You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about how Netflix completely changed the game with streaming content. I mean, we’ve all been there – scrolling endlessly through options, right? But there are these three shows that just… well, they stopped me dead in my tracks. Wednesday, Squid Game, and Stranger Things aren’t just shows I happened to watch – they’re the ones that had me texting friends at midnight saying “you HAVE to see this.”
Actually, let me be honest here. These aren’t just entertainment anymore. They’re cultural moments that somehow managed to unite my teenage niece, my coworkers, and even my mom in shared obsession. That’s… that’s pretty remarkable when you think about it.
Wednesday: A Gothic Reboot with Gen Z Allure
Okay, I’ll admit it – I was skeptical about another Addams Family reboot. I mean, how many times can you reinvent Wednesday, right? But Tim Burton’s take? It just works. And Jenna Ortega… wow. She brings this perfect mix of deadpan humor and genuine vulnerability that makes you root for a character who’s supposed to be, well, kind of terrifying.
The numbers are honestly over 1.7 billion hours viewed in just four weeks. That made it Netflix’s third most-watched English-language series, which is wild when you consider how much content they pump out. But here’s what really got me: that dance scene. You know the one. I watched my friend’s 16-year-old daughter learn it, and suddenly my TikTok feed was nothing but Wednesday dance recreations. Millions of them.
What I love about this show:
- It takes an iconic character and makes her feel fresh (without losing what made her special)
- The dark humor hits just right – not too edgy, not too safe
- Those viral moments that make you feel like you’re part of something bigger
Actually, let me rephrase that last point. It’s not just about going viral – it’s about creating shared experiences. When was the last time a TV show gave us something we all wanted to try?
Squid Game: A Global Game-Changer That Keeps Evolving
This one… this one hit different. I remember my brother-in-law mentioning it first – “There’s this Korean show about deadly games” – and I thought, eh, maybe later. Then suddenly everyone was talking about it. EVERYONE.
What struck me wasn’t just the brutal premise (contestants literally dying in children’s games for money), but how it made me think about my own financial stress. I mean, I’ve never been desperate enough to risk my life, but watching those characters… You start to understand that desperation in a way that’s honestly uncomfortable.
The show racked up over 2.2 billion hours globally – Netflix’s most-watched series ever. Season 2 just dropped in December 2024, and I’m already seeing the same obsessive discussions starting up again. My coworkers are back to theorizing about every detail.
Why it works so well:
- Those themes of inequality? They’re universal. Doesn’t matter where you live
- The pacing keeps you on edge (I definitely lost sleep watching)
- It feels authentically Korean while speaking to global experiences
The visual impact alone… I saw those green tracksuits everywhere last Halloween. EVERYWHERE.
Stranger Things: Nostalgia Meets Supernatural
Here’s the thing about Stranger Things – it shouldn’t work as well as it does. I mean, ’80s nostalgia mixed with horror and kids as main characters? That sounds like a recipe for disaster. But somehow the Duffer Brothers created this perfect storm of everything I didn’t know I wanted.
I grew up in the ’90s, so the ’80s setting hits this sweet spot of familiar-but-not-quite-my-experience. It’s like looking at your older sibling’s childhood through rose-colored glasses. And that synth-heavy soundtrack? Chef’s kiss
What keeps me coming back:
- The character development actually matters (I genuinely care about these kids)
- Perfect balance of retro vibes and supernatural terror
- Each season builds on the last without feeling repetitive
Actually, you know what’s interesting? Each season launch becomes this cultural event. My Twitter feed transforms into fan theories and episode discussions for weeks.
The Social Media Phenomenon
Okay, let’s talk about how these shows absolutely dominated social media – because that’s where the real magic happened:
Wednesday’s Dance: I’m not exaggerating when I say this generated over 50 billion views across platforms. BILLION. With a B. I watched my neighbor’s kids learn it, my yoga instructor posted her version, and even my dad (who barely knows how to use Instagram) sent me a video of himself attempting it. It was beautiful chaos.
Squid Game’s Visual Impact: Those images became instant cultural shorthand. The doll, the guards’ masks, those tracksuits – you could reference them without explanation. I saw a guy at the grocery store wearing the tracksuit in March (months after the show aired) and everyone just… got it.
Stranger Things Nostalgia: Every season launch creates this wave of hashtags and theories that take over my feeds. I’ve spent embarrassing amounts of time reading Reddit discussions about the Upside Down.
What’s Next for These Powerhouses
The success stories continue, and honestly, I’m here for it:
Wednesday: Season 2 is in production right now. Jenna Ortega’s returning (thank goodness), and they’re adding new cast members to Nevermore Academy. I’m cautiously optimistic – sequels can be tricky, but Burton knows what he’s doing.
Squid Game: So Season 2 just hit in December 2024, and there’s already a third and final season planned for 2025. Part of me is sad it’s ending, but I respect when creators know when to stop. Better to go out strong, right?
Stranger Things: This one’s bittersweet. The main series wrapped with Season 4, but they’re developing spin-offs – including a stage play and animated series. I’m curious but also protective of what made the original special.
Beyond Entertainment: Strategic Powerhouses
Here’s what I find fascinating from a business perspective (and yes, I’m that person who thinks about streaming strategy): these three shows represent different types of strategic wins for Netflix.
Wednesday proved you can take beloved characters and make them relevant again. Squid Game showed that non-English content can be absolutely massive globally – like, change-the-industry massive. And Stranger Things demonstrated the power of building a universe that keeps people invested across multiple seasons.
Together, they’ve helped Netflix maintain its position with over 260 million subscribers globally as of 2024. That’s… that’s a lot of people choosing to pay for content.
Final Thoughts
You know what? From supernatural thrills to psychological drama to nostalgic adventures, these three shows prove that Netflix really does know how to create cultural moments. They don’t just entertain – they give us shared experiences in an increasingly fragmented world.
I believe we’re living through a golden era of storytelling, and these shows are perfect examples of why. They transcend borders, languages, and demographics in ways that would have been impossible even a decade ago.
As Netflix continues expanding with upcoming seasons and spin-offs for all three franchises, I’m genuinely excited to see what’s next. Will they capture lightning in a bottle again?
Well, based on my track record of getting completely obsessed with their shows… probably, yeah.