The world held its breath, captivated by the brutal brilliance of Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’. If you, like millions worldwide, found yourself hooked on its high-stakes survival games, desperate characters, and scathing social commentary, you’re likely on the hunt for your next binge. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Prepare to dive into these 10 gripping shows that share the thrilling DNA of ‘Squid Game’, offering everything from deadly challenges and moral dilemmas to stark critiques of societal inequality.
1. Alice in Borderland (Japan)
This Japanese survival thriller is perhaps the most direct comparison to ‘Squid Game’. Arisu, a slacker gamer, finds himself in a deserted Tokyo where he and his friends must compete in a series of deadly games to survive. The games are creative, often gruesome, and test their physical and mental limits. The overarching mystery of who is behind the games and why is a powerful hook.
2. All of Us Are Dead (South Korea)
While the premise is zombies rather than deadly games, ‘All of Us Are Dead’ shares ‘Squid Game’s’ ability to explore the depths of human nature under extreme pressure. A high school becomes ground zero for a zombie apocalypse, and students are forced to fight for their lives, making impossible choices and revealing their true colors.
3. 3% (Brazil)
Imagine a future where only 3% of the population gets to live in a utopian society, and the rest are left in poverty. ‘3% ‘ follows a group of young adults competing in a brutal, multi-stage process to join the elite. The show is packed with psychological manipulation, social critique, and a constant sense of danger.
4. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor (Japan)
Based on a highly popular manga, ‘Kaiji’ centers on a down-on-his-luck man who is lured into participating in a series of high-stakes gambling games to clear his massive debt. The games are inventive and often rely on psychological warfare and strategic deception, much like the mind games within ‘Squid Game’.
5. The Hunger Games Franchise (USA)
A classic for a reason, ‘The Hunger Games’ movies introduced many to the concept of televised survival games where individuals are forced to fight to the death for entertainment and social control. The underlying themes of rebellion against an oppressive regime resonate strongly with ‘Squid Game’s’ critique of economic disparity.
6. Battle Royale (Japan)
A seminal work in the genre, ‘Battle Royale’ is a Japanese film where a class of junior high students is taken to a deserted island and forced to kill each other until only one remains. It’s raw, violent, and unflinching in its exploration of survival and the breakdown of social order.
7. Sweet Home (South Korea)
Another Netflix gem from South Korea, ‘Sweet Home’ combines monster horror with intense survival. Residents of an apartment building are trapped as people inexplicably turn into monsters. They must band together and face their inner demons as well as the terrifying external threats, showcasing the desperation and resilience seen in ‘Squid Game’.
8. Black Mirror (UK)
While not a direct survival game show, ‘Black Mirror’ excels at exploring the dark side of technology and its impact on society, often with a chillingly relevant social commentary. Many episodes delve into scenarios where individuals are trapped in digital or societal systems that exploit and endanger them, mirroring ‘Squid Game’s’ critique of consumerism and desperation.
9. Hellbound (South Korea)
This South Korean series presents a terrifying new reality where supernatural beings appear to condemn people to hell. The show explores how society grapples with this unfathomable phenomenon, leading to fear, fanaticism, and the exploitation of the vulnerable – themes that echo the societal breakdown witnessed in ‘Squid Game’.
10. The 100 (USA)
Set in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity lives in space, ‘The 100’ follows a group of teenagers sent to Earth to assess its habitability. They quickly find themselves in brutal survival situations, facing moral compromises and difficult decisions that often pit groups against each other for resources and survival, much like the desperate alliances and betrayals in ‘Squid Game’.
Whether you’re craving the adrenaline rush of deadly challenges, the intrigue of a hidden system, or the sharp sting of social commentary, these shows are sure to satisfy your ‘Squid Game’ craving. Which one will you watch first?