The fifth and final season of Stranger Things concluded a significant chapter for Netflix. The show, which initially launched Netflix into the spotlight, became one of its biggest successes ever. Now that Stranger Things has ended, all eyes are on what show will take its place as Netflix’s next major hit – and Netflix has already announced its successor.
Netflix has shared its viewing numbers for the second half of 2025. While season 5 of Stranger Things was popular, with 94 million views, Wednesday season 2 was the biggest hit, attracting an impressive 124 million viewers during those six months.
In addition to its strong viewership, Wednesday Season 1 garnered 47 million views, landing it at number 8 on the list of most-watched shows. We can expect a similar trend when Season 3 is released, as fans will likely revisit the first two seasons – either discovering the show for the first time or refreshing their memory before the new episodes arrive.
Wednesday Is Positioned To Be Netflix’s Next Stranger Things Franchise
The show’s numbers are already strong, but they’re even more notable because critics and viewers had opposite reactions to the second season compared to the first. Season one of Wednesday received a 73% rating from critics and an 86% score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. However, season two flipped those numbers, earning an 87% critics’ score and a 76% audience score. While season two was well-received by critics, it also sparked more online discussion and disagreement among viewers.
Fans likely won’t have to wait too long for season 3! Production actually started while season 2 was still being released, and the team is working hard to speed things up. Currently, season 3 is expected to premiere in 2027.
Netflix could take a page from the success of Stranger Things by expanding its stories more quickly. Instead of waiting for new main seasons, they could create spin-offs or side stories focused on individual characters to keep fans engaged and build excitement between releases.
Viewers frequently complained about the long waits between seasons of Stranger Things, and Wednesday should learn from that to avoid similar criticism. The second season ended on a strong note, and the third season has the potential to significantly change the show, so fans are eager for updates on what’s next.
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2026-02-01 17:11