8 gripping shows to watch if you loved Alice in Borderland
If Alice in Borderland had you hooked with its high-stakes games, psychological twists, and fight-for-survival intensity, you're not alone. The Japanese thriller has carved out a niche for fans who love stories where ordinary people are thrown into extraordinary — and often deadly — situations. Here are 8 gripping series (and one iconic film) that deliver the same adrenaline-pumping experience — and might just become your next obsession.
Squid Game (Korean, Netflix) In a mysterious competition, people in dire need of money compete against one another in lethal versions of kid-friendly games. It's a must-watch for fans of moral quandaries and high-stakes survival drama because of its vicious twists and social commentary.
2/8
Sweet Home (Korean, Netflix) A group of flat dwellers must band together to survive after a mysterious incident turns people into monsters. Similar to the tense survival tone of Alice in Borderland, this horror-thriller combines powerful action, eerie atmosphere, and emotional storytelling.
3/8
Tomodachi Game (Japanese Anime, Crunchyroll) To pay back an enigmatic debt, a group of friends from high school are coerced into playing a psychological game. In a gripping story full of turns and psychological warfare, friendships are put to the test as lies and betrayals transpire.
4/8
Darwin’s Game (Japanese Anime, Netflix/Crunchyroll) Unknowingly, a high school student signs up for a lethal mobile app game that gives users superhuman powers. It's fast-paced, full of cunning tactics and rising stakes, and it offers the same deadly competitive thrill as Alice in Borderland.
The 8 Show (Korean, Netflix) Eight people stranded in a high-rise are made to take part in an odd reality show in exchange for cash; the longer they stay, the more they get paid. However, it becomes a sinister social experiment due to psychological breakdowns, mind games, and isolation.
6/8
Liar Game (Japanese Drama) Contestants must deceive others in order to win a sizable sum of money, but losing results in debt that can change a person's life. If you enjoyed Alice in Borderland's puzzle-style games, this game is ideal for you. It is strategic, intelligent, and manipulative.
7/8
3% (Brazilian, Netflix) Only 3% of applicants in a dystopian society advance to a privileged paradise after a harsh, multi-phase selection process. An international hit with strong Hunger Games and Borderland vibes, it features moral conflict and high emotional stakes.
8/8
Battle Royale (Japanese Movie, Prime Video or rental) This cult classic greatly influenced the survival game genre, despite not being a television program. The government forces a class of students to fight to the death. Gritty, unvarnished, and eerie, it helped create shows like Alice in Borderland.
