The Last of Us Season 2 Finale Draws 3.7M U.S. Viewers for HBO

HBO has celebrated the success of The Last of Us Season 2, announcing a significant influx of viewers that has expanded the series' global audience to over 90 million since the conclusion of Season 1.

The Season 2 finale in the U.S. drew 3.7 million viewers across platforms. While the season premiere attracted 5.3 million—indicating a drop from opener to closer—Warner Bros. anticipates the finale's audience will grow "significantly." The lower viewership is partly attributed to the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

It's important to note that the Season 1 finale set a record with 8.2 million viewers, a figure the Season 2 finale has yet to surpass.

On a positive note, Season 2 boasts a higher average viewership per episode than its predecessor. It currently averages nearly 37 million global viewers per episode, a number Warner Bros. describes as "growing." For comparison, Season 1 concluded with 32 million U.S. cross-platform viewers within 90 days of its premiere.

IGN's review of The Last of Us Season 2 finale scored it a 6/10. The review noted, "The Season 2 finale of The Last of Us reaches its agonizing cliffhanger at a breakneck speed, disorienting as much as it thrills."

We also have a detailed explanation of the Season 2 ending, exploring how it sets the stage for Season 3.

Premiering in January 2023 to widespread acclaim, The Last of Us has been hailed by many as the greatest video game adaptation to date. Season 1 won eight Emmy Awards from a remarkable 24 nominations.

Every IGN The Last of Us Review

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Last week, showrunner Craig Mazin suggested a fourth season is essential for the series. Speaking to Collider, Mazin agreed that attempting to conclude the story from Naughty Dog's two games in a single third season would mean "Season 3 itself would take forever." While there's a "decent chance" Season 3 will be longer than Season 2, he stated, "There's no way to complete this narrative in a third season."

He continued: "Hopefully, we'll earn our keep enough to return and finish it in a fourth. That's the most likely outcome."