Prince Dominates Global Charts Again Following ‘Stranger Things’ Series Finale

The cultural phenomenon of Netflix’s Stranger Things just delivered its final—and perhaps most historic—musical resurgence. Following the series finale on New Year’s Eve 2025, iconic tracks by the late legend Prince have seen an unprecedented surge in digital consumption. According to exclusive data from Spotify, the anthem ‘Purple Rain’ experienced a 243% increase in global streams, while ‘When Doves Cry’ climbed by 200%. Most notably, the "Stranger Things Effect" has introduced the Purple One to a new generation, with Gen Z streams for ‘Purple Rain’ skyrocketing by a staggering 577% in just 48 hours.

The two tracks were used as the emotional and narrative backbone of the finale’s climax (spoilers ahead, proceed with caution). As the show's heroes triggered a bomb to destroy the Upside Down, the urgent rhythm of ‘When Doves Cry’ provided the tension, while the soaring ballad ‘Purple Rain’ underscored Eleven’s (Millie Bobby Brown) apparent sacrifice. Series creators Matt and Ross Duffer revealed that securing the rights was a "long shot," as Prince’s estate has famously restricted the use of these songs outside of the original 1984 film. However, the show's previous success in reviving Kate Bush’s career reportedly helped convince the estate that the placement would be a respectful tribute rather than a mere commercial sync.

Licensing the "White Whale" of Music Rights

Industry insiders are calling the Prince sync the "White Whale" of music licensing. For decades, Prince was notoriously protective of his catalog, often removing his music from YouTube and avoiding television deals. The Duffer Brothers spent months in negotiations, arguing that the songs were vital to the finale's "epic needle drop" requirement. The result has not only boosted individual hits but elevated Prince’s entire catalog, which saw a 190% uptick in total global plays. This marks the first time these specific tracks have ever been licensed for a television series, cementing the finale’s status as a historic broadcasting event.

This is not the first time this series brings back incredible numbers for old classics. Prince's massive numbers mirror the 2022 explosion of Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’, which reached #1 on global charts after appearing in Season 4. By placing 80s classics in high-stakes, emotionally charged contexts, Stranger Things has redefined how legacy artists interact with modern streaming audiences. As 2026 begins, the "Prince Surge" shows no signs of slowing down, proving that while the series may have ended, its power to reshape the musical landscape remains as potent as ever.

Below you'll find our own 7clouds Rock lyric video for 'Purple Rain', which, as you can expect, has gained massive momentum recently thanks to its Stranger Things feature, climbing in 6-digit multiples by the day.