If you’re at a loose end until Squid Game Season 2 drops, we’ve got your back. Here are 10 top movies and series from the ‘deadly game’ genre that will leave you begging for more.

10. Ready or Not (2019)

How far would you go for the approval of your in-laws? Grace (Samara Weaving - niece of Mr. Anderson himself, Hugo Weaving) is marrying into a wealthy dynasty but must follow a brutal tradition. In order to survive her wedding night, she must be hunted down by her new family. Ready or Not is a dark satire with a star turn from Andie MacDowell. The film was inspired, in part, by the 2016 US Presidential election - yes, really!

9. Alice In Borderland (Series, 2020)

An obsessive gamer and his friends are trapped in a parallel universe and a deadly survival game where they face tigers, fire, floods, and samurai swords. The setting is Tokyo's empty streets. The Japanese sci-fi thriller Alice In Borderland dropped in late 2020 and production on the second series is underway for 2022.

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8. The Running Man (Movie, 1987)

Loosely based on Stephen King’s novel, The Running Man is an American dystopian action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It revolves around a television show where criminal runners must escape death at the hands of killers. Was the script a remake of the 1983 French movie Le Prix du Danger? Stream both to decide for yourself. King’s novel is so popular that Edgar Wright is in talks to direct a new adaptation.

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7. Future Diary (Series 2011–2013)

If you like animation, you will love Future Diary. A young man is forced to compete with contestants worldwide to become the God of space and time. The rivals are aided by diaries able to tell the future. Pay close attention to the opening themes with explicit foreshadowing. Animation fans will also want to check out Deadman Wonderland.

6. Rollerball (Movie, 1975)

James Caan’s Rollerball is set in a futuristic 2018 where corporations have replaced countries. The violent ‘sport’ of Rollerball has overtaken the world and star Jonathan E. (Cann) is determined to fight for his freedom. Director Norman Jewison said he was inspired by football hooligans in England and North American ice hockey matches.

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5. Most Dangerous Game (Series, 2020)‍

Dodge Maynard is terminally ill but determined to take care of his pregnant wife so he joins a deadly game. But is he the hunter or the hunted? Liam Hemsworth is pitted against Christoph Waltz’s evil mastermind. (Roku Channel, or via the Roku app available on Apple TV or Amazon Fire). Kudos also to The Most Dangerous Game (1932) involving a shipwrecked trophy hunter (Joel McCrea) on a private island owned by a Count who hunts humans.

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4. Enter the Dragon (Movie, 1973)‍

‍Enter the Dragon features a secret agent, an island, an opium lord, and a deadly martial arts contest - what’s not to like? Bruce Lee is the inside man during the tournament, showcasing his epic fighting skills. Unfortunately, Lee was injured while handling a live cobra on the set. He died (for unrelated reasons) before the release of the film. Keep an eye out for Jackie Chan who started his career as a movie extra.

3. Game of Death (aka 13 Beloved) (Movie, 2006)

How far would you go to be rich beyond your dreams? A salesman has lost his girlfriend, his job, and his car when he is offered £1m to play a game show featuring 13 secret challenges. Game of Death, from Thailand, stars Krissada Sukosol.
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2. The Hunger Games (Movie Series, 2012 - ongoing)‍

The Hunger Games series of sci-fi dystopian adventure films sees Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) take her place as one of 24 teens fighting to the death - both on set and off, it would seem! There were a lot of mishaps during filming. Sam Clafin broke his finger; Liam Hemsworth fractured his ankle; actress Jacqueline Emerson gave herself a black eye, and; J-Law went partially deaf for six days.

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1. Battle Royale (Movie, 2000)‍

Forty-two ninth-graders are on a deserted island with a map, food, and weapons. Around their neck is a collar that will explode if they break any rules. The winner is the last one standing - but if more than one survivor remains, they all die. Lead actor Tatsuya Fujiwara is superb and, remarkably, none of the actors used stunt doubles. Plans for a US version of the Japanese movie were shelved after the Hunger Games debut in 2012.
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Honorable Mention

Honorable mention goes to... Brazil’s 2016-2020 series 3% (above), a post-apocalyptic thriller set in the near future where a select few are allowed to join a privileged society at a price.

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