So, here we are in 2026. If you’d told me back in 2013 that a game about fungus-brained zombies would turn into a multi-decade cultural juggernaut, I probably would’ve believed you—but only because Naughty Dog doesn't really miss. Still, the sheer scale of The Last of Us today is something else. We’ve moved past the "is it a good game?" phase and into a weird, meta-territory where people are arguing about script leaks for a third season of a TV show that hasn’t even finished its second arc.
It is a lot to keep track of.
Honestly, the biggest misconception right now is that the franchise is "done" or just idling. People see the silence from Neil Druckmann and assume the well has run dry. But if you look at the breadcrumbs left throughout 2025 and early this year, the picture is actually pretty crowded. Between the HBO series hitting its stride and the cryptic "concept" for a third game finally taking shape, the world of Joel and Ellie is basically in its second act.
The HBO Effect: Why Season 2 Changed Everything
Last year was huge. When Season 2 of The Last of Us premiered on April 13, 2025, there was this collective breath-holding. How do you adapt Part II? That game was—and still is—wildly divisive. But Craig Mazin and Druckmann didn’t blink. They gave us seven episodes that didn't just retell the story; they expanded it in ways the game couldn't.
Take the episode "Through the Valley." Mark Mylod directed it, and it was a masterclass in tension. It wasn't just about the "inciting incident" everyone was dreading. It was about the silence in Jackson. The way Pedro Pascal played Joel as a man who knew his time was borrowed—it hit different than the pixels ever did.
👉 See also: What Can You Get From Fishing Minecraft: Why It Is More Than Just Cod
- The Cast: Bella Ramsey finally silenced the remaining skeptics. Their portrayal of an older, more hardened Ellie in Season 2 was haunting.
- The Newcomers: Kaitlyn Dever as Abby was a stroke of genius. She brought a vulnerability to a character that many fans spent years hating, and it worked.
- The Stats: The show didn't just do well; it dominated. By the time the 2025 Emmys rolled around, the series was vacuuming up awards. Bella Ramsey snagged Outstanding Lead Actress, and even guest stars like Catherine O’Hara (who played Gail) walked away with hardware.
But here’s the kicker: Season 2 only covered a portion of the second game. That’s why the conversation has already shifted to Season 3. Just a few days ago, at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, Bella Ramsey basically confirmed they’ve seen scripts for the next chapter. They joked about seeing them "from across the room," but it’s clear the production machine is already moving.
What’s Actually Happening with The Last of Us Part III?
This is where things get murky and where most of the "fake news" lives. Let’s be real: Naughty Dog is a slow studio. They’re currently deep in the weeds with their new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Because of that, a lot of people think The Last of Us is on permanent hiatus.
It isn't.
In the Grounded II documentary released a while back, Druckmann admitted he finally found the "concept" for a third game. He described it as a through-line for all three titles. If the first was about unconditional love and the second was about the pursuit of justice/revenge, the third has to find a new pillar.
✨ Don't miss: Free games free online: Why we're still obsessed with browser gaming in 2026
Rumors are flying that it might involve Tommy or a much older Ellie, but Naughty Dog is notoriously airtight. What we do know is that they aren't making it just to make it. They’ve passed on sequels before. If Part III happens—and let's be honest, Sony’s bank account says it will—it’s because they found a story that actually justifies the trauma these characters have been through.
Don't expect a release date anytime soon. If Intergalactic is the 2026/2027 project, we are looking at 2029 or 2030 for a new game. I know. It's a long time. But that’s the price of "Peak Gaming."
The Sales Numbers Don't Lie
People love to talk about "franchise fatigue," but the data says otherwise. As of early 2026, the series has moved well over 40 million units across all platforms. The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PS5 and the PC port of Part I kept the numbers ticking upward even when there wasn't a "new" game on shelves.
On Steam alone, Part I still sees thousands of daily active users. It’s become a perennial seller, sort of like GTA V or Skyrim, where new players are constantly being onboarded via the TV show. Every time an HBO episode airs, sales spike. It’s a perfect feedback loop.
🔗 Read more: Catching the Blue Marlin in Animal Crossing: Why This Giant Fish Is So Hard to Find
Why It Still Matters (The Human Element)
Why are we still talking about this? There are plenty of post-apocalyptic stories.
Honestly, it's because The Last of Us feels oddly comforting despite the cannibalism and fungal infections. It’s a story about people trying to find a reason to wake up when the world has given them every reason to stay asleep. In 2026, that resonates. We’ve lived through real-world scares, and seeing Ellie navigate a ruined Seattle feels like a cathartic way to process our own anxieties.
It’s also one of the few franchises that treats its audience like adults. It doesn't give you the "good" ending. It gives you the "real" one. That’s why the debates about Joel’s choice at the hospital or Ellie’s choice on the beach still rage on Reddit thirteen years later.
Navigating the Future: What You Should Do Now
If you're a fan—or a newcomer—here is how you should actually approach the franchise right now to get the most out of it:
- Play the No Return Mode: If you haven't touched the Part II Remastered roguelike mode, you're missing out. It’s the purest distillation of the game's combat mechanics, and it’s a great way to stay sharp while waiting for news.
- Ignore the "Leaks": Every two weeks, some "insider" on X or Reddit claims to have the plot for Part III. 99% of it is fan fiction. If it doesn't come from a Naughty Dog blog post or a major trade like Variety, it’s probably noise.
- Rewatch Season 1 Before Season 3 Production Picks Up: There are details in the first season (especially regarding the Fireflies) that Mazin has hinted will become massive payoffs in the later seasons.
- Track the New IP: Keep an eye on Intergalactic. Naughty Dog's technical breakthroughs in that game—like facial animation and environmental physics—will be the foundation for whatever they do next with Ellie.
The world of The Last of Us is changing. It's no longer just a "video game series." It's a cross-media ecosystem that’s currently between its biggest beats. The wait might be long, but if the last decade has taught us anything, it's that this series usually makes the wait worth it.