If you love Squid Game‘s mix of high-stakes drama, social commentary, and shocking twists, these thrillers—spanning reality competitions, dystopian nightmares, and psychological battles—are perfect for your next binge.
The three-year wait for Squid Game Season 2 did nothing to cool off the show’s global obsession. When the new season premiered the day after Christmas 2024, it shattered records, debuting at No. 1 in 92 countries and becoming Netflix’s most-watched series in its first week. While we wait for the last installment of the beloved show, here are some other Netflix series that you will love in the meantime.
Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix)
The closest thing to Squid Game in real life, this reality show pits 456 contestants against each other in intense challenges for a $4.56 million prize. No one dies, but the drama and betrayals feel just as cutthroat.
Culinary Class Wars (Netflix)
Think Squid Game, but with food. This Korean reality series pits 100 chefs—from Michelin-starred pros to street food vendors—against each other in a ruthless culinary competition.
Physical: 100 (Netflix)
A brutal test of human strength, this Korean reality competition features elite athletes competing in grueling physical challenges. It’s Squid Game without the deadly consequences.
All of Us Are Dead (Netflix)
This Korean zombie thriller follows high school students fighting for survival against their former classmates. The action and social critique mirror Squid Game’s themes of power and corruption.
Hellbound (Netflix)
From the director of Train to Busan, this dark fantasy explores a world where sinners are brutally executed by supernatural beings. Like Squid Game, it’s a chilling social commentary.
Alice in Borderland (Netflix)
Trapped in a parallel Tokyo, contestants must solve deadly games to survive. With its intricate puzzles and intense action, this Japanese thriller is a must-watch.
#Alive (Netflix)
A young man barricades himself inside his apartment during a zombie apocalypse, forging an unexpected bond with another survivor. If you loved the human connections in Squid Game, this one’s for you.
Sweet Home (Netflix)
This Korean horror series locks survivors in an apartment complex as humans transform into grotesque monsters. Like Squid Game, it’s about survival at all costs.
3% (Netflix)
In this Brazilian dystopian drama, candidates from the slums compete in a brutal process to earn a spot in a privileged society. It’s a gripping international take on Squid Game’s premise.
