Netflix’s most successful show of all time is a success? Who could have foreseen this shocking turn of events? The games have resumed—and they’ve taken over. Squid Game Season 3 has officially shattered Netflix records, debuting at No. 1 in all ranked countries from June 23 to June 29 and claiming the crown on the Worldwide Top 10 in its first week. In just three days, the final season amassed an eye-popping 60.1 million views, setting a new record for the most views in a show’s debut window and making it the first series ever to enter the Most Popular List in its premiere week.
In a divisive season that definitely drew more critics than normal — many of whom focused in on the fact that the second half of Season 3 felt like an extended game of South Park‘s “Kick the Baby” meme — there was still plenty to enjoy, and more than enough thrills and spills to sate our blood lust. The milestone cements Squid Game as the streaming giant’s biggest non-English series to date. Season 3 has already become Netflix’s ninth most-watched international show ever, while both prior seasons also reappeared on the Top 10 — with Season 2 hitting No. 3 (2.8 million views) and Season 1 still hanging on at No. 6 (1.7 million views).
Meanwhile, the K-wave doesn’t stop at deadly competitions. Animated feature KPop Demon Hunters hit No. 1 on the English Film list, racking up another 24.2M views in its second week. The film’s viral Soda Pop Challenge continues to trend across TikTok, with even major K-pop groups and Duolingo’s owl joining the fun. The HUNTR/X merch drop on Netflix Shop is already topping sales charts, proving that Korean content is more than a trend—it’s dominating pop culture.
What Happens In ‘Squid Game’ Season 3?
Season 3 proves what fans have long suspected: this was never just about the games. Sure, there’s another twisty marbles-level round and even more brutal deaths, but what resonates most are the character moments. Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) returns in a performance critics have called “one of the greatest television performances of all time,” and the supporting cast rises to the occasion—especially Kang Ae-shim as Geum-ja, whose heartbreaking scenes with her son mark some of the series’ most emotionally devastating moments.
All episodes of Squid Game are now streaming on Netflix. Stay tuned for more updates on the series.
Source: Tudum