Adolescence just beat Stranger Things Season 4’s viewership record (but failed to surpass this most-watched Netflix series)

Adolescence Becomes Netflix’s second-most-watched English series ever, according to recent reports. The show has got 141.2 million views in under three months since March 13, 2025. Why is it significant? because this even pushes the viewership of Stranger Things season 4, previously in second place, down one more spot. However, the show fails to surpass Wednesday, which tops the list.

Adolescence is a 4-episodic mini series that shook the viewers with its unique, impactful, and gritty storytelling. The show was meant to be self-reflective, while Owen Cooper's performance was just the cherry on top. The show centres on Jamie Miller (played by Owen Cooper), a teenage boy accused of murdering a female classmate.

But the show isn't just a crime thriller — it’s a deep psychological and social investigation told from multiple perspectives, primarily focusing on Jamie's family. It explores how young men are radicalised online and are shaped by toxic influences. Read on to know more about how the show has surpassed the Stranger Things viewership record.

Here is how Adolescence surpasses the Stranger Things viewership record

Netflix analyses the viewership in 91 days after the release, and Adolescence is supposed to account for 141.2 million views, which is more than the popular, longer-running show, Stranger Things season 4. Therefore, this puts Adolescence in the 2nd position, followed by Stranger Things, while Wednesday remains at the top, untouched with a 242.1 million viewership record. According to reports, Adolescence would not be able to surpass Wednesday anytime soon.

After holding the second spot for nearly three years, Stranger Things S4 (released in 2022) is followed by Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story – 115.6 million views and Bridgerton Season 1 – 113.3 million views.

Adolescence gained such popularity first for its unique style of filmmaking. Each episode is filmed in a single take — a rare and ambitious stylistic choice that immerses the viewer in real time and adds tension to every moment. The show was further praised by critics for its authentic performances, unflinching writing, and showcasing a socially urgent, bold story.

The show is co-created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, who are already popular for their gritty, socially conscious storytelling in British television. Its themes of male vulnerability, toxic masculinity, online radicalisation, and violence are resonating far beyond entertainment. The makers of the show were clear with their objective, which was not just limited to telling a story but to starting a discourse around the issue. Even the British Prime Minister publicly endorsed the show, saying it should be “shown in schools” due to its educational and preventive value.

“I want it to be shown in schools, I want it to be shown in Parliament. It’s crucial because this is only going to get worse. It’s something that people need to be talking about, hopefully that’s what drama can do.”

Therefore, the very scale of viewers the series can serve is the major reason behind such overwhelming viewership, especially of a mini-series.

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Netflix further warns that Adolescence may be flying high for now, but Stranger Things Season 5 is still coming, while Wednesday Season 2 is also around the corner. This is going to affect the show's position.

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