Why “Stranger Things” couldn’t compete with this Netflix success

Netflix has produced countless global hits, but only a handful of them have truly reshaped viewing habits worldwide.

A new analysis of audience data from 2021 to 2025 reveals how dramatically audience attention has changed.

While familiar favorites remain strong, an unexpected heavyweight has arisen so far away that even cultural titans like “Stranger Things” couldn’t keep up.

Over the past five years, Netflix has evolved from a successful streaming service to a global viewing ecosystem where success is measured in billions of hours.

Some series grab headlines, while others regularly amass massive audiences across borders and languages.

To understand which shows truly garnered sustained attention, entertainment analysts at Sweepstakes Table looked at Netflix’s official weekly Top 10 data as well as long-term audience totals.

The results reveal that audience loyalty, international appeal and cultural resonance matter more than media hype alone.

Series that spark conversations, memes, and long-term engagement continue to rack up hours long after release.

This broader perspective shows that while many shows shine briefly, only a few are redefining what global success looks like on Netflix.

Topping the list is “Squid Game,” which has racked up more than five billion hours watched worldwide between 2021 and 2025.

That staggering figure puts it far ahead of all its competitors, including “Stranger Things,” which clocked just over three billion hours over the same period. The gap between first and second place is not only notable, but historic.

The Korean survival drama transcended language barriers with its blend of childhood games, high-stakes tension and social commentary.

Viewers on every continent connected with its themes of despair and inequality, making it a shared global experience.

The costumes, online challenges, and endless discussions helped sustain interest well beyond its initial release, cementing its place as Netflix’s most-watched series of all time.

Beyond total hours viewed, longevity tells another important story.

“Squid Game” not only attracted viewers quickly; it held them back. The series remained in Netflix’s Global Top 10 for a cumulative 32 weeks, longer than any other title analyzed.

This extended series highlights how certain shows become cultural moments rather than fleeting trends.

Other series have also demonstrated impressive staying power. “Yo soy Betty, la fea” spent 30 weeks in the Top 10, proving that classic storytelling can find new life decades after its original release.

Meanwhile, “Wednesday” and “Café con aroma de mujer” each ran for 28 weeks, demonstrating that new reimaginings and a loyal telenovela audience can sustain long-term success.

These trends reveal that word of mouth and repeat viewing are just as crucial as premiere day buzz.

Despite its enormous popularity, “Stranger Things” ranked seventh in terms of cumulative Top 10, with a total of 20 weeks.

Its nostalgic blend of 1980s aesthetic, sci-fi horror, and ensemble storytelling has built one of Netflix’s most devoted fan bases.

The decision to split its final season into multiple versions has kept the series in the public conversation longer than most shows do.

Yet even with these advantages, “Stranger Things” couldn’t compete with the global intensity sparked by “Squid Game.”

The data suggests that familiarity alone cannot guarantee dominance.

Even if established franchises perform consistently, revolutionary concepts that resonate across cultures can generate audience levels that traditional hits struggle to achieve.