Netflix has confirmed the release date of the second season of hit show Squid Game.

The show became a sensation on Netflix, with viewers being captivated by its dystopian depiction of how desperation over money allows people to be manipulated into extreme danger.

Season one of Squid Game followed the fates of people participating in a series of life or death games, with the promise of a fortune if they emerged the victor.

The chilling series was praised for its showing of how desperation can be used to drive people into risking their very lives.

Even though everyone who participated in the games technically chose to be there, the show made clear that those who chose to risk their lives in tug of war, marbles and the bridge of death, did so because they knew their lives outside the games would be miserable – and possibly rather short if they didn’t do something.

After an explosive finale at the end of season one, Netflix has now confirmed the release date of the second season of the popular series.

People start falling. (Netflix)

The simple teaser saw a set of ‘athletes’ at the starting line of a running race, seeing only their legs.

After they start, the show’s infamous dissonant theme begins playing and we see people starting to fall to the ground, as others wearing the signature tracksuits associated with the games begin to replace the athletes.

The runners pass a podium, on which are standing a group of the sinister red guards wearing their playstation button masks.

At the centre of the group is the game master himself, with his own unsettling mask.

As the camera cuts to a close up of the figure, who stands completely still, he says: “It’s been three years, are you ready to play again?”

The game master is back. (Netflix)

The clip then cuts to a caption saying ‘the real game begins’, and announces that the second season of the hit show will premiere on December 26.

We are then treated to the blank, probing stare of the Red Light/Green Light doll, before the teaser cuts to black.

Squid Game‘s first season caused an online sensation, sparking debate and discussion, as well as innumerable imitations and sketches playing on the distinctive themes of the show.

Netflix has also confirmed that the show will end after the third season.

With the second season ending with the promise of exploring more about the origins of the brutal games and their mysterious backers, it is hotly anticipated.

Squid Game is coming back for a season 2, and it’s coming sooner than you’d think.

The South Korean TV show took the world by storm in 2021, seemingly coming from out of nowhere to be one of Netflix’s most talked about shows of all time.

The show, to this date, stands as the most watched show on the platform globally based on hours viewed.

And who can forgot all the Squid Game Halloween costumes?

Check out the first look at season two below:

The concept of the show revolved around a contest between 456 players, all competing for the chance to win 45.6 billion won (34 million USD).

And the show left many dying for more – especially with the cliffhanger ending which shows Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) getting ready to take down the whole system.

And fan’s wishes were soon granted as the show was announced to be returning for season 2 back in 2022.

At the time, the show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, told Associated Press: “So, there’s been so much pressure, so much demand, and so much love for a second season. So I almost feel like you leave us no choice.

“But, I will say there will indeed be a second season. It’s in my head right now. I’m in the planning process currently. But I do think it’s too early to say when and how that’s going to happen.”

And lead star Lee, who is set to return for the second season as Seong Gi-hun, has given a window of when we could expect it on our TV screens.

Squid Game took the world by storm in 2021 (Netflix)

In an interview with Business Insider, he was asked about anything he can let slip detail-wise for season two, and he confirmed when the show will be released, telling the publication through an interpreter: “It will be released in December.”

UNILAD has contacted Netflix for comment.

This isn’t the first time Lee has spoken about the development of season two, telling The Hollywood Reporter in 2022 that he was in ‘constant and continuous talks with the production company about season 2’, however, he tried not to talk to the director ‘too much’.

“Because like you said, the creative process is really intense for him, and now with the added pressure of the show’s global success, I know he must be going through such a hard time.” he said.

The show will be released in December, Lee says (Netflix)

“So I don’t want to be another factor adding to the pain of the creative process, which I know so well from my own writing experience. But I have total faith that he will write a great story for season two, and I wait in anticipation with everyone else.”

Season two is not even Netflix’s first return to the franchise though as the streaming service commissioned a game show, Squid Game: The Challenge, in which 456 real-life people competed for $4.56 million – minus the deaths, of course.

Going through very similar sets of challenges, the show was a similar smash success, however, the show faced some controversy behind the scenes.

The reality show has been renewed for a second season, however, executive producer, Stephen Lambert, said they needed to ‘to talk to the Korean team about what they’re planning to do for their second scripted season’.

Netflix viewers are involved in a heated debate online over whether a particular thriller is actually better than Squid Game.

While fans of the iconic South Korean series impatiently wait for the second season’s release, some have trawled Netflix for other gripping game dramas and believe they’ve found one to rival Hwang Dong-hyuk’s survival thriller.

May the games begin.

Squid Game was first released back in 2021 and was an instant hit.

It became Netflix’s most-watched series at the time and actors including Lee Jung-jae – who played main protagonist Seong Gi-hun – and HoYeon Jung (Kang Sae-byeok) won awards for their captivating performances.

However, there’s a lesser-known show also available to watch on the streaming service which many are arguing not only rivals Squid Game but is actually far ‘superior’.

It’s called Alice in Borderland was first released by Netflix back in December 2020.

You mean there’s a ‘superior’ series to Squid Game? (Netflix)

The Japanese sci-fi thriller is based on the manga by Haro Aso and was directed by Shinsuke Sato.

It centres around the story of a gamer and his two friends finding themselves in an alternate version of Tokyo, Japan and – similarly to Squid Game – they’re forced to compete in a series of games in a bid to survive.

Alice in Borderland stars L DK’s Kento Yamazaki, Rurouni Kenshin’s Tao Tsuchiya and Nijirō Murakami – best known for Still the Water.

The series currently comprises of two seasons, however, was renewed for a third in September 2023.

And it’s not taken long for fans of Squid Game to have discovered it and taken to social media to compare the two survival game series.

One user took to Reddit thread r/AliceInBorderlandLive to write: “Alice in Borderland vs Squid Game. I just don’t get it Alice in Borderland is 10 times better than Squid Game (plot, actors, the world etc..), yet Squid Game has better views / money making… strange world we live in.”

Alice in Borderland to Squid Game. (Netflix)

“Alice in Borderland is definitely superior to Squid Game!” another user said on thread r/NetflixBestOf.

Someone else added: “For me, it feels like Squid Game could happen to anyone whereas AIB is fantasy. I liked them both equally but Squid Game scares me more for that factor. I also think that AIB owes a lot of its audience to Squid Game. Myself, and many others, only found out about AIB after watching SG and looking gif similar programmes.”

Although, one user resolved: “I love both. AiB is more fantasy, Squid Game is a social commentary. Two very different and enjoyable stories. Not sure why everything has to be a competition.”

So, what do you think?

If you’re ready to have all the darkest and most eerie parts of life shoved in your face, then I have good news – Black Mirror is coming back.

Netflix shared the news of the show’s highly-anticipated return in a post on Twitter, which included a video teasing its comeback.

The video features a page filled with code, reading: “Black Mirror. An error has occurred…”

The screen then shows a reboot bar, before revealing a long string of names. Check it out below:

The new series is set to be made up of six episodes, with directors including the likes of Black Mirror alum Toby Haynes and David Slade, as well as director Haolu Wang, who’s best known for Netflix’s Bodies.

When it comes to the cast, a release from Netflix revealed a whole string of big stars who are set to make an appearance in at least one episode of the new season.

They include Awkwafina, Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi, Deadpool and Wolverine actor Emma Corrin, Parks and Recreation’s Rashida Jones, and Bridesmaids actor Chris O’Dowd.

Netflix’s announcement featured cryptic phrases and names (X/NetflixUK)

There are also a number of Black Mirror stars who are expected to return for the sequel to the season four episode USS Callister, including Milanka Brooks, Billy Magnussen, Paul G. Raymond, Cristin Milioti, Osy Ikhile and Jimmi Simpson.

News of the new season has delighted fans, with the post having received hundreds of likes in a matter of minutes.

Series creator Charlie Brooker has previously spoken about the thematic elements fans of the series might be able to expect in the upcoming season, admitting to Deadline that creators planned to do ‘some things [they’ve] not done before’.

Charlie Brooker described the new series as ‘OG Black Mirror’ (Netflix)

He continued: “People can expect quite a lot of emotion and, hopefully, a good mix of chills. We did a couple of horror stories in Season 6, which we label as Red Mirror. But this time around, the episodes are all, in a way, like OG Black Mirror.

“I wrote one script, and the general consensus was that it was one of the bleakest, heaviest gut punches yet. There’s also techy episodes and ones that are making people cry. So, hopefully, it’s a full emotional workout, but we shall see. The viewers will be the judge.”

The good news is that viewers won’t have long to wait to start judging, either, as Netflix revealed alongside the announcement video that Black Mirror would be back in 2025.