'Squid Game' season 2: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know (2024)

'Squid Game' season 2: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know (1)

The first season of "Squid Game" came out of nowhere in 2021 to become the most-watched series in Netflix history; will "Squid Game" season 2 break that record when it arrives at the end of the year?

Although Korean shows have been consistently popular on Netflix, "Squid Game" achieved international success on a whole other level, surpassing the viewership of some of the best Netflix shows such as "Stranger Things" and "Bridgerton." A show that popular warrants another season, even if creator Hwang Dong-hyuk never envisioned the show lasting beyond its initial nine episodes.

With Hwang onboard once again as writer and director, Netflix officially announced the second season of "Squid Game" in June 2022. Two years later, viewers got to see real-world contestants face the fiendish games in the Netflix reality show, "Squid Game: The Challenge," and now the original phenomenon is making a comeback in just a couple of months.

Returning star Lee Jung-jae has dropped a few hints about what's to come in "Squid Game" season 2, and we've finally got a release date and the show's future has been revealed in a big new update. Plus, we've just gotten a new trailer for the show!

As the premiere draws closer and closer, here's everything we know so far about "Squid Game" season 2.

'Squid Game' season 2 release date

'Squid Game' season 2: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know (2)

On August 1, Netflix revealed that "Squid Game" season 2 would drop on Thursday, December 26, 2024.

Previously, we only knew the series would air at some point in 2024, though we weren't too surprised by this announcement. After all, lead star Lee Jung-jae had told Business Insider that the series would debut in December 2024 earlier in the year.

Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox.

Here at Tom’s Guide our expert editors are committed to bringing you the best news, reviews and guides to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve!

❌⭕️❌⭕️Squid Game Season 2 December 26 Squid Game Final Season 2025 pic.twitter.com/pLtp0mkZLAAugust 1, 2024

'Squid Game' season 2 cast

The cast for "Squid Game" season 2 is set to feature a mix of new and returning characters, as another round of violent versions of children's games gets underway. Breakout star Lee Jung-jae, who's also starring in the new Star Wars series "The Acolyte," is set to return as Seong Gi-hun, the protagonist of the first season and ultimate winner of the deadly competition.

Other cast members set to return include Lee Byung-hun as the sinister leader of the Game, known as the Front Man, and Gong Yoo as the unnamed salesman who finds players to join the Game. Wi Ha-joon will also return as undercover police officer Hwang Jun-ho.

Netflix has also announced an extensive list of new cast members, although info about their characters has not yet been revealed. Here's who will be joining "Squid Game" for its second season.

  • Park Gyu-young ("Sweet Home")
  • Jo Yu-ri (singer/actor, former member of South Korean-Japanese girl group Iz*One)
  • Kang Ae-sim ("Be Melodramatic," "Move to Heaven")
  • Lee David ("The Fortress")
  • Lee Jin-uk ("Sweet Home," "Miss Granny")
  • Choi Seung-hyun (singer/actor, "Tazza: The Hidden Card," "Commitment")
  • Roh Jae-won ("Missing Yoon," "Ditto")
  • Won Ji-an ("D.P.," "Heartbeat")
  • Yim Si-wan (member of South Korean boy band ZE:A)
  • Kang Ha-neul ("the Heirs)
  • Park Sung-hoon ("The Glory")
  • Yang Dong-geun ("Moving")

Squid Game: Season 2 | Cast Announcement | Netflix - YouTube'Squid Game' season 2: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know (4)

Watch On

'Squid Game' season 2 plot

'Squid Game' season 2: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know (5)

Along with the release date and a new teaser for the show (more on that in just a second), Netflix has released a proper plot synopsis for "Squid Game" season 2. As suspected, it sees Seong Gi-hun continuing to try and bring an end to the deadly games.

It reads: "Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 remains determined to find the people behind the game and put an end to their vicious sport. Using this fortune to fund his search, Seong Gi-hun starts with the most obvious of places: look for the main in a sharp suit playing ddakji in the subway. But when his efforts finally yield results, the path toward taking down the organization proves to be deadlier than he imagined: to end the game, he needs to re-enter it."

While speaking to RadioTimes.com Lee Jung-jae claimed the script for season 2 is 'even more interesting' than the first. He also said he believes this next chapter has 'an even deeper emotion that's discovered within', and notes that the new season is full of twists and turns. Cryptic, but it suggests this new season will be just as gripping as the first.

Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, who's set to write and direct every episode, told The Playlist that there are 'even better games' on the way. He's also referenced the possibility of bringing back characters who died in the first season, so it's possible that season 2 will incorporate flashbacks or surprise twists on the events of the first season. One thing that Hwang won't do is simply rehash the same plot with a new set of characters.

Is there a 'Squid Game' season 2 trailer?

Yep, quite a few, in fact. The most recent "Squid Game" season 2 trailer dropped on October 1. In it, we watch as the game's dapper recruiter prepares for a new day trying to tempt some would-be competitors into playing the very first game with him at a train station.

Squid Game: Season 2 | You’re Invited | Netflix - YouTube'Squid Game' season 2: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know (6)

Watch On

Before the "You're Invited" teaser, we were treated to another season 2 trailer during Netflix Geeked Week 2024. That so-called "Special Teaser" for "Squid Game" season 2 saw a paranoid Gi-hun waking up and answering the door with a pistol in hand... bringing him face to face with the leader gamemaker. Then, we were treated to a montage of the other drones preparing the games for the next batch of contestants. Check it out here:

Squid Game: Season 2 | Special Teaser | Netflix - YouTube'Squid Game' season 2: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know (7)

Watch On

On August 11, Netflix dropped another short teaser, one which teases our new competitors, each of whom have been assigned their numbers and donned their tracksuits. And in a suitably dramatic moment, Gi-hun (#456) spin around and stares down the lens. Now that he knows what he's up against in the games, it certainly looks like he's returning as a fiercer character than before.

Squid Game: Season 2 I Welcome Players I Netflix - YouTube'Squid Game' season 2: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know (8)

Watch On

Our first real look at the show form of a "Squid Game" season 2 release date announcement trailer. The teaser shows us a track meet gone wrong: runners sporting the iconic green tracksuits are running down a track, though more and more of them start to tumble to the ground before we're passed over to the Front Man and his team of game-makers, who ask if we're ready to play again.

What's more, the teaser also confirmed that "Squid Game" season 2 won't be the end of the story, as it confirms "Squid Game" season 3 will be coming our way in 2025.

Squid Game: Season 2 | Date Announcement | Netflix - YouTube'Squid Game' season 2: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know (9)

Watch On

More from Tom's Guide

  • How to get Netflix for free
  • Netflix's new no. 1 show is one of my biggest surprises of 2024
  • Netflix is about to get one of the best mystery thriller shows of the decade
'Squid Game' season 2: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know (10)

Josh Bell

Writer

JoshBellis a freelance writer and movie/TV critic based in Las Vegas. He's the former film editor of Las Vegas Weekly and has written about movies and TV for Vulture, Inverse, CBR, Crooked Marquee and more. With comedian Jason Harris, he co-hosts the podcast Awesome Movie Year.

With contributions from

  • Martin ShoreStaff Writer, Streaming

More about netflix

HBO’s ‘Somebody Somewhere’ begins its superb final season — break out the tissuesNetflix top 10 movies — here's the 3 worth watching right now

Latest

How to prevent mattress mold in winter — 5 ways to keep your bed fresh
See more latest►

No comments yetComment from the forums

    Most Popular
    Netflix top 10 movies — here's the 3 worth watching right now
    Everton vs Fulham live stream: How to watch Premier League game online and on TV
    Real Madrid vs Barcelona live stream: How to watch El Clasico 2024 online for free, team news, start time
    100 million people hit in largest healthcare data breach in history — medical info, SSNs and more
    West Ham vs Man Utd live stream: How to watch Premier League game online
    UFC 308 live stream: How to watch Topuria vs Holloway online from anywhere now
    Chelsea vs Newcastle live stream: How to watch Premier League game online today
    Apple wins patent lawsuit (and $250) from Masimo — but it won’t affect Apple Watch’s MIA blood oxygen feature
    Scrap the gym — this dumbbell only workout builds lower body strength with just 6 moves
    Here are the new 'Cobra Kai' characters you'll meet in season 6 part 2
    'Squid Game' season 2: release date, cast, trailer and everything we know (2024)
    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Recommended Articles
    Article information

    Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5859

    Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

    Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

    Birthday: 1993-08-23

    Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

    Phone: +9958996486049

    Job: Sales Manager

    Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

    Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.