Squid Gamecreator Hwang Dong-hyuk has finally confirmed the fate of a potential fourth season months ahead ofSquid Gameseason 3’srelease. While thetrailer forSquid Gameseason 3, which will release on Netflix on June 22, 2025, established that season 3 will be “the final season,” there continues to be speculation about the future of the massive Netflix franchise. Recent series such asDexter, which were once confirmed to be over, are now returning with multiple sequels and franchise expansions. Similar toMission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, hopes remained high thatSquid Gamewould still continue.
During a recent press conference at Seoul Dragon City in Yongsan District, Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed thatSquid Gameseason 3 will certainly be the final season, destroying any hope of a potentialSquid Gameseason 4 (viaThe Korea Times). However, Hwang notably left the door open for the possibility of aSquid Gamespin-off series, which seems inevitable at some point given the monumental success its first season had on Netflix.Squid Gameseason 3 will only have six episodes, compared to season 2’s seven and season 1’s nine, meaning thatSquid Gamewill conclude with 22 episodes across three seasons.
When asked whether Season 3 would be the ultimate end, Hwang confirmed he has no plans for a fourth installment.
“After watching Season 3, some may think there’s room for a Season 4, while others may feel there’s no need for one,” the director said, adding that he currently has no intention to immediately create something else related to “Squid Game.”
However, he hinted, “I have considered the idea of a spin-off. There were moments during production when I grew curious myself."
What Hwang Dong-hyuk’s Comments Mean For The Future Of Squid Game
The Story Of Gi-hun & The Front Man Are Likely To End In Season 3
The biggest takeaway from Hwang’s comments onSquid Gameseason 3 officially being the last installment is thatthe story of Seong Gi-hun and the Front Man is bound to endwith the latest installment. Gi-hun’s season 2 ambition was to take down theSquid Gamefrom the inside, a mission he will likely continue to strive for in season 3.
Hwang is also handing over theSquid Gamereins to acclaimed director David Fincher, who is at the helm of Netflix’sSquid Game: America, a new series that will not be a remake of Hwang’s original concept.
Given the bleak, dystopian tone of the series, it would be quite shocking if Gi-hun ends up defeating the Front Man, stopping the Squid Game for good, and having a happy ending. This would, however, at leastleave the door open for future iterations ofSquid Gamethat would probably not center around Gi-hun.
Hwang has previously stated that he envisioned season 3 being the final season ofSquid Gamebecause he naturally reached the end of Gi-hun’s story. While theoretically, an enormous franchise likeSquid Gamecould likely maintain viewership for more than three seasons,Hwang is preserving the integrity ofSquid Game’sstoryby avoiding stretching Gi-hun’s character arc too far to a potentially ruinous degree.
Hwang is also handing over theSquid Gamereins to acclaimed directorDavid Fincher, who is at the helm of Netflix’sSquid Game: America, a new series that will not be a remake of Hwang’s original concept.
Our Take On Squid Game Officially Ending After 3 Seasons
Netflix Will Find Ways To Continue What Hwang Started
Given thatNetflix has already started developing aSquid Gamespin-off with Fincher, fans can take relief that there will still be additionalSquid Gamecontent at some point in the near future. Netflix has already taken Hwang’s franchise into their own hands with the reality competition showSquid Game: The Challengein 2023, which was mostly well-received.Squid Gameseason 3 and the eventualSquid Game: Americawill likely not be the last we see of the franchise.
On the bright side,Hwang stepping away from creatingSquid Gameafter season 3 is promisingin two key ways. One, it opens the door for him to develop other projects and potential franchises. Secondly, one of those projects could be his own spin-off of sorts, which could be directly determined by what happens in the series finale in June. ASquid Gameorigin story could also make for an intriguing premise. Regardless, despite season 3’s finale confirmation, theSquid Gamefranchise won’t be going anywhere.
