Stranger Things hasn't just become a monumental hit for Netflix, but the streaming show that's dominated charts for nearly a decade has also provided a significant boost to the US economy, as jaw-dropping numbers have been revealed.
Few TV shows can say that they've had quite the immediate impact that Stranger Things received, as it immediately stood out as a fan favorite among Netflix subscribers when original shows were comparatively scarce.
It has maintained its popularity over the past 10 years and finally reached its conclusion last week with a jam-packed two-hour-long finale episode that has broken records for the streaming service, yet it's also had a surprising impact on the wider US economy.
As revealed by Pubity, Stranger Things has contributed an incredible amount to the nation's economy over its five-season runtime, generating an estimated total of $1.4 billion since it first dropped onto TV screens back in 2016.
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It's hard to know exactly how much the show has truly contributed as it encompasses a wide range of money generating actions that are challenging to entirely attribute to Stranger Things, but it's clear that it's been more than beneficial for America as a whole.
For example, over 8,000 jobs have been created as a consequence of the show's existence, stretching across production, post-production, construction, logistics — and acting, of course.
The state of Georgia was an especially strong recipient of this as that was where most of the show's filming took place despite the show being based in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana.
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California, like most things in showbiz, also saw a boost due to the post-production work that took place there, but the show has prompted a financial injection beyond specific places and jobs too.
Certain brands – like the famous Eggo waffles that Eleven initially loves – saw revived popularity as a consequence of the show, and the inclusion of certain songs like Kate Bush's iconic Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) soared up the charts following their inclusion in Stranger Things.
Fans also flocked to various merchandise for the show, including a number of recognizable outfits that their favorite characters donned, prompting a significant economic boost that you might not necessarily associate with the success of a popular show.
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It goes to show that the benefits of a hit series aren't just limited to the creators of the service that it's aired on, and something as big as Stranger Things can have a far more sizeable impact than you'd initially image.