Netflix's monumental finale of Stranger Things has suffered a swift defeat in the UK, losing its number one spot on the platform's TV chart just days after its highly anticipated release.
A Brief Reign at the Top
The two-hour concluding episode, which premiered on New Year's Day (1st January 2026), saw millions of fans say an emotional farewell to characters like Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) in their final showdown with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). The episode's arrival propelled it straight to the summit of Netflix's most-watched TV list in the UK as viewers rushed to see the conclusion of the decade-spanning saga.
However, its reign was short-lived. Less than three days later, the sci-fi phenomenon was unseated from the pinnacle of the chart.
The New Chart Topper: Run Away
The honour of the top spot now belongs to Run Away, a brand new thriller series based on Harlan Coben's 2019 novel. The eight-part drama features a star-studded cast including James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver, and Ruth Jones.
The plot follows Nesbitt's character, Simon, a grieving father whose missing daughter suddenly reappears, only to be under the influence of a dangerous new boyfriend. When Simon realises she does not want to be found, he hires private investigator Elena Ravenscroft (Jones) to help. The situation takes a dark turn when Simon becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation after his daughter's boyfriend is found dead following a violent confrontation.
Audience Reaction and Streaming Wars
The new Coben adaptation has clearly resonated with British audiences, quickly hooking viewers and generating significant buzz online. On Rotten Tomatoes, one user praised it as the first Coben adaptation they "actually liked watching," while another on X (formerly Twitter) declared they had binged it in under 24 hours, calling it a great start to the year. Not all feedback was glowing, however, with some critics labelling the plot as "absolute nonsense" that grows more ridiculous.
This shift in the UK chart highlights the fierce competition for viewer attention in the streaming landscape. It is worth noting that in the United States, Stranger Things continues to hold the number one position, demonstrating regional variations in viewing habits.
For UK fans, both the Stranger Things finale and the complete series of Run Away are available to stream on Netflix.
