• From left, Eduardo Franco as Argyle, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler return for 'Stranger Things' season four. All photos: Netflix
    From left, Eduardo Franco as Argyle, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler return for 'Stranger Things' season four. All photos: Netflix
  • 'Stranger Things' season 4 is split into two volumes, with the first volume containing 7 episodes.
    'Stranger Things' season 4 is split into two volumes, with the first volume containing 7 episodes.
  • The second volume will be released on July 1.
    The second volume will be released on July 1.
  • It will have only two episodes but is more than four hours long.
    It will have only two episodes but is more than four hours long.
  • The majority of the 'Stranger Things' cast return, including its young stars Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin and Noah Schnapp.
    The majority of the 'Stranger Things' cast return, including its young stars Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin and Noah Schnapp.
  • From left, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, and Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley.
    From left, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, and Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley.
  • From left, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair.
    From left, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair.
  • From left, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson.
    From left, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson.
  • From left, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Noah Schnapp as Will Byers.
    From left, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Noah Schnapp as Will Byers.
  • Maya Hawke, left, as Robin Buckley and Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler.
    Maya Hawke, left, as Robin Buckley and Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler.
  • Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson.
    Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson.
  • David Harbour will return as Jim Hopper.
    David Harbour will return as Jim Hopper.

'Stranger Things' 4 breaks Netflix viewing records


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

The newest volume of Stranger Things has set new Netflix viewership records after its much-anticipated return following a three-year break.

The premiere weekend of the fourth season of the Netflix Original recorded 286.7 million hours viewed, surpassing Bridgerton season two, which reached 193 million hours.

This is also the first season of Stranger Things to reach No 1 in 83 countries, setting another premiere weekend record. The series reached the Top 10 in all 93 countries Netflix tracks.

In addition to the show, a number of songs that were used over the course of the seven episodes have also increased in popularity.

Most noticeably, Kate Bush’s hit Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) reached No 1 on iTunes 37 years after it was originally released in 1985.

On Monday, Spotify also announced that there was an 8,700 per cent increase in global streams of the song and a 9,900 per cent increase in the US. Since the Stranger Things 4 premiere, there has been a more than 1,600 per cent increase in global streams of Bush’s back catalogue.

Stranger Things was released on the streaming platform in 2016 and has since gone on to become one of Netflix’s biggest franchises, while making stars out of its young cast.

In anticipation of the season four release, a number of global landmarks including Saudi Arabia’s AlUla lit up with special projections to promote the return of the series.

  • Landmarks around the world were lit up with a special projection to promote the return of the hit Netflix show 'Stranger Things'. All photos: Netflix
    Landmarks around the world were lit up with a special projection to promote the return of the hit Netflix show 'Stranger Things'. All photos: Netflix
  • A projection on Elephant Rock in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
    A projection on Elephant Rock in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
  • Gateway of India in Mumbai, India.
    Gateway of India in Mumbai, India.
  • Stockholm, Sweden.
    Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow, Poland.
    Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow, Poland.
  • Cologne in Germany.
    Cologne in Germany.
  • Empire State Building in New York City, US.
    Empire State Building in New York City, US.
  • Madrid in Spain.
    Madrid in Spain.
  • Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Pais Vasco, Spain.
    Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Pais Vasco, Spain.
  • Barranquilla in Colombia.
    Barranquilla in Colombia.
  • Kuala Lumpur Tower in Malaysia.
    Kuala Lumpur Tower in Malaysia.
  • Duomo Square in Milan, Italy.
    Duomo Square in Milan, Italy.
  • Fans at the unveiling of the projection on the Empire State Building. EPA
    Fans at the unveiling of the projection on the Empire State Building. EPA
  • Season four of 'Stranger Things' has been split into two parts, with the second being released on July 1, 2022. EPA
    Season four of 'Stranger Things' has been split into two parts, with the second being released on July 1, 2022. EPA

Ahead of the show's return, the creators and producers, brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, said in a statement that Stranger Things 4 was the "most challenging" one yet.

"With nine scripts, over 800 pages, almost two years of filming, thousands of visual effects shots, and a runtime nearly twice the length of any previous season, Stranger Things 4 was the most challenging season yet, but also the most rewarding one. Everyone involved is incredibly proud of the results, and we can’t wait to share it with you."

The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet

Price, base: Dh429,090

Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission Seven-speed automatic

Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km

Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

Updated: June 01, 2022, 9:36 AM