If Squid Game left you on the edge of your seat, gasping at every twist, and questioning humanity’s moral compass, you’re not alone. The show’s mix of psychological tension, survival themes, and social commentary struck a chord worldwide. If you just can’t get enough of Squid Game, there are plenty of other shows and films that offer a similar adrenaline rush. Here’s a handpicked list of 25 gripping titles, each as twisted, suspenseful, and thought-provoking as Squid Game.

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1. Physical: 100

This reality competition is like a real-life Squid Game. It pits 100 ultra-fit individuals against gruelling physical challenges. It’s a battle of strength, strategy, and sheer willpower. Imagine Squid Game but without the lethal consequences.

2. Panic

Though this series was cancelled after the first season, its premise is as gripping as Squid Game. Set in a small town, this series follows teenagers competing in deadly games for a massive cash prize. $50,000, to be exact. The stakes? Life or death. It’s all about bravery and how far desperation will push you. It might not be as good as Squid Game but it follows the same theme of survival and money.

3. Hellbound

Directed and created by Yeom Sang-ho, this Korean TV series mixes horror with morality. Angels begin to descend on earth, telling sinners when they’ll die, and horrifying creatures execute their deaths in the most bone-chilling way. This Korean thriller shares Squid Game’s knack for exploring societal chaos and moral dilemmas.

4. Alice in Borderland

Transported to an alternate Tokyo, players must complete brutal games to survive. With a dark tone and jaw-dropping visuals, it’s a must-watch for survival-themed series or movie fans. It’s as good as Squid Game, if not better.

5. #Alive

If you loved the glimpses of humanity and human connections in Squid Game, you’ll enjoy watching #Alive. This zombie apocalypse flick follows a lone survivor battling isolation and terror. Its claustrophobic tension will remind you of the nerve-wracking atmosphere of Squid Game. It doesn’t focus on games and money but on the themes of survival and morality.

6. Battle Royale

The original death-game movie that inspired countless imitators. A class of ninth-grade students is forced to fight to death on an isolated island by the totalitarian Japanese government. What follows is violence, questions about morality, and death.

7. 3%

In this Brazilian dystopian series, young adults only have one chance to escape poverty and enjoy a life of wealth. But for this, they have to go through a brutal selection process to prove their worth. It’s survival of the fittest, with high-stakes political undertones.

8. As the Gods Will

When Shun Takahata complained about his life being boring, he was forced to participate in a killing game at school. The games are deadly, featuring creepy, childlike toys and the penalty for losing is death.

9. Liar Game

This psychological thriller is all about manipulation. Here, contestants must outsmart each other in a series of high-stakes games to win a hefty cash prize. Its emphasis on trust and betrayal will keep you hooked.

10. The Belko Experiment

You might hate your corporate life but at least you’re not forced to kill your colleagues. Eighty employees at the Belko Corp are trapped and forced to kill their colleagues to survive. With explosive trackers buried in their heads to track their actions, they must use staplers and punching machines to kill others. It’s as gruesome and tense as you’d expect.

11. Would You Rather

Iris, a young woman caring for her brother suffering from leukaemia, can’t afford the treatment anymore. She is then introduced to a generous aristocrat who tells her to play a game and win money. Iris, along with six other people, plays the game but as it proceeds, it takes a sadistic turn.

12. Escape Room

We all are familiar with escape rooms, but this one isn’t as fun as you might think. Six strangers are locked in an escape room for a chance to win tons of money. But what they realise later is that the timer for solving puzzles is also the timer of their life. If they are timed out, they’ll be dead. If you loved Squid Game’s blend of intellect and terror, this one’s for you.

13. Cube

A group of strangers wake up in an escape room with no knowledge of how they got there. Now trapped in a mysterious maze of rooms filled with lethal traps, they must work together or betray each other to escape.

14. Zero: The Bravest Money Game

In this Japanese series, a modern-day Robin Hood is forced by a wealthy and twisted man to participate in high-stakes games where losing means financial ruin. It’s all about strategy, wit, and nerve.

15. Kaiji

A gambling addict finds himself buried in debt. To repay all of it, he accepts an offer to participate in an illegal gamble on a cruise ship. What follows is a rollercoaster of mind games, manipulation, and moral dilemmas.

16. The Running Man

Based on one of Stephen King’s early novels, this 1987 classic is set in a dystopian America where the government hosts a reality show called ‘The Running Man’. Here, incarcerated criminals can earn their freedom by surviving as runners against their stalkers. But will they survive?

17. Circle

Fifty strangers wake up in a room, where they are getting executed one at a time. But their execution depends on a set of rules decided by an unknown force. Soon, they realise they must decide who lives or dies. It’s a chilling exploration of human lives and their worth.

18. Saw

If you can stomach the gore, Saw is a masterclass in psychological games and moral tests. A mastermind serial killer puts his victims through some mind-bending puzzles and gut-wrenching tests. This is one of the most popular American death game series of all time.

19. Strangers from Hell

A young man, Jong-woo, moves into a shady apartment in Seoul because he is low on money. Soon, unexplained incidents start occurring in the apartment, causing Jong-woo to start fearing the apartment’s residents. The story is unsettling and gripping, so prepare yourself.

20. Sweet Home

A mysterious epidemic turns people into monsters. To survive, all the residents of the Green Home Apartments must stick together and face their inner demons as well as the horrifying threats outside. It’s a survival story with layers of emotional depth.

21. Black Mirror

Black Mirror is a sci-fi anthology of dystopian tales exploring the dark side of technology. Its social commentary, especially in times of constant technological advancements, is edgy and dark.

22. All of Us Are Dead

All of Us Are Dead is one of the most famous death-game series. High school students fight to survive a zombie outbreak where people turn into flesh-eating monsters. Once the outbreak spreads outside their school, the themes of abuse of power and corruption of authority become evident. It’s packed with action, heartbreak, and moral dilemmas, and is one of the closest series to Squid Game.

23. The 8 Show

The 8 Show is a dark comedy and thriller series where eight contestants participate in a game show that forces them to live in a shady and mysterious eight-storey building. Initially, they focus on surviving together, but once they realise the higher floors are living a luxurious life, a power struggle erupts.

24. Red Rose

Do you remember the Whale Shark game? This drama series focuses on a similar app. A group of teens faces a sinister app called Red Rose that manipulates and threatens them if they do not meet its demands. It’s part horror, part tech-thriller, and entirely binge-worthy.

25. Re: Mind

This is a psychological thriller where 11 high school girls wake up at a mysterious dinner table and confront their darkest secrets. As they try to figure out why or how they ended up here, some of the girls start disappearing. It’s a bit slow, so you have to be patient in the beginning.

Much like Squid Game, these series and movies blend high-stakes survival, moral dilemmas, and heart-pounding suspense. Whether you’re into dystopian societies, psychological manipulation, or gory action, this list has something to keep your pulse racing.

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