The Stranger Things series finale brought an unpredictable twist to New Year's celebrations. Millions of fans who chose to let go of traditional festivities found themselves dealing with a different form of countdown. Netflix experienced a widespread technical issue as audiences rushed to watch the two-hour conclusion of the popular supernatural show. The streaming platform struggled to cope with the huge demand.Viewers across the country reported crashes and loading issues. Social media quickly filled with frustrated posts from fans desperate to see how the Duffer Brothers would end their epic story. The timing could not have been worse for eager audiences. The audience wanted to spend their New Year's Eve witnessing events in Hawkins with Eleven and the group. However, many found themselves staring at error messages and frozen screens. The platform's servers buckled under the pressure of so many streams at once.Also See: Stranger Things Season 5: All about Vecna’s origin story ahead of the finaleNetflix servers struggle with demand The Stranger Things series finale created unpredictable traffic on the streaming platform. Viewers took to various social media platforms, including X, to share their disappointment and irritation. One user wrote desperately about having no New Year's plans except watching the series.Another reported several crashes within the first three minutes of streaming. The complaints poured in as the clock struck midnight. Many audiences refreshed their apps repeatedly, hoping to catch even a glimpse of the finale.The technical issues highlighted the show's cultural impact. After Volume 2 of the fifth season was released on Christmas, the show had already claimed the number one spot on Netflix.Also See: Someone might betray the gang in Stranger Things Season 5 finale, possibilities explored in-depthTheatrical option provides a backup plan for Netflix series finaleNetflix offered an alternative for those unable to stream. The Stranger Things series finale was screened in more than 350 theaters through New Year's Day.This theatrical release gave the audience a chance to see the ending on the big screen. Many viewers likely headed to the cinema after attempting to stream and failing. The option proved valuable as Netflix worked to resolve its technical problems.The platform eventually restored service throughout the evening. Most users eventually got access to watch the Stranger Things series finale. The crashes became less frequent as the night progressed. By the time the ball dropped, many viewers had already witnessed the end of their beloved show.Also See: This Stranger Things Series finale theory is the most possible one to happen, details explored in-depth