Squid Game Season 3 breaks records for Netflix but the game isn't over yet

India Today

3 days ago

Three days since its premiere, Netflix's number-one show 'Squid Game Season 3' has garnered over 60.1 million views, and earned a place in the platform's all-time charts. The final season may be closing the chapter on Gi-hun's story, but its legacy is only growing bolder, bloodier, and more global.Launched last Friday, June 27, 'Squid Game Season 3' has not only topped Netflix's global Top 10 but also shattered records, becoming the biggest-ever TV launch in the streamer's history. Clocking 368.4 million hours viewed in just 72 hours, it has outpaced nearly all debut metrics—even when compared to the Season 2's 68 million views, which were garnered over four days.advertisementThe Netflix data juggernaut has already placed the third season as the ninth most-watched non-English-language TV show of all time, despite its brief time on air. For context, Squid Game Season 1 still holds the top spot, followed closely by its sophomore run. Few franchises can claim such a consistent reign over global streaming charts.Despite some critics calling the new season 'less nuanced,' the finale delivered enough drama and high-stakes strategy to satisfy core fans. Gi-hun's final arc, aiming to dismantle the operation from within, hit the emotional and socio-political beats that first made the show a breakout success in 2021. Actor Lee Jung-jae's quiet gravitas as 456, paired with Lee Byung-hun's enigmatic Front Man, kept the narrative sharp, even if not as shocking.
But numbers aside, what Season 3 truly cements is Squid Game's transformation from viral sensation to long-term franchise. Netflix's previous reality show, Squid Game: The Challenge, saw solid success, with a second season already greenlit. And with Cate Blanchett making a cameo in the season, buzz around a US adaptation has been rife. The rumours also suggest that David Fincher might helm the US adaptation. Given Fincher's ability to craft tension-laced thrillers ('Gone Girl', 'Mindhunter', The Killer), he may just be the one to reinterpret Squid Game for Western audiences.advertisementRead Squid Game Season 3 review hereSeries creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has acknowledged the buzz, stating he hasn't heard anything official yet but would offer creative support if asked. 'If it's the US version that they're making, I think sharing of ideas would be enough,' he said.Since its debut in 2021, Squid Game has redefined what a Korean-language drama can do on the global stage. It opened doors for a wave of K-content—from All of Us Are Dead to The Glory—and proved that language is no barrier to impact when the story hits deep. It became the first non-English-language series to win at the Emmys and quickly turned its cast into household names.Squid Game's growing legacy includes:Season 1: No. 1 most-watched non-English-language TV series on Netflix.Season 2: Held Netflix's premiere week record in 2023 with 68 million views in four days.Season 3: Most-viewed Netflix title over a debut weekend (60.1M views in 3 days), and already 9th most popular non-English TV show of all time.Other major players on the non-English global chart include Money Heist Parts 3-5, Lupin Parts 1 and 2, La Palma, and Who Killed Sara? Season 1 but none have quite maintained the same level of viewership dominance across three consecutive seasons.advertisementWhat's Next?While the core story may be over, Squid Game the phenomenon is just getting started. Netflix has struck gold, and it knows it. Between competition spin-offs, rumours of Western remakes, and a fandom that thrives on theories and moral dilemmas, Squid Game has all the makings of a streaming empire.If Season 3's early numbers are any indication, the game might not be over, at least for Netflix.- EndsYou May Also Like