Poster for ‘Squid Game.’ Photo: courtesy of Netflix
When Squid Game first hit our screens in 2021, it was a gut-punch of a show. With a chilling premise that threw a bunch of desperate, debt-ridden strangers into a twisted arena where childhood games turned into deadly trials, it didn’t just hit a nerve because of its shock value. It was a dark commentary on the brutality of economic inequality, the dystopian impact of capitalism, and the illusion of choice in a rigged system—one that didn’t feel too far removed from our own reality. It’s no wonder, then, that the show became a record-breaking global phenomenon, with Season 3 debuting at #1 in 93 countries with a whopping 60.1M views in just three days, according to Netflix. So if you’ve just binged the latest season and are craving more of the cutthroat survival and high-stakes tension, we’ve got you covered. Here are 5 shows that hit just as hard.
Kaiji: The Ultimate Survivor (2007)
Kaiji, a hapless gambler, finds himself in a desperate situation due to a mounting debt that leaves him no choice but to enter a dangerous gambling event. In this twisted series, one wrong move can cost you. If you’re drawn to the psychological warfare of Squid Game, you’ll love Kaiji’s game of cat and mouse, where it’s every man for himself in a ruthless maze of lies and scheming. The intense anime television series adaptation of Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji, the first chapter of the Kaiji manga series, exposes humanity’s darkest flaws, showing us what happens when an overwhelmed, overburdened society buckles under pressure.
Alice in Borderland (2020-present)
A Japanese psychological survival thriller in which Ryōhei Arisu’s (Kento Yamazaki) life is turned upside down when he finds himself in a deserted Tokyo. The city is eerily empty, and the only way to survive is by playing deadly brain teaser games. There’s simply no escape, and so, he must play alongside other trapped participants. As the games become increasingly brutal and insane, Arisu must weigh the cost of survival against the cost of his humanity. It’s a surreal survival game that makes you question the value of life and the cost of our choices. It’s as dark as Squid Game, but comes with enough suspense and shocks of its own.
3% (2016-2020)
A dystopian world unfolds in this Brazilian series where the haves and have-nots are separated. Reminiscent of Squid Game’s bloody battle on a creepy island, the premise here is to gain entry into the elite society, “Offshore.” Only 3% of those who attempt this grueling process will succeed, while the rest are left to endure the harsh, impoverished world of “Inland.” The contestants risk it all, body and mind, with stakes as high as death. It’s a thought-provoking thriller on social disparity, and what it takes to get ahead in life sometimes. If you like shows that mess with your head while making you think, you’ll love this one.
Physical 100 (2023-present)
This Korean reality series pits 100 physically strong contestants against each other in battles of strength, flexibility, and mental toughness, pushing them beyond their limits through a series of intense, punishing challenges. The participants ARE knocked out one by one until only one of them is left standing to claim the grand prize. It’s an intense, precarious setting that reveals out the true nature of its contestants, much like Squid Game.
The 8 Show (2024)
This Korean black comedy thriller is like Squid Game’s cooler cousin—competition, survival, and depravity, but without bloodbaths. You might think you’re trapped in a weird eight-floor building, playing a game with seven strangers where you can earn money by the minute. But, there’s a catch: the higher floors get more benefits. With inequality growing, resources becoming limited, doubts creep in, and risks multiply. The mind games are ruthless, the challenges get increasingly intense, and the tension gets under your skin. The layers are slowly peeled back to reveal a dog-eat-dog society, where alliances are formed only to plot a perfect betrayal. If Squid Game kept you on the edge, The 8 Show is a dark, gripping ride that will pull you in deeper.
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