Stranger Things Season 4 Budget Reportedly $30 Million Per Episode
Stranger Things season 4 reportedly has a much bigger budget, as each episode cost $30 million. Netflix's hit sci-fi series is finally coming back in 2022 after an extended absence following season 3's release in 2020. Stranger Things season 4 is being released in two parts, with Part 1 coming on May 27 and Part 2 on July 1. The strategy comes as Netflix prepares for the end of its biggest original series, as season 5 is set to wrap up Eleven's current storyline. Stranger Things season 4 will go a long way in setting up how the series wraps up and is expected to do it in an epic fashion.
Stranger Things season 4 takes place six months after the season 3 finale and sees the main characters scattered across the globe. As a result of this decision, the scope of Stranger Things is continuing to grow in season 4. The Duffer Brothers, who created the series, have compared this season to Game of Thrones as Hopper is in Russia, Eleven and the Byers are in California, and the rest of the characters are still in Hawkins, Indiana. It appears that the Game of Thrones comparisons could go beyond the sprawling story, massive scope, and incredible popularity, as Netflix's budgets have soared.
In a new piece from Wall Street Journal, the outlet reports that Stranger Things season 4 is the most expensive yet for Netflix. Each episode reportedly carries a budget of $30 million. This is a significant increase in Stranger Things' previously reported episode budgets, which were said to be less than $10M per episode in season 3. Netflix has not confirmed this reported price tag for the series, but costs could've increased due to its long production schedule and potential salary increases for its stars.
Stranger Things season 4's reported budget will make these the most expensive episodes of television made to date if the $30M price tag is correct. Game of Thrones' episodes topped out at $15M according to reports, while Marvel Studios upped the ante with its Disney+ shows, as Loki, WandaVision, and others reportedly cost $20-$25M per episode. If Stranger Things season 4 is indeed the most expensive per-episode show ever made, it won't hold that title for too long based on Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's nearly $500M budget for the first season.
The significant investment on Netlfix's part is understandable, though. Stranger Things has become the streaming service's most recognizable franchise and anticipation is through the roof to see what season 4 includes. Viewers are very excited to see Eleven's journey to regaining her powers, figuring out what happened to Hopper, and seeing how the collective Stranger Things team takes down Vecna.
Source: Wall Street Journal