Squid Game Season 3 just landed on Netflix, wrapping up the internationally famous South Korean series in wild, unpredictable style. All six new episodes dropped on June 27, 2025—and fans around the world couldn’t look away. Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk brought the story to a close with a finale that’s getting folks fired up. Some people love it. Others are seriously divided. Social media is lighting up with hot takes, a shocking celebrity cameo, and even talk of a possible spinoff. From massive watch parties in Seoul to a much-debated childbirth scene, here’s why everyone’s talking about Squid Game’s grand finale.
The Games Get Deadlier
Season 3 picks up right where things ended in Season 2. Remember the cliffhanger? Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) failed to shut down the deadly games. This time, he’s back with one goal—take down the mysterious Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) and stop the bloodshed for good.
There’s a fresh crop of characters, too: Nam-gyu (Roh Jae-won) and Hyun-Ju (Park Sung-hoon), Squid Game’s first trans competitor, add plenty of new drama. Fan favorites like detective Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun) also return. Even before launch day, Netflix teased fans with a six-minute preview showing Gi-hun trapped inside a bizarre gift-box coffin. The message was clear: things are about to get even darker.
Episode titles like “Hide and Seek” and “The Past Is the Future” drive home the show’s biting commentary on what people will do for money. And then came the twist nobody saw coming—Cate Blanchett pops up as “The Recruiter” in the last scene, this time set in Los Angeles. Is Squid Game heading to America? Fans think so. Netflix says nothing’s official, but rumors are flying.
The global release turned heads. June 27 at 3 a.m. ET (12:30 p.m. IST), every episode went live, making Season 3 Netflix’s most-watched non-English series for 2024–2025.
Why Everyone’s Obsessed
So what’s fueling the Squid Game hype machine? Let’s break it down:
- Massive Hype Events: Netflix pulled out all the stops, from projecting the creepy Young-hee doll on Seoul’s City Hall to a glitzy UK premiere at The Barbican. Teasers racked up thousands of shares within hours.
- Love it or Hate it: Critics can’t agree. Some praise the big themes and visuals, while others rip into the writing and “clumsy” moments. The debates are loud—and everywhere.
- That Childbirth Scene: Episode 2 features Player 222 giving birth during a challenge. X exploded, with some fans saying it was OTT and way too graphic. Others called it unrealistic. Either way, #SquidGame3 trended hard.
- Spinoff Teasers: Cate Blanchett’s late-game cameo started a frenzy over a possible American version. Netflix isn’t confirming a thing, but fans are hoping and speculating.
- Raw Social Commentary: This season takes wealth, greed, and inequality to new extremes. Billionaire VIPs get more screen time, cheering on the deadly games while real-world viewers debate if it’s too close for comfort.
Squid Game by the Numbers
Look at Google Trends, and it’s clear: Squid Game Season 3 is the hottest topic this summer. Spikes matched every trailer drop, premiere event, and, naturally, the June 27 release. People searched everything from “Squid Game Season 3 ending explained” to “Cate Blanchett cameo.”
A Mixed Finish
Did Season 3 deliver? There’s a lot to unpack:
- Some fans call it thrilling and bold. Others say the pacing is uneven and the birth scene pushes things too far.
- Ending opinions are everywhere—some people feel satisfied, while others are “outraged” (their words, not mine) over a final twist.
- The billionaire VIPs felt eerily real, drawing inspiration from tech titans like Elon Musk. The show’s satire hits hard, but some viewers think it goes a little too dark.
- The Cate Blanchett cameo works, but many see it as a teaser for future spin-offs, not the powerful sendoff they hoped for.
What People Are Arguing About
- The childbirth scene—gritty or just unnecessary?
- Will we really get a U.S. spinoff, or is it all just Internet noise?
- Does the show still feel uniquely Korean, or has it grown too big for its roots?
- Is the story stretched too thin because Seasons 2 and 3 were planned together?
Ready to Join the Craze?
- You can stream all six episodes now on Netflix (and yep, you’ll need a subscription).
- Need a refresher? Binge Seasons 1 and 2 to catch all the callbacks and deeper meaning.
- Want to see what others are saying? Hop on X, search #SquidGame3, or send in your hot takes.
- Looking for more? Check out new episodes of Stranger Things or Wednesday—Netflix won’t let you get bored this year.