In a rare shake-up for Netflix’s global charts, the fifth and final season of ‘Stranger Things’ has been pushed from the top position in the US just days after release – and the title that overtook it is not another blockbuster drama, but a hard-hitting documentary series.

The first four episodes of the long-awaited final season debuted on November 26 and delivered massive numbers for the streamer. In its opening five days, Volume 1 drew 59.6 million views worldwide, marking the second-strongest premiere week for a Netflix series. Only ‘Squid Game’ season 2 has surpassed it this year with 60 million views. The show simultaneously featured in the top 10 lists across numerous countries.

Despite its strong start, by December 3 the series had already slipped from the No. 1 spot in the US. A new documentary, ‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning’, climbed to the top just a day after its arrival on the platform, buoyed by controversy surrounding its release.

A documentary topples Netflix’s flagship hit

The docuseries ‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning’, which landed on Netflix on December 2, quickly surged in popularity despite – or perhaps because of – legal efforts by Combs to block its release. The series focuses on the sexual abuse and trafficking allegations tied to the disgraced music mogul and his Bad Boy empire, now spanning decades.

The documentary has been widely viewed across regions and is trending globally on the platform, securing the No. 1 position in the US ahead of ‘Stranger Things’. The move stunned fans who had expected the Netflix sci-fi phenomenon to dominate the charts for weeks.

What is ‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning’?

The four-part series lays out accusations against Combs using a mix of eyewitness accounts, archival material, testimony from past associates and footage shot with Combs’ awareness before his 2024 arrest. Executive-produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and directed by Alexandria Stapleton, the documentary traces Combs’ dramatic ascent, the controversies that followed, and the legal battles that eventually led to his imprisonment.

The production charts allegations that include sexual coercion, manipulation, violence and long-running abuse within his inner circle and the music industry. Accounts from former friends paint a picture of Combs’ early life shaped by chaotic parties at his childhood home following his father’s murder, and strict discipline from his mother, Janice.

Kirk Burrowes, co-founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, describes a pattern of violent behaviour, alleging incidents involving Combs’ mother and stylist Misa Hylton. He also recounts moments he believes were used as displays of power during Combs’ rise in the industry.

Additional testimony from former sex worker Clayton Howard details drug-fuelled encounters involving Combs and Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, including rituals linked to rapper Christopher Wallace’s death. Burrowes further claims Combs made decisions that put Wallace, known as Biggie, in harm’s way before his death and insisted that “Biggie’s going to have to pay for this funeral.”

Producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones alleges he was severely underpaid for his work on ‘The Love Album: Off the Grid’ and has accused Combs of sexual assault. Another former associate recounts a kidnapping plot linked to Cassie’s then-boyfriend, Kid Cudi. Blogger Tisa Tells also asserts that Combs’ team ran a large-scale PR campaign during his trial to control public opinion.

Combs dismisses the series as a ‘hit piece’

Combs’ team has strongly criticised the documentary, calling it a “shameful hit piece” and claiming the filmmakers relied on “stolen” and misleading material. His representatives argue the project presents a one-sided narrative, insisting that legitimate matters will be addressed through legal processes.

The Grammy-winning producer is currently serving a 50-month federal sentence on two prostitution-related charges.

Where ‘Stranger Things’ stands now

Despite being unseated in the US, ‘Stranger Things’ remains one of Netflix’s most powerful global franchises. Created by the Duffer Brothers, the series has defined the platform’s identity since 2016 with its blend of sci-fi thrills, nostalgic Americana and breakout young cast.

The concluding season will continue with the second batch of episodes on December 25, culminating in a two-hour finale set to premiere on New Year’s Eve – an end to a near-decade run that has shaped streaming-era pop culture.