The highly anticipated second season premiere of Netflix's hit South Korean drama "Squid Game" has claimed the streaming platform's biggest opening of 2024, drawing over 2.2 million US households in its first four days, according to viewership data from Samba TV.
The dystopian series maintains its powerful grip on audiences, following a record-breaking first season that amassed more than 265.2 million global views and 2.2 billion hours watched, making it Netflix's most-watched content ever.
The Season 2 opener joins an exclusive group of only three shows in 2024 to exceed 2 million household views within the initial four-day window. The premiere outperformed other Netflix heavy-hitters including "The Perfect Couple" and "Bridgerton" Season 3.
Among streaming originals this year, "Squid Game" Season 2 ranks third, following HBO Max's "House of the Dragon" Season 2 and "The Penguin" Season 1, both of which benefited from additional linear television broadcasts.
The show demonstrated particular appeal among diverse audiences, with Hispanic households watching at rates 26% above average, while Asian and Black households both exceeded average viewership by 21%. The series also resonated strongly with Generation Z viewers aged 20-24, who tuned in at rates 11% higher than typical.
"The series continues to demonstrate its cultural resonance," noted Ashwin Navin, co-founder and CEO of Samba, highlighting the show's enduring appeal across demographic groups.