Squid Game became a smash hit on Netflix, gripping audiences with its horrifying but impactful story and gruesome, macabre premise. The series centers around a nefarious game, where hundreds of money-stricken contestants compete for riches. But the losers don’t simply go home, they die. But the grim and terrifying tale is more than just horror, it’s a sharp and cutting critique of poverty in capitalist societies and the growing wealth gap in the developed world. If you loved Squid Game, check out our guide below to discover more shows and movies like Squid Game you’ll love!
Anyone who loves Squid Game needs to go back to the original. The genesis for every deadly game plot is the 1924 short story The Most Dangerous Game. The story follows a reclusive and wealthy hunter who has grown bored of animals and decides he needs a bigger challenge – he wants to hunt humans. He equips his captives with food and weapons and sets them loose on a remote island, letting them know that in three hours, he’ll begin hunting them. The story has inspired countless films throughout history, including the iconic 1932 adaptation, which has been widely influential in Hollywood.
For a more sci-fi take on Squid Game, check out 2015’s Circle. The movie is sort of like Squid Game combined with The Weakest Link and follows a group of 50 people who suddenly awaken in a dark room, all standing in a circle. Every two minutes, someone is killed and the group quickly discovers that they can vote for who dies next. Bigotry, social status, ageism, and other factors all influence who the group decides to kill. The big question throughout the film is who put them in the room and why?
But the two most notable similar movies to Squid Game would be The Hunger Games and Battle Royale. Both center around a group of young people who are forced to fight to the death. In Battle Royale, it’s a pilot program by a fascist government to cut down on free thinking, and in The Hunger Games, it’s to keep the poorer districts living in fear and misery, preventing them from starting a revolution. Just like Squid Game, both films have an underlying message about inequality and corrupt governments.
If you’re looking for something a little less unsettling and more action-focused, check out The Condemned. The 2007 film follows a group of prisoners who are given a chance at freedom and wealth by competing in a secret life-or-death game. They’re all transported to a remote island and only one prisoner will be able to leave. To earn their freedom, they must kill everyone else. The movie has a WWE feel to it and is great for anyone who wants something that feels less sadistic and more like a typical action movie.
Where to watch shows and movies like Squid Game Online
Check out our guide below to find out where you can watch even more shows and movies like Squid Game that are streaming online right now, like Cube, Saw, and more!
