When Squid Game premiered on Netflix in mid-September, its battle-royale-style brutality—a lethal game staged for entertainment—raised issues of provenance, as it does with much popular art: Was it truly a novel concept? Some viewers connected the first game in the series, “Red Light, Green Light,” to a moment from As the Gods Will, a 2014 Japanese survival horror film that is likewise a battle-royale style thriller but involves schoolyard games, like Squid Game.
Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk responded by stating that he began writing Squid Game long before the 2014 Japanese release; both projects, it was suggested, grew independently. After Hwang finished the writing, it was taken up by Netflix and given a loving home for global distribution.
Of course, the survival competitions genre isn’t exactly new or unique. While the distinction between inspiration and copying can be blurry, it’s difficult to assert that anyone owns a genre.
What do you think you should watch next?
While As the Gods Will is a good place to start, there are enough more shows like Squid game to keep the games going. Although not all of the following use the game show format—there is, after all, more to Squid Game than the bloody games—they all address similar social issues and make similar observations about human behavior. Here are 7 shows like Squid game to binge-watch.
7 shows like Squid Game to watch
1. Alice in Borderland
It was the inspiration for Netflix’s smash hit, and it follows a group of Japanese teens as they attempt to survive the night by playing increasingly intricate games. It’ll hit you straight in the feels, just like Squid Game.
2. Black Mirror
For at least a couple of episodes, Black Mirror, maybe the most well-known science-fiction series of the last 20 years, has flirted with pain as entertainment. Because the show is an anthology, you may just skip to those episodes. We believe “White Bear” is the most similar to Squid Game.
3. Kingdom
“Survival horror” is a blend of historical palace drama and zombies in this film. As a result, the film is both a bloody good zombie entry and a deeper symbolic study on socioeconomic inequity.
4. Extracurricular
Another class-conscious Korean Netflix drama about heinous crimes committed for monetary gain.
5. High-Rise Invasion
Men in masks pursue teenagers through towers in this manga adaption. Also, the show is available on Netflix.
6. Danganronpa
Danganronpa is based on a video game in which high-achieving pupils are imprisoned in a killing game to determine who is at the top of the class. This type of competition is simply referred to as “high school” by some.
7. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
After becoming engulfed in debt, Kaiji accepts to take part in mystery games. You’re probably aware of what occurs next…
