Buzz
Anyone who knows me is aware of my deep obsession with horror films, and within this genre, Battle Royale is by far my favorite subgenre. If you devoured Squid Game on Netflix (and if you haven't, what have you been doing?), and you’re still craving more (welcome to the club), you’ve come to the right place. While this genre is a bit rare (compared to others, that is), there are a few hidden gems that will give you that same pulse-racing, mind-bending experience. To save you the trouble, I've put together a list of shows and films you should add to your watch list right away. A quick heads-up: some of these aren't in English, but as Bong Joon-Ho famously said, "Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films."
1. Alice in Borderland
The show most commonly compared to Squid Game is Alice in Borderland. In this series, Arisu, a talented gamer who never fully realized his potential, suddenly finds himself trapped in a deserted version of Tokyo. To survive, he must compete in life-or-death games and avoid getting shot in the head by an enigmatic force. Surviving each game earns him a limited-time "visa" before being thrown back into yet another game. Naturally, alliances are formed, friendships are tested, and betrayal is inevitable.
2. As the Gods Will
Don’t grumble about your life being dull—Shun Takahata did, and the next day, he found himself caught up in a deadly school game. Much like Squid Game, the first round is a version of Red Light, Green Light (the Japanese version is Daruma-san ga koronda)—with death as the price for losing. The following games are equally perilous and chaotic, featuring basketball, Kagome Kagome, and Kick the Can.
3. Liar Game
A college student is invited to participate in a mysterious reality show called Liar Game, only to discover that she has walked into a psychological survival contest where participants thrive by deceiving one another. The greatest trickster wins—naturally—earning a large cash prize.
4. Battle Royale
In the iconic film that paved the way for countless death games, 42 ninth-grade students are stranded on a deserted island. But this isn't a vacation—an explosive collar is locked around their necks, and they are given the task of killing each other. Armed with a map, food, and an assortment of weapons, they are told that only the last survivor will be allowed to leave the island.
5. Hunger Games
Is Suzanne Collins' series inspired by Battle Royale? Perhaps. But that doesn't diminish the impact of this widely known book and movie franchise about a deadly competition set in a dystopian future. (And don't forget there's also the more recent prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, to add to your watchlist.)
6. 3%
If you're searching for mentally challenging games with minimal bloodshed, this dystopian Portuguese show is exactly what you're after. Every year, a set of tests is given to each 20-year-old. Those who fail aren't subjected to violent fates, but they are banned from entering an idyllic island called the Offshore and condemned to live in poverty forever. The most shocking part? Only 3 percent of the participants make it through (that's even lower than the acceptance rate at Harvard!).
7. Memories of the Alhambra
Though not exactly a death game, this series certainly involves both games and deadly consequences. The Netflix Korean drama centers around an advanced AR game, blending genres like sci-fi, fantasy, adventure, and romance. Forget the augmented reality you know; this version is far more intricate, letting players see through a contact lens, making it impossible to tell the difference between game and reality. But when a glitch causes users to feel pain and die from their injuries, CEO Yoo Jin‑woo must track down the missing game coder to uncover why this is happening—and how to stop it.
8. Belko Experiment
You might have your issues with corporate life, but at least you're not forced to kill your coworkers. An average day at the office takes a dark turn when 80 employees at Belko Corp. in Bogotá, Colombia find themselves locked inside their building (forget the usual 9 to 5), and given the task of killing each other—with nothing but staplers and hole punchers. To make things worse, explosive devices are implanted in their heads, set to detonate if they refuse to comply.
9. Would You Rather
The classic game takes on a brutal twist when it’s revealed that the winner will receive a massive sum of money. It sounds great at first, but as the game continues, it becomes clear why only one winner walks away with the cash—because only one person is left alive.
10. Escape Room
Escape rooms are practically made for this genre—this particular one has six strangers thrown into a series of challenging rooms for a chance to win a fortune. If you've ever participated in an escape room, you're familiar with the ticking timer; however, in this case, failure to beat the clock means death. These contestants quickly realize that the penalty for failing to solve the puzzles is far more dangerous than they expected.
11. Cube
A cult classic for good reason, The Cube is the original escape room. A group of strangers wake up inside a giant cube (without any idea how or why they’re there) and must find their way through a labyrinth of similarly-shaped rooms, each filled with deadly traps. The Kafka-esque nature of the scenario exemplifies the slow descent into madness that the human mind can experience.
12. King's Game
Starting at a new school is tough, but it gets even tougher when you're thrown into a deadly game. Instructions arrive via text message from someone known only as "The King," and everyone in the class is forced to participate. Nobuaki Kanazawa has a bit of an advantage—he hasn't made any friends, so there are no emotional ties. Unfortunately for him, he's already played the game before at his old school, meaning he's all too aware of the agonizing choice he faces: Save his classmates or focus on his own survival.
13. Zero: Ikkaku Senkin Game
Zero Ukai is a middle school teacher with an interesting side hustle. Acting as a modern-day Robin Hood, he steals money from criminals to return it to the victims. But his noble actions catch the attention of a twisted, wealthy man, forcing Zero into a deadly game at an amusement park where 100 billion yen is on the line.
14. Kaiji
Based on the famous manga, this live-action series follows Kaiji Itou, a man deeply trapped by his gambling addiction. Unable to repay his massive debts, he accepts a shady offer to participate in an illegal gambling event on a cruise ship. What ensues is a thrilling, dangerous mix of mind games, including rock-paper-scissors, Japanese Mahjong, and a high-stakes tissue raffle.
15. The Running Man
If you're looking for a classic take on the death game theme, check out this 1987 film starring a prime Arnold Schwarzenegger. In this action-packed thriller, he plays a man who must fight to survive in a deadly game. Based on an early Stephen King novel published under his pen name, Richard Bachmann, this film brings a vintage twist to the genre.
16. Circle
In this gripping sci-fi thriller, 50 strangers awaken in a dark room, only to discover they are being executed one by one according to a set of mysterious rules imposed by an unseen force. As they realize they must choose one person to survive, the film delves deep into one of humanity's most troubling philosophical questions: What makes a human life valuable?
17. Ready or Not
If you're a fan of the deadly childhood games featured in The Squid Game, then this 2019 horror flick is a must-see. It follows a newlywed bride who must fight to survive a night filled with a dark and twisted version of the classic game of hide and seek.
18. Saw: The Series
Wrapping up this list is perhaps the most iconic American death game franchise of all time. A word of caution: if you're squeamish about blood and gore, this may not be the series for you. However, you can't help but admire the ingenuity of its deranged serial killer—and the brutal physical and mental challenges he subjects his victims to.
