If you’ve been thinking only about Netflix’s Squid Game for the last few days, you are not alone. The newly released K-drama has become one of the streamer’s most popular releases in days, but while Squid Game might just now be blowing up in popularity, it’s been a long time coming. In a behind-the-scenes featurette published by Netflix, director Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed he has been working on the project since around 2008, and his script went through multiple changes until it became the 9-episode drama that’s taking over the world. Squid Game was first intended to be a feature film, but somewhere along the line, Netflix bought the rights and it got turned into a series. (Fun fact: Netflix first announced the series, originally called “Round Six,” in 2019.)
Much like Parasite, another South Korean production that reached mass appeal overseas, Squid Game also tackles complex social paradigms as they relate to class and wealth, but the two films’ approach is vastly different. “I wanted to write a story that was an allegory or fable about modern capitalist society, something that depicts an extreme competition, somewhat like the extreme competition of life. But I wanted it to use the kind of characters we’ve all met in real life,” Hwang told Variety about the project. “As a survival game, it is entertainment and human drama. The games portrayed are extremely simple and easy to understand. That allows viewers to focus on the characters, rather than being distracted by trying to interpret the rules.”
While most people are already anticipating a second season, Hwang himself recently revealed that’s not in the books — yet. So, in the meantime, if you are looking for something similar to Squid Game to satisfy your craving, why not check out the movies and shows below? (Content warning: Gore and fictional violence abound in Squid Game and these similar programs, and ratings vary.)
1. Alice in Borderland
The obvious recommendation if you enjoyed Squid Game is another Netflix original series: Alice in Borderland. Released in late 2020, the series is based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso and like, Squid Game, it also centers around survival-style games — though with the added element of dystopia.
Although it flew under the radar, Netflix actually announced Alice in Borderland had been renewed for a second season just two weeks after its premiere with a small teaser so, if you enjoy season 1, there’s something to look forward to! If you are a fan of anime, there is also a three-episode OVA, but it’s quite tricky to track down.
2. Battle Royale
The debut and only novel of Japanese author Koushun Takami, Battle Royale is perhaps the reference when it comes to survival games stories. It was published in 1999 and has since been made into a seinen manga series (also penned by Takami) and a feature film directed by Kinji Fukasaku.