If you loved Squid Game, chances are you’re a fan of high-stakes survival dramas that mix intense action, mind games, and psychological battles. There’s something irresistible about these shows—the thrilling competitions, unexpected twists, and deep social commentary keep you hooked.
While Squid Game is a masterpiece in its own right, there are plenty of other shows and movies that deliver similar adrenaline-pumping content. From deadly games to impossible choices, these stories push characters to their psychological limits and explore the darker sides of human nature.
So, if you’re on the hunt for more edge-of-your-seat entertainment, here are seven must-watch thrillers and top shows like squid game like Squid Game, ranked from worst to best based on audience reviews!
Let’s Dive into the list of Must-watch thrillers
7. Countdown – A Deadly App Predicts Your Fate
Overview
What if an app could predict the exact moment you would die? Countdown dives into this chilling idea with a mix of horror and suspense.
The Plot – A Race Against Time
A nurse downloads an app that claims to predict the exact time of a person’s death. At first, she laughs it off, but when her own countdown shows only two days left, she starts to panic. As people around her start dying exactly when their countdowns hit zero, she scrambles to break the curse before it’s too late.
Why You Should Watch It
It’s got that same edge-of-your-seat tension as Squid Game, where time is your biggest enemy. The concept is refreshingly unique, making it a fun watch. The horror and mystery elements keep you on your toes.
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Where to Watch: Available on Amazon Prime
6. The Belko Experiment – Corporate Horror at Its Best
Overview
Imagine your average day at the office turning into a fight for survival. The Belko Experiment takes the concept of a social experiment to twisted new heights.
The Plot – Work or Die
Employees at a corporate office in Colombia are suddenly told they must kill a certain number of their colleagues within a time limit, or everyone will die. At first, it seems like a sick joke—until the bodies start piling up. Trapped inside the office, survival instincts kick in, and alliances are quickly formed and broken.
Why You Should Watch It
It’s a brutal, fast-paced thriller that will remind you of Squid Game‘s deadly premise. The movie explores human nature in extreme survival situations. Unexpected twists and a shocking ending will keep you guessing.
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Where to Watch: Available on Amazon Prime
5. Circle – The Ultimate Psychological Test
Overview
This minimalistic yet mind-blowing sci-fi thriller puts morality and survival instincts to the test in the most intense way possible.
The Plot – A Deadly Voting System
50 strangers wake up in a dark room, standing in a circle. Every few minutes, they must vote to eliminate one person. The game continues until only one remains. As they strategize and form alliances, ethical dilemmas force them to question their own humanity.
Why You Should Watch It
Similar to Squid Game, it forces characters to make impossible moral decisions. The minimalist setting keeps the focus on psychological battles. The unpredictable ending will leave you pondering long after the credits roll.
Genre: Sci-Fi, Psychological Thriller, Drama
Where to Watch: Available on Netflix.
4. The Eight Show – A High-Stakes Game of Wealth
Overview
A Korean survival drama that blends the best elements of Squid Game and Kaiji, focusing on money, manipulation, and the psychology of greed.
The Plot – Time Equals Money
Eight contestants are locked inside a mysterious building. The only rule? Their money increases based on how high their room is in the building. Every hour they spend inside earns them more cash. But there’s a twist—time can be extended, increasing their prize money but also intensifying the challenges they face. With constantly changing rules, psychological mind games, and betrayals, this show keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Why You Should Watch It
Just like Squid Game, it explores greed and desperation in extreme conditions. The unpredictable twists and constant cliffhangers make it highly addictive. The psychological battles between characters will leave you questioning whom to trust.
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Where to Watch: Available on Netflix.
3. Night Has Come – A Deadly Classroom Survival
Overview
Night Has Come is a South Korean thriller series that blends mystery, survival, and psychological tension in a high school setting.
The Plot – Life or Death Voting Game
A group of students goes on a school trip, only to find themselves trapped in a secluded building. They receive anonymous messages on their phones, instructing them to vote for one of their classmates to be eliminated. But “eliminate” doesn’t mean expulsion—it means death. As fear grips the students, they try to resist the game, but there’s a catch: if no one votes, everyone dies. The tension escalates as friendships turn into rivalries, and trust becomes a rare commodity.
Why You Should Watch It
Similar to Squid Game, it explores the dark side of human nature in desperate situations. It has a supernatural horror element that adds an eerie twist to the story. The fast-paced start keeps you hooked, and the mystery unfolds in a gripping way.
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Supernatural Horror
Where to Watch: Available on Viki.
2. Escape Room – A Puzzle of Life and Death
Overview
Imagine entering an escape room where every puzzle is deadly, and failing means instant death. Escape Room offers just that—a thrilling survival movie packed with high-intensity challenges.
The Plot – No Ordinary Escape Room
A group of strangers is invited to participate in an escape room challenge for a huge cash prize. However, they soon realize that the rooms are filled with deadly traps, and failure is not an option. As they work together to solve complex puzzles, they uncover a sinister secret behind the game. The fast-paced nature of the movie makes it impossible to look away.
Why You Should Watch It
Similar to Squid Game, it features contestants trying to survive a game they didn’t sign up for. The puzzles are clever, and the life-or-death stakes make it thrilling. The sequel, Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, is even more intense!
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Horror
Where to Watch: Available on Amazon Prime Video.
1. The Platform – A Dystopian Nightmare
Overview
A Spanish psychological horror film that takes survival themes to the extreme, The Platform is a metaphorical take on social hierarchy and wealth inequality.
The Plot – A Deadly Vertical Prison
Prisoners are placed in a multi-level tower, with a floating platform of food descending from the top floor. Those on the upper levels get first access to the food, leaving scraps (or nothing) for those below. As the days pass, starvation leads to madness, and survival turns into a brutal fight for resources. The movie questions morality, greed, and the extent to which people will go to stay alive.
Why You Should Watch It
Like Squid Game, it’s a thought-provoking social commentary. The concept is unique and horrifying, making it an unforgettable experience. It’s an intense psychological thriller with shocking twists.
Genre: Psychological Horror, Thriller, Sci-Fi
Where to Watch: Available on Netflix.
Conclusion: Must-watch thrillers
If you’re craving more Squid Game-style thrillers, these top shows like Squid Game are perfect for you. Whether it’s the mind games of Night Has Come, the social commentary of The Platform, or the nerve-wracking tension of Escape Room, each of these titles brings something unique to the survival genre and makes them must-watch thrillers
So grab some popcorn, brace yourself, and dive into these intense, adrenaline-pumping stories!
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Anime Genres
