The season two premiere of HBO’s hit series “The Last of Us” drew in 5.3 million viewers across platforms on Sunday night. This includes the show’s on-air premiere, replays, and streaming on Max. The viewership marks a 13 percent increase from the series premiere in January 2023, which had 4.7 million viewers.
My review of The Last of Us season premiere, as Joel and Ellie's time in the relative paradise of Jackson portends ominous things in their future: https://t.co/MDtb8fAeN4
— Alan Sepinwall (@sepinwall) April 14, 2025
The first season’s audience grew steadily over its nine episodes, with the finale attracting 8.2 million viewers on its first night. When measured across the first 90 days post-premiere, the first season averaged over 32 million viewers per episode. Sunday’s premiere also outperformed recent HBO debuts, doubling the season three premiere audience of “The White Lotus” in February.
The Season 2 premiere of #TheLastOfUs starts in just one hour on @StreamOnMax!
Are you ready to continue Ellie's journey? ❄️ pic.twitter.com/as4b6QbIZV
— Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) April 14, 2025
In the days leading up to the season two premiere, viewership for season one of “The Last of Us” surged on Max. HBO reported a 150 percent increase in viewership last week compared to the previous seven days, though specific numbers were not provided.
Our own @Neil_Druckmann shares his appreciation for #TheLastOfUs fans ahead of the Season 2 premiere! pic.twitter.com/dND1RYbLyE
— Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) April 13, 2025
Viewership surge for season two premiere
Based on the popular video game “The Last of Us” has already been renewed by HBO. Season two is expected to adapt the story of “The Last of Us Part II.”
Pedro Pascal with Gustavo Santaolalla and Isabela Merced on the set of ‘THE LAST OF US’ Season 2 pic.twitter.com/fHRNKbrNga
— Pedro Pascal Daily (@pascalarchive) April 14, 2025
The show’s success demonstrates the growing appetite for high-quality adaptations of beloved video game franchises. With its compelling characters, gripping storylines, and impressive production values, “The Last of Us” has captured the attention of both fans of the game and newcomers to the series.
Viewers can expect more thrilling adventures, emotional moments, and shocking twists as the season progresses. The premiere’s strong performance sets the stage for another successful run for one of HBO’s most popular and critically acclaimed shows.
