12 TV shows and movies to watch if you loved Netflix's 'Squid Game'

Summary:

Based on a novel of the same name by Koushun Takami, "Battle Royale" is about 42 9th graders who are sent to a deserted island and forced to fight each other by a totalitarian government until one remains alive.

Why you'll like it:

The writer and director of "Squid Game," Hwang Dong-hyuk told Variety that he was inspired by the comics of "Battle Royale" when coming up with the idea for the hit Netflix series however, he wanted to simplify the concept by using childrens' games. Whilst "Battle Royale" isn't the first of the last-man-standing survival genre, it is certainly one of the most well-known examples. The 2000 movie is similar to "Squid Game" in its graphic nature, however, it critiques totalitarian governments.

Summary:

"3%" is a Portuguese science-fiction series set in a dystopian future where the world is split into two zones: the Inland where the majority live in poor, filthy conditions and the Offshore where the 3% live in utopian harmony. To get to the Offshore, every year, 20-year-olds must take part in and beat a series of challenges until 3% of the candidates are left standing that can be sent to the Offshore. The series follows a group of young adults participating in the challenges, some of whom want to get to a better life on the Offshore, and others who want to destroy the current system to build a better, more equal one.

Why you'll like it:

"3%" is a lot less graphic than "Squid Game" but is also more complicated than a simple "battle royale." Both shows take simple games and challenges and turn them into something where contestants must use their wits in order to survive, however, "3%" games haS a smaller kill count. "3%" critiques meritocracies rather than just capitalism and shows the ways those systems can be exploited due to human nature.

The series has now ended but all four seasons are available on Netflix.

Summary:

"The Hunger Games" movies follow the journey of Katniss Everdeen, a girl who is sent to fight in a cruel deathmatch and ultimately becomes the symbol of a revolution. It is based on a series of books by Suzanne Collins and set in a dystopian future where the country Katniss lives in is split into distinct social classes called districts with a totalitarian government in the capital keeping everyone in line with their class. Each year, each district has to send two children to fight in a deathmatch called the hunger games where only one child is allowed to leave alive.

Why you'll like it:

"The Hunger Games" is another prominent last-man-standing survival story. However, the political and social message is more prominent than "Squid Game" with the series ending in a revolution. Due to its PG-13 rating, "The Hunger Games" is a lot less graphic than "Squid Game" for those who are squeamish about the violence.

Summary:

"Alice in Borderland" is a thriller based on a manga (Japanese comic) of the same name. A group of people is transported and trapped in an alternate dimension where they must compete in dangerous games in order to stay alive.

Why you'll like it:

If you enjoyed the violence and intensity of the games of "Squid Game," you'll probably enjoy the same in "Alice in Borderland." The show gets you rooting for the main characters as they fight to survive in this new world.

The first season is available on Netflix and Netflix has announced a second season.

Summary:

"As the Gods Will" is a Japanese supernatural horror film about students who are forced to compete in deadly games in order to survive. The movie follows Shun Takahata (Sota Fukushi) who is an ordinary high school student before the death games start. He fights alongside his friends to discover who is behind the sick games.

Why you'll like it:

Some viewers have pointed out the similarity between "Squid Game" and "As the Gods Will" on social media, particularly the "Red Light, Green Light" death game. However, director Hwang Dong-hyuk told The Korea Herald that he has been working on the show since 2008, whereas "As the Gods Will" came out in 2014. Regardless, if you are intrigued by the death games, this Japanese horror movie has more in store for you.

Summary:

Based on a manga of the same name, "Darwin's Game" is about a supernatural mobile game that forces players to fight each other in real life. Our main character, Kaname Sudo (voiced by Yūsuke Kobayashi), is tricked into joining the game and decides he will try and end the game for all after his friends lose their life playing it.

Why you'll like it:

"Darwin's Game" is probably one of the closest comparisons because it encompasses the greed element to "Squid Game" as well as the brutal violence. Whilst with most "battle royale" stories, the contestants are not really given a choice to participate and kill, in both series, most characters are actively choosing to participate for the money or other personal reasons. Hence every character is morally grey whether they are heroes or villains. "Darwin's Game" takes the games one step further by including supernatural abilities. Whilst it is a bit unrealistic, the anime does still have rootable characters.

Season one of "Darwin's Game" is available on Netflix.

Summary:

In "Exam," eight candidates take part in a mysterious test in order to get a lucrative job. When they arrive at the examination center, they find out it is no ordinary exam and thus work together to work out how to complete the test.

Why you'll like it:

Instead of multiple deadly games, "Exam" is a psychological thriller all set in one room yet that doesn't stop the movie from being incredibly tense as the candidates turn on each other.

Summary:

"Black Mirror" is a British sci-fi anthology series that explores futuristic technology and the dangers that might arise from them. It is a modern reworking of a 1960s anthology "The Twilight Zone," and stars many well-known names from Miley Cyrus to Bryce Dallas Howard.

Why you'll like it:

As the series is an anthology, each episode is different hence some will be more similar to "Squid Game" than others. A lot of the episodes have a thriller or horror aspect that will make you rethink how you interact with technology and other people.

All five seasons are available on Netflix.

Summary:

"Rat Race" follows a group of random people at a casino who are given the opportunity to $2 million if they are the first to get to a duffle bag with the cash 563 miles away. As the people race with their baggage, including one contestant's whole family, the tycoon Donald Sinclair (John Cleese) who organized the race and his rich friends waste their money on immature and insane bets.

Why you'll like it:

If you liked the social commentary in "Squid Game" of the elite taking advantage of working-class people and forcing them to play in sick games for their enjoyment, then you may be interested in "Rat Race." The movie is a comedy so do not be expecting death and violence, but it is a pretty fun two hours watching all the characters scramble for the money.

Summary:

Adapting the apocalyptic comic book series of the same name, "The Walking Dead" follows groups of survivors who try and stay alive in a zombie apocalypse. The series begins with police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) who has just woken up from a coma and ends up having to lead a group of survivors.

Why you'll like it:

"The Walking Dead" may not be a game but it is still a survival show as humans try to grapple in a world where they are no longer the biggest threat. If you love "Squid Game" for its plot twists, developed characters, and graphic violence then you'll probably like the same in this zombie series. Plus "The Walking Dead" shows the world where morals largely go out the window, just like in "Squid Game."

The final season of "The Walking Dead" is currently coming out on AMC. The other 10 seasons are also available on Disney Plus.

Summary:

Boon Joon Ho's 2013 movie "Snowpiercer" and TNT's "Snowpiercer" both adapt a French comic of the same name about an apocalyptic dystopian future. Earth is now a frozen wasteland with the remaining humans on a train called Snowpiercer that travels around the world to generate enough electricity and heat to keep them warm. The train is split into classes and the Tailies, the unexpected passengers who jumped on the train just before it left, are at the bottom of the food chain. In both the series and the movie, the Tailies revolt for equality but the series gives a more in-depth look into the revolution.

Why you'll like it:

"Snowpiercer" may not be part of the battle royale genre, but both the movie and the tv series are survival thrillers as the different parts of the train fight for their freedom and their survival. The movie and the tv series also are graphically violent like "Squid Game."

The first two seasons of "Snowpiercer" are available on TNT with a third season in the works.

Summary:

"Money Heist" is an intense Spanish drama about a group of criminals who try and pull a heist in the Royal Mint of Spain whilst being surrounded by the police. There are hundreds of plot twists as the robbers' mastermind, The Professor, plays a game of cat and mouse with the authorities.

Why you'll like it:

"Money Heist" may not be about a survival game but it is just as intense and has just as many appealing characters. "Money Heist" is also a global phenomenon.

The second half of the last season arrives on Netflix on December 3rd. The previous 4 and a half seasons are also available on Netflix.