What's the Release Date for "Squid Game" Season 3? Latest Updates and Insights
What's the Release Date for "Squid Game" Season 3? Latest Updates and Insights
"Squid Game" is back and more lethal than before. If you've reached the end of the latest season of this gripping South Korean series, you're likely wondering when "Squid Game" Season 3 will hit Netflix.
Season 2 brings back Season 1 winner Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), who returns to the deadly competition years later. This time, with the help of Detective Hwang Jun-ho, Gi-hun aims to take down "Squid Game" and bring down its leader, the mysterious Front Man, who plays a more active role in the deadly challenges of the new season.
Following the exciting and action-packed finale of Season 2, filled with rebellions, unexpected deaths, and numerous twists, fans are already speculating how long they'll have to wait for the final season to hit Netflix. Series creator, writer, and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed last summer that the third season will be the last of the series.
"I am thrilled to announce the date for Season 2 and share the news of Season 3, the final season," Hwang shared in a letter to fans. "The fierce clash between Gi-hun and Front Man's worlds will continue into the series finale with Season 3, which will be released next year."
Here's what we know so far about "Squid Game" Season 3, including its expected release date, returning cast, and more.
When Is "Squid Game" Season 3 Coming Out?
"Squid Game" is set to return for its third and final season in 2025, but the exact release date has not yet been revealed. However, the show's creator has suggested that an announcement is imminent, as the third season has already been filmed.
"At this point, anything I might say is going to be a spoiler, so I want to be careful," Hwang told Variety. "But what I can say is, after Season 2 launches, I believe we will be announcing the release date for Season 3 soon. I probably expect that to launch around summer or fall next year."
If Season 3 premieres in the summer or fall, this timeline aligns with Emmy nomination schedules. According to Digital Trends, Netflix will likely submit Season 2 for the 2025 awards and may aim to submit Season 3 for the 2026 Emmys. This suggests the earliest "Squid Game" Season 3 could debut on Netflix is June 1, 2025, to qualify for the 2026 Emmys.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Squid Game" Season 2.
What Will "Squid Game" Season 3 Be About?
The third season of "Squid Game" will continue the story after the dramatic rebellion in the Season 2 finale, which ultimately fails when the rebels run out of ammunition and are vastly outnumbered. However, the most heartbreaking moment in the finale was the tragic death of Gi-hun's best friend from Season 1, Park Jung-bae (played by Lee Seo-hwan).
Hwang revealed that Jung-bae's death was deliberately planned as the perfect way to conclude Season 2. "Viewers will definitely be shocked and saddened to see Jung-bae go," the creator told Tudum. "He's also the only person within the games that Gi-hun can trust and completely rely on."
The Front Man, who disguised himself as Player 001 (also known as Young-il) and formed a bond with Gi-hun and his group of allies, has "faked" his character's death and returned to his role behind the signature black cloak and mask. By the end of Season 2, Gi-hun remains unaware of the betrayal.
"I don't think Gi-hun knows the truth yet," Jung-jae told Tudum, because his character is "blaming himself for everything that happened."
At the end of Episode 7, a mid-credits scene confirms that the games continue even after Gi-hun is captured. The mid-credits scene shows players entering the arena, which now includes two giant dolls and a new version of "Red Light, Green Light." Hwang teased that the third season will continue to highlight "the fierce clash between [Gi-hun and Front Man's] two worlds."
Which Characters Will Return in "Squid Game" Season 3?
Season 2 of "Squid Game" saw the loss of several important characters, especially during its intense final episodes. As for which characters will return in Season 3, here's a look at those who have survived so far (with a few already confirmed in the mid-credits scene).
- Gi-hun (Player 456)
- Yong-sik (Player 007)
- Geum-ja (Player 149)
- Hyun-ju (Player 120)
- Jun-hee (Player 222)
- Myung-gi (Player 333)
- Dae-ho (Player 388)
- Jun-ho (the detective)
- In-ho (Front Man, 'Young-il', Player 001)
Stay tuned to learn more about "Squid Game" Season 3.
"Squid Game" is streaming on Netflix. Watch the official trailer below.
In anticipation of the announced release of "Squid Game" Season 3, fans eagerly wait to see how Lee Jung-jae's character, Seong Gi-hun, will continue his mission to take down the mysterious Front Man. With the gripping South Korean series set to return to Netflix in 2025, viewers are also curious about the fate of Park Jung-bae, played by Lee Seo-hwan, following his tragic death in Season 2.