If Squid Game or Alice in Borderland had you hooked with its high-stakes psychological games, you’re not alone. These Netflix series became a global sensation lately, and fans are eagerly waiting for Season 3 of both shows. While you wait, here are seven films and shows that will keep your adrenaline pumping.
Kaiji
This 2007 anime series follows Kaiji Itou, an unlucky gambler forced into life-or-death games to pay off his debts. With deadly challenges and psychological torment, Kaiji is a major inspiration for Squid Game, offering a unique take on survival and desperation.
Where to watch: Netflix
Battle Royale
This 2000 Japanese film pits a group of students against each other on a remote island. Forced to kill or be killed, the students wear explosive collars. The brutal concept and dark depiction of survival make Battle Royale a classic in the genre.
Where to watch: Prime Video
The 8 Show
This Korean thriller features eight individuals trapped in a mysterious building. To survive, they must play a dangerous game and earn money for every minute they last. The show explores power struggles and the high cost of survival.
Where to watch: Netflix
3%
In a dystopian future, only 3% of young people pass a series of grueling challenges to join an elite group. The series explores social inequality and class struggles, making it perfect for fans of Squid Game.
Where to watch: Netflix
Saw
For fans of deadly traps and moral dilemmas, the Saw franchise takes these themes to the next level. The series explores the consequences of choices through grisly torture games.
Where to watch: Prime Video
The Platform
Set in a vertical prison, The Platform explores social inequality as food is distributed unequally. A dark allegory of class and survival, this Spanish thriller is both unsettling and thought-provoking.
Where to watch: Netflix
These films and shows offer a mix of survival, moral dilemmas, and social commentary, perfect for fans of Squid Game.
