With Stranger Things and Squid Game nearing their final acts, Netflix flexes its deep bench of originals, global hits, and IP plays at its latest Tudum event to stay ahead of the streaming pack.
I don’t say this lightly: Netflix is firmly in its scripted content bag.
We’ve talked a lot over the past couple of years about the streaming services war, but when you look around right now, Netflix is on one of its hottest runs in years, and it’s not just because of sheer volume. The platform has been serving up buzzy originals, franchise expansions, international hits, and star-studded film slates that feel tailor-made for global audiences itching to watch something binge-worthy.
Personally? I’ve watched nine of the top 10 most popular Netflix series right now — everything except Season 1 of The Night Agent (which I’m aware might earn me some side-eyes, but I’ll catch up eventually). That includes Wednesday, Adolescence, Stranger Things, and Bridgerton. And every time I finish one, it feels like another high-profile release is waiting right behind it.
Netflix isn’t just surviving the chaos of streaming consolidation; it’s thriving by doing what it does best: delivering culture-defining scripted content at scale while constantly feeding diverse fandoms. And there’s no better proof point than this past weekend’s Tudum 2025 live event.
Subscribe for the biggest stories in the business of sports and entertainment, daily.
Biggest Takeaways from Tudum 2025
Netflix’s Tudum has always been about showcasing its global fandom, but the 2025 edition raised the bar entirely. For the first time, the fan event streamed live directly on Netflix, giving subscribers a front-row seat to its biggest reveals, trailer drops, and surprise moments in real-time. Thousands packed the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, while millions more tuned in from around the world, a major flex that few platforms outside of live sports can pull off right now. The platform has come a long way since its first live event snafu two years ago with the Love Is Blind Season 4 reunion.
The two-hour Tudum show was headlined by exclusive reveals, star appearances, and performances from none other than Lady Gaga and Indian hip-hop star Hanumankind. Hosted by Sofia Carson, Tudum 2025 leaned into what Netflix has become increasingly: not just a streamer, but a full-fledged entertainment universe.
Among the biggest headlines from Tudum:
- Stranger Things: After years of anticipation, the fifth and final season has officially been given its release dates, split across three drops: Nov. 26, Dec. 25, and Dec. 31. It’s the kind of holiday rollout designed to dominate the cultural conversation as we close out 2025.
- Wednesday, Season 2: Netflix previewed the first six minutes of Season 2 and dropped a surprise casting reveal. Lady Gaga will join the series as Rosaline Rotwood, a mysterious new teacher at Nevermore Academy. Part one drops on Aug. 6, with part two following on Sept. 4.
- Squid Game, Season 3: The first full trailer dropped for what will also be the show’s final season. It marks the end of one of Netflix’s most globally successful franchises, with massive expectations for its final arc.
- Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery: Rian Johnson’s next Knives Out film is locked in for Dec. 12, positioning Netflix for another major holiday season tentpole.
- Frankenstein: Netflix unveiled the first teaser for Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated adaptation of Frankenstein, starring Jacob Elordi as the monster, which adds more prestige film weight to its upcoming lineup.
- Happy Gilmore 2: The sequel to Adam Sandler’s iconic 1996 comedy made its trailer debut, another example of Netflix’s ability to revive familiar IP for nostalgic global audiences.
- One Piece: The platform revealed the first look at fan-favorite character Tony Tony Chopper, voiced by Mikaela Hoover, keeping the momentum strong for its live-action anime adaptation.
What’s clear is that Netflix is catering to every fandom right now — young adult hits, prestige films, global dramas, and big-name sequels — all feeding into a virtuous cycle that keeps subscribers engaged across multiple touchpoints.
End of an Era, But Not the End of Netflix
Of course, with Tudum came a bit of bittersweet realization: Some of Netflix’s defining titles are officially nearing their conclusions. Stranger Things and Squid Game, two of the most critically acclaimed global franchises of the streaming era, are preparing to close their final chapters.
Stranger Things essentially became the face of Netflix’s original content expansion, turning into a full-blown cultural phenomenon that helped redefine streaming success. The fifth and final season’s ambitious three-part release signals just how much Netflix is banking on this final installment to dominate the year-end conversation. Squid Game’s upcoming third and final season will close out one of the most unexpected, globally impactful shows Netflix has ever produced. Its breakout success fundamentally changed the playbook for international series and proved that a Korean-language survival drama could captivate a worldwide audience.
Meanwhile, earlier this spring, we already saw You come to an end with its final season dropping in April. The psychological thriller’s five-season run delivered viral moments, endless memes, and plenty of debate around its morally twisted main character, cementing it as one of Netflix’s most talked-about genre hits.
For most platforms, losing this kind of franchise firepower might spark concerns about what’s next. But Netflix’s depth right now suggests otherwise. Between new global originals, film franchises like Knives Out, live-action anime adaptations, and a steady pipeline of buzzy series, Netflix is proving that it’s built for sustained cultural relevance. In a moment where many of its streaming rivals are consolidating, downsizing, or reevaluating their scripted pipelines, Netflix is simply doubling down. The Tudum 2025 showcase wasn’t just a fan event — it was a confidence play, especially coming off of Upfront events a few weeks ago.
This is a reminder that even as some of its flagship series bow out, the next wave of Netflix hits is already queued up. Netflix isn’t just having a good year; it’s reminding us why it became the global entertainment leader in the first place.
Read More:
Jurnee Smollett’s Next Act: ‘I Want Us to Do Things We’ve Been Told We Cannot Do’
Reddit at 20: How the Social Network Became a $26B Internet Giant
Fairways & Fashion: Adidas Makes its Mark in LPGA, Women’s Golf
The $150K Keychain: How Labubu Became the World’s Hottest Collectible
MLB Attracts Big-Name Stars at Fanatics Fest
