Miami, Florida — Anticipation is building for the next chapter in the Grand Theft Auto series, with Rockstar Games hinting it may not arrive until 2026. Despite the wait, fans are eagerly consuming every detail released by the developer.
On Tuesday, Rockstar unveiled the second trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI, generating a staggering 475 million views across various platforms within a short time frame. This response significantly surpasses the original trailer’s performance, which garnered 93 million views after its debut in 2023. That first trailer made headlines as the biggest non-music video launch on YouTube at the time.
The latest figures indicate that excitement for the franchise remains on a steep upward trajectory. Rockstar has proclaimed this trailer’s impact as the largest video launch ever, eclipsing major releases in cinema. For context, the trailer for “Deadpool & Wolverine” achieved 365 million views within 24 hours, while “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” garnered over 200 million.
The overwhelming reception reflects a robust demand for the game, which will continue the narrative begun in Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013. The game’s reach stretches beyond mere visuals, as evidenced by the surge in popularity of the trailer’s featured song, “Hot Together” by The Pointer Sisters. After the trailer’s release, Spotify reported an astounding 182,000% increase in streams of the track, highlighting the integral role of music within the Grand Theft Auto universe.
Sulinna Ong, Spotify’s global head of editorial, emphasized the cultural significance of the franchise. “Grand Theft Auto cuts through popular culture like almost nothing else,” she noted, celebrating the connection fans have with iconic music throughout the series.
Grand Theft Auto VI is positioned as a major title on the gaming calendar, now set for release on May 26, 2026, after being initially slated for a 2025 launch. Since announcing the game’s development back in 2022, Rockstar Games, a division of Take-Two Interactive, has invested heavily in its creation, with estimates suggesting that development costs have exceeded $1 billion.
The financial success of the franchise is evident, as Grand Theft Auto V reportedly grossed nearly $10 billion since its release, largely due to ongoing updates and new content.
Set in Vice City, a reimagined version of Miami, the eagerly awaited game promises expansive environments and immersive gameplay that fans have come to expect. As details continue to unfold, the gaming community remains enthralled by the possibilities ahead.