The Last of Us Season 2 Trailer Breaks HBO Records Nearly a Month Before It Begins

The excitement for the second season of The Last of Us is palpable, even though it hasn't yet premiered. The buzz around the show intensified following the release of the Season 2 trailer during a SXSW panel, which has already amassed an astonishing 158 million views across various platforms in just three days. According to Warner Brothers Discovery, this sets a new record for HBO and Max original programming, surpassing previous promotional trailers by an impressive "at least 160%."

You can’t stop this.
#TheLastOfUs returns April 13 on Max. pic.twitter.com/DH8UzAugIV

— Max (@StreamOnMax) March 8, 2025

The anticipation for Season 2 continues to grow as both new and returning fans eagerly await its arrival. The first season's episodes are now averaging around 32 million cross-platform viewers domestically—a significant increase from the 8.2 million same-day viewers for the Season 1 finale in March 2023, as reported by Deadline. This surge in viewership underscores the massive popularity and success of the series, which has become one of HBO's most successful shows in recent years. The enthusiasm and love for The Last of Us are unmistakable, fueled by such impressive numbers.

The Last of Us Season 2 Character Posters

3 Images

Season 2 will feature a significant five-year time jump, continuing the journey of Joel and Ellie as they navigate a world that's become even more dangerous and unpredictable. The narrative will delve into the conflicts between them and their environment. Returning stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Rutina Wesley will be joined by notable new cast members including Kaitlyn Dever, Isabella Merced, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright.

At the SXSW panel, showrunners Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin revealed exciting updates for the upcoming season. They confirmed the return of spores, which were omitted from Season 1, with a trailer teasing Ellie, portrayed by Bella Ramsey, encountering an infected releasing spores. Druckmann highlighted an escalation in the number and types of infected, as well as the introduction of new vectors for the spread of infection. He mentioned, "Season 1, we had this new thing that wasn’t in the game of these tendrils that spread, and that was one form. And then one shot you see in this trailer, there are things in the air." Mazin affirmed the spores' return, with Druckmann adding that their inclusion now serves a dramatic purpose in the storyline.

Mark your calendars for the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2, set for April 13, 2025, on HBO and HBO Max.