Several record-breaking shows have been released this year, with even more highly anticipated shows to release during the last quarter.
Season 3 of Squid Game released on June 27, and broke Netflix’s record for most views in the first three days of being released, racking in 60.1 million views. This final season was thrilling and emotionally-loaded, with unexpected plot twists and deaths of major characters.
With fantastic performances by actors Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, season 3 of Squid Game was filled with complex characters who blurred the lines between good and evil. Despite the finality of this season of Squid Game, the last episode ends with possibilities for potential spin-offs.
Another show that ended with potential for more was one of the most anticipated shows of the summer, The Summer I Turned Pretty, which began releasing its final season on July 16. The final season broke records as it became the most-viewed TV season ever by women aged 18-34 on Amazon Prime Video. The Summer I Turned Pretty is based on the book series by Jenny Han and follows the life of “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) as she navigates her life amidst a love triangle between two brothers.
The series was a big hit this summer, with fans eagerly hosting watch parties for each episode in bars and parks across the country. Despite some flaws to the final season, such as a rushed ending that fell short of the emotional and highly-anticipated finale fans had been expecting from the books , the season also showcased strong character growth, entertaining sideplots, and the summer vibes fans know and love. Han has announced that a spin-off movie is in the works.
Far from a light-hearted show with a love triangle, the second season of The Last of Us premiered on April 15. Despite the controversy surrounding this season, The Last of Us has been one of the best TV series released this year. The Last of Us follows Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) amidst an apocalyptic world with dangers from “clickers” and humans alike.
Season 2 is vastly different from season 1, a big cause of the debate surrounding the new season. However, the dramatic shift in plot and character dynamics actually benefits the show as new themes of vengeance and grief are explored and deepen the story. This season of the show feels more mature and complex, as the “good” characters become more morally-grey. Ramsey has a stronger performance in this season, and the stunning sets and beautiful music continue to draw viewers in.
The last quarter of 2025 holds the potential to set even more TV records as several big shows release new seasons.
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things is set to break records and be one of the most important shows of the year. Already, the video announcing the release date of the show broke a Netflix record with 250 millions impressions in just four days. The season will be released in three parts, on Nov. 26, Dec. 25, and Dec. 31.
Fans are anticipating the final season, which will follow the same main cast with characters Eleven (Milly Bobby Brown), Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) and several others. The final season promises epic battles, emotional destruction, and breathtaking plot twists.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is set to release season 2 on Dec. 10, and is another show that is expected to break records. The first season of this show broke Disney+ records, becoming the most Emmy-winning season of a Disney+ series, beating the previous record holder The Mandalorian.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians follows half-blood Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell) as he lives in a modern world of Greek mythology. The new season will follow the second book of the series written by Rick Riordan, titled The Sea of Monsters.
While 2025 has been a big year for television, 2026 promises to be an even bigger year for both TV and the box office alike. With major releases from nearly all streaming platforms as well as several highly-anticipated releases in the theaters, fans are sure to be in for a treat.
