Netflix’s New Miniseries Just Beat Stranger Things 4’s Record After 3 Years!

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The record previously held by Stranger Things season 4 for being the second-most viewed English-language TV show on Netflix has been broken, as per the latest streaming data update. Now, Wednesday season 1 holds the title of most-viewed English-language TV series of all time. However, it’s worth noting that Stranger Things is still one of Netflix’s biggest shows and among the most popular ever made. The highly anticipated fifth season of Stranger Things will premiere on November 26, 2025.

As a cinema enthusiast, I find it absolutely captivating to delve into Netflix’s streaming data. Their algorithm has an uncanny knack for transforming shows like “Bridgerton,” “Squid Game,” and “The Tiger King” into cultural sensations over the weekend. The creators of some of Netflix’s most-watched series shared insights about upcoming projects at the recent Tudum event, but it’s those lesser-known shows that suddenly appear out of nowhere that truly intrigue me. One such hidden gem slated for 2025 is “Adolescence.

Adolescence Is One Of Netflix’s Biggest TV Show Releases Ever

No One Could Have Foreseen Adolescence’s Tremendous Success

As of data from Netflix Tudum, the 2025 miniseries titled “Adolescence” ranks as the second-most-watched English-language show on Netflix in terms of unique views, with approximately 141.2 million viewers. However, it lags significantly behind “Wednesday” season 1’s record of 252.1 million views. In terms of total hours watched, “Adolescence” has accumulated 541.4 million hours, while “Stranger Things” season 4 has garnered a staggering 1,838 million hours. This discrepancy is largely due to the fact that “Adolescence” is a more recent release compared to “Stranger Things” season 4, which has had three years to amass viewership.

The psychological drama titled ‘Adolescence,’ set in Britain, revolves around a family that experiences chaos when their 13-year-old son is accused of murdering another child. Critics have given Adolescence a remarkable rating of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, praising it as one of the standout new series of 2025. Due to its mature content, this compelling drama can be easily consumed in four episodes, making it perfect for binge-watching. Here’s a graph displaying the top five shows for your viewing pleasure:

TV Series Total Views
1 Wednesday: Season 1 252,100,000
2 Adolescence 141,200,000
3 Stranger Things 4 140,700,000
4 DAHMER: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story 115,600,000
5 Bridgerton: Season 1 113,300,000

Our Take On Adolescence’s Success

Adolescence Is A Surprising But Welcomed Hit

The runtime for Adolescence is relatively brief, only 3 minutes and 50 seconds long, possibly due to its intense content. Most shows it contends with, like Wednesday, Bridgerton, and Stranger Things, are easier to consume. However, DAHMER is also heavy material, but Ryan Murphy’s talent for creating engaging and digestible television sets it apart. Adolescence stands out as an uncommon choice at the top of the list, making it quite intriguing.

It’s important to clarify that my statement doesn’t intend to criticize “Stranger Things” or similar series. Instead, I’m pointing out a trend in the film industry where light-hearted, fantastical shows and comedies often top charts, whether we’re talking about box office revenue in movie theaters or streaming viewership data. Granted, not everyone might appreciate adolescent themes, as suggested by the relatively short average runtime, but the fact that such a show maintains its popularity means that viewers are giving it a try, and I strongly support audiences who challenge themselves with art.

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2025-06-04 00:47