How Big Was the Season 3 Premiere?
The third and final season of Squid Game has crushed global streaming records—again. According to Netflix, Squid Game season 3 drew 60.1 million views in its first three days, making it the most-watched title globally for the week of June 23–29. That’s nearly 10 times more than its nearest competitor, the Spanish series Olympo.
In an unprecedented feat, Squid Game ranked No. 1 in all 93 countries where Netflix publishes its Top 10 list, becoming the first show ever to do so in its debut week.
“It’s a landmark moment not just for South Korean entertainment, but for global streaming,” said a Netflix spokesperson in the official release.
Why Is Everyone Watching Again?
The release of Season 3 sparked a surge in interest for the entire series. Both previous seasons re-entered Netflix’s top 10:
- Season 2 ranked No. 3
- Season 1 ranked No. 6
The phenomenon, originally launched in 2021, introduced viewers to protagonist Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), a down-on-his-luck gambler forced into a brutal survival competition inspired by Korean children’s games. The show’s mix of dystopian drama, social commentary, and high-stakes suspense made it a global hit.
What Are Critics Saying About Squid Game Season 3?
While the critical buzz for Season 3 has been more measured than the debut season, early reviews have been largely positive.
UPI’s Fred Topel praised the final six episodes, calling them “still loaded with surprises” and applauding how the arc ties up Gi-hun’s journey.
The six-episode finale focuses on the aftermath of the prior season’s betrayals, shifting gears toward systemic revelations about the organization behind the deadly game.
Netflix Turns Hype Into Real-World Events
Netflix didn’t stop at just digital hype.
In Seoul, nearly 40,000 fans gathered on June 29 for a Squid Game celebration featuring a massive parade, cosplayers dressed as the show’s pink-clad guards, and a towering replica of Young-hee, the giant killer doll from Season 1.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, along with stars Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, joined cast members from all three seasons at an outdoor fan festival held at Gwanghwamun Square.
“This is more than a TV show—it’s a cultural phenomenon,” said one attendee quoted in the Korea Times.
A Reminder of Squid Game’s Historic Run
- Squid Game remains Netflix’s most-viewed show of all time, surpassing titles like Bridgerton and Stranger Things.
- Its debut season racked up over 1.65 billion hours of watch time in just 28 days.
- It has won major awards, including Emmys, and launched Lee Jung-jae into international stardom (he later joined Disney’s Star Wars spinoff The Acolyte).
What’s Next?
Season 3 wraps up Gi-hun’s arc, but Netflix hasn’t ruled out potential spinoffs or prequels in the future. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk previously teased ideas involving the game’s creators or other international versions of the deadly competition.
For now, fans can revisit the entire Squid Game trilogy—and the global hype machine that still shows no signs of slowing down.
