The curtains have officially closed on one of the most intense thrillers in recent memory. The final chapter of Squid Game, the gripping South Korean survival drama crafted by creator-director Hwang Dong-hyuk, recently aired, marking the end of a cultural phenomenon.
Over the span of three seasons, viewers witnessed the turbulent and haunting journey of Player 456, also known as Seong Gi-hun, as he and his fellow participants were thrust into a brutal competition. What initially seemed like nostalgic childhood games took a horrifying turn as each challenge brought deadly consequences, all in pursuit of a fortune that could change their lives forever.
As the naive and good-natured Gi-hun, portrayed masterfully by Lee Jung-jae, evolved into a hardened man with a mission to dismantle the twisted operation behind the game, audiences became deeply invested. Now that the final episode has aired and the game has reached its ultimate conclusion, many fans find themselves searching for a new series that delivers the same mix of adrenaline, suspense, and emotional weight.
Below is a selection of shows that echo the chilling intensity, social commentary, and life-or-death stakes that defined Squid Game.
Alice in Borderland—Japan’s Dystopian Survival Game
For those captivated by the concept of ordinary individuals being forced into deadly contests, Alice in Borderland is a natural successor. Based on the manga by Haro Aso, this Japanese sci-fi thriller centers on Arisu, a reclusive gamer played by Kento Yamazaki, who finds himself suddenly transported to a desolate version of Tokyo. In this strange alternate reality, he must outwit and outlast a series of perilous games, each symbolized by playing cards that determine their complexity and genre.
Players must participate to extend their survival “visas.” If their visas expire, they are instantly executed by deadly laser beams descending from the skies. The suspense, moral dilemmas, and unpredictable game mechanics make Alice in Borderland a must-watch for fans of strategic, life-threatening challenges.
All Of Us Are Dead – Zombie Terror in a High School
Another South Korean hit that shares Squid Game’s mix of youthful characters and deadly stakes is All Of Us Are Dead. Set in the fictional city of Hyosan, the series follows a group of high school students as they battle to survive a horrific zombie outbreak. Adapted from Joo Dong-geun’s popular webtoon, this coming-of-age horror show showcases how quickly innocence can be shattered when survival becomes the only goal.
With its intense setting, raw emotional arcs, and claustrophobic tension, All Of Us Are Dead reflects a similar desperation and fight-for-life atmosphere as seen in Squid Game.
Black Mirror—A Glimpse into Dark Futures
Although it doesn’t feature literal games, Black Mirror offers a haunting critique of modern society through standalone episodes exploring technology, power, and human fragility. Each story dives into dystopian or near-future settings, often revealing how societal systems can be just as cruel as the Squid Game’s masterminds.
From AI companions to social credit scores, the Emmy-winning anthology series challenges viewers to reflect on morality and control. Notably, it has revived interest in the anthology format and inspired discourse about the dangers of unchecked innovation.
The 8 Show – Greed Meets Isolation
In The 8 Show, eight individuals agree to live under one roof while being filmed in an isolated, resource-deprived environment. Adapted from the webtoons Money Game and Pie Game by Bae Jin-soo, and directed by Han Jae-rim, the series explores how desperation and greed can corrupt humanity. The contestants are pushed to their limits—emotionally and physically—with the game’s rules ending only when someone dies.
This black comedy-thriller blends satire with intense drama, offering a thought-provoking take on class, survival, and human nature.
3% – The Fight for a Better Future
3% hails from Brazil and is set in a dystopian world where only a fraction of the population is granted access to a privileged utopia known as “Offshore.” Every year, 20-year-olds from the impoverished “Inland” undergo a rigorous series of tests called “The Process.” Only the top 3% succeed. For the rest, failure can mean death.
Created by Pedro Aguilera, 3% dives into themes of inequality, choice, and systemic injustice—echoing many of the core messages of Squid Game, but with a fresh cultural perspective.
These series offer diverse yet thematically similar experiences, perfect for those who still feel the echoes of Squid Game’s final moments and long for stories where survival is a game with consequences far beyond the arena.
Over the span of three seasons, viewers witnessed the turbulent and haunting journey of Player 456, also known as Seong Gi-hun, as he and his fellow participants were thrust into a brutal competition. What initially seemed like nostalgic childhood games took a horrifying turn as each challenge brought deadly consequences, all in pursuit of a fortune that could change their lives forever.
As the naive and good-natured Gi-hun, portrayed masterfully by Lee Jung-jae, evolved into a hardened man with a mission to dismantle the twisted operation behind the game, audiences became deeply invested. Now that the final episode has aired and the game has reached its ultimate conclusion, many fans find themselves searching for a new series that delivers the same mix of adrenaline, suspense, and emotional weight.
Below is a selection of shows that echo the chilling intensity, social commentary, and life-or-death stakes that defined Squid Game.
Alice in Borderland—Japan’s Dystopian Survival Game
For those captivated by the concept of ordinary individuals being forced into deadly contests, Alice in Borderland is a natural successor. Based on the manga by Haro Aso, this Japanese sci-fi thriller centers on Arisu, a reclusive gamer played by Kento Yamazaki, who finds himself suddenly transported to a desolate version of Tokyo. In this strange alternate reality, he must outwit and outlast a series of perilous games, each symbolized by playing cards that determine their complexity and genre.
Players must participate to extend their survival “visas.” If their visas expire, they are instantly executed by deadly laser beams descending from the skies. The suspense, moral dilemmas, and unpredictable game mechanics make Alice in Borderland a must-watch for fans of strategic, life-threatening challenges.
All Of Us Are Dead – Zombie Terror in a High School
Another South Korean hit that shares Squid Game’s mix of youthful characters and deadly stakes is All Of Us Are Dead. Set in the fictional city of Hyosan, the series follows a group of high school students as they battle to survive a horrific zombie outbreak. Adapted from Joo Dong-geun’s popular webtoon, this coming-of-age horror show showcases how quickly innocence can be shattered when survival becomes the only goal.
With its intense setting, raw emotional arcs, and claustrophobic tension, All Of Us Are Dead reflects a similar desperation and fight-for-life atmosphere as seen in Squid Game.
Black Mirror—A Glimpse into Dark Futures
Although it doesn’t feature literal games, Black Mirror offers a haunting critique of modern society through standalone episodes exploring technology, power, and human fragility. Each story dives into dystopian or near-future settings, often revealing how societal systems can be just as cruel as the Squid Game’s masterminds.
From AI companions to social credit scores, the Emmy-winning anthology series challenges viewers to reflect on morality and control. Notably, it has revived interest in the anthology format and inspired discourse about the dangers of unchecked innovation.
The 8 Show – Greed Meets Isolation
In The 8 Show, eight individuals agree to live under one roof while being filmed in an isolated, resource-deprived environment. Adapted from the webtoons Money Game and Pie Game by Bae Jin-soo, and directed by Han Jae-rim, the series explores how desperation and greed can corrupt humanity. The contestants are pushed to their limits—emotionally and physically—with the game’s rules ending only when someone dies.
This black comedy-thriller blends satire with intense drama, offering a thought-provoking take on class, survival, and human nature.
3% – The Fight for a Better Future
3% hails from Brazil and is set in a dystopian world where only a fraction of the population is granted access to a privileged utopia known as “Offshore.” Every year, 20-year-olds from the impoverished “Inland” undergo a rigorous series of tests called “The Process.” Only the top 3% succeed. For the rest, failure can mean death.
Created by Pedro Aguilera, 3% dives into themes of inequality, choice, and systemic injustice—echoing many of the core messages of Squid Game, but with a fresh cultural perspective.
These series offer diverse yet thematically similar experiences, perfect for those who still feel the echoes of Squid Game’s final moments and long for stories where survival is a game with consequences far beyond the arena.
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