10 Shows to Watch While You Wait for Squid Game Season 3

In 2021, when Squid Game first aired, it wasn’t expected to become the global sensation and Netflix’s top TV series ever, amassing over two billion hours of viewership. Since then, this dark and merciless drama has solidified itself as one of the most impactful and compulsively watchable shows in recent history. Given its unprecedented success, it was clear that Netflix would go to great lengths to keep Squid Game from being a one-time phenomenon. However, there was an issue: while creator Hwang Dong-hyuk had concepts for more seasons of his show, he didn’t have any definite plans in place.

As a devoted fan, I must admit, it’s been an agonizing wait of three years since we last dived into the high-stakes world of Squid Game. But fear not! The anticipation for Season 3 in Summer 2025 is something to truly look forward to. However, that premiere date seems like a distant dream, more than half a year away – so what’s a fan to do until then? While there isn’t another show identical to Squid Game, there are numerous pulse-pounding TV series that could satisfy your craving for tension and suspense.

Squid Game: The Challenge

In the reality TV show, Squid Game: The Challenge, no one will face an immediate, violent death if they lose a challenge, unlike its source material, Squid Game. However, it manages to capture the same captivating tension and raw desperation as the original. Much like its fictional counterpart, this show gathers 456 participants in a confined space and pits them against each other. The games resembling those from Squid Game are present, albeit without the graphic violence and gore that characterized the original series.

2023 saw the birth of Squid Game: The Challenge, masterminded by executive producer Stephen Lambert. Contrary to a hidden elite orchestrating events from behind the scenes, there’s an enormous cash prize at stake instead. With a whopping $4.56 million jackpot, it’s safe to say that each of the 456 competitors gave their all as if their actual lives were at risk.

Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

In one of his references, Dong-hyuk acknowledged the anime “Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor” as a significant influence on “Squid Game.” The similarities are quite evident. This Japanese anime series revolves around a man deeply in debt, seeking a solution to his financial woes. In an attempt to escape his money problems, he participates in a secret competition involving games that demand both skill and chance. However, here’s the twist: if you lose any of these games, it results in your demise. Doesn’t that ring a bell?

Although some may perceive Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor as a copycat of Squid Game, both series offer distinctive approaches that justify their acclaim. In the case of Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor, it’s not just about mastering the game, but also understanding and manipulating your adversary’s thoughts – a crucial aspect that sets it apart.

Alice in Borderland

In the vein of Haro Aso’s manga, “Alice in Borderland” narrates a tale about video game enthusiasts who mysteriously end up in an emptied-out version of Tokyo City. This alternate reality compels them to navigate through its desolate streets and encounter a sequence of deadly games they must participate in, much like the Korean series “Squid Game”. The show is steeped in suspense and an ever-present atmosphere of foreboding.

This series frequently has a feel resembling a video game rather than a typical TV program, incorporating elements like occasional betrayals and challenges that require the characters to solve mysteries to advance their storyline. Similar to other entries on this list, it may be prudent not to develop strong emotional bonds with any one character as unexpected heartache and sorrow can arise when you least anticipate it.

Hellbound

Hellbound stands out among the other shows on this list, which is definitely a positive note. In an imagined reality, angels arrive on Earth to warn individuals labeled as sinners of their impending doom. However, unlike many uplifting series, these sinners are not given a path to redemption; instead, they are informed that their time on Earth will soon expire and that they will be taken to the underworld. But this isn’t an ordinary demise. Far from it. They won’t meet their end through common means. Instead, they will encounter a small band of enigmatic, powerful entities made of smoke who will mercilessly attack them before sending them to hell.

The series Hellbound, which captivated viewers after its creation by Yeon Sang-ho – renowned following the success of his film Train to Busan – consists of twelve episodes spread across two seasons. Ideal for a weekend binge, this show offers an engaging blend of mystery and intrigue that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

All of Us Are Dead

When you mix a highly contagious zombie virus with a crowded high school, you create an engaging thriller filled to the brim with drama and tension. And don’t forget, it also features plenty of flesh-eating zombies that can be just as dangerous as a typical teenage love triangle.

The series “All of Us Are Dead” presents some very intense situations that make it an engaging watch. Similar to “Squid Game“, this show delves into the power struggles and political machinations that are prevalent in almost every aspect of daily life. Moreover, with the suspenseful element of zombies lurking around each corner, “All of Us Are Dead” serves up a fair share of exciting drama to keep you on tenterhooks.

Snowpiercer

If you enjoy stories about power struggles and social classes, then you might want to check out Snowpiercer. This series is a reimagining of the 2013 movie with the same title. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where Earth has become an icy wasteland. To ensure survival, a colossal train is built and divided into carriages that function as a social hierarchy. The more influential a person is, the further forward they reside on the train.

Just like the captivating series Squid Game, Snowpiercer delves into a deeper enigma, concealing the roots of its corrupted societal structure. As a fan, I’m thrilled to dive into this intriguing world populated by characters played by the talented Sean Bean, Jennifer Connelly, and Daveed Diggs. With four action-packed seasons and 40 episodes at your disposal, Snowpiercer could easily become your go-to binge until Season 3 of Squid Game graces our screens.

Silo

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say that, much like the gripping narrative of Snowpiercer, the Apple TV+ series Silo takes us on a journey through a post-apocalyptic landscape. However, instead of a train, the characters in this series find themselves residing within an immense subterranean structure known as the Silo. This colossal complex spans over 100 levels, each dedicated to various functions such as agriculture, mechanical maintenance, and more.

Yet, beneath its seemingly orderly facade, the world within the Silo is far from perfect. The inhabitants are governed by stringent rules, led to believe that the surface above is contaminated and uninhabitable. But as the story unfolds, nothing remains as straightforward as it initially appears.

If you appreciate mysteries with well-developed characters set in intricate universes, give Silo a try. It offers a complex plot that keeps audiences on their toes, and its subterranean backdrop creates an atmosphere of tension. The series also boasts high-quality production and captivating acting, with Rebecca Ferguson delivering a standout performance in the main role.

Money Heist

Similar to numerous other series on this list, “Money Heist” is a program delving into the complexities of class conflicts. Originated by filmmaker Alex Pina, “Money Heist” unfolds the narrative of a cunning criminal mastermind who assembles a band of desperate outlaws to execute an audacious heist that promises immense riches. As one could anticipate from a series centered around a heist, events don’t always follow the script, leading to captivating tension.

If you’re in the mood for a series with visuals similar to “Squid Game”, consider “Money Heist”. The characters don red jumpsuits, a distinctive feature of the show. With numerous unexpected plot twists, “Money Heist” will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing what’s going to happen next. While it may not be as gruesome as “Squid Game”, it certainly doesn’t lack in captivating content.

The Purge

If you’re searching for a series as intense as “Squid Game”, I recommend checking out “The Purge”. Set in a future ruled by the authoritarian New Founding Fathers of America (in the year 2027), this show is based on a popular film franchise. Each year, a 12-hour period is designated for all crimes to be legal, a measure intended to fulfill the darkest desires of Americans and promote peace in the nation. However, things often escalate beyond control during this annual event.

Once more, the recurring motif of power and class conflicts dominates the series. In “The Purge”, we witness the harrowing journeys of multiple central figures who encounter numerous nightmares on Purge Night. Similar to “Squid Game”, this intense drama delves into the lengths people might take to survive in the face of extreme violence.

LOST

Among the most acclaimed series from the recent era, “Lost” made a significant impact when it debuted in 2004. This show chronicles the struggles of a group of individuals who endure a plane crash on what appears to be an uninhabited island. As they persevere, they gradually uncover hidden mysteries about the island that may prove more dangerous than the crashed aircraft itself.

Originally developed by Jeffrey Lieber, J. J. Abrams, and Damon Lindelof, the series Lost stands out as an iconic mystery-thriller. Despite some plot twists not always holding up and numerous unanswered questions about the island, Lost has solidified its status as one of television’s most impactful shows. With 121 episodes, delving into this captivating tale will undoubtedly make the wait for Season 3 of Squid Game feel a bit more tolerable.

All of these series are available on various streaming platforms.

2025-01-13 22:42