"The Last of Us Season 2 Finale Reaches 3.7M U.S. Viewers, HBO Expects Growth"

HBO has celebrated the continued momentum of *The Last of Us* Season 2, noting that the series has attracted a global audience of over 90 million viewers since the conclusion of Season 1. The Season 2 finale, which aired last night, drew 3.7 million cross-platform viewers in the United States. While this number is lower than the 5.3 million who tuned in for the Season 2 premiere, Warner Bros. anticipates a significant increase in the finale’s viewership once delayed viewing data is accounted for—particularly due to the impact of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, which likely suppressed initial numbers.

For comparison, the Season 1 finale was watched by a record-breaking 8.2 million viewers in the U.S., setting a high bar that Season 2 has yet to surpass. However, Season 2 holds a key advantage in its average viewership per episode, which currently stands at nearly 37 million globally—a figure that Warner Bros. notes is still on the rise. By contrast, Season 1 had reached 32 million U.S. cross-platform viewers within 90 days of its debut.

IGN’s review of *The Last of Us* Season 2 finale awarded it a 6/10, observing that the episode “reaches its agonizing cliffhanger ending at a breakneck speed, disorienting as much as it thrills.” For those looking for clarity, IGN has also published a detailed breakdown of the Season 2 ending and how it sets the stage for what’s to come in Season 3.

Since its premiere in January 2023, *The Last of Us* has been met with widespread critical acclaim, often cited as one of the most successful video game adaptations to date. Season 1 alone earned eight Emmy Awards from a total of 24 nominations, underscoring its cultural and artistic impact.

Every IGN The Last of Us Review

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Last week, showrunner Craig Mazin hinted that a fourth season is likely necessary to properly conclude the story. Speaking with Collider, Mazin acknowledged that trying to wrap up the narrative arcs from both Naughty Dog-developed games in just Season 3 would be overly ambitious. While Season 3 may be longer than Season 2, he admitted, “there’s no way to complete this narrative in a third season.” He added, “Hopefully, we’ll earn our keep enough to come back and finish it in a fourth. That’s the most likely outcome.”