Netflix crashes as ‘Stranger Things’ finale debuts

Netflix experienced widespread technical difficulties on New Year's Eve as the much-anticipated Stranger Things series finale premiered, prompting a flood of complaints from fans unable to access the episode.

Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), were quickly inundated with reactions from viewers reporting crashes, buffering, and login failures just minutes into the two-hour conclusion of the Duffer Brothers' hit supernatural drama.

"NETFLIX CRASHED PLS LET ME IN I DO NOT HAVE NEW YEARS PLANS," one user wrote, capturing the collective panic of fans eager to witness the final chapter of Hawkins' story.

Another posted, "My Netflix has crashed twice already three mins into the Stranger Things finale," while others shared clips and supercuts of the show alongside exasperated messages questioning whether the streaming giant was down.

The finale's release comes amid record-breaking viewership for the show's fifth and final season. After Season 5, Volume 2 debuted on Christmas Day, Stranger Things swiftly returned to Netflix's No 1 position, amassing 34.5 million views. Overall, the season has accumulated an impressive 137.1 million views since Volume 1 premiered in November, underscoring the series' enduring global appeal.

Netflix has not immediately issued a detailed statement addressing the outages, though service appeared to be gradually restored in several regions as the night progressed.

Read more

Chris Hemsworth’s Thor undergoes major tone shift in ‘Avengers’

For fans unwilling to risk streaming disruptions, Netflix offered an alternative viewing experience. The series finale is being screened in more than 350 theaters worldwide through New Year's Day, allowing audiences to watch the conclusion on the big screen.

As the curtain falls on one of Netflix's most iconic original series, the overwhelming demand and the temporary technical chaos served as a testament to Stranger Things' cultural impact, proving that even a global streaming platform can be shaken when Hawkins says goodbye.