Series Snapshot ~ 1/8/26

By: [email protected] on Thu, 01/08/2026 - 12:27

Welcome to the Series Snapshot, a weekly deep dive into the shows topping the streaming charts.

This week saw the series finale of Netflix’s pop culture phenomenon Stranger Things, placing number one on the streaming charts. Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s most successful IP’s, with over a billion total views and a notable influence on social media trends, famously leading a whole new generation to Kate Bush’s Running Up that Hill. The finale was met with high emotions and fans seem satisfied with how things wrapped up. Seeing child actors grow up over almost a decade holds particular emotional weight. While also showcasing the development of the young actors, particularly Gaten Matarazzo and Joe Keery, whose sibling-like duo is oft considered the show’s strongest asset. Stranger Things also stars Finn Wolfhard, Millie-Bobbie Brown, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Noah Schnapp, Michael McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, and Natalia Dyer, and was created by Matt and Ross Duffer.

For Hulu, The Kardashians takes the number one spot in viewership this week. The reality series’ newest and seventh season debuted in late October of 2025, and covers some behind-the-scenes for Kim Kardashian’s work on Hulu’s massive Ryan Murphy hit, All’s Fair, which likely sparked some new interest in the season. The series debuted in 2022, and its high rate of production likely contributes to viewer retainment; fans never have to wait too long for the next scandal. Similar to All’s Fair, The Kardashians ranks highly with fans and poorly with critics, and is called guilty-pleasure, bingeable content. Some point out that this season feels noticeably scripted, and carefully curated by the family to create drama, rather than a more “authentic” experience. The Kardashians stars Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and Kris Jenner.

HBO’s prequel horror series It: Welcome to Derry remains a powerful presence after its finale on December 16, which scored nearly seven million views within its first three days of airing. Viewers praise the show’s easter eggs and inclusion of the larger Stephen King universe, in which many of his novels take place and are connected. Over the course of this first season, It: Welcome to Derry has received praise for its superb atmosphere, production value, and chilling performances from Bill Skarsgård, who in addition to reprising his iconic role as Pennywise, also served as executive producer. The show’s weaker elements like overuse of CGI, and occasional weak dialogue are easily forgiven by fans, who look forward to part 2, set to take place during the Great Depression in 1935. It: Welcome to Derry also stars Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, and Chris Chalk, and was created by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs.

At Prime Video, videogame adaptation Fallout’s second season is going strong, placing first in viewership. Notably this season will be released weekly, instead of all at once like the first season, following a growing trend among the streamers lately. Critical reception for the series has been excellent, with praise for the sci-fi’s sardonic tone, likeable characters and bold production design. Walton Goggins is a standout as The Ghoul and has excellent chemistry with Ella Purnell. Aaron Moten rounds out the cast giving Fallout an undeniable charm, while honoring the source material. This season has some exciting cameos and easter eggs, which we won't spoil here, but so far have been very well received by fans, both of the series and original video game franchise. Fallout was created by Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet.

Pluribus, Vince Gilligan’s dark new apocalypse dramedy, continues its streak at the top of AppleTV’s list. Last Sunday, the series’ star, Rhea Seehorn won the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series, and Pluribus is Apple’s most successful original to date. Pluribus is praised for its engaging plot, powerhouse acting and social commentary. The unsettling sci-fi series was immediately renewed for a second season, even before the first season premiered, and viewership is consistently high. The show’s only sticking criticism is that it takes its time ramping up, but despite this, is worth investing in. Pluribus also stars Karolina Wydra, Carlos Manuel Vesga, and Samba Schutte.

Disney Plus’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians premiered its second season in December, and is the most watched series on the platform this week. Adapted from the massively popular book series, this new iteration sees original author Rick Riordan as series creator and writer, a shift from the earlier films of the 2010s where he had little creative control. Fans are pleased at the change up, and the series feels more authentic as a result. Season two, The Sea of Monsters, is also rated more highly than season one, possibly due to the faster pacing and improvement from the cast and action sequences. For this season, the role of Zeus, formerly played by Lance Reddick, will be played by Courtney B. Vance, following the actor’s passing. Percy Jackson and the Olympians stars Walker Scobell, Leah Sava' Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri.