Netflix has many great original series, but subscribers often face long waits between seasons — and two of the streamer’s best TV shows of all time are finally returning in 2024, after three years. From Orange Is the New Black to Stranger Things, Netflix’s best original shows are massively well-known and leave lasting legacies. But not all of them boast multiple seasons, as Netflix has dropped hugely successful series that haven’t gotten follow-ups just yet.
Two of Netflix’s best TV shows are currently one season long, but they’ll both continue their narratives later in 2024. As such, it’s a big year for the streamer, and the latter half is likely to bump up viewership significantly. Even after three years, both of these Netflix shows are memorable enough to draw subscribers back in. There’s little doubt that Netflix will dominate streaming conversations in late 2024, especially if these sophomore seasons live up to their predecessors.
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Squid Game & Arcane Are Both Returning In 2024 After 3 Years Between Seasons
Both Netflix Shows Were Huge Hits Back In 2021
Squid Game and Arcane both made their debuts back in 2021, and both Netflix original shows quickly became some of the streamer’s best offerings. Squid Game saw unprecedented success for a K-drama on Netflix, pushing the streamer to pursue more Korean-language shows after its premiere. In addition to securing multiple Emmy Awards and becoming a worldwide sensation, Squid Game season 1 broke viewership records, with subscribers streaming the show for over 3 billion minutes in the first two weeks alone.
Arcane won Netflix’s first Emmy for animation, and its success can be seen in its overwhelmingly positive reviews. The first season of the League of Legends series boasts a 100% critic score and 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting its appeal across the board. Arcane deserves the praise, as it tells a high-quality story that sets it above many other Netflix original shows. The same is true of Squid Game, so it’s no wonder both series were renewed for season 2. And it’s somewhat amusing that they’ll return at the same time, three years after first dropping on Netflix.
Arcane season 2 will return first, making its way to Netflix in November 2024. It will continue Jinx and Vi’s story after Arcane season 1’s cliffhanger ending, which has made the wait for season 2 that much more agonizing. Season 2 will be the final outing, so it will need to resolve many the storylines in a handful of episodes. Meanwhile, Squid Game season 2 will premiere in December 2024, though it also doesn’t have a precise release date just yet. Fortunately, more information about both shows should surface soon, as their returns to Netflix are rapidly approaching.
Why Netflix’s Best Shows Take So Long To Release New Seasons
Given the success of Squid Game and Arcane, it’s surprising that it’s taken so long for both shows to return for season 2. Long waits aren’t out of the ordinary for Netflix though, as their best series often have lengthy gaps between seasons. This can be chalked up to a few things. For one, Netflix series will have to work around the cast members’ schedules. If the stars are busy with another project, it could take longer than usual to begin production on the next season.
Post-production can also take a long time, depending on how much editing a series needs. This is especially true for projects that require a great deal of effects to bring their stories to life. Animation is its own beast, understandably taking longer to create than any live-action show. This explains why a series like Arcane can’t return after just a year, though multi-year gaps are becoming commonplace even for live-action series.
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What To Expect From Squid Game 2 & Arcane Season 2
Both Series Will Deliver On The Promises Made At The End Of Season 1
Squid Game and Arcane will spark excitement when they return, and not just because they’ve been gone for years. Both shows are poised to ramp up the stakes in season 2, as they left their characters in interesting predicaments when their first seasons closed. Gi-hun has vowed revenge on the men behind the Squid Games, and it looks like that could land him back in the tournament in season 2. With Jun-ho returning and Gi-hun set on seeking justice, there will likely be a greater focus on the Front Man and the organization he helms.
Arcane season 1 ended in an even wilder place, with Jinx attacking the Piltover council. Judging by Arcane season 2’s teaser trailer, they’ll want justice for her crimes — and to take down all the other agents of Silco. This will pit Vi and Jinx against one another, and there’s no telling how their next confrontation will end. Needless to say, both Arcane and Squid Game will have viewers on the edge of their seats when they finally return to Netflix.
Squid Game
TV-MAAdventureDramaActionWhere to Watch*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
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In Squid Game, a mysterious invitation to join a competition is sent to people at risk who are in dire need of money. Four hundred fifty-six participants from all walks of life are locked into a secret location where they play games to win 45.6 billion won. Games are selected from traditional Korean children’s games, such as Red Light and Green Light, but the consequence of losing is death. To survive, competitors must choose their alliances carefully – but the further they go in the competition, the more likely betrayal will rear its ugly head.
- Cast
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Wi Ha-joon
, Anupam Tripathi
, Oh Yeong-su
, Heo Sung-tae
, Park Hae-soo
, Jung Ho-yeon
, Lee Jung-jae
, Kim Joo-ryoung - Release Date
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September 17, 2021
- Seasons
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1
- Streaming Service(s)
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Netflix
- Writers
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Hwang Dong-hyuk
- Directors
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Hwang Dong-hyuk
- Showrunner
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Hwang Dong-hyuk
Arcane
TV-14ActionAdventureSci-FiAnimationWhere to Watch*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
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Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane focuses on sisters Violet and Powder (later Jinx) as they end up on opposite sides of a growing conflict between the wealthy utopia of Piltover and its dark undercity whose citizens wish to break away from their oppressors. Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Kevin Alejandro star in this animated adventure.
- Cast
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Hailee Steinfeld
, Ella Purnell
, Kevin Alejandro
, Katie Leung
, jason spisak
, Toks Olagundoye
, Harry Lloyd
, JB Blanc
, Reed Shannon
, Mick Wingert - Release Date
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November 6, 2021
- Seasons
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1
- Streaming Service(s)
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Netflix
- Writers
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Christian Linke
, Alex Yee - Directors
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Pascal Charrue
, Arnaud Delord - Showrunner
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Christian Linke
, Alex Yee
