Disney+’s Percy Jackson & The Olympians was one of the streaming service’s biggest breakout hits when its first season launched in 2023. The adaptation of Rick Riordan’s popular book series quickly became Disney+’s most-watched non-Marvel or Star Wars original show, setting very high expectations for its future. The second season, which adapts The Sea of Monsters and premiered on December 10, 2025, is facing a different reality. Despite earning strong critical praise, new industry data reveals a significant drop in audience numbers compared to the show’s celebrated debut.
The Numbers Show a Major Decline
According to streaming data from Luminate, Percy Jackson Season 2 is seeing much lower engagement in the United States. In its first three weeks of release, the new season generated approximately 483 million minutes of streaming time. This number is less than half of the 1.3 billion minutes streamed by the first season in the same launch window. This translates to an estimated 63% decrease in viewing minutes.
When measured by total estimated views, the contrast is just as sharp. Season 2 is estimated to have attracted around 11.2 million viewers in its first three weeks. The first season, over the same period, had an estimated 31.5 million viewers. This steep decline has sparked discussions about a potential “sophomore slump” for the franchise.
“Percy Jackson’s freshman season was the most-streamed Disney+ original by viewing time for 2024… After three weeks of release, Percy Jackson Season 2 is significantly underperforming compared with its predecessor.” – Luminate Data Analysis
Strong Reviews Contrast With Weaker Buzz
Interestingly, the lower viewership is not linked to a drop in quality. In fact, the second season has been received more warmly by critics and audiences alike. On the review site Rotten Tomatoes, Season 2 holds a perfect 100% score from critics and an 88% approval rating from audiences. This is higher than the first season’s scores of 92% from critics and 78% from audiences.
Critics note that the new season is “darker,” features a “quicker pace,” and benefits from the young cast growing more comfortable in their roles. Fan reviews on social media often echo this sentiment, with many calling the new season an improvement. However, this positive word-of-mouth has not yet translated into the same level of widespread cultural buzz or viewership as the initial season.
Factors Behind the Viewership Drop
Industry observers point to several interconnected reasons that might explain why the second season hasn’t captured the same audience, even with its strong content.
The Two-Year Gap Between Seasons: The first season premiered in December 2023, and the second arrived in December 2025. A two-year wait can be challenging for any series, but it is particularly long for a show whose core fanbase includes children and young teens. In that time, some viewers may have simply aged out of the target demographic or moved on to other interests.
Differences in Marketing and Promotion: Disney was notably vocal about the success of the first season, issuing press releases and promoting its record-breaking numbers. For Season 2, the studio has been relatively quiet about viewership metrics. Some analysts suggest the marketing campaign for the new season was less extensive, potentially leaving casual fans unaware that the show had even returned.
Changes in Disney+ Itself: The platform landscape has shifted since 2023. Disney+ has raised its subscription prices, which may have led some households to cancel or share accounts more carefully. Furthermore, the service has faced broader challenges in maintaining engagement with its original series outside of its biggest franchises like Marvel and Star Wars.
High Expectations and Adaptation Choices: The first season benefited from the novelty of a faithful adaptation after the criticized film versions. Season 2, adapting a book some fans consider weaker, had to work harder to meet elevated expectations. Additionally, the show continues to make changes from the source material, such as introducing new characters and altering key scenes, which can be divisive among dedicated book fans.
What Season 2 Brings to the Story
For the fans who are tuning in, Season 2 offers a grander adventure. The story follows Percy, Annabeth, and his new Cyclops brother Tyson as they embark on a quest into the dangerous Sea of Monsters to find the Golden Fleece. Their goal is to heal the poisoned tree protecting Camp Half-Blood and rescue their friend Grover, who has been captured.
The season expands the world, giving more screen time and development to characters like Clarisse La Rue, who leads her own competing quest. It also begins to lay crucial groundwork for the future, including flashbacks featuring Thalia Grace, a key character for the next part of the story.
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The Future of the Series on Disney+
Despite the viewership dip, the future of Percy Jackson on Disney+ is already set. The show was renewed for a third season in March 2025, months before Season 2 even premiered. Production on Season 3, which will adapt the third book, The Titan’s Curse, began in August 2025.
The cast for the next season is also growing. It was announced that Dafne Keen (Logan, The Acolyte) will join the series as the goddess Artemis. This early renewal and production start indicate that Disney remains confident in the long-term value and fanbase of the Percy Jackson series, viewing the current viewership challenge as a hurdle rather than a cancellation-level crisis.
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