Netflix hasn’t renewed Alice in Borderland for season 4 yet (but is it necessary?)

Imagine a world where every choice could mean life or death, where the city you know has been stripped of its familiar rhythms and turned into a deadly game arena. This is the electrifying world of Alice in Borderland.

From the very first episode, the Netflix series plunges viewers into a high-stakes survival drama that is as visually stunning as it is psychologically gripping. But what makes this show truly unforgettable isn’t just the pulse-pounding games or jaw-dropping twists. It’s the deeply human stories at its core.

Season 1 introduced us to Arisu and his companions, ordinary people suddenly thrust into extraordinary circumstances, forced to confront fear, morality, and the raw instinct to survive. We watched as friendships were tested, alliances built and broken, and the limits of courage and ingenuity were pushed to the brink. Season 2 brought Arisu, Usagi, and other fan-favorite characters back into the fray, facing even deadlier games, more complex psychological challenges, and higher stakes than ever before.

And just when it seemed all games were completed at the end of the season and Arisu, Usagi, and the rest of the surviving characters made it back to the real world, the story took one final, chilling turn. The camera panned to a nearby table, where a gentle breeze shuffled through a deck of playing cards. One by one, the cards fluttered away into the wind until only a single card remained face-up. That card being the Joker. This let viewers know that the nightmare wasn’t truly over.

Alice in Borderland season 3 was released in September 2025 and picked up in the aftermath of that eerie cliffhanger, taking the story to daring new heights. Set several years after Arisu and Usagi’s return to the real world, the third season explored the lingering psychological scars of their time in the Borderland.

Despite trying to rebuild their lives, neither of them can shake the feeling that something is wrong. When Usagi mysteriously disappears, Arisu is once again pulled into a nightmare he thought he’d escaped. He's forced to return to the Borderland to rescue her, and that means facing the infamous Joker stage.

Now that Alice in Borderland season 3 has come and gone, fans are left to wonder if there will be a fourth season. As of Oct. 29, Netflix still hasn’t renewed Alice in Borderland for another installment. But after watching season 3, do we really need one? I'm personally on the fence.

Spoilers from Alice in Borderland season 3 are ahead!

Why I think an Alice in Borderland season 4 would be nice

Although the third season wasn't as well-loved as the first two by critics and regular viewers, it was still pretty enjoyable to watch in my opinion. While Arisu and Usagi’s story wraps up neatly at the end with them re-entering the real world and finally getting to really live the life they fought so hard for, the season 3 finale ends in a way that keeps the door wide open for more.

In the final scene, the show shifts to a completely different setting. We're taken to the United States, where two new characters are shown casually chatting in a coffee shop. Everything seems normal and peaceful, but then the camera focuses on the waitress serving them, whose name tag says “Alice.”

This small but deliberate detail acts as a teaser or clue that the Borderland’s influence might not be confined to Japan anymore. It suggests that the deadly games could start happening in other parts of the world. If Alice in Borderland were to be renewed for a fourth season, this is one possible way the story could go. And honestly, I'd be down for it! It would have a different setting and a new set of characters.

Or, there might not even be a fourth season. There could be a spinoff series. Alice in Borderland director Shinsuke Sato told RadioTimes.com in a recent interview that he'd be open to returning to direct another season of the sci-fi thriller series. According to RadioTimes.com, Sato also mentioned his interest in turning the spinoff manga, Alice on Border Road, which is written by the original creator, Haro Aso, into a series.

So that's another route the franchise could take. It could expand the Borderland universe without continuing Arisu and Usagi’s story directly. I'd also be excited to see this approach explored.

Why I think an Alice in Borderland season 4 shouldn't happen

While another season of Alice in Borderland would be great, I don't think it would be necessary at the same time. The third season already delivered a satisfying and emotionally complete conclusion to Arisu and Usagi’s story. After all the trials, games, and heartbreak they endured, they finally made it back to the real world, found peace, and got the chance to rebuild their lives on their own terms, free from the constant fear and uncertainty of the Borderland.

When a show ends so neatly like this, it's best to let it be. Oftentimes, when a show goes on longer than it should, it loses the focus, intensity, and emotional weight that made it so compelling in the first place. Characters’ arcs can feel stretched, and storylines can become repetitive. I would hate for this to happen to Alice in Borderland.

We'll keep you updated on Alice in Borderland's renewal status, so stay tuned to Netflix Life!