The Last of Us Season 2 Trailer Shatters Records: Is It HBO’s Biggest Hit Yet?

The official trailer for The Last of Us Season 2, released by HBO on March 8, 2025, during the SXSW panel, has taken the internet by storm, racking up a jaw-dropping 158 million global views in just three days. This explosive debut has not only set a new benchmark for HBO and Max originals but also sparked curiosity about where it stands among the most-viewed trailers of all time.

With Season 1 already a cultural phenomenon averaging 32 million viewers per episode in the U.S., the anticipation for Season 2, premiering April 13, 2025, is palpable. Let’s dive into the numbers, the hype, and how this trailer stacks up in the pantheon of all-time greats.

What Are the Viewership Numbers for The Last of Us Season 2 Trailer?

According to Warner Bros. Discovery, the The Last of Us Season 2 trailer amassed 158 million views across platforms within its first three days, making it the most-watched trailer for an HBO and Max original to date.

Posts on X corroborate this, with users like @DomTheBombYT noting it eclipsed 15 million views in just 24 hours, trending globally and becoming the most-viewed Max video of 2025 so far. This marks a 160% increase over previous The Last of Us trailers and teasers, showcasing the growing fervor for Joel and Ellie’s next chapter.

How Does It Compare to The Last of Us Season 1 Trailer?

The Season 1 teaser, released in September 2022, was a massive hit, garnering over 17 million views in 24 hours and 57 million organic views in 72 hours—HBO’s most-watched promotional video at the time. The full Season 1 trailer later hit 10 million views in two days, as noted in X posts from 2022.

Season 2’s trailer, however, has obliterated these figures, outperforming its predecessor by at least 160%. This surge reflects the show’s escalating popularity, with Season 1 episodes averaging 32 million U.S. viewers and the finale drawing 8.2 million on premiere night alone.

Where Does It Rank Among HBO’s Most-Viewed Trailers?

The The Last of Us Season 2 trailer now holds the crown as HBO’s most-watched trailer ever within a three-day window, surpassing all prior Max originals. Historically, HBO’s promotional heavyweights like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon set high bars.

The first House of the Dragon teaser in 2022 gained significant traction, though exact three-day numbers aren’t widely reported. Meanwhile, The Last of Us Season 1’s 57 million views in 72 hours was a record until Season 2’s 158 million blew it out of the water. This cements The Last of Us as a titan in HBO’s trailer viewership history.

Is It One of the Most-Viewed Trailers of All Time Across All Platforms?

Ranking The Last of Us Season 2 among the all-time most-viewed trailers is trickier due to varying metrics and platforms. Blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame (289 million views in 24 hours), Spider-Man: No Way Home (355.5 million in 24 hours), and The Lion King (224.6 million in 24 hours) dominate the global list, largely driven by theatrical releases and YouTube analytics from 2019.

While The Last of Us Season 2’s 158 million in three days doesn’t top these single-day giants, its cross-platform reach—spanning X, YouTube, and beyond—makes it a standout for a TV series. It outpaces many film trailers in sustained buzz, especially considering its April 13 premiere is still a month away.

Why Is the Trailer Generating So Much Hype?

The trailer’s success isn’t just about numbers—it’s fueled by a perfect storm of factors. Season 1’s critical acclaim (96% on Rotten Tomatoes) and massive viewership (nearly 40 million for the premiere episode over time) built a loyal fanbase.

The Season 2 trailer teases a five-year time jump, new characters like Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby, and heightened conflict, tapping into fans’ love for The Last of Us Part II game.

X posts highlight the emotional stakes, with Joel’s Season 1 decision reverberating into a darker, more unpredictable world, amplifying anticipation.

What Does This Mean for Season 2’s Premiere?

With 158 million trailer views, expectations are sky-high for the April 13 premiere. Season 1’s same-day finale record of 8.2 million viewers quadrupled over time to 32 million per episode, suggesting Season 2 could see similar growth.

The trailer’s 160% leap over Season 1 promos indicates a broader audience reach, potentially pushing premiere night numbers past 10 million. HBO’s biggest shows—like Game of Thrones (44 million average for its final season)—set a lofty ceiling, but The Last of Us is on track to challenge those heights.

Some Closing Thoughts:

The The Last of Us Season 2 trailer’s record-breaking 158 million views in three days is more than a statistic—it’s a testament to the show’s unstoppable momentum. While it may not dethrone cinematic juggernauts like Avengers: Endgame on the all-time trailer list, it’s rewriting the rulebook for TV series hype. As April 13 nears, all eyes are on whether this viewership tsunami will translate into HBO’s biggest premiere yet.

One thing’s clear: Joel and Ellie’s journey is poised to dominate 2025, and we’re all along for the ride.

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