Squid Game has shaken up all the charts in just one week. The South Korean series captivated millions and became Netflix’s most-watched South Korean production. Naturally, many viewers have started searching for series similar to Squid Game and movie recommendations like Squid Game.
Today, I’ve put together some Squid Game-like series and movie recommendations that I’ve watched and enjoyed. These are productions that came to mind while watching Squid Game. If you’ve enjoyed SG and are looking for similar experiences, I highly recommend checking out these recommendations. Let’s dive in!
1.Escape Room
My first recommendation for those looking for something similar to Squid Game is:
The movie revolves around six randomly selected people who come together to solve various puzzles and participate in intriguing games in different settings to advance. You can click the button below to read reviews from viewers and find out more.
Escape Room (2019)
- Director: Adam Robitel
- Cast: Taylor Russell (Zoey Davis), Logan Miller (Ben Miller), Deborah Ann Woll (Amanda Harper), Tyler Labine (Mike Nolan)
- Release Year: 2019
- Duration: 99 minutes
- Country: United States, South Africa
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 6.4
- Similar Movies: Saw, Cube, The Platform
- Trailer: Escape Room Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Escape Room (2019) – IMDb
2.Alice in Borderland
My next recommendation is a series with many similarities to Squid Game: “Alice in Borderland”.
This series is the most similar to Squid Game on this list. Set in Tokyo, it explores what happens when a group of young people suddenly find themselves in an empty city while they are out having fun.
Alice in Borderland (2020–2022)
- Director: Shinsuke Sato
- Cast: Kento Yamazaki (Ryohei Arisu), Tao Tsuchiya (Yuzuha Usagi), Nijiro Murakami (Chishiya), Aya Asahina (Kuina)
- Release Year: 2020
- Duration: Series (40–50 min/episode)
- Country: Japan
- Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery
- Language: Japanese
- Age Rating: TV-MA
- Available Platforms: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
- Similar Movies: Squid Game, The Hunger Games, Escape Room
- Trailer: Alice in Borderland Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Alice in Borderland (2020–2022) – IMDb
3.Fermat’s Room
Another recommendation I have is “Fermat’s Room,” where chosen individuals play games and face various challenges.
This movie is about the events that unfold when four successful mathematicians who do not know each other are invited to a mysterious location.
Fermat’s Room (2007)
- Director: Luis Piedrahita, Rodrigo Sopeña
- Cast: Alejo Sauras (Galois), Elena Ballesteros (Oliva), Lluís Homar (Hilbert), Santi Millán (Pascal)
- Release Year: 2007
- Duration: 88 minutes
- Country: Spain
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller
- Language: Spanish
- Age Rating: Not Rated
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 6.7
- Similar Movies: Cube, Exam, The Platform
- Trailer: Fermat’s Room Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Fermat’s Room (2007) – IMDb
4.The Belko Experiment
The bloodiest and most violent recommendation on our list is this one… Imagine a large office filled with people. Suddenly, a series of events transforms the place into a war zone. If you’re looking for a different experience, I suggest you give this movie a chance.
The Belko Experiment (2016)
- Director: Greg McLean
- Cast: John Gallagher Jr. (Mike Milch), Tony Goldwyn (Barry Norris), Adria Arjona (Leandra Florez), John C. McGinley (Wendell Dukes)
- Release Year: 2016
- Duration: 89 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 6.1
- Similar Movies: Circle, Cube, Exam
- Trailer: The Belko Experiment Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Belko Experiment (2016) – IMDb
5.Exam
In this single-location movie, a group of people is trying to solve various mysteries in a theater. The movie gradually increases in tension, making you come up with different scenarios in real time, only to discard them one by one. I say give it a chance.
Exam (2009)
- Director: Stuart Hazeldine
- Cast: Adar Beck (Dark), Gemma Chan (Chinese Girl), Nathalie Cox (Blonde), John Lloyd Fillingham (Deaf)
- Release Year: 2009
- Duration: 101 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: Not Rated
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 6.8
- Similar Movies: Fermat’s Room, Cube, Circle
- Trailer: Exam Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Exam (2009) – IMDb
6.Novaya Zemlya
My recommendation is a more striking and real production than all the others: “Novaya Zemlya.”
This movie is a truly disturbing Russian movie, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth watching. When the number of life-sentenced criminals increases and there is no more room in prisons, they are released onto an island. Our movie is about this intense fight for survival.
Novaya Zemlya (2008)
- Director: Aleksandr Melnik
- Cast: Konstantin Lavronenko (Ivan Zhilin), Mariya Mironova (Maria), Andrey Feskov (Smolich)
- Release Year: 2008
- Duration: 115 minutes
- Country: Russia
- Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
- Language: Russian
- Age Rating: Not Rated
- Available Platforms: Not widely available
- IMDb Rating: 6.2
- Similar Movies: The Platform, Snowpiercer, The Colony
- Trailer: Novaya Zemlya Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Novaya Zemlya (2008) – IMDb
7.Circle
This movie is one of those productions you should approach with low expectations. The movie revolves around the experiences of a group of people who do not know each other and find themselves waking up in the same place. As an idea, it presents a remarkable concept, but as mentioned earlier, I would advise keeping your expectations to a minimum.
Circle (2015)
- Director: Aaron Hann, Mario Miscione
- Cast: Allegra Masters (Katie), Michael Nardelli (Eric), Molly Jackson (Zoe)
- Release Year: 2015
- Duration: 87 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
- Language: English
- Age Rating: Not Rated
- Available Platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 6.0
- Similar Movies: The Belko Experiment, Exam, Cube
- Trailer: Circle Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Circle (2015) – IMDb
8.El Methodo
This Spanish movie explores clever methods used by a group of individuals to stand out during a job interview. Though it’s a relatively unknown production, I suggest you give it a try.
El Método (The Method) (2005)
- Director: Marcelo Piñeyro
- Cast: Eduardo Noriega (Carlos), Najwa Nimri (Nieves), Adriana Ozores (Ana)
- Release Year: 2005
- Duration: 115 minutes
- Country: Spain, Argentina
- Genre: Drama, Thriller
- Language: Spanish
- Age Rating: Not Rated
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
- Similar Movies: Exam, Fermat’s Room, Cube
- Trailer: El Método Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: El Método (2005) – IMDb
9.The Platform
And finally, of course; “El Hoyo”, also known as “The Platform”…
When it comes to the struggle for survival and people in unique, intense situations, I couldn’t leave this remarkable production off the list. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, I highly recommend giving it a chance at your earliest opportunity. This movie, with a message that transcends its own narrative, will surely captivate you.
The Platform (2019)
- Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
- Cast: Iván Massagué (Goreng), Zorion Eguileor (Trimagasi), Antonia San Juan (Imoguiri)
- Release Year: 2019
- Duration: 94 minutes
- Country: Spain
- Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Language: Spanish
- Age Rating: TV-MA
- Available Platforms: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.0
- Similar Movies: Cube, Snowpiercer, Escape Room
- Trailer: The Platform Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Platform (2019) – IMDb
10.Cube!
The Cube series is also a great addition to this list, particularly for its puzzles and survival themes. If you haven’t watched it yet, don’t miss out!
Cube (1997)
- Director: Vincenzo Natali
- Cast: Nicole de Boer (Leaven), Maurice Dean Wint (Quentin), David Hewlett (Worth)
- Release Year: 1997
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Country: Canada
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
- Similar Movies: The Platform, Exam, Escape Room
- Trailer: Cube Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Cube (1997) – IMDb
