Netflix has a busy year of premieres ahead, but it might be most notable for whatâs ending. As the streaming service continues to push into a new era full of live events, reality TV, and ad sales, itâs also saying goodbye to arguably its two biggest franchises, with both Stranger Things and Squid Game wrapping up in 2025. Once upon a time, tentpole hits like those series were pivotal for Netflix â people signed up for them and often unsubscribed when they went away.
But singular blockbusters arenât as necessary for the companyâs overall success any longer. And itâs possible we might not see anything quite like those two shows again.
Stranger Things wasnât the first hit Netflix original series (that distinction belongs to House of Cards), but it was the first that pushed into mainstream culture in a big, sustained way. It was a reason to subscribe and something you couldnât get away from; there are Stranger Things Halloween costumes and pet toys and Broadway shows. Even as the gaps between seasons became increasingly large, viewer interest still held strong: just ask Kate Bush, who was introduced to a whole new generation of fans thanks to season 4.
Squid Game to …