Stranger Things: A Decade as Netflix's Ultimate Sci-Fi Phenomenon

Ten years after the first season of Stranger Things premiered, the hit sci-fi show remains a streaming juggernaut for Netflix. The series recently aired its fifth and final season, bringing an end to the saga that began in 2016 and grew into the platform's biggest spectacle. Streaming data from FlixPatrol shows the show is currently one of the most-watched on the platform, two weeks after it released the divisive series finale. Stranger Things' success goes beyond the current season. It is arguably Netflix's first smash hit and the show with the biggest cultural impact on the pioneer of modern streaming. Stranger Things was not a hit right out of the gate, as it took several weeks after release for Netflix subscribers to catch on. And when they did, there was no stopping it. The show was praised for perfectly capturing the '80s, complete with the fashion, music, and pop culture references. It won viewers over with its characters, who have since become cultural icons. The only direction for it was up, with subsequent seasons bringing in even more viewers and driving subscriptions. Stranger Things is one of the most popular shows on Netflix, boasting two seasons on the platform's top-ten most-watched Netflix originals of all time. The only other shows with that honor are Wednesday and Bridgerton (which leads with three). Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things is set in the quaint town of Hawkins, Indiana. The disappearance of Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) sets in motion events that expose shady government experiments and the unexplained disappearance of children. The show has amassed a massive cast list over the years. Apart from Schnapp, the other main cast members include Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), and Joe Keery (Steve Harrington). What's Next for the 'Stranger Things' Universe? Even with the flagship series reaching the end of the road, the Stranger Things universe is set to continue. A Stranger Things play has already been made with audiences turning out in droves, but fans can expect even more. Stranger Things: Tales From the '85 is an upcoming animated spin-off set between Seasons 2 and 3 of the original series. Additionally, a live-action anthology series is also in the works, but details remain scarce. And for fans of Ross Duffer and Matt Duffer, the duo has new shows unrelated to Stranger Things coming out this year on Netflix before they depart the platform for Paramount. Stream all episodes of Stranger Things on Netflix, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.