Netflix’sStranger Things, which has long been one of the streamer’s flagship television shows, experienced a big bump in popularity ahead of the premiere of its fifth and final season.Stranger Thingsseason 5has been in the works since theending ofStranger Thingsseason 4in 2022. That wait, plus the promise of ending the wildly popular series, has made it highly anticipated.
Ahead of the premiere ofStranger Thingsseason 5, volume 1 on November 26, theearlier seasons ofStranger Thingsrose to number seven on the list of the top 10 original shows in America in the week of June 2(viaThe Hollywood Reporter). That was shortly after the release date ofStranger Thingsseason 5 was revealed.
In that week, thefirst four seasons ofStranger Thingsbeat out several newer streaming originals, includingMobLand, which had its season 1 finale on June 1, andTiresseason 2, which premiered on June 5. It seems a huge number of viewers began a rewatch ofStranger Thingsas a refresher ahead of season 5’s release date.
What Stranger Things' Streaming Popularity Means For Season 5
Stranger Things Season 5 Is Poised To Be A Massive Hit For Netflix
Simply put, the fact thatStranger Things' first four seasons were able to rejoin the streaming charts even after three years since the latest episode is a tremendous sign for the show.IfStranger Things' old episodes are already garnering this much attention, thenStranger Thingsseason 5 is primed to be a massive event when it premieres.
The 441 million minutes of stream thatStranger Thingsaccrued in the week of June 2 also only accounts for viewers who were rewatching the show months ahead of time. As the release date ofStranger Thingsseason 5 approaches, more viewers will likely start their own rewatch. Even more will rely on Netflix’s recap instead.Stranger Thingsseason 5 could easily see tens or hundreds of millions of viewers.
If that proves true,Stranger Thingsseason 5 could become an actual cultural phenomenon. Netflix has had a few shows that became almost mandatory viewing in the United States, likeSquid Gameand evenStranger Thingsseason 4. Based on how many people are already rewatching it,Stranger Thingsseason 5 may join that list and could even top Netflix’s all-time streaming charts.
It Might Be Worth Rewatching Stranger Things Seasons 1 - 4 Again
It seems like manyStranger Thingsfans have the right idea.If there were ever a time to rewatchStranger Things, it’s ahead of season 5’s premiere date. So much has happened in the four seasons leading up to the Party’s final confrontation with Vecna. Netflix’s recap at the start of the season simply won’t be able to convey the gravity ofStranger Things' final season.
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ThoughStranger Thingsseason 5 is the end of an era, this streaming news also indicates that the franchise’s future is bright. Any upcomingStranger Thingsspinoffs clearly have a massive audience baked in, and I’m confident they’ll find huge audiences of their own, even if they can’t compare to the original series. In other words,Stranger Thingsis one of the hottest TV shows out there.
