Netflix's Squid Game Season 3 Hits #1 in 93 Countries Despite Divided Reviews

Netflix's "Squid Game" Season 3 launched on June 27, 2025, immediately capturing the top spot on streaming charts worldwide. According to FlixPatrol data, the final season reached #1 in 93 countries just one day after release, proving the Korean thriller's enduring global appeal.

While the show dominates viewing charts, Season 3 has sparked controversy with an 81% critics score but only 51% audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes. This marks the series' most divided reception to date, creating a significant gap between professional reviewers and fans.

Critics generally praised the final season, with some calling it "a worthy conclusion" that "surpasses even the original show." However, audiences criticized the ending as "rushed" and complained about character development choices.

The six-episode finale achieved faster initial success than its predecessors. Season 1 originally took eight days to reach #1 globally when it debuted in 2021, while Season 3 accomplished this milestone in just 24 hours.

Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed this as the series' final season, bringing closure to protagonist Seong Gi-hun's story. The season explores themes of sacrifice and redemption as Gi-hun faces his final confrontation with the Front Man.

Seasons 2 and 3 were filmed back-to-back, explaining the quick turnaround between releases. Despite audience criticism, the show's immediate chart dominance demonstrates the franchise's continued cultural impact and Netflix's biggest international success story.