The excitement around Squid Game continues to build with the announcement of its third season’s release date, which is scheduled for June 27, 2025. Fans were initially left wondering whether the show’s trajectory would slow down after season 2’s record-breaking success, but the upcoming release has sparked further intrigue, especially given that the story’s continuation feels more like a direct extension of season 2. In fact, many believe that Squid Game season 3 could very well be labeled as season 2, part 2—an extension of the narrative that leaves little space for a fresh start.
The End of Season 2 Feels Like a Setup for More: While Squid Game season 1 provided a thrilling and somewhat conclusive ending, with the protagonist Gi-hun pledging to take down the creators of the deadly game, the second season opens up an entirely different dimension. Squid Game season 2 leaves many plot threads unresolved, especially with Gi-hun failing to stop the games and the fate of his friend Jung-bae hanging in the balance. This cliffhanger sets up a direct continuation of the events in the upcoming third season. Fans expecting a fresh narrative are in for a surprise: season 3 seems poised to pick up right where season 2 left off, blurring the line between seasons 2 and 3.
A Short Turnaround Time Suggests Continuity, Not a Fresh Start: What’s even more surprising is the extremely short gap between seasons 2 and 3. With only six months separating their releases, it seems as if Netflix is diving straight into the unresolved narrative of season 2, without making the audience wait for years, as was the case between seasons 1 and 2. The tight timeline between seasons suggests a continuation rather than a reinvention, making the case for Squid Game season 3 being treated as a second part of season 2 rather than a standalone installment.
The Series Is Evolving, But At What Cost?
Netflix has historically released the final seasons of many of its popular shows in multiple parts, such as Cobra Kai and Money Heist. Given the significant success of Squid Game, some were expecting a similar split for its concluding seasons. Instead, Squid Game season 3 is being marketed as a new season entirely, leaving fans to question Netflix’s decision to rebrand it. While this could be a strategy to generate fresh excitement for the show, it might also alienate fans who expected a clear distinction between season 2 and season 3.
Squid Game Season 3: A New Chapter or More of the Same?
The success of Squid Game lies not only in its intense drama and social commentary but also in the continuity of its storytelling. With so much still left to explore after season 2’s shocking conclusion, it seems almost impossible to label the next release as a completely new chapter. The journey of Gi-hun and the deadly game is far from over, and season 3 is expected to dive right back into the action. The question now is whether Netflix’s choice to market it as a third season signals a new direction or simply rebrands what is, in essence, season 2’s dramatic continuation.
Squid Game Key Facts:
Writer & Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Score: 89%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 73%
Budget: US $21.4 million in season 1, ₩100 billion in season 2
Streaming On: Netflix
