Netflix’s New Harlan Coben Thriller Run Away Has Already Defeated Stranger Things on Streaming

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As a big fan of Netflix originals, I was really excited for the finale of this show – it’s definitely one of their biggest! But honestly, I was a little disappointed that it didn’t stay at number one for very long. They released the final season in three parts, and that seemed to hurt its staying power, which was a surprise considering how much everyone was anticipating it.

According to FlixPatrol, as of December 5th, Stranger Things is the second most popular show on Netflix in the U.S., just days after its final episode aired. The new series Run Away has taken the top spot, moving up one position to claim first place.

Harlan Coben’s novel, Run Away, was a long-awaited release and quickly became popular. Following the success of several other limited series adapted from his books on Netflix, Run Away continues that trend. This was particularly welcome for viewers, as a new Netflix adaptation wasn’t available in 2025 while Coben focused on another project.

“Run Away” quickly became a global hit, reaching the top of the charts in 44 countries, including the United States, just four days after it came out. However, “Stranger Things” remains the most popular show overall, currently leading the charts in 21 countries worldwide.

Premiering in 2016, Stranger Things quickly became popular by blending science fiction with a nostalgic look back at the 1980s. The show drew inspiration from classic filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Stephen King, and authentically captured the feel of the decade. At its heart, it’s a story about a group of endearing underdogs battling a mysterious force from another dimension and a secretive government agency.

The show was a major undertaking for Netflix, reaching its conclusion with a fifth and final season. Unfortunately, the finale didn’t resonate with many longtime viewers, and reactions were generally disappointing.

Despite some variation in episode ratings, Stranger Things remains highly popular with both critics and viewers. It boasts a 90% approval rating from critics and an 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. On IMDb, the series has an overall rating of 8.6/10. While most episodes are well-received, “The Bridge” is the lowest-rated, scoring only 5.7/10, and the series finale, “The Rightside Up,” ranks as the third-lowest with a 7.8/10.

What Is Run Away About?

The new limited series, based on Harlan Coben’s 2019 novel of the same title, centers on Simon, a man whose life falls apart when his daughter, Paige, runs away. After briefly finding her and believing he has a second chance, he quickly realizes things are far more complicated. Paige disappears again, and the desperate search pulls Simon into a dangerous world that could destroy his family.

James Nesbitt, known for The Hobbit and previous Harlan Coben adaptations like Missing You and Stay Close, leads the cast of this limited series. Minnie Driver plays his wife, Ingrid Greene, and Ellie de Lange (from Wolf Hall and The Serpent) portrays their daughter, Paige Greene, who goes missing.

Run Away and Stranger Things are streaming on Netflix.

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2026-01-05 20:06