Amid Mixed Reviews, “Squid Game 2” Becomes The 1st Netflix Series To Debut At No.1 In 93 Countries
“Squid Game 2” is up to a stellar start!
According to the OTT ranking site FlixPatrol on December 29, Netflix’s Squid Game Season 2 maintained the top spot in the global TV show category. It topped the rankings in 93 countries, including South Korea, the United States, France, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Turkey.
It has become the 1st ever Netflix show to debut at no. 1 in 93 countries.
Early reactions have been mixed, with some calling it “still amazing” while others feel it “drags on” or serves as a “bridge for Season 3.”
Amid this, reviews of the series have been mixed. The buzz around Squid Game 2 was strong, as all seven episodes were released on December 26, at 5 PM KST.
Related: “Squid Game” Director Says Season 3 Will Be Better, Talks Hectic Filming For 2nd Season
The first season of Squid Game, released on September 17, 2021, became a global phenomenon. With over 2.2 billion hours watched, it still holds the record as Netflix’s most-watched show. Building on the success of the first season, expectations for the second season were sky-high, though the challenges for the show’s creators were not easy. While the first season portrayed a brutal game where life and death were at stake, Season 2 had to face heightened expectations and pressure after revealing crucial details about the game’s premise.
In Season 2, director Hwang Dong-hyuk takes a slightly different approach. The story, which initially focused on participants competing for the grand prize, now centers around the last remaining winner, Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung Jae), who returns to take on the game itself. This time, the decision to stop the game is made by a majority vote of the participants, creating a new kind of conflict.
As of December 30, Rotten Tomatoes gave Squid Game 2 a fresh rating of 84%. Though lower than the first season’s 90%, it remains high.
International outlets have praised the show, with Variety calling it an “expansion of the original themes,” highlighting the exploration of capitalist exploitation and modern class inequality, and adding freshness with new characters. The Independent UK stated it “successfully expands beyond the first season,” while BBC described it as a “welcome return to a hellish world.”
However, some reactions pointed out the split of a single story into Seasons 2 and 3 and the diminished novelty. The New York Times criticized the show for presenting a more stylish version of the violence without further development in the storyline, while The Hollywood Reporter felt it lacked the creativity and insights of the first season. The Guardian noted that while Squid Game originally told a complete story, the financial success of the series has led to creative stagnation.
Related: “Squid Game 2” Ending Explained
The mixed international reactions have been reflected in the stock market, where the companies linked to Squid Game actors and creators saw declines. Artist Studio and Artist United, companies tied to Squid Game lead actor Lee Jung Jae, were referred to as “OGEM stocks” and experienced significant drops on December 27, with stocks from the show’s production company, Siren Pictures, falling by nearly 15%.
With the release of Squid Game 3 expected next year, there is growing anticipation. Both Seasons 2 and 3 were in production simultaneously, and director Hwang Dong-hyuk has indicated that the release of Season 3 could happen in the summer or fall of 2025.
How much would you rate “Squid Game 2” out of 10?
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