Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Name: Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Start: 2026-06-25T23:00:00.000Z
End: 2026-10-25T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Marquis Theatre, Times Square, Manhattan

BroadwayNetflix

Even theater skeptics leave talking about the effects — bodies levitate, the Mind Flayer materializes, and the Marquis stage does things Broadway houses rarely attempt. It's a canonical prequel written with the Duffer Brothers, so the Hawkins lore is real, but it plays as a standalone supernatural thriller if you've never seen the show. With the final season of the series still fresh, this is the fan pilgrimage of the summer — and Saturday has both a matinee and an evening show.

What to expect

A nearly three-hour spectacle (with intermission) heavy on practical illusions, loud sound design and jump scares. The crowd is a mix of Broadway regulars and Netflix fans; merch lines are long. Recommended for ages 12+ — it's genuinely intense in stretches.

Good to know

The Marquis is inside the Marriott Marquis at 46th & Broadway — take the N/Q/R/W or 1/2/3 to Times Sq
Two shows Saturday (matinee and evening) plus a Sunday matinee — matinees are easier tickets
Strobe effects, fog and loud sudden sounds throughout
Rush and lottery tickets are offered for most performances
Runtime is close to 3 hours — plan dinner accordingly

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Common questions

Do I need to have watched Stranger Things?

No — it's a prequel set decades before the series, and it's written to work as a standalone thriller. Fans will catch many more references.

Is it OK for kids?

The production recommends 12+; there are jump scares, violence and intense effects.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

What to expect

Good to know

Get Saturday planned every Thursday

Common questions

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