With the end ofSquid Gameseason 2, and season 3 set to conclude the series for good,it’s time to look at other shows for fans of the Netflix hit to enjoy.Squid Gameinitially debuted on Netflix back in 2021, and despite all odds, the South Korean thriller shattered records for the streamer. The show’s unique visual style, intense and dramatic storyline, and the dystopian setting resonated with audiences, and the show was renewed for a second season.
Three years later,Squid Gamefinally delivered the second season, which saw Gi-hun try to investigate the mysterious games and get some answers. However, after just seven episodes, season 2 leaves the story with some immense cliffhangers, which may leave audiences desperate to indulge in another death-defying dystopian series. Or perhaps something that delivers a similar level of tension, intensity, and unique storytelling. Below are some ofthe best shows worth watching while waiting forSquid Gameseason 3to finally drop.
Snowpiercer
Cast
Snowpiercer is a Dystopian Post-Apocalyptic Drama developed by Josh Friedman and Graeme Manson. The series stars Jennifer Connelly, Daveed Diggs, and Mickey Sumner. In Snowpiercer, an apocalyptic event has happened and caused the Earth to become a frozen icescape. In this new world, a large train known as Snowpiercer houses survivors and perpetually rolls along its track. The series follows a man named Layton as he begins to investigate a mysterious murder in the First Class section of the train.
Snowpierceris a TV series which expands and builds on the concept of the 2013 film starring Chris Evans. Despite the show going into development shortly after the film released, there were many delays which ultimately meant the series did not begin airing until 2020. However, when the show began airing, it was a hit with audiences and managed to get four seasons out before the show was wrapped up in 2024.
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Snowpiercerexaminesa futuristic dystopian world where humans have been forced to move onto incredibly large, constantly-moving trains. With the rest of the world being transformed into a frozen wasteland, humanity now resides and relies on the Snowpiercer for its survival. LikeSquid Game, the series also depicts a struggle between classes, with the elites and the impoverished living in separate parts of the train. This division and struggle between classes is powerful, and leads to shocking twists.
Strangers From Hell
Strangers From Hell is a South Korean psychological thriller series directed by Lee Chang-hee. The show follows Yoon Jong-woo, a young man who moves to Seoul for a job and ends up in a sinister, rundown apartment complex. As he encounters strange and unsettling neighbors, he becomes entangled in horrifying events, questioning the reality around him.
One of the highlights fromSquid Gamewas the incredible acting from a huge ensemble castas the contestants were all locked in close quarters and forced to play the games together. This leads to incredible tension, and the actors have ample opportunities to shine. Another show where the actors deliver compelling performances while confined to close quarters is another South Korean psychological thriller,Strangers from Hell.
The show features an extraordinary cast, while focusing on one young man in his 20s. The series also conceals a deep, dark mystery that unfolds over an intense 10-episode run, and culminates in an incredibly satisfying ending which subverts expectations.The tone and intensity of the series has a lot in common withSquid Game, though it is in some ways a darker series.
Alice in Borderland
Alice in Borderland follows a video-game enthusiast and his two friends who find themselves transported to an alternate Tokyo. There, they must participate in perilous games for survival.
Alice in Borderlandis a Japanese sci-fi thriller which also debuted on Netflix. The series is adapted from a Manga comic of the same name. The story follows a group of three young people who find themselves suddenly and mysteriously transported to an empty version of Tokyo City, withmysterious guides and instructions that lead them to participate in a series of death-defying games. The series is full of mystery, and over the first two seasons, the show has continued to intensify and explore the mysterious games.
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With a set of games that force people to put their lives on the line, and a mystery about who is pulling the strings and forcing everyone to participate, the similarities are clear betweenAlice in BorderlandandSquid Game. However, the distinct styles in each series, from the sci-fi futurism ofAlice in Borderland, to the child-like simplicity ofSquid Gameensure each show has its own clear identity.
All Of Us Are Dead
All of Us Are Dead is a South Korean series that centers on a high school overrun by a zombie virus outbreak. The students, facing an unprecedented crisis, must navigate survival while combating the threat of becoming part of the undead horde.
Another South Korean Netflix series that could hit the spot forSquid Gamefans isAll of Us Are Dead. The first season debuted in 2022, andit has since been renewed for a second season, which is expected to arrive on the streaming platform by 2026. The show also offers anincredible dystopian storywith young students who must work together in order to avoid certain death.
All of Us Are Deadhas an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
However, the differences in the series make it interesting. For one,All of Us Are Deadfollows a group of late teenagers in a coming-of-age story, whileSquid Gamesees people from every demographic join the games. Instead of a set of rigid games where the contestants must play to survive,All of Us Are Deadsees the kids trying to survive a zombie outbreak.It’s a tense show with plenty of action, with a solid group of young actors in the leading roles.
Hellbound
Netflix’s Hellbound is a Korean Drama and Dark Fantasy series that is directed by Yeon Sang-ho and based on his graphic novel, The Hellbound Volume 1. The series takes place in a modern fantastical version of Korea in which strange creatures pick and choose individuals to send to Hell.
Hellboundis also a South Korean series, but one that takes a distinctly more supernatural approach to the story. In a near future society, weird occurrences begin to cause havoc, when large disembodied faces appear and declare individuals who are bound for Hell. This obviously causes people to panic, but when the demons come to claim their victims in a public display of brutality and monstrosity, it takes the tension to a whole other level.
LikeSquid Game, it is tense, action-packed, and sees people taken out of their comfort zone as they strive to overcome impending doom.
The series began with one six-episode season, which is divided in half with each set of three episodes following a different main character. However, the show also had a second season which expanded on the core premise.LikeSquid Game, it is tense, action-packed, and sees people taken out of their comfort zoneas they strive to overcome impending doom.
Sweet Home
Sweet Home follows the story of Hyun-soo, a reclusive high school student who moves into the Green Home apartment complex after losing his family. When a mysterious epidemic turns people into monstrous creatures, Hyun-soo and the residents of Green Home must band together to survive, confronting their inner demons and the horrifying threats outside.
Sweet Homeactually came out several months ahead ofSquid Gamein 2020. Another South Korean series, this time set in the horror and apocalyptic genres. The series ran for three seasons, and it explores a world where many people find themselves transforming into terrifying monsters due to some sort of supernatural virus.
The show is incredibly dark, with intense themes throughout, and visuals that mirror that dark storytelling. However, it also includes an incredible story as scientists and the government strive to figure out what has happened, and if these things can be reversed. Meanwhile, one character finds themselves being a potential exception who can transform into a monster at will, and retain their humanity.
Black Mirror
Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology series that explores the unsettling and profound impact of modern technology on society. Premiering in 2011, it examines various scenarios where technological advancements intersect with human nature, creating thought-provoking narratives about contemporary and future issues.
Black Mirroris a British anthology seriesfrom Charlie Brooker. The show is also found on Netflix, but with each new episode exploring a new concept,the thing that ties the series together is a focus on dystopian technologywhich can reshape and reform the entire world. Hauntingly, many of the episodes include concepts about technology that is familiar today, although just slightly enhanced to a level that makes it feel more like science fiction.
The series is thought-provoking, and willing to go to dark places in order to tell a powerful story. Like Squid Game, there are several episodes which revolve around accumulating money, but the actions required are often seen as morally unacceptable. The concept of pushing people out of their comfort zone and then seeing what choices they are willing to make in order to stay alive is common to both shows, and particularly well executed inBlack Mirror.
Money Heist
The Spanish heist drama Money Heist (La Casa de Papel), transformed into a global phenomenon by Netflix in 2017, follows a group of criminals as they execute a complex plan to rob the Royal Mint of Spain and the Bank of Spain. Created by Locked Up director Alex Pina, Money Heist is one of Netflix’s biggest international hits that influenced pop culture with its iconic Salvador Dalí masks and Bella Ciao hymn.
Money Heistis a Spanish heist crime drama series, and on the face of it, the connections toSquid Gamecould appear to be purely aesthetic. Yes, they both have characters who dress in pink jumpsuits and wear masks that hide their identity, but both shows explore a stark separation between classes.
InSquid Game, the people in masks work for the elites, eliminating those who lose the games, butMoney Heisthas the people in masks as the criminalswho steal a vast fortune and share some of that wealth with the less fortunate. Both shows explore class distinctions, both see a group of those who struggle to make ends meet put into difficult circumstances, but there are also clear differences.
InMoney Heist, the thieves work against the government in order to pull of a huge heist, and they manage to win over the nation thanks to the symbols they become.The show is an fascinating exploration of class disparity, and one well worth watching afterSquid Game.
The 8 Show
“The 8 Show” is an upcoming South Korean thriller and dark comedy television series set to release on Netflix in 2024. Written and directed by Han Jae-rim, the series stars Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-hee, Park Jeong-min, and other notable actors. It is based on the popular Naver webtoons “Money Game” and “Pie Game” by Bae Jin-soo.
The 8 Showis another South Korean thriller series, with a much closer premise toSquid Game. The show premiered in 2024, and it is expected that it will go on to have a sequel, though nothing has been officially confirmed yet. While the show also features a game show format where the participants can earn extraordinary amounts of money,The 8 Showis much darker and more psychological in naturecompared toSquid Game.
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The show follows eight contestants who join a game show where they are all placed in a shared living space. Each contestant resides on a different floor, and they end up being designated by the name of that floor. As they stay longer, the money they earn increases drastically, but they uncover dark secrets and shocking surprises about how the game works along the way, which makes this series a thrilling and tense experience from start to finish.
Kaiji
Kaiji follows the story of Kaiji Itou, an indebted gambler who becomes entangled in high-stakes underground gambling events orchestrated by a powerful organization, leading him through perilous games of wit and survival.
Kaijiis a Japanese anime series adapted from the manga of the same name. This series of comics was actually one of theinspirations behindSquid Game,whichthe show’s creator has referenced as having had an influence on his work. While the anime style may reduce the level of realism in the show, the violence and intensity is incredibly high, with the brutal nature of the games in Kaiji being significantly more deadly thanSquid Game.
The central character, the premise, and the tension in the show all feel very similar toSquid Game, making it another great choice to watch for fans of the Netflix hit series.
While losers in bothSquid GameandKaijiare literally eliminated through death, the killings inSquid Gametend to be straightforward, with a bullet shot ending their lives. InKaiji, the deaths of losers tend to be much more violent, and increasingly creative. However, the central character, the premise, and the tension in the show all feel very similar toSquid Game, making it another great choice to watch for fans of the Netflix hit series.
Squid Game
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
