Watch Out Squid Game, These 2 Netflix Shows Are Coming For Your Record In 2025

Squid Game's return at the end of 2024 couldn't have gone much better as it maintained the momentum from season 1 and became one of Netflix's most-viewed projects of all time, but this could all change in 2025. After season 1 blew all expectations out of the water and had audiences around the world hooked, Squid Game season 2 broke Netflix viewership records and cemented itself as one of the platform's biggest-ever shows, proving how valuable the IP is. Its thrilling story and unique concept are hard to look away from, and there is still more to come.

With Squid Game season 2 ending on a cliffhanger, the final season looks set to provide a massive conclusion and add to the K-drama's already iconic legacy. However, while the show's popularity and incredible achievements look difficult to beat, Netflix already has two returning shows that could take its crown. As a result, 2025 looks like it could be an incredibly competitive year on the streaming platform, and with so many fan-favorite projects returning, Squid Game may have a troubling time trying to keep its status as Netflix's biggest show despite season 2's unfathomable success.

Wednesday Season 2 & Stranger Things Season 5 Could Overthrow Squid Game As Netflix’s Top 1 Show

Stranger Things & Wednesday Have Incredible Past Viewership Numbers

Having delivered two exceptional seasons of TV, Squid Game's unprecedented viewership numbers look almost insurmountable, but the return of Wednesday and Stranger Things puts its status in jeopardy. Squid Game season 2 became Netflix's third most viewed series of all time, while season 1 took the number one spot, but Wednesday's first season separates them, indicating the show's return could be huge. Just like Squid Game, Wednesday made an instant impression and won over audiences, making its highly-anticipated second season destined to attract some major attention and pull in a hefty number of viewers that could surpass its first installment.

Wednesday season 2 and Stranger Things season 5 are yet to get official release dates, but they are both confirmed for 2025.

Assuming its popularity continues to grow, the sky is the limit for Wednesday season 2 and there is a genuine chance it could dethrone Squid Game as Netflix's top show. Additionally, Stranger Things also poses a real danger, as its fourth season isn't far behind the top three, and given the long-running show is set to conclude in 2025, it should be its most viewed season yet. Stranger Things season 5 still has plenty of unanswered questions to address, and with fans following the series for close to a decade, there will be an appetite to see how it concludes.

Therefore, it isn't a huge leap to assume Stranger Things will be one of 2025's biggest shows, and although it would have a huge task overcoming Squid Game season 1's incredible record, it's certainly not out of the question.

Squid Game Season 2’s Spot On Netflix’s Top 3 Shows Is At An Even Bigger Risk

Wednesday Season 1's Popularity Alongside Stranger Things Heading Into Its Final Season Gives Squid Game Some Huge Competition

While it may be a stretch for Wednesday season 2 or Stranger Things season 5 to claim Netflix's number one spot, they are definitely a threat to Squid Game season 2's place in the top three. Wednesday has cemented itself as the most viewed English language show on the platform, and with it capturing a massive audience, its follow-up season has so much potential. Despite how great the first outing was, Wednesday season 2 looks set to be even better as it has added some huge names to the cast and will lean even more into the franchise's horror elements.

With how viral season 1 went, it's hard to imagine the second installment won't be equally successful if not more so, meaning it could genuinely challenge Squid Game season 2. Likewise, with Stranger Things officially coming to a close, each episode becomes a must-watch for fans of the hit show. Avoiding spoilers will be crucial for such a drama-orientated series, meaning fans won't want to waste any time getting around to it, and with season 4 pulling more viewers than any of the previous outings, there's no doubt season 5 will be incredibly popular.

Stranger Things has been one of Netflix's flagship shows for around nine years and even those that lost interest at some point may pick it back up and tune in for the final season, suggesting a boost in views could be on the cards. Therefore, Squid Game season 2 may struggle to hold onto its podium spot with two major shows chasing it down, but it's not all doom and gloom for the K-drama.

Squid Game Could Still Be The Winner Of 2025 Thanks To The Third And Final Season

Viewers Will Be Desperate To See How The Unique Thriller Ends

Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun and Lee Byung-hun as Front Man in Squid Game

Squid Game season 2 will undoubtedly have a hard time fending off its competition in 2025, but the show could yet have an excellent year after its third and final season was given a release date. The thriller is set to return on June 27, 2025, which means the series will have just as significant of a role in Netflix's 2025 slate as Wednesday and Stranger Things. Considering the next outing will be Squid Game's final season, it has the exact same advantage as Stranger Things, and makes it arguably more must-see than Wednesday, hinting at a big year ahead.

Squid Game could still come out of 2025 as Netflix's big winner, which would cement its status as the platform's biggest series.

With season 2 dropping in December 2024, Squid Game season 3's speedy release date also means the show will be fresh on people's minds, suggesting it will arguably have even more momentum than its competition. Season 2 didn't struggle one bit in terms of viewership, and there is no reason season 3 can't match or potentially exceed it. Therefore, even with some enormous competition, Squid Game could still come out of 2025 as Netflix's big winner, which would cement its status as the platform's biggest series and prove just how influential it is on modern TV.

2025 Will Be Massive For Netflix (Regardless Of Which Show Does The Biggest Numbers)

All 3 Shows Look Set To Perform Exceptionally Well, & Netflix Has Plenty More Projects Worth Getting Excited About

Custom Image by Debanjana Chowdhury

Regardless of which series has the biggest year, Netflix appears to be the real winner as the streaming service is in for a massive 2025. In terms of views, Squid Game, Wednesday, and Stranger Things are unquestionably the platform's biggest shows, and having all three produce content in the same year for the first time is huge. With two of them concluding this year, people will be on the edge of their seats and the return of Wednesday guarantees it'll be a big year. In addition, Netflix has plenty of other big arrivals coming in 2025 that are equally exciting.

Knives Out 3 and The Thursday Murder Club ensure the murder mystery genre is covered, and The Electric State confirms that it could be a great year for both movies and TV on Netflix. You has also been a massive hit for the platform which will air its final season in 2025, and Netflix has even picked up rights for the WWE, with international audiences getting coverage of the entire wrestling calendar. The volume of big projects coming to the service guarantees a big year ahead, but Wednesday, Stranger Things, and Squid Game are undoubtedly key to Netflix's upcoming schedule.