It’s been almost 10 years since Netflix dropped the original series that io9 was interested in because of its disloyalty to Steven Spielberg and Stephen King. At first, however, we weren’t sure if “io9” was enough to cover it. Will it actually contain bona fide sci-fi horror, or will it just be a fun little show about ’80s kids on their bikes having periods?
Apparently, five seasons later, we know that Stranger Things is a supernatural series, and it’s become a huge cultural phenomenon that consistently surpasses its hot spot on Netflix’s Top 10. Not only has it spawned careers (remember when Winona Ryder and Matthew Modine were big names in acting?), its popularity has spilled over into music, sports, and even food.
Plus a new set of trumpet figures Stranger Things‘ ever-rising ratings – boosted by its fifth and final season, which dropped three new episodes this week – Netflix shared a press release that examines the show’s impact beyond its impressive viewership numbers. (Although if you’re curious, seasons 1-4 have “earned more than 1.2B views to date, the most views of any Netflix show”; meanwhile, the fifth season premiere “has reached 102.6M views worldwide, and all five seasons remain in the Top 10 this week.”)
A happy note in the release calls for the most rewatched scenes of the show, that of Nancy by Vecna in the fourth season, episode seven (which contains important information about the future plans of Vecna), and the big collection “Neverending Story” between long-distance sweets Dustin and Suzie in the third season, episode eight.
We already knew that Kate Bush’s 1985 hit “Running Up That Hill” enjoyed chart-topping success after it was reused in season four; it was used again in the fifth season. Another song gaining momentum especially from season five is Diana Ross’ “Upside Down,” which “saw a 1,250% increase in Gen Z streams worldwide.”
While every other generation waited nervously to see if disco would make a full-fledged comeback, there was a noticeable uptick in the airplay of Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now” (because pop stars do know about monsters, Holly!), Chordette’s “Mr. Sandman” (who was already a scary core because Halloween II), and ABBA’s “Fernando,” which is just the right song for a mother’s wine bubble bath before she fights the Demogorgon.
Netflix would like you to know that “between the premiere of the first season in 2016 and the fourth season in 2022, Pits & Dragons universe, a favorite of Eddie Munson and the Hellfire Club, has grown a meteoric 673%,” a claim that, as Variety pointed out, D&D “It’s made a lot of big strides over the past nine years, including the 2023 movie, the expansion of the game itself, and more,” though that includes Stranger Things cooperation.
Netflix’s press release also affects the success of Stranger Things‘ many releases included, including those red-filled Chips Ahoy cookies (the release doesn’t mean Peanut Butter Boppers or, oddly enough, Eggo waffles), Nike’s comparatively clever Dunk Low sneakers with upside-down logos, books and comics, and a lot of dipping. Stranger Things: Experience.
As the show winds down (three episodes come on Christmas, then the grand finale on New Year’s Eve), it seems the commercial train will continue to roll to Stranger Things (have you seen the Creel House Lego set?)—and that Netflix will likely break other viewership records before we see the last of Vecna. No doubt there will be plenty of retro songs to resurface for the rest of the season. Also, that animated twist coming next year will also help in the end Unknown the fever is alive.
Looking for more io9 news? Check out when you can expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe in film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
