The Duffer Brothers’ Stranger Things has grown into one of Netflix’s biggest hits yet the series began (in 2016) as a simple summer release with no expectations of becoming a global phenomenon. However, it's impressive mix of horror, science fiction, mystery and coming-of-age drama paved the way for its success and made it a must-watch on everyone's binge lists.Stranger Things' sudden success has been overwhelming to the cast and creators alike. Back in 2016, when actress Winona Ryder appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, shortly after the show's premiere, she shared her feelings about the show's sudden popularity. Ryder said:''It was definitely overwhelming. I have a pretty good system, I'm not on the internet that much but my parents are and they they forward me the good stuff.''The Duffer Brothers-created sci-fi hit recently released Volume 1 of its fifth and final season, which is already making waves on the Internet and the fans are anticipating the series' finale on New Year's Eve.More on this in our story.Throwback to when Winona Ryder felt overwhelmed with Stranger Things' sudden popularityGolden Globe-winning and Academy Award-nominated actress Winona Ryder might be best known for her quirky and dramatic roles in the late 80s but she grabbed fresh attention when she brought Joyce Byers to life in Season 1. Before the Hawkins gang united and came face-to-face with Vecna and the Mind Flayer, Joyce was just a concerned mother, looking for her recently disappeared kid, Will Byers.As seasoned Stranger Things fans might remember, it was Joyce who first felt a connection to her son in the Upside Down and was convinced that Will was calling to her from the other side. Her Season 1 montage of hanging the Christmas lights to communicate with her son is still considered one of the most iconic sequences from the show, inspiring many funny memes and stickers on the Internet.On her 2016 appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, Winona Ryder humorously remembered how Netflix increased its prices after Stranger Things' record-breaking premiere:''The day that the show was coming out, I got an email from them saying the price was going up to $12.99. It was like, there was an ad for the show with my face and it was like, but you have to get from $7.99 to $12.99. It's dangerous but great in a way.''Ryder recalls it as a defining moment for her and the entire cast, one they never imagined would catapult the series into a breakout success and keep it ruling the streaming charts for seasons to come.The Stranger Things Season 5 finale will be screened across 500+ movie theatres View this post on Instagram Instagram PostWinona Ryder's comments feel like a nostalgic and emotional moment for all Stranger Things fans, now that the show is coming to an end after five seasons. This must-try indie series transformed from a summer show to a Global success and will wrap its years-spanning story on the big screen.Netflix recently announced that the Season 5 finale will be screened in 500+ movie theatres across the US and Canada from December 31 at 5 p.m. PT to January 1, 2026. Long-time fans of the franchise will be able to enjoy the Hawkins gang's final adventure on the big screen with 'incredible sound, picture, and a room full of fans.' The finale will simultaneously drop on Netflix in all other regions.Before that, Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 will be released on Netflix on Christmas, setting the stage for the final chapter.For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.