The Korean drama racked up 68 million views in its first weekend.
Squid Game has set a new benchmark for Netflix’s television programming, with the second season racking up a staggering 68 million views within its first four days. According to Variety, this marks the largest debut for any TV show on the platform, surpassing the previous record of 50.1 million views set by Wednesday in 2022. The first season of Squid Game was also a massive success, holding the record as the top-watched Netflix series for some time, with 142 million households tuning in by October 2021. The anticipation for the third and final season next year could result in a third record-breaking achievement for the streaming giant.
Despite the show’s critical examination of capitalism, Netflix has skillfully turned Squid Game into a cash cow. The company has expanded the franchise with a less deadly reality-show spinoff, an in-person pop-up experience, and a multiplayer mobile game, further capitalizing on its global popularity.