Latest news with #Tudum2025
Economic Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Stranger Things Season 5 Teaser Released: What to expect in the final battle against the 'Upside Down'
Stranger Things fans have been anticipating the show's dramatic finale for years, and now their wait is finally over. Stranger Things is nearing the end of its run, as Netflix releases the first chilling teaser for season five. With the Upside Down becoming more powerful and familiar faces in danger, the Hawkins crew prepares for one final, all-out battle to save their town, and themselves. As the gang faces a growing threat from the Upside Down, emotional moments and looming character deaths point to a dramatic conclusion. Max's fate is in the balance, and no one is safe.A new teaser for the eagerly awaited fifth and final season of Stranger Things, which premieres on Netflix on November 26, was unveiled on Wednesday, July 16. With the expansion of Vecna's Curse beyond the Upside Down, Hawkins' heroes are back in action. Will (Noah Schapp), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) must outrun the impending threat in order to save the people they care about. The season 5 premiere date was previously revealed by Netflix during its Tudum 2025 live event on Saturday, May 31. There will be four episodes in Volume 1, three episodes in Volume 2, which will be released on Christmas, and the series finale on New Year's the crew battles the supernatural Upside Down, an alternate dimension that has terrorized and abducted residents of Hawkins, Indiana, the first volume of the upcoming season picks up where season 4 left off. After the town is overrun by the Upside Down and the government is unable to control it, the crew, which includes Eleven, Mike Wheeler, Will Byers, Lucas Sinclair, Dustin Henderson, Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley, Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, Joyce Byers, and Jim Hopper, joins forces for a final showdown. The crew intends to burn the Upside Down down, and Mike signals a "burn" to the character's fate in season 5 is still unknown, Lucas can be seen sobbing next to her hospital bed. Steve's embrace of Nancy's younger brother Mike during an emotional moment between Jonathan and Nancy may allude to multiple significant main character deaths. Dustin laments the passing of Eddie Munson, who passed away in season four and continues to be made fun of by the community for leading an unconventional lifestyle. Netflix revealed a black-and-white image of the cast in November 2024, marking the start of Stranger Things season 5 production. In December, Ross Duffer, a co-creator, confirmed that production was finished. Maya Hawke called filming season 5 "heartbreaking," and the cast has been vocal about how hard it has been to say goodbye to the show after five seasons. Volume 1 of Season 5 will be accessible on November 26. Volume 2 will be delivered around Christmas. It is anticipated that the series will test the characters' ability to survive, as per a report. When will Stranger Things Season 5 premiere?Volume 1 will be released on November 26th, Volume 2 on Christmas Day, and the series finale on December 31, 2025. Is Max alive in Season 5? Max remains in a coma at the start of the season, and her ultimate fate is unknown.
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
What to know about 'Wednesday' Season 2: Jenna Ortega returns with Lady Gaga
Jenna Ortega is all set to return as Wednesday Addams for another year of kooky, macabre hijinks. The hype is building for Season 2 of Netflix's blockbuster "Wednesday" series with the release of the official trailer. Season 1, which debuted in November 2022, made the series the most popular English-language show of all time on the streamer. Now the eight-episode second season promises more deadpan humor, soulless glares and even a Lady Gaga cameo as Wednesday takes on another eerie supernatural mystery at Nevermore Academy. From the newest cast members to the two-part premiere, here's everything we know about "Wednesday" Season 2. 'Wednesday' Season 2 trailer Is Lady Gaga in 'Wednesday' Season 2? The cast of "Wednesday" − including Ortega, 22 − officially announced Gaga's appearance in Season 2 of "Wednesday" at Netflix's Tudum 2025 event in June. Netflix's fan event also teased the first six minutes of the "Wednesday" Season 2 premiere, titled "Here We Woe Again." According to Netflix, Lady Gaga is set to portray Rosaline Rotwood, a legendary teacher at Nevermore Academy who crosses paths with Wednesday. Cast of 'Wednesday' Season 2 The returning cast members of "Wednesday" Season 2 include: These are the TV shows you don't want to miss this summer New faces and guest stars joining the Season 2 cast include: Osment, a new face to the "Wednesday" cast, delivers a chilling performance as the Kansas City Scalper, a serial killer who has Wednesday Addams bound in his basement, surrounded by life-sized dolls. 'Wednesday' Season 2 premiere date Season 2 of "Wednesday" will premiere on Netflix in two parts. Part 1 will debut Aug. 6 at 3 a.m. ET and Part 2 will premiere Sept. 3 at 3 a.m. ET. Contributing: Taijuan Moorman and Kelly Lawler
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix Tudum 2025 recap: All the trailers and release dates you missed for 'Stranger Things,' 'Squid Game,' 'Wednesday' and more
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Netflix's Tudum 2025 event kicked off tonight, May 31 at 8pm Eastern Time (5pm Pacific), streaming live worldwide from a sold-out IRL event at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. And with it came exclusive sneak peaks and starry cast appearances from some of the streaming service's most anticipated titles. We're talking beloved returning series like "Squid Game", "Wednesday" and the final installment of "Stranger Things", as well as high-profile films like Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein", the "Happy Gilmore" sequel and "Wake Up Dead Man", the latest entry into the "Knives Out" universe. As has become tradition at the annual Tudum event, fans got fresh intel like release dates, new trailers, first looks and the latest news on those Netflix properties—along with plenty of surprises, too. (Two words: Lady Gaga!] Tom's Guide chronicled all of the action so you didn't miss a thing — before, during and after the Tudum live event. Check out all of the latest news on your favorite Netflix shows, movies and more. Given that Tudum 2025 is Netflix's biggest live event of the year, the organizers are unsurprisingly pulling out the big names for tonight's fandom fest. Here are a full list of the series and films participating in Tudum 2025: Movies: Frankenstein Happy Gilmore 2 My Oxford Year The Life List The RIP Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Series: America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Season 2) Emily in Paris (Season 5) Forever (Season 1) Ginny & Georgia (Season 3) Love is Blind My Life with the Walter Boys (Season 2) Nobody Wants This (Season 2) ONE PIECE (Season 2) Outer Banks (Season 5) Squid Game (Season 3) Stranger Things (Season 5) Wednesday (Season 2) WWE And as well as major updates and exciting reveals from Netflix's biggest franchises, the global fandom event will include high-energy live performances, with musical headliner Lady Gaga (who has been confirmed to star in the second season of 'Wednesday') and Indian hip-hop sensation Hanumankind taking the stage. The whole proceedings will be hosted by actress Sofia Carson, known to Netflix fans for her roles in "Purple Hearts" and "The Life List". For fans of 'Stranger Things', Tudum 2025 is going to be a must-see event — with the Duffer Brothers' sci-fi juggernaut set to premiere its fifth and final season this year, there's certainly going to be plenty to talk about where the Upside Down is concerned. And given that longtime fans of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Will (Noah Schnapps) and the rest of the Hawkins crew still don't have an official release date for the new episodes — nor trailers and clips teasing what's to come in the series' last chapter — excitement is high to see what updates the creators and cast member unveil during tonight's live event. Speaking of updates, a viral audio clip linked to 'Stranger Things' season 5 dropped on May 30 ahead of Netflix's Tudum event, a grainy mix of loud bangs, radio status, muffled voices and other disturbing noises that has generated much speculation among fans about the significance of the eerie sounds therein. Is the cryptic 30-second clip connected to Vecna, the murderous big bad portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower and formerly known as Henry Creel? 'Stranger Things' fans will likely get insights into what that creepy new audio clip is all about during tonight's fandom event, as well as other titillating tidbits that will hopefully hold them over until the fifth and final season of the horror hit premieres on Netflix later this year. Check back here to find out all the latest 'Stranger Things' news coming out of the Tudum 2025 event! Calling all outcasts! 'Wednesday' will return for another season of supernatural adventures this summer in a two-part premiere, with four episodes debuting on August 6 and another four to follow on September 3. Fans of the spooky mystery-comedy — which stars Jenna Ortega as the titular Addams girl — have also already gotten to see a teaser trailer of what's to come for Wednesday, roommate Enid (Emma Myers), frenemy Bianca (Joy Sunday) and the rest of the Nevermore Academy gang. And we already know that there will be several fresh faces joining the main cast this season, including Steve Buscemi, Billie Piper, Evie Templeton, Owen Painter and Noah B. Taylor. And yes, pop icon Lady Gaga is also set to cameo in season 2, though specific details about Mother Monster's role are still under wraps. So, what can we hope for 'Wednesday'-wise from the Tudum 2025 event? Potentially, a new full-length trailer, exciting plot points, behind-the-scenes details, insights on how filming season 2 differed from its predecessor and plenty more gloomy goodness. Stay tuned! Fans of Rian Johnson's 'Knives Out' film franchise (which includes 2019's 'Knives Out' and its 2022 sequel 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery') have been waiting with bated breath for a deeper look into the upcoming third title of the murder-mystery movie series, especially after that deliberately vague teaser dropped earlier this week. The mysterious new clip for 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' — which will see Daniel Craig reprise the role of investigator Benoit Blanc, joined by a splashy ensemble that includes Josh O'Connor, Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Cailee Spaeny and Kerry Washington — opens on a gloomy church, with bells ringing louder and louder until the screen cuts to black. The caption reads: 'The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.' It's not a whole lot to go off on, but we'll surely get more extensive reveals during tonight's Tudum event. Maybe the mystery of exactly when fans can watch 'Wake Up Dead Man' on Netflix will get solved! Season five of 'Emily in Paris' sees a lot of change ahead for our titular heroine: Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) is switching up her hometown (benvenuti a Roma!), her hot beau (she's now dating Italian cashmere heir Marcello Muratori, played by Eugenio Franceschini) and even her haircut in the fifth installment of the (usually) French-set romantic comedy series. Plus, joining returning favorites like Mindy (Ashley Park), Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu), we'll also have some new character to meet in season 5, including Oscar-nominated actress Minnie Driver as Princess Jane, a friend of Sylvie's who married into a royal family. However, 'Emily in Paris' fans are still missing key points of intel regarding the upcoming fifth season, including the official release date, a full-length trailer and some fun Italian production stills. Here's hoping there's plenty of la dolce vita to go around during the 'Emily in Paris' segment of Netflix Tudum 2025. Get ready for more hilarious hijinks on the golf green — "Happy Gilmore" is back in a soon-to-come sequel, which is scheduled to hit Netflix on July 25, 2025. Along with a set release date, fans of the original sports comedy (which sees Adam Sandler play a titular hockey player-turned-competitive golfer) also already got to see a full-length teaser trailer for 'Happy Gilmore 2', which will have Sandler reunite on screen with several O.G. cast members, including Julie Bowen as Happy's longtime love Virginia Venit and Christopher McDonald as his golf nemesis Shooter McGavin. Those familiar faces will be joined by franchise newcomers including Bad Bunny, Ben Stiller, Travis Kelce and Sandler's own daughters Sadie and Sunny, along with IRL professional golfers like Jordan Spieth and Jack Nicklaus. Given how much of a fan-favorite the 1996 comedy is, we're sure that some special insights about the long-awaited sequel film will tee off tonight during the live Netflix event. It's been a good time as of late to be a 'Squid Game' fan — there's been a lot of news dropping recently ahead of the third and, sadly, final season of the South Korean dystopian hit. For one, we know that the new episodes will premiere on Netflix on Friday, June 27, and that season 3 will have six episodes in total, down one from its previous installment. 'Squid Game' fans also got an official teaser of the new season earlier this month, picking up in the aftermath of season 2's bloody cliffhanger: What challenges will Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and Co. face in their struggles to shut down the torturous games for once and for all? Netflix subscribers will likely get to hear even more chilling revelations about exactly how brutal this final chapter of the story will be during the soon-to-start Tudum event. Netflix Tudum 2025 is kicking off at 8pm Eastern Time, which means this is your last call for bathroom breaks, snack runs, dog walks and the like. There's a lot to come from the streamer this evening, so sit back and get comfortable — Tom's Guide is here to, well, guide you through all of the Netflix news as it happens live. Let's get into it! Our big show opening sees host Sofia Carson parody her recent Netflix hit "The Life List", as she ticks off several bucket-list activities like dancing "like Nicole Kidman is watching" and saving the world from an explosive suitcase à la Taron Egerton in "Carry-On". However, her on-screen mom Connie Briton reminds her that she still has one item left on her list: "Fly!" Thus, Carson does her best "Mission Impossible" and descends from the ceiling of the Tudum 2025 ceremonies dressed in a tuxedo. "Tonight is for you, because this is the place where the biggest stars on Netflix get to connect with you!" our host announces to the excited studio audience, citing A-listers like Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jenna Ortega, Lady Gaga and more among the evening's high-profile attendees. Let the show officially begin! After Hanumankind performed alongside the show's signature pink guards, the cast of "Squid Game" (led by Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun) took to the stage to tease the upcoming final installment of the South Korean sensation. "This huge reaction is so amazing, we're so happy to see all of you in one place," Byung-hun announced. And though Lee Jung-jae, who plays Player 456 in the series, nearly slipped up with a spoiler ("I'm not saying anything else!"), the actors did give some fresh details, including a brand-new trailer that looks like Gi-hun will be put through the ringer in the new episodes. "Why didn't you kill me? Why did you keep me alive?" we see him roaring to guards. Along with flashes of bloody corpses, jump rope games and murderous dolls, the trailer spotlights a final showdown between Gi-hun and Front Man, with the former bloodied and dressed in a tuxedo. Check out the new clip below! "I love a good surprise," director Rian Johnson takes the stage to begin the "Wake Up Dead Man" segment. "We strive to keep the audience guessing, so just when you think you have it figured it, something comes along that you weren't expecting". Enter Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, a T-shirt gun-wielding Kerry Washington, a double T-shirt gun-wielding Jeremy Renner and seven-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close, who calls in from her car to tell everyone that she's actually "eight-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close". But that's not all: "Daniel Craig was supposed to be doing these lines and he couldn't be here," Johnson announces, before the man himself comes out to announce an exclusive sneak peek of the movie. In the new teaser, we see Craig and Josh O'Conner in a church, with Mila Kunis as law enforcement investigation a crime. "This is the holy grail," Craig's Benoit declares. "This was dressed as a miracle It's just a murder And I solve murders". We'll see how it all plays out when "Wake Up Dead Man" premieres on Netflix on December 12, 2025! Netflix Tudum 2025 is the first time the event is being held in the United States (taking place in Los Angeles at the Kia Forum) and streamed live on Netflix. And to celebrate, the streamer brought out the stars of some of its biggest and most beloved titles, including "Ginny & Georgia", "Outer Banks", "Forever" and "My Life with the Walter Boys". Led by lead Pogue Chase Stokes, the actors all came together sweetly for a "class photo" to commemorate the momentous occasion. "One Piece" fans got a sweet look back at adventures past during the Netflix Tudum 2025 event, as well as exciting peeks on all of the "big" things to expect next. And that includes an adorable introduction to Tony Tony Chopper, who will be voiced in the new season by Mikaela Hoover. "The biggest thing we get to tell you: you know what's up, the crew gets a little bigger this season", actor Iñaki Godoy teased to the screaming audience "And we get to introduce you to him right now. The reindeer you always wanted: Tony Tony Chopper." After a cookie-filled cameo from The Cookie Monster, big-screen best buddies Ben Affleck and Matt Damon rose from the Netflix "N" to crowd cheers and lots of iPhone-camera flashing to introduce their new crime drama "The Rip", which if coming to the streamer on January 16, 2027. Joined by fellow "The Rip" castmates Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor and Catalina Sandino Moreno, the actors explain that a "rip" is something you pull from a crime scene. In the film's case, it's cash, and a lot of it. And speaking of ripping, the famous buds hilariously ripped into each other during the presentation of a never-before-seen clip of the upcoming film (alas, Netflix hasn't published the video online), which channels some of their favorite movies, including "Heat" and "Training Day". "Ben would turn on all of these guys for a cookie," Matt quipped, with Affleck biting back about his bushy-bearded pal: "I trusted Matt would shave the beard before Tudum but here we are!" If there's anyone we trust to bring an excellently spooky "Frankenstein" adaptation to the big screen, it's Guillermo del Toro! With her fifth movie set for Netflix, we're officially entering the "Sarah Carson Universe" — the Netflix Tudum 2025 host will next be seen in the romantic title "My Oxford Year" for the streamer. And keeping with the tradition of having a hunky co-star (Carson cutely name-dropped Taron, Nicholas, Wolfgang and Kyle), the actress announced that she will be joined by "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" heartthrob Corey Mylchreest, who showed up alongside Carson onstage to announce that "My Oxford Year" will hit Netflix on August 1, 2025. As anticipated, a fresh full-length trailer for the long-awaited "Happy Gilmore" sequel is officially here, announced by original cast mates Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald during tonight's Tudum showcase. In case you want to immediately feel old, "Stranger Things" actors Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp and Caleb McLaughlin took to the Tudum stage to share some adorable behind-the-scenes clips from the sci-fi hit's early days. (If you need an IRL marker of how much time has gone by since the first season, lead actress Millie Bobby Brown is an actual married woman at this point.) Gaten Matarazzo, who couldn't be there live at the Tudum event, videoed in to share this one of his favorite on-set memories was filming the graveyard "Dear Billy" scene. Brown also videoed in from "the void" (i.e. the set of "Enola Holmes") to reveal that her own personal fave was the scene where Eleven mind-controls the helicopter in that heart-racing scene in season 4. The final season of "Stranger Things" will be a big one: a three-parter, in fact. Along with a high-octane new teaser, the show's Netflix Tudum 2025 segment revealed the release dates of each installment of the final season: Volume one will drop on November 26 at 5pm PT, volume two on December 25 at 5pm PT and volume three on December 31 at 5pm PT. Consider your holiday plans set! "It's been an eventful summer," Jenna Ortega's character Wednesday Addams announces in the first six minutes of "Wednesday" season 2, which Ortega and the rest of the cast debuted during this evening's Tudum showcase. Proving that the show hasn't lost a drop of its dark humor, the goth teen quickly adds: "I'm tied up in a serial killer's basement." And it looks like that serial killer will be played by none other than "The Sixth Sense" great Haley Joel Osment. Misery loves company, so gather your moodiest pals in excitement for the upcoming season, scheduled to hit Netflix in two parts on August 6 and September 3, respectively. We think you'll enjoy the experience way more than Wednesday enjoys going through airport security lines! The "Wednesday" cast shared the audience's clear excitement about welcoming a very special guest to both the series and the stage: the one and only Lady Gaga, who pulled out her gothic best during a medley of her songs "Zombieboy", "Bloody Mary" and "Abracadabra", along with The Cramp's "Goo Goo Muck" and, of course, "The Addams Family" theme song. Because, honestly, how could you possibly follow up a performance like that?! Stay tuned, though, for further insights on everything that went down tonight during the Netflix Tudum 2025 live event. Sure, we got a quick, silly clip of star Lily Collins (with her pre-season 5 longer locks, mind you) acting as our beloved marketing maven, humorously pitching a new promo campaign for "Stranger Things". But other than that, Netflix Tudum 2025 saw no major updates or announcements regarding "Emily in Paris" season 5. Sacré bleu! Aside from that spirited cameo by "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton story" actor Corey Mylchreest, Netflix Tudum 2025 didn't offer much from the "Bridgerton" Cinematic Universe either. However, fans of the Ton can't be too pressed, as we did recently get a fresh teaser trailer for "Bridgerton' season 4" during Netflix's 2025 upfronts earlier this month. 1. "Stranger Things" three-part releaseThe fifth and final season will debut in three volumes, the first on November 26, the second on Christmas Day and the third on New Year's Eve. 2. The official trailer for "Squid Game" season 3Fans of the South Korean series got a sneak peek on all of the bloody action to come in the show's final chapter. 3. The introduction of Tony Tony Chopper on "One Piece"The straw hats crew gave an adorable first look at the live-action series' anticipated newcomer, Tony Tony Chopper, voiced by Mikaela Hoover. 4. An official teaser was unveiled for Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein"Horror lovers can see Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein's monster this November. 5. Speaking of horror, the first six minutes of "Wednesday" season 2 are out!We got to see all of the horrible hijinks Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) gets into in the new season, which sees Haley Joel Osment play a murderous bad guy. 6. "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" got a December 12 premiere dateThe release news was announced by the flick's A-list cast, including Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner and Cailee Spaeny. 7. And Ben Affleck and Matt Damon gave a first look at their crime thriller "The Rip"Alas, for now, the clip of the new drama was exclusive to Netflix Tudum 2025 viewers only, and has not yet been made available online. However, Tom's Guide will keep you posted if and when the sneak peek of the January 2026 title hits the internet! While "Nobody Wants This" wasn't part of this year's Tudum event, some exciting news emerged about the second season of the romantic comedy just a day later. At a Netflix For Your Consideration event, the cast revealed that "Nobody Wants This" season will premiere on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Lego 'One Piece' sets now available for pre-order ahead of August launch
Lego has officially opened pre-orders for its new 'One Piece' sets, inspired by the live-action Netflix adaptation of the legendary manga series. According to Lego's website, the sets became available for pre-order on June 5, 2025, and will begin shipping on August 1, 2025, the same day they'll be available in stores. Prices range from $9.99 to $329.99, with a limit of three sets per household. One highlight includes the BrickHeadz Monkey D. Luffy figure, featuring 136 pieces for $9.99. This launch comes ahead of Season 2 of Netflix's live-action One Piece, which is slated to debut sometime in 2026. A sneak peek of Tony Tony Chopper was shared during Netflix's Tudum 2025 event, building excitement among fans. In addition to the new sets, Lego stores across the U.S. will host 'One Piece' themed events throughout August. These include: Gum Gum Fruit Make & Take (Aug. 3-9) Straw Hat Headband giveaway (Aug. 1) One Piece Lego Passport stamp (Aug. 1-10) Minifigure Factory customization (Starting Aug. 1) The One Piece franchise, created by Eiichiro Oda, began as a manga in 1997 and was adapted into an anime in 1999. The 2023 Netflix live-action series stars Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, leader of the Straw Hat Pirates on their quest for the legendary treasure, the One Piece. Lego fans and anime lovers alike can expect a nostalgic and collectible experience.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix Under the Stars: A Streaming Dream Turned into a Global Empire at Tudum 2025
Netflix Under the Stars: A Streaming Dream Turned into a Global Empire at Tudum 2025 originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Under the shimmering Los Angeles night sky, the Kia Forum was no longer just an arena—it had become a glittering cinematic universe. On May 31, 2025, Netflix hosted its most ambitious Tudum event to date, transforming the venue and its surrounding grounds into a living, breathing celebration of storytelling. Giant LED screens flickered with first looks, futuristic sculptures towered over photo opportunities, and a curated sensory playground of sights and sounds welcomed Hollywood's elite, Gen Z's TikTok royalty, and superfans from every corner of the the heart of it all was Ted Sarandos, the soul of son of a grandfather who emigrated from the breathtaking Greek island of Samos, Sarandos has never forgotten his roots. His rise through the entertainment industry reads like a screenplay of the American Dream—humble, determined, and electrifying. When he joined Netflix in the early 2000s, it was a scrappy tech company mailing DVDs in red envelopes. Fast-forward two decades, and Sarandos has helped sculpt it into a $416.22 billion entertainment titan with over 301.6 million subscribers worldwide. At Tudum 2025, the Greek-American CEO stood not only as a business leader but as the architect of a cultural what better way to honor that legacy than with a celebration that felt part film festival, part fashion show, part music video—and all Netflix. Lady Gaga Rises from the Dead—LiterallyThe moment that set social media ablaze came halfway through the night: an eerie silence descended on the Forum as smoke curled across the stage. Then, in a theatrical flourish only she could pull off, Lady Gaga rose from a blood-red coffin etched with the words 'Here Lies the Monster Queen.'Her entrance marked the debut of her original song 'Zombieboy', which she followed with a haunting rendition of 'Bloody Mary'—a track long associated with her fanbase's obsession with the supernatural. She closed her set with 'Abracadabra,' complete with dancers in gothic ballet corpses and floating chandeliers swaying to the performance wasn't just a concert—it was a proclamation. Gaga is officially joining Netflix's smash hit , playing the mysterious Professor Rosaline Rotwood in Season 2. The show returns in two parts—August 6 and September 3—turning Wednesdays into global events once more.'It's spooky. It's poetic. It's theatrical. It's me,' Gaga told Sofia Carson during a backstage segment streamed live to millions around the world. A Global Stage Built in Los AngelesBut Tudum 2025 wasn't only about what was on the screen. It was also about who showed up—and how Netflix brought its stories to life. Outside the Kia Forum, Netflix constructed an interactive 'Storyverse,' where fans could walk through immersive pop-ups themed after Squid Game, One Piece, Bridgerton, and even Happy Gilmore 2, starring an unretired Adam drone hovered, dazzled above the Forum as the audience roared in awe. LED arches pulsed with crimson and neon purple. Stylists, makeup artists, and celebrity glam teams brushed shoulders with TikTok creators, YouTubers, and journalists from Tokyo to São Paulo. The vibe was very much: the Emmys meets Coachella meets a designer-clad fever wasn't just a press event—it was a statement of cultural dominance. A Galaxy of Stars Beneath the Los Angeles SkyFollowing the live show, the action spilled into a lavish outdoor reception built entirely for the evening. Giant mirrored sculptures spun slowly in the breeze as guests sipped custom Netflix cocktails named after their favorite shows (yes, there was a Squid Game Sangria and a Sex Education Spritz). Oscar nominees clinked glasses with streaming darlings, and dancers performed on elevated platforms as ambient house music filled the among the crowd: Jenna Ortega, dressed in black lace and boots; Guillermo del Toro, deep in conversation with Rian Johnson; Addison Rae recording TikTok videos with the Stranger Things cast; and even Ben Affleck having fun with his best friend Matt Damon. It was a mosaic of entertainment—streaming, cinema, social, and everything in between. Legacy in Motion: Ted Sarandos and the Power of Global StorytellingAt the core of the evening was a quiet but powerful tribute to the man who made it all Sarandos didn't just bet on streaming—he bet on stories—international ones. Diverse ones. Risky ones. As Netflix grew, so did its mission: to empower creators everywhere, from Lagos to Lisbon, and from Norway to Argentina. It was Sarandos who saw potential in non-English language content before it became trendy. His greenlight of Money Heist, Squid Game, and Lupin turned local shows into global what drives him most isn't numbers—it's people. That, too, stems from his Greek-American heritage. The spirit of the Greek ideal of duty, which emphasizes doing good quietly, informs his leadership style. Sarandos is the person who knows the name of the camera operator, who checks in with junior executives, and who shares thoughts with filmmakers, because he understands that humans, not just algorithms, build Tudum, as he welcomed guests and thanked the team behind the event, Sarandos humbly deflected the spotlight. But make no mistake: it was his night. Netflix Hits a Record HighThe day after Tudum, Netflix stock hit an all-time high of $1,217.75, briefly making the company the second most valuable entertainment brand in the world. Netflix's market capitalization, or net worth, is approximately $416.22 billion—a staggering figure that underscores its dominance in the industry. And the ambition doesn't stop there: the company is aiming for a $1 trillion market cap by 2030, a goal that now feels less like a fantasy and more like a strategic inevitability. Industry insiders view the event not only as a celebration but also as a bold flex—proof that Netflix isn't just surviving in a crowded streaming space; it's thriving, innovating, and leading. As traditional studios grapple with theatrical declines and IP fatigue, Netflix has cracked the code: build community, embrace global voices, and create moments that feel personal, even when viewed by millions. The Night Stories Became MagicIn the final hour of the reception, as the lights dimmed and drones traced the Netflix 'N' across the stars, you could feel it: that unmistakable tingle of wonder. The same feeling you get watching a perfect pilot, reading a line of dialogue that hits too close, or losing sleep bingeing on something brilliant. That's what Tudum 2025 was about. Not just content, but connection. Not just a platform, but a pulse. And at the center of it all stood a man from a family of Greek immigrants—proof that sometimes the most powerful stories begin on a small island like Samos and end up reshaping the way the entire world watches TV. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
