Unless you’ve been hiding in the Upside Down, you know that the Stranger Things finale, titled “The Rightside Up,” dropped on New Year’s Eve. This feature-length episode wrapped up five seasons of captivating storytelling, but not everyone was thrilled with how the Duffer Brothers chose to tie up the series. While Netflix might hope for a wave of glowing reviews, what’s really important are those viewership numbers, and Stranger Things certainly delivered on that front.
There’s certainly a track record here for Stranger Things when it comes to streaming success. The show has always had a strong following, and the initial volumes of season five demonstrated that fans were still onboard, despite the long wait since season four in 2022.
A recent press release from Netflix revealed some impressive stats for the week of December 29 to January 4. The finale, “The Rightside Up,” set a record for Netflix with the most views ever on New Year’s Day. It also placed season five at No. 1 on the English TV list, racking up 31.5 million views. Overall, season five made the Most Popular English TV list, settling into the No. 9 spot with a whopping 105.7 million total views. Just so you know, Stranger Things 4 holds the No. 3 position right now, while Wednesday season one sits at the top.
This surge in views didn’t just benefit the recent season; earlier seasons saw boosts as well. Season 1 climbed to No. 3 on the English TV list with 7.6 million views, while Season 2 jumped to No. 5 with 5.5 million. Season 3 reached No. 7 with 5 million, and Season 4 landed at No. 8 with 4.8 million views. This marks the sixth time all seasons of the series have made it onto the list together.
Interestingly, even those critical of the finale still tuned in. Many likely returned to episodes multiple times, dissecting little details—whether it was Mike’s theories about Eleven or the complexities of the Henry-Vecna connection—to support their arguments.
What’s next for Stranger Things? Well, Netflix is planning to release a behind-the-scenes documentary about season five on January 12, giving fans another chance to explore the show’s universe.
What were the viewer statistics for the Stranger Things finale?
The finale, “The Rightside Up,” achieved 31.5 million views on New Year’s Day, making it the most-viewed show in Netflix history for that day.
How did earlier seasons of Stranger Things perform after the finale?
After the finale’s release, earlier seasons surged in views, with Season 1 reaching 7.6 million, Season 2 with 5.5 million, Season 3 at 5 million, and Season 4 garnering 4.8 million views.
What should fans expect next from Stranger Things?
A behind-the-scenes documentary about season five is set to be released on January 12, providing an inside look into the making of the season.
Did everyone love the Stranger Things finale?
Not everyone was a fan of the finale, but its high viewership numbers indicate that many fans were eager to see how the series concluded.
The journey of Stranger Things might be wrapping up for now, but the excitement doesn’t end here. With a making-of documentary coming soon, there’s still more to explore in this fan-favorite universe. What’s your take on the finale? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!