Picture: Netflix
Squid Game became a massive global hit for Netflix thanks to its savvy critique of wealth inequality and predatory capitalism, bolstered by award-winning performances and vivid visuals. But what if you just like Squid Game for the games?
Competition reality shows have been a mainstay of the Netflix catalogue since well before Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk made everyone want to play “Red Light, Green Light.” And Netflix continues to host an array of licensed and Original competition shows from around the world featuring everything from physical battles to strategy games. There are plenty of reality competition shows to feed your fighting spirit well after you’ve binged Squid Game‘s final season.
Here are the best competition reality shows on Netflix:
Squid Game: The Challenge (2023)
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 10
Original Language: English
Dubbed Languages: Spanish, Korean, & 17 more
After Squid Game took the world by storm, Netflix bet that people would want to play “Glass Bridge” and marbles in real life — minus the deadly consequences for losing. When they announced Squid Game: The Challenge, 81,000 people applied to compete for a $4.56 million prize. Contestants are eliminated through various games until three players face off in the final round. A second season is confirmed for later in 2025.
Run for the Money (2022)
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 4
Original Language: Japanese
Dubbed Language: English
Cast: Jiro Sato, Asei, Ano
Netflix has the streaming rights to one season of the ongoing Japanese TV show Tōsō-chū, listed under the English title Run for the Money. It’s essentially a large-scale game of hide and seek. This season sets a bunch of Japanese celebrities — and Minho of the South Korean boy band Shinee! — loose in a theme park that looks like the Netherlands to hide from a group of intimidating, masked men in suits. If the hunters find and tag the players, they’re out.
Holey Moley (2022)
Seasons: 4
Episodes: 45
Original Language: English
Dubbed Languages: none
Cast: Rob Riggle, Jo Tessitore, Steph Curry
Another licensed TV series comes courtesy of the ABC network in the United States. Holey Moley is extreme miniature golf, with elaborate holes featuring ridiculous obstacles. Golfers need good putting and even better balance to win the $25,000 prize. The Muppets even play a part in Season 4. Consider Holey Moley homework before Happy Gilmore 2 premieres on Netflix July 25, 2025.
Floor is Lava (2020)
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 20
Original Language: English
Dubbed Languages: Italian, Polish, & 6 more
Cast: Rutledge Wood
The Netflix Original series Floor is Lava is based on the playground game of the same name. Teams of family members and friends leap across a series of absurd obstacles to reach the goal without falling into the “lava” below. Netflix dubbed the first season in Hindi and added funny commentary from actor Jaaved Jaaferi, giving it its own catalogue entry under the name Lava Ka Dhaava. No word on any season 4, although it’s unlikely.
Ultimate Beastmaster (2017)
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 29
Original Language: English
Dubbed Languages: none
Cast: Tiki Barber, CM Punk, Terry Crews
Ultimate Beastmaster is Netflix’s answer to all things Ninja Warrior. What sets this punishing obstacle course apart is that each season features competitors from a handful of nations, and celebrity commentators like Gilles Marini from France and India’s Vidyut Jammwal are on-site to cheer on the athletes representing their countries. The good-natured banter between the commentators is a big part of the fun. All three seasons are available with dialogue in Latin American Spanish under the title Ultimate Beastmaster Mexico.
Watch Ultimate Beastmaster on Netflix
The Devil’s Plan (2023)
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 24
Original Language: Korean
Dubbed Languages: English, Hindi, & 12 more
Cast: Kyuhyun, Chuu, Boo Seung-kwan
If board games and puzzles are more your jam, check out The Devil’s Plan. Each season locks contestants in a villa for a week to play games against one another, sometimes as individuals and sometimes as teams. Those with the least amount of in-game currency are sent to jail to play an elimination game. Games are won with a mix of intellect and social strategy, which is especially interesting since the cast is a blend of ordinary people and celebrities, including actors Justin H. Min (The Umbrella Academy) and Ha Seok-jin (Crash Landing on You).
Watch The Devil’s Plan on Netflix
Don’t Hate the Player (2024)
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 9
Original Language: French
Dubbed Languages: English, Czech, & 6 more
Cast: Claude Dartois
For fans of the interpersonal conflict in Squid Game, Don’t Hate the Player might be right up your alley. 13 unprepared contestants are stranded on a beach, where they must use their wits and skills to survive and fight for a spot in a luxury villa. High-stakes games and fraught alliances put the players’ emotions to the ultimate test.
Which of these competition shows will you be watching? Let us know in the comments below!