'Stranger Things' Finale Could Boost Both Netflix, AMC Stocks: Here's How

Core Insights - The final season of "Stranger Things" is expected to break streaming records for Netflix and positively impact its fourth-quarter financial results [1] - The finale will also be shown in theaters, potentially benefiting both Netflix and movie theater stocks like AMC and Cinemark [1][6] Netflix - Netflix has split the final season of "Stranger Things" into three parts, with the last episode set to release on New Year's Eve [2] - The company is guiding for fourth-quarter revenue of $11.96 billion, representing a 16.7% year-over-year increase, with earnings per share expected at $5.45 [10] - Growth is anticipated from higher membership figures, increased pricing, and rising advertising revenue, with a projection to more than double advertising revenue by 2025 [10] AMC Entertainment - AMC is experiencing a significant increase in showtimes for the "Stranger Things" finale, with over 3,500 showtimes across more than 620 theaters and 1.1 million seat reservations [3] - The reservation fee for the episode is $20, which converts into a concession voucher, potentially boosting AMC's food and beverage sales [4] - AMC reported a third-quarter average of $7.74 in food and beverage sales per person, the second-highest in company history, indicating strong performance in this area [4] Industry Outlook - The fourth quarter is expected to be the highest-grossing fourth quarter in six years, driven by a strong lineup of films and the release of "Stranger Things" [9] - AMC's recent data shows 5.5 million moviegoers attended screenings during the Christmas week, marking it as the second busiest week of the year [8] - The collaboration between Netflix and AMC could signify a shift in how streaming content is distributed and monetized in theaters [5]