The wait for the final chapters of Stranger Things has been excruciating, but the beloved Hawkins crew has already rewarded the loyalty of the massive fanbase—and then some.
While we are still anxiously waiting for Volume 2 and the grand finale, the first installment of Season 5 has already vaulted the show into elite territory, setting an unprecedented record for Netflix and proving the enduring dominance of the sci-fi saga.
The Biggest Premiere Week in Netflix History
Netflix has officially announced that Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 has delivered the biggest premiere week in Netflix history for an English-language show.
With only the first four episodes released, the season pulled in a staggering 59.6 million views, immediately soaring to the No. 1 spot on the English TV list. This explosive demand wasn’t contained to a few countries; the first chapter of Season 5 made it into the Top 10 in all 93 countries tracked by the streamer, and it reached No. 1 in an astounding 90 of them.
This level of global reach and immediate consumption for just four episodes is a testament to the cultural phenomenon the Duffer Brothers created.
A First-Ever Milestone for the Entire Series
What makes this premiere week even more impressive is the ripple effect it had across the entire series catalog. For the first time ever for an English-language series, every single prior season of Stranger Things made it into the Top 10 simultaneously!
The collective desire to revisit the journey before the finale resulted in viewers engaging with the show’s entire 1.2 billion-view history:
- Season 1 surged back to number 3 with 8.9 million views.
- Season 4 came in at number 5 with 6.1 million views.
- Season 2 hit number 6 with 5.6 million views.
- Season 3 landed at number 8 with 4.6 million views.
This incredible feat confirms that Stranger Things is not just a popular show; it’s a fully immersive cultural moment that drives engagement across its entire legacy.
The Duffer Brothers React: “Staggering” Response
The creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, couldn’t be more thrilled with the immediate response. “The sheer number of fans who have already watched Volume 1 is staggering — the response has been more than we ever could have dreamed,” they said.
They also expressed deep gratitude for the longevity of the fandom: “The show is now a decade old, and seeing the fanbase not only endure but continue to grow has been incredibly rewarding for us, the actors, and the thousands of artists who helped bring this story to life. We truly cannot thank everyone enough, and we are beyond excited to share Volume 2 — there’s so much more to come!”
That anticipation is nearly over. Season 5 Volume 2, consisting of three episodes, will release on Christmas Day. Then, the final, single-episode finale will hit Netflix on New Year’s Eve, where it will also be available for screening in select theaters across the U.S. and Canada.
Get ready, fans—the biggest moments in Netflix history are still ahead of us!
