- Tuesday, March 18, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Squid Game Season 2 has solidified its place as one of Netflix’s biggest successes, reaching a rare milestone that only two other shows have ever achieved. The latest season brought back Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun, who re-enters the deadly games with a mission to dismantle the competition and save as many participants as possible.
Helmed once again by creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, the second season premiered in December 2024 to massive viewership numbers, breaking several Netflix records along the way.
According to Netflix, Squid Game Season 2 has amassed 190 million views, making it only the third season of any show to reach this feat. The only other seasons to achieve such numbers are Squid Game Season 1 (265 million views) and Wednesday Season 1 (250 million views).
Even Stranger Things Season 4, one of Netflix’s flagship productions, stands at 140 million views, despite being available for a much longer period. With Squid Game Season 2 still relatively new, its viewership numbers are expected to grow, especially with Season 3 on the horizon.
With Squid Game already holding the title for the most-viewed Netflix season ever, it’s no surprise that its sequel has followed suit. The series’ compelling themes around capitalism, survival, and human desperation struck a chord with audiences globally, making it a phenomenon beyond just a South Korean production. While Squid Game Season 2 received slightly more divisive reviews—particularly regarding its ending—the numbers prove that it remains Netflix’s most valuable original.
However, viewership growth for the second season has slowed since its December 2024 premiere, raising questions about whether it can match or surpass Season 1’s record-breaking numbers. It appears likely that Squid Game Season 2 will remain the third most-viewed Netflix season of all time, though there is still potential for it to cross the 200 million mark. The upcoming Squid Game Season 3, set for release in summer 2025, could further boost engagement with the franchise.
Beyond just Squid Game, Netflix’s ability to turn a non-English series into a global phenomenon reflects a growing trend in media consumption. More international productions have gained mainstream traction in recent years, as seen with Parasite (2019), Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024), and Ne Zha 2 (2025). The rise of anime and foreign-language films has further demonstrated the increasing acceptance of international content among Western audiences.
Netflix has built a strong lineup of successful franchises, including Cobra Kai, Wednesday, Stranger Things, and The Night Agent, but many of these are nearing their final seasons or planned spin-offs. With Squid Game proving to be a one-of-a-kind success, Netflix will likely continue to explore international productions in search of its next global hit.
