The countdown has officially begun! With Squid Game Season 2 creeping closer and Netflix recently dropping the “You’re Invited” teaser, the hype is unreal. Gong Yoo? Returning? The subway station? Get back in the game? Yes, please! While we wait for the new season to hit our screens, why not dive into the best survival game shows that will keep your adrenaline pumping? These shows are packed with thrilling challenges, deadly games, and psychological tension that will get you just as hooked as Squid Game itself.
It’s safe to say we’re all eagerly waiting to see how the games will unfold this time around. But while we wait, there’s no reason why we can’t dive into other survival game shows that will keep our adrenaline pumping. Whether you’re a fan of psychological mind games or pure survival of the fittest, this list of shows will give you that same edge-of-your-seat excitement. So, grab a snack, settle in, and get ready to explore seven survival game shows that will get you hyped for Season 2!
Watch the Squid Game Season 2 Teaser Below
Check Out The Best Survival Game Shows That Are Must Watch
The 8 Show
First up is The 8 Show, which has been making waves recently with its gripping storyline and intense psychological twists. Imagine being buried under a mountain of debt and your only way out is a bizarre game where survival is literally the key to your financial freedom. Eight contestants find themselves in this exact predicament, and, to win, they must survive under extreme pressure, while their every move is watched.
The show dives deep into human behaviour when money and desperation mix. If you loved Squid Game’s exploration of trust, betrayal, and the price of survival, then this series starring Ryu Jun-yeol and Chun Woo-hee will have you glued to your screen, counting down each contestant’s moves as they battle for their lives and futures.
Battle Royale
Before Squid Game, before The Hunger Games, there was Battle Royale. This iconic Japanese film laid the foundation for the survival genre. Think about it: a class of high school students is sent to an island where the rules are simple — fight to the death until one person remains. No alliances can protect you from the looming threat of betrayal, and the tension between friends-turned-enemies makes for some truly heart-wrenching moments.
If you’re in the mood for a classic survival game with high stakes and unrelenting suspense, this movie is a must-watch. It’s one of those films that shaped the genre and inspired the kind of cutthroat competition that Squid Game brought to life.
Alice in Borderland
Next on the list is Netflix’s Alice in Borderland. If you’re still recovering from the rollercoaster that was Squid Game, this show will definitely fill that survival-game-shaped hole in your heart. Ryohei Arisu and his friends are transported to an empty, alternative version of Tokyo, where they’re forced to compete in a series of increasingly deadly games.
The characters in this show are ordinary people thrust into extraordinary and dangerous circumstances. From physically demanding challenges to psychological puzzles, the games test everything from their wit to their will to survive. Plus, the tension and mystery surrounding why they’re stuck in this deadly game world will keep you hooked until the very end.
As the Gods Will
If you’re a fan of the supernatural twist in your survival shows, As the Gods Will is the perfect blend of terrifying and intriguing. Imagine showing up to school one day, only to be greeted by a series of games controlled by strange, god-like beings. And, of course, losing the game means losing your life.
Directed by Takashi Miike, this film is packed with jaw-dropping, heart-pounding moments as each game grows more sinister. The first challenge, a deadly version of Red Light, Green Light, will definitely remind you of Squid Game’s opening game, and things only get crazier from there. The dark, supernatural elements take this survival genre into chilling new territory, making it a must-see for fans of twisted narratives.
Panic
Amazon Prime’s Panic takes survival games to a different level. It’s not about death here, but the risk is no less real. Set in a small town, the high school graduates take part in the annual “Panic” competition to win a massive cash prize that could change their lives. But the price of winning? Facing their worst fears and pushing their limits like never before.
The tension in Panic doesn’t come from lethal stakes, but from the risks the contestants take and the lengths they’ll go to for a chance at freedom from their small-town lives. If you’re looking for something intense but a little more grounded, this show brings the suspense and drama without the bloodshed.
3%
The Brazilian series 3% gives us a dystopian future where only 3% of the population gets the chance to escape poverty and live in the utopian “Offshore.” To win a spot, citizens must pass a series of gruelling tests that challenge their intelligence, endurance, and morality.
The stakes here are high — life on the Offshore means escaping a bleak, desperate existence, but the competition is fierce, and not everyone plays fair. This series offers a sharp commentary on class, inequality, and the human cost of ambition. If you loved the way Squid Game highlighted the dark side of wealth and poverty, this show will definitely resonate with you.
Liar Game
Finally, we come to Liar Game, a show that is less about physical survival and more about psychological warfare. The contestants are thrown into a game where trust and deception rule. The goal? Outwit your opponent and walk away with a fortune. But the twist? You can’t trust anyone.
The show is all about manipulation, strategy, and outsmarting your opponents, and the tension never lets up. If you’re fascinated by mind games and psychological tension, this drama delivers that in spades, making it a perfect complement to the more physically intense survival shows on this list.
Are you as excited for Squid Game Season 2 as we are? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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