Did you finish Squid Game feeling an exhilarating mix of shock, awe, and an insatiable craving for more? The global phenomenon from South Korea captivated audiences with its deadly children’s games, sharp social commentary, and unforgettable characters trapped in a brutal battle for survival. Its unique blend of high-stakes thrills, psychological tension, and stark examination of human nature under extreme pressure left us all on the edge of our seats.
If you’re searching for your next obsession – a series or film that delivers similar adrenaline, moral dilemmas, and gripping narratives – you’ve come to the right place. We’ve scoured the streaming platforms to bring you 10 shows (and one critically acclaimed film) that capture the essence of what made Squid Game so compelling. Prepare for more dystopian futures, desperate choices, and mind-bending challenges!
1. Alice in Borderland
If the ‘death game’ aspect of Squid Game was your jam, then Alice in Borderland is an absolute must-watch. This Japanese sci-fi thriller follows Arisu, a jobless gamer, and his friends as they find themselves in an abandoned Tokyo, forced to compete in a series of deadly games. Each game requires a combination of wits, strength, and luck, with failure resulting in immediate death. It shares Squid Game’s unpredictable nature, high body count, and exploration of human instinct when survival is paramount.
2. 3%
Hailing from Brazil, 3% presents a bleak dystopian future where the vast majority live in abject poverty, while a privileged ‘Offshore’ paradise awaits a chosen few. Every year, 20-year-olds are given the chance to compete in ‘The Process,’ a series of grueling physical, intellectual, and psychological tests designed to select only 3% of candidates for a life of comfort. The series masterfully delves into themes of inequality, class struggle, and what people are willing to do to escape their circumstances, echoing Squid Game’s social critique.
3. Sweet Home
Another fantastic Korean offering, Sweet Home takes a different approach to survival. When residents of an apartment building are trapped inside as humans begin transforming into monstrous creatures reflecting their inner desires, they must band together to survive. This series offers intense creature horror, high-stakes action, and deep dives into character backstories, showing how people’s true colors emerge when faced with existential threats – much like the players in Squid Game.
4. Black Mirror
While an anthology series, many episodes of Black Mirror share Squid Game’s dark, speculative themes and social commentary. It explores dystopian futures, the pitfalls of technology, and psychological torment. Episodes like ‘Fifteen Million Merits’ (a society where people cycle to earn points for entertainment) or ‘Playtest’ (a terrifying virtual reality experience) offer similar critiques of society and the human condition under extreme, often game-like, pressures.
5. The Platform
This Spanish sci-fi horror film (yes, a film, but too relevant not to mention!) offers a powerful allegorical take on social class and resource distribution, much like Squid Game. Set in a vertical prison where food descends on a platform, prisoners on higher levels gorge while those below starve. It’s a brutal, claustrophobic examination of human greed, empathy, and the struggle against an unfair system, making it a perfect thematic companion to Squid Game’s critique of capitalism.
6. Death Note
This iconic Japanese anime (and available as a live-action series/film) might not have physical games, but it’s a high-stakes psychological battle of wits that will keep you guessing. When a brilliant student finds a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing their name, he begins a crusade to rid the world of criminals. This pits him against an equally brilliant detective in a deadly cat-and-mouse game, where lives are on the line and moral ambiguities abound, similar to the intense mind games within Squid Game.
7. All of Us Are Dead
If you’re a fan of high-octane survival and social commentary set within a confined space, this South Korean zombie series is for you. A high school becomes ground zero for a zombie apocalypse, trapping students who must use their wits and courage to survive. Like Squid Game, it explores the desperation of youth, the breakdown of societal norms, and the difficult moral choices people make when faced with overwhelming danger, all wrapped in intense action and gore.
8. Kingdom
Another brilliant historical zombie thriller from South Korea, Kingdom combines political intrigue and a deadly plague in a stunning period setting. A crown prince is forced to investigate a mysterious illness that turns people into flesh-eating monsters, uncovering a conspiracy that threatens his kingdom. It shares Squid Game’s emphasis on survival against overwhelming odds, the ruthlessness of power, and the desperate struggle for life in a world gone mad.
9. Extracurricular
While not a survival game, this dark South Korean drama shares Squid Game’s exploration of desperate measures taken by individuals under societal pressure. It follows a model high school student who secretly runs a dangerous side business to earn money for college. When his double life is threatened, he and his peers find themselves caught in a web of crime with severe consequences. It delves into moral ambiguity, the dark side of ambition, and the harsh realities faced by youth.
10. Hellbound
From the director of the critically acclaimed film ‘Train to Busan,’ this South Korean series delivers a chilling supernatural thriller with profound social commentary. When supernatural beings suddenly appear to condemn individuals to hell, throwing society into chaos, different factions rise to interpret and exploit these events. Like Squid Game, it examines mass hysteria, the fragility of order, and the human response to an overwhelming, inexplicable force, raising questions about faith, justice, and damnation.
There you have it – a curated list of thrilling shows and one standout film to fill the Squid Game-shaped hole in your viewing schedule. Each offers a unique blend of high stakes, psychological depth, and compelling narratives that will keep you glued to your screen. Which one will you watch first? Let us know your thoughts and other recommendations in the comments below!