15 Survival Dramas That’ll Satisfy Your Post- Squid Game Itch

Staying alive has never looked like such a challenge

It’s been over three years since Squid Game took the world by storm on Netflix, and it still hasn’t left the cultural conversation since. The South Korean show became the streaming giant’s biggest global phenomenon to date upon its release in 2021, shattering records with over 111 million views and grossing nearly a billion dollars since the debut of its first season. Its much-anticipated second season, released in December 2024, kept with the pace, delivering just as much suspense as its first installment.

And if you’ve already burned through the Korean show’s second season and are now staring at your screen wondering what’s next, don’t stress– we got you. Below, we’ve curated a list of survival dramas to keep your heart rate up and your mind racing throughout the rest of winter.

‘The 100’ 

After a nuclear apocalypse, the survivors of mankind turn to live in international space stations in orbit. No one has set foot on planet Earth in nearly a century until 100 juvenile prisoners are sent back to the ground to test the habitability of the planet. 

‘Under the Dome’ 

Based on Stephen King’s novel, Under the Dome is a science-fiction drama that recounts the tale of a city, Chester’s Mill, that is suddenly trapped under an invisible and transparent dome that cuts them off the rest of the state, country and the world. 

‘Alice in Borderland’ 

Released in 2020, Alice in Borderland’s plot is centered around an obsessed gamer, Arisu, who suddenly finds himself in a strange, emptied-out version of Tokyo in which he and his friends must compete in dangerous games in order to survive.

‘3%’

In a society that is divided in two, the Offshore and the Inland, citizens have to go through “The Process” to have a chance at a better life, starting from scratch and away from the discrepancies, shortages, and misery that they were born in initially.  Everyone in the Inland has a chance to go through The Process but only 3% make it through.

‘Snowpiercer’

From the creator of Parasite, Snowpiecer imagines a post-apocalyptic world where survivors live in a perpetually moving train that travels the globe whilst questioning class warfare, social injustice, and what the politics of survival would like if the world came to a sudden end. 

‘Lost’

We couldn’t make a list of survivor series without including the all-time classic: Lost. Spanning across six seasons and over 100 episodes, the story develops on an abandoned island where the survivors of a plane crash have to join forces for their survival up until they realize that they are not alone on the island.

‘The Wilds’

A group of teenage girls are stranded on a desert island after a plane crash, only to discover they are part of a twisted social experiment. The show blends mystery and drama while focusing on their fight for survival and uncovering the truth behind their situation. Released in 2020, the show stars Sophia Ali and Shannon Berry and is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

‘Yellowjackets’

Blending survival horror with psychological drama, the show follows a group of high-school girl athletes as their plane crashes in the middle of the Canadian wild. The series alternates between their harrowing survival experiences and their complicated adult lives. Released in 2021, it stars Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis, and Melanie Lynskey.

‘The Society’

The Netflix original follows a group of teenagers who return from a school trip to find their entire town devoid of adults. Forced to create their own rules for survival, they must deal with shifting social dynamics and power struggles. Released in 2019, the series stars Kathryn Newton and Gideon Adlon.

‘Hellbound’

A South Korean thriller directed by Yeon Sang-ho, Hellbound revolves around supernatural beings condemning people to hell, causing widespread fear and chaos. Featuring Yoo Ah-in and Kim Hyun-joo, the philosophical thriller explores the themes of cult influence and fear, and has been streaming on Netflix since 2021.

‘Kaala Paani’

Set in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Indian drama follows the outbreak of a mysterious disease forcing residents into desperate survival conditions. The Netflix series, released in 2023, stars Mona Singh and Ashutosh Gowariker, amongst others.

‘All of Us Are Dead’

Released in 2022, All of Us Are Dead centers around high school students trapped in their school during a zombie outbreak. Featuring Yoon Chan-young and Park Ji-hu, the show blends horror with emotional storytelling while exploring the depths of friendships tested by trauma.

‘Dr. Brain’

Dr. Brain follows a neuroscientist (Lee Sun-kyun) who attempts to solve his family’s mysterious tragedies by syncing his brain with the memories of dead people. The Apple TV original brings a mind-bending take on survival and memory conservation.

‘The Purge’

Based on the popular film franchise, The Purge series expands on the concept of a 12-hour period where all crime is legal. Released in 2018 and starring Gabriel Chavarria and Jessica Garza, the show delves into societal breakdown, survival tactics, and personal vendettas. Available on Amazon Prime Video.

‘Mr. Hiiragi’s Homeroom’

Released in 2019, the Japanese series follows a teacher who takes his class hostage to uncover the truth behind a student’s death. The stress-inducing drama, starring Masaki Suda, focuses on morality, truth, and justice under extreme circumstances. Available on Hulu Japan.

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