The games are over. After years of anticipation, the third and final season of Squid Game has landed on Netflix, and it didn’t just arrive—it conquered. The final six episodes of the global phenomenon shattered streaming records, becoming Netflix’s biggest three-day premiere ever. But as the dust settles on the deadliest games yet, a question emerges: Did the explosive finale deliver a satisfying conclusion, or did it fumble the final play?
Just days after its June 27, 2025, release, the final season of the Korean-language thriller has already dominated global conversations, pulling in a staggering 60.1 million views in its first three days alone, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The series ranked #1 in every single country Netflix tracks—a first for any show on the platform. While the numbers are undeniably massive, the ending has proven to be as divisive as it is shocking, leaving fans and critics to debate the legacy of one of television’s most influential series.
Caption: The official poster for the final season of Squid Game.
Credit: Netflix
Source: Moviefone
The Final Round: What is Squid Game Season 3 About?
Season 3 picks up immediately after the bloody cliffhanger of Season 2, which saw Seong Gi-hun’s (Lee Jung-jae) attempted rebellion crushed from the inside. Betrayed by the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun)—who was revealed to have been hiding in plain sight as Player 001—Gi-hun is thrown back into the games, broken and grieving the loss of his closest friend. This time, however, the stakes are even more twisted. The ultra-wealthy VIPs, no longer content to be spectators, don the iconic pink jumpsuits to participate directly in the slaughter, a chilling new layer to their depravity.
As reported by Variety, the final season forces the remaining contestants through a new gauntlet of lethal childhood games, including a terrifying version of “Hide and Seek” and a high-flying, deadly game of “Sky Squid Game.” But the season’s most significant twist comes with the unexpected arrival of a newborn baby, born to player Kim Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri) in the second episode. The infant’s presence becomes a catalyst for Gi-hun, pulling him from his despair and giving him a new, desperate purpose: to protect the child at all costs.
A Devastating End: How Does Squid Game Season 3 Conclude?
SPOILER WARNING: The following section details the ending of Squid Game Season 3.
In what is perhaps the most gut-wrenching moment of the entire series, Gi-hun makes the ultimate sacrifice. In the final game, with the baby’s life on the line, he chooses to end his own life, ensuring the infant is declared the winner of the 45.6 billion won prize. It’s a bleak, tragic end for a character who endured so much, yet it solidifies his humanity in the face of monstrous cruelty. As he falls to his death, Gi-hun’s final, unfinished words hang in the air: “We are not horses. We are humans. And humans are…”
But the story doesn’t end there. In a post-credits scene that has already sent shockwaves through the fandom, the Front Man is seen in Los Angeles, observing a game of slap—the very game used to recruit players. He shares a knowing smile with a new recruiter, played by none other than Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett in a surprise cameo. This final scene confirms what many have long suspected: the games are global, and the world of Squid Game is far from over. This move to expand the universe is a popular trend in modern franchises, similar to how James Gunn’s DCU slate is building a larger, interconnected world.
Caption: Lee Jung-jae delivers a powerful final performance as Seong Gi-hun.
Credit: Noh Ju-han/Netflix
Source: Variety
By the Numbers: How Big Was the Squid Game Finale?
The success of Squid Game’s final season is, simply put, astronomical. The 60.1 million views in its opening weekend translated to an incredible 368.4 million hours of watch time. This performance outpaces the four-day launch of Season 2 (68 million views) and solidifies the show’s place in television history. The first season remains Netflix’s most-watched series of all time with 265.2 million views, and with this explosive start, Season 3 is on track to join it in the all-time top 10.
The show’s universal appeal is undeniable. Topping the charts in every single Netflix territory is a feat that speaks to its powerful storytelling and resonant themes. The final season, though the shortest of the three at just over six hours, packed a punch that was felt around the world.
Critical Reception: Was the Finale a Hit With Critics?
While audiences tuned in by the millions, critics were more divided. Most reviews praised Lee Jung-jae’s “outstanding performance,” with many calling it the heart and soul of the series. However, some found the final season’s structure to be a step down from its predecessors. Aramide Tinubu of Variety noted that Season 3 “isn’t as haunting and spectacular as the first two seasons,” citing the “repetitive structure of the games and the lack of new characters.”
Despite this, the introduction of the baby was seen as a powerful narrative device that raised the stakes to an unprecedented level. The finale’s exploration of themes like the dehumanizing nature of wealth and the resilience of the human spirit has been widely discussed, proving that even in its final moments, Squid Game never lost its ability to provoke and challenge its audience.
What’s Next for the Squid Game Universe?
The Cate Blanchett cameo and the Los Angeles setting all but confirm that a Westernized spin-off or continuation is in the works. This opens up a world of possibilities, exploring how the games operate in different cultures and societies. While creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has stated that this is the definitive end for Gi-hun’s story, the door is wide open for new characters, new games, and new critiques of global capitalism.
Netflix has yet to officially announce a new series, but the groundwork has been laid. Much like other successful franchises, the Squid Game universe is expanding, and fans are already speculating about what a new iteration of the games might look like. The final season may be over, but it seems the games have only just begun.
References
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/squid-game-season-3-netflix-premiere-week-ratings-1236303985/
- https://variety.com/2025/tv/reviews/squid-game-season-3-review-netflix-1236440570/
- https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/squid-game-season-3-plot-release-date-news
