If you’re looking for shows like Squid Game, start with Alice in Borderland, The 8 Show, 3%, Liar Game, and As the Gods Will. These titles offer the same gripping tension, unpredictable twists, and morally complex situations that made Squid Game a global phenomenon.
From brutal games and life-or-death choices to intense psychological drama, these 14 series deliver stories that keep you thinking long after the credits roll.
Whether you want more chaos, suspense, or survival, this list has your next obsession lined up.
Top 14 Series Like Squid Game
For fans craving more intense survival dramas and psychological thrillers, these carefully selected series offer similar themes of competition, desperation, and moral dilemmas.
The following table presents the top 10 best alternatives that match Squid Game’s intensity and storytelling excellence, followed by 4 additional series with similar characteristics.
| Rank | Series | Genre | Origin | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice in Borderland | Survival Thriller | Japan | Netflix |
| 2 | The 8 Show | Social Satire | South Korea | Prime Video |
| 3 | All of Us Are Dead | Zombie Survival | South Korea | Prime Video |
| 4 | 3% | Dystopian Sci-Fi | Brazil | Netflix |
| 5 | Black Mirror | Anthology Thriller | UK | Netflix |
| 6 | Hellbound | Supernatural Horror | South Korea | Netflix |
| 7 | Sweet Home | Monster Horror | South Korea | Netflix |
| 8 | Dr. Brain | Psychological Sci-Fi | South Korea | Apple TV+ |
| 9 | Panic | Teen Thriller | USA | Prime Video |
| 10 | The Purge | Crime Thriller | USA | Prime Video |
These series are the best alternatives for viewers seeking similar themes of survival, competition, and psychological tension. Each offers unique perspectives on human nature when faced with extreme circumstances.
1. Alice in Borderland
Alice in Borderland stands as the closest comparison to Squid Game, featuring a brilliant gamer trapped in a dystopian Tokyo where survival depends on winning deadly games.
The series follows Arisu and his companions as they confront increasingly complex challenges while attempting to understand the mysterious world they’ve entered.
Each game tests different skills and moral boundaries, creating intense psychological drama that rivals Squid Game’s emotional impact.
2. The 8 Show
This Korean social satire traps eight strangers in a mysterious building where they must participate in a game show with unclear rules. The longer they stay, the bigger the prize money grows, but the psychological pressure intensifies as social hierarchies start to form.
The series expertly explores class divisions and human behavior under extreme circumstances, making it a perfect follow-up for you to watch after you are done with Squid Game.
3. All of Us Are Dead
While focusing on zombie survival rather than games, this Korean thriller shares Squid Game’s themes of desperation and moral choices. High school students fight for survival during a zombie outbreak, facing impossible decisions about sacrifice and survival.
The series combines intense action with character development, exploring how ordinary people react when civilization collapses around them and the ensuing chaos.
4. 3%
Set in a dystopian Brazil divided by extreme class inequality, this series follows young adults competing in “The Process” for a chance to escape poverty. Only 3% of candidates pass the tests to reach the elite Offshore society.
The show explores themes of social justice and systemic inequality while offering suspenseful competition sequences that can evoke the same level of tension as Squid Game.
5. Black Mirror
This anthology series explores the dark impact of technology on human nature through standalone episodes that often feature dystopian scenarios. Many episodes feature characters confronting moral dilemmas in high-stakes situations, echoing Squid Game’s exploration of human behavior under pressure.
The show’s satirical approach to modern society creates thought-provoking narratives that challenge viewers’ perspectives and offer a fresh perspective on contemporary issues.
6. Hellbound
From the creator of Train to Busan, this supernatural thriller blends horror with moral questions as mysterious beings appear to condemn people to hell. Tense, unsettling, and layered, it looks at how fear reshapes belief and society.
The series explores how society reacts to supernatural judgment, examining themes of faith, morality, and social control. Like Squid Game, it uses fantastical elements to comment on real-world issues and human nature.
7. Sweet Home
This monster horror series follows residents trapped in an apartment complex as the world transforms into a nightmarish world of creatures. The monsters reflect people’s inner demons and psychological states, creating a unique horror experience that combines survival elements with character development.
The series explores themes of isolation, trauma, and human connection in extreme circumstances. With streaming platforms investing heavily in such content, understanding how much do actors make in these high-budget productions becomes increasingly relevant.
8. Dr. Brain
This psychological sci-fi thriller follows a brain scientist who develops technology to transfer memories between people. When tragedy strikes his family, he uses his invention to investigate, leading to mind-bending consequences. The story unfolds through intense visuals and emotional twists that keep viewers hooked.
The series combines scientific concepts with emotional storytelling, creating a unique viewing experience that challenges perception and reality. Looking ahead, the entertainment industry continues expanding with exciting releases, including Marvel movies that promise similar mind-bending storylines.
9. Panic
Set in a small Texas town, this teen thriller follows high school graduates competing in dangerous challenges for prize money. The series explores themes of economic desperation and the lengths people will go to to escape their circumstances.
While targeting a younger audience, it shares Squid Game’s examination of how financial pressure drives people to extreme actions and how intense situations get.
10. The Purge
Based on the horror film franchise, this series explores a society where all crime is legal for one night annually. The show examines how people behave when usual social constraints are removed, creating intense psychological drama.
While different in format from Squid Game, it shares themes of moral choice and human nature under extreme circumstances, giving you a complete package of adventure, suspense, and thrill.
The success of these high-stakes TV shows demonstrates just how much actors make when they star in globally popular series that capture audiences worldwide.
11. As the Gods Will
This Japanese horror film presents a premise that will feel eerily familiar. High school student Shun Takahata’s boring life is upended when he and his classmates are forced to play a deadly version of “Red Light, Green Light.”
The subsequent games are equally twisted takes on childhood classics, forcing students into a chaotic and violent struggle for survival against supernatural forces. The film is a pure, unadulterated death game experience.
Comic book adaptations continue to evolve, with projects like the Spider-Man Noir live-action series bringing darker character versions to mainstream audiences.
12. The Hunger Games
This popular American franchise takes place in the dystopian nation of Panem, where two young “tributes” from each of the twelve districts are selected annually to compete in a televised fight to the death.
The series follows Katniss Everdeen as she navigates the brutal games and becomes a symbol of rebellion against the oppressive Capitol. It blends high-stakes action with potent social and political commentary.
The film series showcases the sheer volume of content available when you consider how many movies are there in the dystopian thriller genre alone.
13. Zero: Ikkaku Senkin Game
This Japanese drama follows Zero Ukai, a middle school teacher who moonlights as a modern-day Robin Hood, stealing from criminals to help their victims. His actions attract the attention of a wealthy and sadistic individual who forces him into a deadly game at an amusement park.
The prize is an astronomical 100 billion yen, pitting him against other desperate contestants in a high-stakes battle of wits.
14. Liar Game
For those who appreciate the psychological manipulation and strategic deception in Squid Game, this Japanese drama is a perfect match. A naive college student is drawn into a mysterious tournament where the only path to victory is to outwit and betray fellow contestants.
The goal is to win a massive cash prize by becoming the ultimate con artist in a series of complex, mind-bending challenges that test trust and morality.
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Conclusion: Alice In Borderland Is The Best Series Like Squid Game
For viewers seeking the ultimate Squid Game alternatives, Alice in Borderland is the most authentic experience with its deadly games and psychological complexity. The 8 Show provides brilliant social commentary through its competition format, while 3% offers compelling dystopian themes about class inequality and survival.
This series captures the essence of what made Squid Game so enjoyable by exploring human nature under extreme pressure.
Start your next binge-watch with these gripping series that promises the same heart-pounding tension and unforgettable storytelling.
FAQs
These shows have high-stakes games, psychological tension, social commentary on inequality, and ordinary people in desperate situations.
Violence levels vary. Shows like Battle Royale and The Belko Experiment are pretty graphic, while 3% focuses more on psychological challenges.
3% is a popular Brazilian series produced in Portuguese that fits the genre perfectly and is available on Netflix.
Alice in Borderland is based on a popular Japanese manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Haro Aso.
If you want the most similar experience to Squid Game, start with Alice in Borderland for its deadly games and mystery.
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