Netflix confirms the end of its biggest international show ever

Jung Ho-yeon in Squid Game
(Image credit: Netflix)

Netflix has announced that the biggest show in the streamer's history, Squid Game, is getting a third season next year — a much shorter wait than we had between Squid Game season 1 and Squid Game season 2

The news was announced on Thursday, August 1, and comes before the second season of the global phenomenon has even aired on the streaming site. However, the announcement will be bittersweet for fans of the Korean thriller because the third season of the show will also be the final season.

The announcement for the third season also came with the exciting news that Squid Game season 2 will land worldwide on Thursday, December 26, 2024. 

The first season, which launched in September 2021, became a global sensation with over 1.65 billion viewing hours in the first 28 days. It was also the first show ever to have been watched by over 100 million Netflix accounts in that same time frame, making it Netflix's biggest show in the streamer's history.

The first installment of the show introduced fans to a lethal competition that entices players with the promise of 45.6 billion won cash prize. 

Down-on-his-luck dad Seong Gi-hun enters the game and is manipulated by forces beyond his comprehension. One of those puppet masters is Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), a mysterious figure who helps manage the game.

Squid Game season 2: star Lee Jung-jae with a masked guard

Squid Game season 2 is coming to Netflix this Christmas.  (Image credit: Netflix)

Squid Game director, writer, and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed the news in an emotional letter to fans. “I am beyond excited to be writing this letter to announce the date for Season 2 and share the news of Season 3, the final season,” he wrote. 

“The fierce clash between [Gi-hun and Front Man’s] two worlds will continue into the series finale with Season 3, which will be brought to you next year.” 

Speaking of what we can expect from the third and final installment of the series, Hwang Dong-hyuk continued: "I am thrilled to see the seed that was planted in creating a new Squid Game grow and bear fruit at the end of this story. We’ll do our best to make sure we bring you yet another thrill ride.”

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Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.