David Bowie’s Heroes sees massive spike in streams following Stranger Things inclusion
David Bowie's Heroes is experiencing a resurgence thanks to Stranger Things.
David Bowie’s iconic anthem Heroes has surged back into the spotlight following the conclusion of Stranger Things’ fifth and final season, with streaming numbers soaring by almost 500 per cent in the days after the finale aired.
Industry data collected by Luminate on Monday (05.01.26) shows that the 1977 classic — which had been averaging roughly 94,000 daily streams over the past five months — experienced a dramatic spike as 2026 began. On New Year’s Day (01.01.26), Heroes drew in 342,000 plays, climbing to 456,000 on January 2 and reaching 470,000 on January 3.
The renewed attention follows the song’s emotional placement in the final episode of the Netflix series. Co‑creator Ross Duffer recently revealed that the choice to use Bowie’s original recording came from a suggestion by cast member Joe Keery, who portrays Steve Harrington and also releases music under his solo project, Djo.
He told Netflix Tudum: “Once Joe mentioned it, we instantly felt it was the perfect fit.
“In many ways, it’s become an anthem for Stranger Things. Ending the show with Bowie’s version felt honest and absolutely right for the moment.”
While Heroes has appeared in the series before, earlier seasons opted for Peter Gabriel’s sweeping 2010 orchestral cover — a rendition that became a fan favourite in its own right. The finale’s return to Bowie’s original recording has clearly struck a chord with viewers, sending the classic track soaring up the streaming charts once again.
