Top 7 TV Series Similar to Squid Game You Must Watch

The eagerly awaited second season of Squid Game is now in development, capturing viewers’ attention and sparking curiosity about the new challenges that Seong Gi-hun and his fellow competitors will encounter. When the first season premiered in 2021, the dystopian survival thriller genre was relatively obscure, but since then, many other series have emerged, exploring similar unsettling themes.

Prominent features of this genre include the game-show concept, a futuristic backdrop, reality television influences, and often, graphic violence.

7 Beast Games

Humanity Hits Rock Bottom

Once considered merely a joke, the concept of a show like Bum Fight has gained unsettling relevance in today’s society, burdened by late-stage capitalism. YouTube sensation Mr. Beast has garnered mixed reactions, ranging from adoration to condemnation concerning his reality-based projects, but he’s undeniably generated a significant amount of controversy. Reports of participant mistreatment, including allegations of exploitation and safety threats, lend a chilling resemblance to Squid Game.

The format showcases 1,000 contestants from around the world competing for a substantial cash prize through a series of eccentric challenges, marking it as the largest game show to date.

6 All Of Us Are Dead

High School Apocalyptic Horror

Merging coming-of-age narratives with apocalyptic horror, the Korean series All of Us Are Dead unfolds in the fictional city of Hyosan. The storyline kicks off with students at a high school grappling with the outbreak of a deadly virus, unleashing a wave of zombie transformations. This gripping drama is based on the manhwa by Joo Dong-geun, known in English as School Attack.

5 Alice In Borderland

Trapped In An Abandoned Tokyo

Alice In Borderland, originally an acclaimed manga series by Haro Aso, evolved into both an anime and a live-action show. Following a narrative of a group trapped in a deserted Tokyo, these contestants must navigate a series of deadly games that test their intellect and survival skills. Known as Borderland, this realm encapsulates a series of puzzles and games resembling trivia and card challenges, creating a survivalist experience laden with tension and excitement.

4 3%

The Reward Is The Offshore

Set in Brazil, 3% is a unique addition to the genre as Netflix’s first Portuguese-language original series. It highlights systemic class struggles while incorporating survival game mechanics similar to those in *The Hunger Games*. The narrative unfolds in a poverty-stricken area called The Inland, where, upon turning 20, residents can compete in “The Process,”with only 3% succeeding to gain access to the affluent Offshore.

3 The Purge

Dystopian Horror In A Totalitarian State

Originating with the 2013 film, The Purge franchise has become synonymous with modern dystopian horror, exploring the notion of a night where all crimes, including murder, are permissible. Set against a backdrop of a totalitarian regime in 2027 America, it navigates the nuances of justice and survival as citizens turn to violence during this sanctioned lawlessness.

2 Physical: 100

Often Compared To Squid Game

In contrast to the fictional narratives, Physical: 100 functions as a legitimate game show, being infused with competitive spirit yet leans towards entertainment rather than life-threatening drama. Drawing comparisons to classic shows like American Gladiators, it features a wide range of physically demanding challenges with a significant cash prize of 300 million Won (approximately $240,000 USD) awaiting the victor.

1 Hellbound

Supernatural Dark Fantasy

Hellbound delves into the dark realms of religious extremism and societal fear. Drawing similarities with titles like Death Note, this series takes place in present-day Seoul, weaving elements of crime drama with the terror emerging from supernatural events. Initial episodes explore the dynamic between law enforcement and students as they attempt to decipher horrific occurrences and ghostly phenomena gripping the city.

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