Squid Game Season 2: Viewership Records Broken So Far

Squid Game has once again captured the spotlight, with its second season already establishing new Netflix viewership records. Since its debut in 2021, the series has been a cultural phenomenon, becoming Netflix’s most-watched show of all time. The conclusion of the first season left fans eager for more, as Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) pledged to take down the Front Man (portrayed by Lee Byung-hun) and end the deadly games. This overwhelming success naturally led to the greenlighting of a second season.

After a three-year break, season 2 arrived, diving into the fates of Gi-hun, the Front Man, and other beloved characters. Unlike the neatly wrapped-up storylines of its predecessor, the latest season concluded with a cliffhanger, setting the stage for a third and final installment. With season 2’s phenomenal reception, anticipation is building for season 3, which has the potential to attract even larger audiences than before.

Squid Game Season 2 Dominates Netflix Weekly Views

Breaking Viewing Records in Just Days

In its first three days alone, Squid Game season 2 attracted an astonishing 68 million views. This remarkable figure eclipsed the previous record held by Wednesday, which garnered 50.1 million views in its debut week. Interestingly, Wednesday remains Netflix’s most-watched English series, amassing a total of 252 million views, while Squid Game continues to reign as the platform’s most-viewed non-English production, accumulating 265.2 million views within its first 91 days.

Looking ahead, both Squid Game season 3 and Wednesday season 2 are set to release in 2025. This will reignite competition between the two immensely popular series. With its cliffhanger ending, season 3 of Squid Game has the potential to break its own viewing record, while season 2 of Wednesday fuels anticipation to see if it can match or surpass season 2 of Squid Game.

Squid Game Season 2 Ascends in Netflix History

Quickly Moving Up the Ranks

In just one week, Squid Game season 2 has already secured the seventh spot among Netflix’s most-viewed non-English series. Only Squid Game’s first season, the Money Heist series (seasons 3-5), and Lupin (seasons 1 and 2) have more views. Prior to Squid Game’s groundbreaking success in 2021, Money Heist held the title as Netflix’s dominant non-English show, but has since been surpassed by Squid Game’s monumental impact.

Rank	Non-English Netflix Series Title & Season	Views
1	Squid Game season 1	265.2 million
2	Money Heist season 4	106 million
3	Lupin season 1	99.5 million
4	Money Heist season 5	99.2 million
5	Money Heist season 3	80 million
6	Lupin season 2	68.4 million
7	Squid Game season 2	68 million
8	Who Killed Sara? season 1	58.4 million
9	Berlin season 1	56.7 million
10	All of Us Are Dead season 1	55.5 million

With this performance, Squid Game season 2 has officially become the most-watched non-English show of the week. Additionally, the renewed interest in version 1 of the show led to it earning 8.1 million views during the same period. This illustrates the extensive global reach that Squid Game has maintained since its inception. It is on track to surpass Lupin season 2 and continue climbing the all-time viewership ladder, though reaching its predecessor’s record remains uncertain.

Squid Game Season 2 Prevails in Overall Viewership

Unprecedented Success Compared to Live Sports

Thanos speaking to Min-su in Squid Game season 2

In a remarkable achievement, Squid Game season 2 emerged as Netflix’s most-viewed title of the week across all categories, including movies and live events. The most-watched live event during this period, the NFL Christmas Day matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, attracted 14.4 million views, closely trailed by the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs, which racked up 14.3 million views. Meanwhile, Virgin River season 6 garnered 9.2 million views as the leading scripted English series.

Despite the popularity of these events, none could rival the impressive 68 million views received by Squid Game season 2 in its initial week. Other content, such as the thriller Carry-On, which added 34.9 million views, and the Spanish film Ferry 2 with 6.1 million views, also fell short in comparison.

Comparing Viewership Insights: Season 1 vs. Season 2

Season 2 Has a Shot at Matching Season 1’s Milestone

Red Light Green Light game scene from Squid Game — Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

As Squid Game continues to dominate Netflix viewership, the primary competition it faces is the first season itself. Season 1’s colossal 265.2 million views set a high benchmark that season 2 may aspire to over the coming weeks. The holiday release might have limited some initial viewings, leaving many fans yet to experience the new season.

Notably, Squid Game season 2 has received a nomination for Best Drama at the Golden Globes, further amplifying the show’s allure. With the announcement of season 3 slated for 2025, interest in rewatching season 2 will likely contribute positively to its viewership. Moreover, with only seven episodes compared to nine in season 1, viewers may find it easier to binge-watch the latest installment.

Should season 2 manage to surpass 265.2 million views, it would cement its status as the most-watched series on Netflix, both among non-English and English offerings. Although the reviews for season 2 have been varied compared to the critical acclaim of its predecessor, the potential remains for it to surpass season 1’s monumental viewership figures. Ultimately, regardless of the outcome, Squid Game remains a unique force in Netflix history, standing alone atop its category.

Source: Deadline, Netflix

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