The highly anticipated third season of the global phenomenon “Squid Game” is set to premiere on June 27. According to exclusive data from Netflix shared with Variety, the show’s impact on audiences worldwide has been staggering.
Combining viewership from both seasons, “Squid Game” has amassed nearly 600 million views globally. Season 1 remains Netflix’s most popular show ever with 265.2 million views, while Season 2 has garnered an impressive 192.6 million views, achieving record viewership during its premiere week. It reached the Top 10 Non-English Language TV chart within just three days, becoming the third most-watched season in Netflix’s history.
The success of “Squid Game” has been bolstered by a significant marketing campaign. Season 2’s promotion generated an astonishing 19.5 billion global social media impressions, with the iconic “Red-Light, Green-Light” clip becoming Netflix’s top-performing video on TikTok, racking up 128.6 million views.
On the awards front, Season 1 broke ground for non-English series with 14 Emmy nominations and six wins, securing its place in television history. It also received three Golden Globe nominations and won one. As the Emmy nominations for 2025 are approaching, it remains to be seen how Season 2 will fare, having already been nominated for Best Drama Series at the Golden Globes.
Additionally, “Squid Game” made history at the Screen Actors Guild Awards as the first non-English series to win multiple awards, with recognition for Lee Jung-jae and Hoyeon Jung. The related reality competition series, “Squid Game: The Challenge,” also picked up three Emmy nominations and a BAFTA TV Award.
In the realm of entertainment and engagement, “Squid Game: Unleashed,” a multiplayer game inspired by the series, has soared to the top of the App Store as the number one free action game in 107 countries.
To connect with fans, Netflix has created immersive experiences across the globe, hosting events in over 25 countries and drawing in more than 66,400 participants for games inspired by the series. The “Squid Game: The Experience” has opened in five cities to sold-out crowds, with projections estimating over 500,000 visitors by summer’s end.
Upcoming pop-up events for Season 3 are planned in various countries, including Mexico, Malaysia, Germany, Thailand, Taiwan, and Australia, highlighting the show’s monumental cultural influence. Iconic games from the series will be featured, culminating with a grand parade in Seoul.
With over 100 merchandise collaborations including prominent brands such as Crocs and Puma, the show’s reach continues to resonate profoundly. Season 1’s impact even spurred an 8000% increase in sales for Vans slip-on sneakers and a notable 40% rise in Korean learners on Duolingo following its release.
The enthusiasm surrounding “Squid Game” appears set to grow, as fans eagerly await the new season and the exciting events planned to celebrate this unparalleled global phenomenon.