Stranger Things Finale Explodes Internet, Netflix Trends Globally

• Netflix is trending on Google today, January 1, 2026, following the release of the final episode of Stranger Things Season 5 on December 31, 2025.
• Fans are sharing mixed reactions—happy, emotional, and angry—across social media platforms like X and Instagram after watching the series finale.
• The final episode, "The Rightside Up," featured Eleven, Kali, and Max confronting Vecna, while Hopper and Murray worked to destroy the Upside Down.
• Series co-creator Matt Duffer highlighted the importance of teamwork, comparing the final battle against Vecna and the Mind Flayer to a Dungeons & Dragons climax.
• The conclusion of the massively popular series, which began in 2016, has left many fans finding it difficult to move on.

Why It Matters: Stranger Things Season 5 finale caused Netflix to trend globally, sparking intense fan reactions.