already proven successful in Hawkins.
But adaptations aren’t the only focus. The Duffers are also pushing the boundaries of their franchise with a stage play based on the mythology of Stranger Things, directed by Stephen Daldry, known for The Crown and Billy Elliot. Theatrical storytelling offers an entirely different canvas, and the prospect of seeing Hawkins’ eerie corridors, shadowy Upside Down landscapes, and complex emotional dynamics come alive live on stage is tantalising for fans and theatre-goers alike.
The Duffer Brothers' Creative Legacy with Upside Down Pictures
Upside Down Pictures isn’t just a vanity project; it’s a serious commitment to narrative excellence. To help realise this vision, the Duffers brought on Hilary Leavitt, a seasoned executive whose resume includes hits like Orphan Black, Ozark, and The Great. Leavitt’s experience ensures that Upside Down Pictures can handle complex, layered storytelling across multiple platforms while maintaining the high-quality production values fans expect from the Duffers.
The company is also developing original series, including projects from Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, creators behind Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. By blending adaptations, original content, and theatrical work, Upside Down Pictures positions itself as a hub for inventive storytelling, appealing to a broad spectrum of audiences while nurturing creative risk-taking.
The timing of this expansion is strategic. Stranger Things has already cemented the Duffers’ influence: the series surpassed a billion hours viewed on Netflix and ranks as one of the platform’s all-time most popular English-language shows. With that kind of cultural clout, Upside Down Pictures has the freedom to experiment, take risks, and redefine the landscape of genre storytelling in television and film.
Fans can expect Upside Down Pictures to carry forward the narrative DNA of Stranger Things: strong character development, suspenseful plotting, nostalgic nods, and just the right touch of horror. Yet, the company is equally committed to exploring entirely new territory, demonstrating that the Duffers’ creative vision extends far beyond Hawkins.
By launching Upside Down Pictures, Matt and Ross Duffer are signalling that their storytelling ambitions go well beyond the confines of the Upside Down. From Death Note to The Talisman, from original series to stage adaptations, their new production company promises to deliver content that combines spectacle with intimacy, horror with heart, and imagination with authenticity. As fans eagerly anticipate Stranger Things 5, the establishment of Upside Down Pictures assures us that the creative energy behind Hawkins will continue to inspire, entertain, and innovate for years to come.
Their trajectory offers a blueprint for creators who wish to maintain their unique voice while expanding into new mediums. In other words, while the final chapter of Stranger Things may be imminent, the story of the Duffers’ creative universe is just beginning. Upside Down Pictures ensures that their imaginative spark — the same spark that made us fall in love with Hawkins, the Upside Down, and its unforgettable characters — will keep illuminating screens, stages, and imaginations around the world.
