The long-awaited return of Stranger Things proved too much for Netflix to handle, as the streaming service experienced a brief crash moments after releasing the first part of its final season.
Server Meltdown
On November 27, 2025, Netflix dropped the first four episodes of Stranger Things season five after what fans described as an agonising three-year wait. The demand was so immense that outage tracker Downdetector reported approximately 14,000 cases in the US and hundreds more in countries including India, causing widespread streaming issues.
Netflix confirmed the technical difficulties in a statement to Reuters, noting: 'Some members briefly experienced an issue streaming on TV devices, but service recovered for all accounts within five minutes.'
Instant Chart Success
Despite the brief interruption, the show's popularity remained undeniable. Within mere hours of its release, Stranger Things season five, part one had already claimed the number four spot in Netflix's top 10 charts. Industry experts predict it will imminently reach the number one position and likely dominate the charts for the foreseeable future.
The sci-fi phenomenon, which first captivated audiences in 2016, has become one of Netflix's most defining productions. Viewers are eagerly watching to discover how the group of Dungeons and Dragons-loving teenagers will finally defeat Vecna and seal the Upside Down for good.
Critical and Fan Acclaim
The new season brings back the beloved ensemble cast including Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, alongside returning stars Winona Ryder and David Harbour.
Early reactions from both critics and fans have been overwhelmingly positive. One fan, Mihail M, declared it 'the greatest show of our generation', while Lockie B described it as 'the best piece of media that Netflix has ever released and probably the best TV show of all time.'
Professional critics have echoed this enthusiasm, with reviews praising the new episodes as 'richly entertaining' and 'a thrill ride from start to finish'. Metro's TV Editor Sabrina Barr awarded the season a five-star review, calling it 'a TV moment that will be remembered for years to come.'
The Washington Post noted that while 'most shows would lose themselves under all that cultural baggage, but Stranger Things (mostly) didn't,' and Vogue highlighted the show's 'swagger and confidence' that places it 'high above its rivals.'
Stranger Things season five part one is currently streaming on Netflix, with part two scheduled for release on December 25 and the final episode arriving on December 31.
