‘Squid Game’ Season 3 Breaks Netflix Records with Unmatched Global Debut

“Squid Game” made a big splash again when its third and final season dropped on Netflix last Friday. The Korean survival drama quickly became one of the most-watched shows on the platform, breaking records with its opening weekend.

According to Netflix, the show hit 60.1 million views in just its first three days, setting a new benchmark for the streamer.

This puts “Squid Game” Season 3 high on Netflix’s list of most popular non-English shows, ranking ninth overall. The previous season had even stronger numbers at launch, with 68 million views in its first four days after it came out on a Thursday in December 2023.

That season’s debut was already the biggest premiere Netflix had seen, beating the record set by “Wednesday,” which had 50.1 million views in 2022. It’s worth noting that Netflix counts views from Monday to Sunday for their weekly lists, so Season 2 had an extra day included in its first-week tally compared to Season 3.

After the second season premiered, it quickly climbed to number seven on Netflix’s all-time list for non-English language shows. The third season follows Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, as he fights in the dangerous games once more.

His goal is to take down the organizers and prove that humanity deserves a chance. The Front Man, played by Lee Byung-hun, continues to challenge him, making the stakes higher than ever.

“Squid Game” Season 3, created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, was released on June 27, 2025. The cast includes familiar faces like Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, and Kang Ha-neul, among others. The story brings back intense survival games where players risk everything to stay alive.

Meanwhile, new tensions arise with In-ho welcoming VIP guests and his brother Jun-ho searching for the mysterious island, all while a traitor lurks nearby. Critics praised the season, though some viewers had mixed feelings.

Back in December 2021, Hwang talked about planning a third season with Netflix. After Season 2 aired, the third was officially confirmed. Hwang saw Season 3 as the final chapter.

He said it allowed him to wrap up the story he wanted to tell about Gi-hun and the larger themes of the show. Originally, Hwang had planned for Seasons 2 and 3 to be one long season but split them because there were too many episodes.

Hwang shared that Gi-hun’s character would change a lot in this last season and face tough decisions. Season 3 also reveals how Hwang In-ho became the Front Man. Fans will see some returning elements, like Cheol-su, the giant robot doll from Season 2’s post-credits scene, who will play a role along with new games. Hwang explained that the season focuses on how people try to hold on to their humanity in brutal situations. He said the new games show the worst sides of human nature and push characters to their limits.

This final season of “Squid Game” wraps up the journey of survival, sacrifice, and the fight for humanity that fans have followed since the show’s global explosion. It remains a landmark series for Netflix and Korean television, blending intense action with deep emotional storytelling.

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