The reaction to Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 was immediate. The show was not only trending in a matter of about 24 hours, but it also took over Netflix. It immediately jumped to the top of the global charts, subscribers crowded social media with feedback, and the series immediately achieved a number of major milestones.The initial IMDb scores surged, with the fourth episode of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 receiving a 9.8/10; it also nearly filled the entire Top 10 list on Netflix as people began re-watching the previous seasons, and the site even became unresponsive to some users due to traffic caused by the huge number of people all watching it at the same time.This massive opening is not merely about the excitement, but it set real records. Based on the number of viewers, the ratings of the episode, and the technical load on Netflix, Stranger Things Season 5 demonstrated how a long-running series can transform its last season into a global spectacle.Top-10 charts flooded across countries with the release of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 View this post on Instagram Instagram PostStranger Things Season 5 literally and virtually took over Netflix in the first 24 hours following the release of its Volume 1. The show appeared in the regional and global top-10 lists everywhere, a rare occurrence, and it was not long before the media picked it up as headlines. The new episodes were also ranked highly on the third-party tracking websites in most countries.The influx of viewers was so enormous that it also created some technical problems. Netflix reported that certain TV devices were experiencing temporary disconnect, and there were thousands of reports of outage trackers. In Netflix’s official statement to Variety, the streamer stated:“Some members briefly experienced an issue streaming on TV devices, but service recovered for all accounts within five minutes.”Ratings, fan fervor, and the IMDb effect View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe early audience ratings conveyed the same tale of excitement. A few hours after Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 released, tens of thousands of IMDb users had already rated the new episodes, and the fourth episode landed directly at the very top of the entire show.This was immediately picked up by the social media and fan communities, with individuals posting their responses, writing reviews, and engaging in discussion threads as they binge-watched the first four episodes. Such a good, immediate reaction tends to have a positive effect: good initial ratings will bring more viewers, and they will then provide their own ratings and buzz, which will further propel the show to the next level.What this means for Netflix and Stranger Things Season 5 finale View this post on Instagram Instagram PostA series that can push all its previous seasons to the top of the Netflix lists and even cause the streamer to slow down temporarily is obviously extremely powerful. In the case of Netflix, this translates to massive success: top-10 rankings, global coverage, and a plethora of free publicity. All this contributes to attracting new subscribers as well as making people talk.For Stranger Things, this achievement shows how valuable the final season is. Reports indicate that Stranger Things has already brought in about $1 billion for Netflix. It has almost become a must-watch for people, something they rarely do often in the streaming age. It further demonstrates that Netflix's strategy to launch Volume 1 earlier, before the holiday season, was very successful. Besides, it confirms that even famous long-running franchises remain highly commercial.Stranger Things Season 5 is culturally becoming more of a shared experience once again, thanks to all the people watching, writing, posting, and keeping it alive in discussions simultaneously. It is a unique combination of fandom, platform power, and media buzz that can be easily seen in charts, ratings, and headlines.For more such insights on Stranger Things Season 5, keep following SoapCentral.