If You Liked Squid Game, You Should Watch These Movies and TV Shows

About this gallery:

For this list, we’ve focused on movies and series that, in one way or another, dive into the fascinatingly twisted idea of humans battling it out in macabre games – just like the ones that had us glued to our screens in Squid Game. While we’ve highlighted franchises, don’t forget to check out the different versions of each one. If one doesn’t hit the mark for you, there might just be another take on the same story that’s more your style.

Think we missed a story that gives off major Squid Game vibes? Don’t keep it to yourself – drop it in the comments and let us know!

Alice in Borderland

Imagine waking up in an eerily deserted Tokyo, only to find out you’ve been sucked into a deadly series of games where losing isn’t just embarrassing – it’s fatal. That’s the premise of Alice in Borderland, a Japanese series that cranks up the tension with every puzzle, challenge, and betrayal. With a blend of heart-pounding action, mind-bending riddles, and characters you’ll alternately root for and question, this show is a buffet for fans of high-stakes survival stories. Think of it as Squid Game’s tech-savvy cousin who loves escape rooms and has a flair for the dramatic. | © Netflix

As the Gods Will

Ever thought childhood games could turn into nightmare fuel? That’s the twisted genius of As the Gods Will, a Japanese franchise that takes simple activities – like red light, green light – and cranks the death dial up to eleven. This anime-inspired survival thriller is as bizarre as it is brutal, with giant dolls, creepy cats, and enough gore to keep your adrenaline pumping. If you loved the “WTF is happening?!” moments of Squid Game, you’ll feel right at home in this unpredictable, chaotic playground. | © Toho Co., Ltd.

Battle Royale

Before Squid Game and The Hunger Games, there was Battle Royale, the OG survival thriller that practically invented the genre. This Japanese cult classic pits a class of high school students against each other in a fight to the death on a remote island. With explosive collars, alliances gone wrong, and plenty of social commentary, this franchise didn’t just break the mold – it created it. If you’re ready for an unapologetically brutal experience that makes Squid Game look like a warm-up, Battle Royale is a must-watch. | © Toei Company

3%

Hailing from Brazil, 3% flips the dystopian survival genre on its head with a sharp focus on class divide and meritocracy. Every year, 20-year-olds compete for a coveted spot in “The Offshore,” a utopian paradise that only the most skilled (or ruthless) can enter. The catch? Only 3% of applicants make it. Packed with moral dilemmas, clever puzzles, and enough twists to keep your head spinning, this series is like Squid Game with a side of philosophical soul-searching. | © Netflix

Liar Game

If mind games are your jam, Liar Game is about to be your new obsession. This Japanese series swaps physical challenges for psychological warfare, as contestants are lured into a shady tournament where deception is the name of the game. With high-stakes betrayals, manipulative strategies, and just the right amount of melodrama, it’s a cerebral twist on the survival genre. If Squid Game made you distrust everyone, Liar Game will have you double-checking your best friend’s intentions. | © Fuji Television Network

The Hunger Games

Welcome to Panem, where “may the odds be ever in your favor” is less a wish and more a grim survival mantra. The Hunger Games franchise catapulted the survival competition genre into the mainstream, with its dystopian blend of political intrigue, brutal combat, and fiery rebellion. Whether it’s Katniss aiming her bow or the Capitol spinning its deadly web of propaganda, this series delivers tension and spectacle in equal measure. If Squid Game made you wonder about society’s obsession with spectacle, The Hunger Games doubles down, throwing in glamour and carnage like it’s a twisted fashion show. | © Lionsgate

The Purge

What if all crime were legal for one night a year? That’s the horrifyingly simple, yet brilliant premise of The Purge franchise. Across movies and TV shows, it explores the chaos, moral ambiguity, and downright horror of a society that lets its inner demons run wild for 12 hours straight. Like Squid Game, it’s a social experiment turned nightmare, asking hard questions about power, privilege, and human nature. Oh, and the masks? Creepy enough to make your next Halloween costume decision an easy one. | © Universal Pictures

Escape Room

If Squid Game left you craving more puzzle-packed survival thrills, Escape Room is here to trap you – in the best way possible. This franchise takes the concept of those fun little team-building games and turns them into deadly traps designed by someone who clearly needs a hobby. With ingenious set pieces, escalating tension, and the constant question of who (if anyone) will make it out alive, it’s like Squid Game got a Hollywood makeover. Prepare for a nerve-wracking ride where thinking outside the box isn’t just helpful – it’s life or death. | © Sony Pictures

Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

You think gambling is stressful? Wait until you see Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor, a Japanese anime that takes high-stakes bets to a whole new, gut-wrenching level. Follow Kaiji, a hapless everyman, as he’s roped into games that range from nail-biting card matches to death-defying stunts – all to pay off crushing debts. It’s a wild ride of strategy, desperation, and psychological warfare. If Squid Game hooked you with its moral dilemmas and underdog story, Kaiji will leave you yelling at your screen and questioning your own poker face. | © Nippon TV

Circle

Who knew a giant glowing orb could be so sinister? In Circle, a group of strangers wakes up in a mysterious room where they must vote to decide who lives and who dies – no pressure, right? This psychological thriller plays out like an existential game of Among Us, with everyone scrambling to justify their survival while unraveling dark secrets about one another. With its minimalist setup and maximum tension, Circle turns human nature into the ultimate antagonist. If Squid Game had you questioning the fairness of life’s game, Circle goes full-on philosophical with its chilling “survival of the fittest” theme. | © FilmBuff

The Belko Experiment

Picture this: your mundane 9-to-5 office job suddenly turns into a blood-soaked battle royale. That’s the darkly twisted premise of The Belko Experiment, a movie that transforms a corporate office building into a high-stakes kill zone. With employees forced to “downsize” each other (literally) under the threat of death, it’s as brutal as it is absurdly satirical. Think of it as Squid Game with a memo about office culture – and a lot more red ink, if you catch my drift. | © Orion Pictures

Cube

Ever felt trapped in a box? Well, Cube takes that claustrophobia and cranks it up to a hundred. In this indie cult classic, strangers wake up in a seemingly endless maze of interconnected rooms, each rigged with deadly traps. To survive, they must solve puzzles, navigate interpersonal drama, and keep their cool – which is much easier said than done. Cube combines brainy problem-solving with gut-wrenching tension, making it a must-watch for fans of Squid Game’s lethal creativity. | © Trimark Pictures

Saw

Do you want to play a game? If your answer is yes, Saw is here to take you on a twisted, gory journey through the sadistic mind of Jigsaw, a killer who prefers psychological torment over straightforward murder. Across multiple films, the franchise challenges characters to solve life-or-death puzzles that often leave them in pieces – sometimes literally. It’s the ultimate combination of moral dilemmas, physical trials, and shock value. If Squid Game had you squirming, Saw will have you watching through your fingers. | © Lionsgate

Exam

Here’s one for the minimalists: Exam strips the survival genre down to its bare essentials. Eight candidates enter a windowless room for a high-stakes job interview, but instead of answering questions, they must solve a cryptic, mind-bending test – or be eliminated. The movie’s clever writing and psychological tension will have you questioning who’s really in control. If you loved Squid Game’s social commentary and mental games, Exam is like a perfectly calibrated brain teaser with a side of existential dread. | © Bedlam Productions

Deadman Wonderland

What’s worse than being framed for a crime you didn’t commit? Being sent to a prison that doubles as a deadly amusement park where inmates compete in sadistic games for the entertainment of the masses. That’s the premise of Deadman Wonderland, a dark and gripping anime that combines survival horror with a heavy dose of tragedy and bloodshed. Packed with high-octane action and shocking twists, it’s perfect for fans of Squid Game who crave chaos, carnage, and a storyline as wild as its death matches. | © Kadokawa Shoten

Danganronpa: The Animation

Welcome to Hope’s Peak Academy, where the students are elite… and the extracurricular activities include murder trials. In Danganronpa: The Animation, a group of high schoolers is trapped in their school and forced to kill each other to escape, with the diabolical Monokuma – a sadistic teddy bear – overseeing the chaos. Part murder mystery, part psychological thriller, and all kinds of bizarre, this anime is a twisted carnival of logic puzzles, betrayals, and plot twists. If Squid Game’s tension kept you hooked, Danganronpa will have you shouting “Objection!” at your screen in no time. | © Spike Chunsoft

Death Parade

What happens after you die? According to Death Parade, you don’t get pearly gates or fiery pits – you get a fancy bar run by an enigmatic arbiter. This stunning anime pits recently deceased pairs against each other in seemingly simple games, like darts or air hockey, with their eternal fates hanging in the balance. The catch? The games reveal the darkest corners of their souls. With its haunting visuals and deep moral questions, Death Parade is like Squid Game meets a philosophy class, served with a side of existential dread. | © Madhouse

Gantz

If you thought Squid Game was brutal, wait until you step into the world of Gantz. This dark, hyper-violent anime follows people who are resurrected after death to participate in deadly alien-hunting missions orchestrated by a mysterious black sphere. With each mission more horrifying than the last, Gantz serves up a blend of sci-fi, horror, and moral ambiguity. If Squid Game made you question the value of life, Gantz will drag you through a bloody, chaotic exploration of survival at its most primal. | © Gonzo

Darwin’s Game

Imagine downloading a mobile app that drops you into a citywide death match. That’s the premise of Darwin’s Game, a sleek anime where players gain unique abilities and must fight for survival. From strategic battles to intense rivalries, this series takes Squid Game’s high-stakes drama and infuses it with a modern, tech-savvy twist. Plus, it explores how ordinary people adapt – or unravel – when thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Think of it as a high-tech evolution of the survival genre that will leave you glued to your screen. | © Nexus

Re:Mind

Ever had dinner with friends that turned into a nightmare? Re:Mind takes that concept literally, trapping a group of high school girls at a mysterious dining table where dark secrets begin to surface. This Japanese psychological thriller blends mystery, suspense, and a touch of horror as the girls unravel the truth behind their imprisonment. It’s Squid Game meets Clue, with a healthy dose of emotional drama and mind-bending twists. If you love stories where every conversation feels like a ticking time bomb, this one’s for you. | © TV Tokyo