Netflix released the second season of the Korean drama Squid Game in December 2024, following a nearly three-year hiatus. This extended break did not diminish the anticipation surrounding the series, as it launched at No. 1 in 92 countries, making it the most-watched Netflix series in its debut week. The dystopian thriller masterfully combines compelling characters, engaging games, high stakes, and themes such as class struggle and the futility of existence. While some viewers may consider it excessively violent, the series has garnered widespread acclaim and affection worldwide. The conclusion of the second season left audiences on a cliffhanger, intensifying their eagerness for the next installment.
Netflix has begun to promote the third season of the series, set to premiere in June-July 2025. In the meantime, there is an abundance of shows and films that fans of Squid Game may enjoy. While Squid Game will always hold a special place, these thrilling series, filled with suspense and compelling narratives, can evoke a similar sense of tension and excitement, making them worthwhile alternatives to explore.
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Shows & Movies to Watch While You Wait for Squid Game Season 3
1. Beast Games

OTT Platform- Amazon Prime Video
Beast Games shares significant similarities with Squid Game, highlighting the grotesque misuse of power and underscoring a troubling perspective on humanity’s worthiness of survival. Created by YouTube sensation MrBeast, the series pits 1,000 contestants against each other for a staggering grand prize of $5 million, marking the largest payout ever in game show history. The show features elements of brutality, chance, and despair that can be unsettling to viewers, leading several contestants to initiate legal action against both Amazon and MrBeast.
There are ten episodes in this series and it stars MrBeast, Karl Jacobs, and Chandler Hallow.
2. Panic

OTT Platform- Amazon Prime Video
Panic is a young-adult series that premiered shortly before Squid Game and was discontinued after its first season. Nevertheless, viewers interested in the concept of individuals risking their lives for a chance to win substantial financial rewards may find it appealing. The narrative unfolds in the struggling town of Carp, Texas, where graduating seniors participate in a contest known as ‘Panic.’ In this high-stakes competition, they must undertake perilous challenges to secure a prize of $50,000, which would enable them to escape their town. The series explores themes of economic desperation, akin to those presented in Squid Game.
There are ten episodes of 45 minutes each in the series, and it stars Olivia Scott Welch, Mike Faist, and others.
3. All of Us Are Dead

OTT Platform- Netflix India
All of Us Are Dead is a highly acclaimed Netflix series that centers on a zombie virus outbreak within a high school, where students are compelled to battle against flesh-eating creatures. The unique aspect of this narrative is that these monsters were once their fellow classmates just moments before. Adapted from the webtoon Now At Our School, the series offers a novel perspective on the zombie genre, transforming typical classrooms into brutal arenas. It also delves into themes reminiscent of Squid Game, such as the corruption of authority and the misuse of power as the virus extends its reach beyond the school premises.
The series has thirteen episodes of 1 hour each and has been renewed for season two as well. It stars Park Ji-hin, Yoon Chan-young, and Cho Yi-Hyun.
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4. Hellbound

OTT Platform- Netflix India
If you enjoyed Squid Game 2, you should definitely consider giving Hellbound a try. This K-Drama, adapted from the webtoon ‘Hell’, uniquely blends horror with moral dilemmas. The story unfolds as angels descend upon Earth to inform sinners of their impending deaths, leading to their transport to hell by monstrous beings that brutally punish them. This phenomenon captures the attention of the world, including a religious cult that interprets it as divine retribution for humanity’s increasing moral ambiguity. The series explores a range of intricate themes.
It has twelve episodes in two seasons of 25 minutes each. The show stars Aria Song, Kim Hyun-Joo, Kim Shin-rock, & others.
5. Escape Room

OTT Platform- Amazon Prime Video
The film depicts six individuals who are unexpectedly placed in a sequence of challenges for the opportunity to win a substantial cash prize. While a typical escape room has a time limit, these contestants are filled with dread upon discovering that failure to solve the puzzles could lead to their demise. This psychological thriller has even spawned a sequel titled “Tournament of Champions,” where the survivors of the deadly trials find themselves ensnared in a fresh set of treacherous rooms.
The movie stars Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, and Jay Ellis.
6. Alice in Borderland

OTT Platform- Netflix
This Japanese science fiction thriller is based on a Manga comic of the same title. It centers around three young individuals who are unexpectedly and inexplicably transported to a desolate version of Tokyo City. They encounter enigmatic guides and receive cryptic instructions that compel them to engage in a series of perilous games. The series is rich in mystery, with both seasons delving into themes of futuristic science fiction. These games jeopardize the contestants’ lives, while an overarching enigma looms regarding the identity of the puppet master orchestrating their participation.
There are two seasons spanning seventeen episodes of 50 minutes each. It stars Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya, and Nijro Murakami.
7. Dr. Brain

OTT Platform- Apple TV+
This psychological sci-fi thriller from Korea centers on a neuroscientist who creates a method for transferring memories between individuals, motivated by a desire to explore a family tragedy. Comparable in intensity to Squid Game, the narrative delves into the complexities of accessing the thoughts of both the deceased and the living, offering a vivid portrayal of this process. Additionally, the series is rich in emotional depth, which propels the storyline forward.
The series has six episodes of one hour each and stars Lee Sun-kyun, Park Hee-soon, and Um Tae-goo.
8. Black Mirror

OTT Platform- Netflix India
Black Mirror is a science fiction anthology series that explores the unsettling aspects of life intertwined with technology. Set in a perplexingly dystopian future, it follows various characters as they confront the insidious influences of advanced technology on their personal lives and actions. Renowned for its darkly satirical tone, each episode features a unique cast, setting, and even alternate realities, delving into the implications of technological progress.
The series has six seasons spanning 33 episodes of one hour each. It stars Wunmi Mosaku, Monica Dolan, and Daniel Lapaine.
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9. Money Heist

OTT Platform- Netflix India
This Spanish heist drama, which premiered on Netflix in 2017, quickly became a worldwide sensation. The series centers on a group of thieves who meticulously plan to rob both the Royal Mint of Spain and the Bank of Spain. It stands out as one of the most significant cultural phenomena of its time. While both Squid Game and Money Heist feature characters donning masks to conceal their identities, they present contrasting social dynamics. In Squid Game, masked individuals serve the interests of the elite, whereas in Money Heist, the masked figures are criminals who redistribute their stolen wealth to those in need. Money Heist delves into themes of social inequality, making it a compelling choice for fans of Squid Game.
The show spans across two seasons with a total of 17 episodes. It stars Lee Jung-jae, Greg Chun, Tom Choi, and others.
10. 3%

OTT Platform- Netflix India
3% is a Brazilian dystopian science fiction thriller that follows a group of young individuals vying for a chance to enter a wealthy society called the “Offshore,” leaving their impoverished community, known as Inland, behind. The series explores themes of dystopia and features unexpected plot developments reminiscent of Squid Game. It has become the most searched sci-fi show on Google and has been trending worldwide since the launch of its fourth season.
It has four seasons with a total of 33 episodes of 49 minutes each. The series stars Bianca Comparato, Vaneza Oliviera, Rodolfo Valente, and others
So, these are the ten shows/movies you can binge-watch if you loved Squid Game Season 2. Have you already watched any of these? Or do you have any suggestions that you feel should be added to this list? Let us know in the comments section below.
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