‘Adolescence’ Rockets Past ‘Stranger Things 4’ As Netflix’s 2nd Most-Watched English Series

June 4, 2025: In a major shake-up of Netflix’s all-time viewership rankings, the coming-of-age drama Adolescence has officially surpassed Stranger Things 4, becoming the second most-watched English-language series in Netflix history.

According to Netflix’s latest global tallies, Adolescence has garnered 141.2 million views within just 80 days of its March 13 release. That figure edges out Stranger Things 4, which accumulated 140.7 million views in its first 91 days back in 2022. The teen-centered drama now sits just behind Wednesday, which continues to hold the top English-language spot with 252.1 million views.

A Global Phenomenon Rooted in Raw Emotion

Adolescence has resonated deeply with audiences for its unfiltered portrayal of teenage struggles, emotional volatility, and identity crises. With powerful performances and emotionally driven storytelling, the series has tapped into something universal — the chaos of growing up.

Critics and fans alike have praised its authentic representation of youth, calling it a “mirror for a generation navigating confusion, connection, and trauma.” It’s this raw honesty that helped push Adolescence into global conversation and up Netflix’s most-watched charts at record speed.

The Rankings: Where It Stands Now

On the English-language series leaderboard, the current top 3 are:

1. Wednesday – 252.1 million views
2. Adolescence – 141.2 million views
3. Stranger Things 4 – 140.7 million views

On the all-language global leaderboard, Squid Game remains the overall champ with 265.2 million views, followed by Squid Game Season 2 with 192.6 million.

Other Shows Making Waves

While Adolescence took the spotlight, other titles also performed strongly between May 26 and June 1:

• Sirens led the weekly chart with 18.2 million views
• Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders landed second with 11.9 million in just 4 days
• Dept. Q, American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden, and Bet rounded out the top five
• Long-time chart staple The Four Seasons held strong in its fifth week with 2.4 million views
• Fred, Rose West: A British Horror Story, She the People, and Forever all tied at 2.3 million

The Bigger Picture for Netflix

Adolescence’s rise signals more than just viewership success — it reflects a growing appetite for emotionally grounded, character-driven content that speaks directly to younger audiences across cultures. With Wednesday and Squid Game still holding the top two positions overall, Adolescence is now firmly established as Netflix’s latest global hit and a defining show of 2025.