Vancouver fans of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things received an unforgettable New Year's Eve surprise when one of the show's stars walked into the theater. Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler, joined the audience at The Park Theatre on December 31 for a special screening of the show's two-hour series finale.
A Hometown Hero's Surprise Appearance
The actor's appearance held special significance for the local venue. Wolfhard, who turned 23 recently, is part of an investors consortium that came together last fall to save the historic 84-year-old cinema from closure after Cineplex announced it would cease operations there. The group includes notable film industry figures like directors Osgood Perkins, Sean Baker, Mike Flanagan, and Zach Lipovsky, along with producer Chris Ferguson.
"I'm so happy that The Park is still standing," Wolfhard told the crowd, as captured in an Instagram clip posted by @everestsquid. He recounted seeing a social media post about the theater's potential shutdown and hearing a rumor that the operators of The Rio Theatre might be involved. "So I cold called ... I would love to help in some way. And they said, 'We'll take your money.'"
The theater is now run by Corrine Lea, who is also the CEO of The Rio Theatre. Wolfhard, who originated the role of Mike Wheeler at age 12 when the show debuted in 2016, watched the finale alongside local fans, bringing his journey with the beloved sci-fi series full circle in his hometown.
What's Next for the Vancouver Star?
With Stranger Things now concluded after five seasons, Wolfhard's career continues to accelerate. His next major scheduled appearance is hosting Saturday Night Live's first episode of 2026 on January 17. The musical guest for that night will be A$AP Rocky, promoting his new album Don't Be Dumb, which releases on January 16.
Beyond the supernatural world of Hawkins, Indiana, Wolfhard has built a diverse portfolio. He has appeared in the Ghostbusters and It film franchises, along with roles in The Goldfinch and When You Finish Saving the World. He also played an NBC page in the 2024 feature film Saturday Night, about SNL.
A Multi-Talented Career in Entertainment
Wolfhard's talents extend far beyond acting. He is a co-director of the film Hell of a Summer, an active voice actor, and a musician. Earlier this year, he released his debut solo album titled Happy Birthday, showcasing another dimension of his artistic capabilities.
The surprise New Year's Eve event in Vancouver not only celebrated the end of an era for a global television phenomenon but also highlighted a local success story—the preservation of a cherished community cinema with the help of one of the city's own rising stars.
