The best death game movies and TV series have a way of making fans feel as if they’re alongside the players risking their lives. Picture this: You’ve just woken up in a strange room with no clue where you are. A voice comes on through a speaker and announces that the game is officially underway. The object of the game? To make it out alive by any means necessary. It’s a pretty dreadful thought if it were to happen in real life. But to watch this scenario unfold on screen can actually be quite entertaining.
Movie franchises like Saw have made bundles of money with brand-new iterations of the very concept of death games. But are there many best death game options out there? Some films have taken the genre and put a unique spin on it, adding much-needed life to the death games. So which film or TV show will be the last one standing?
15 ‘Nerve’ (2016)
Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman
Image via Lions Gate Entertainment
Blending the stakes and concepts of a death game with the nightmarish world of social media, hype culture, and widespread peer pressure, Nerve is one of the most unique takes on a death game out there. The film follows the story of high school senior Vee (Emma Roberts), who finds herself pressured into joining the popular online game Nerve, a wild game of truth or dare consisting of “watchers” and “players.” As the dares prove to get more and more dangerous, Vee suddenly finds her entire livelihood and family at risk when she attempts to stop playing the game.
Coinciding with the darker sides of the internet and its uncanny ability to achieve widespread desensitization to heinous and vile material, Nerve explores a chaotic extension of how far social media can go. While at first glance, combining the worlds of social media and death games wouldn’t make for a compelling match, the film’s genuine worldbuilding and ability to set up genuine stakes makes it an exciting watch. Even if it is far from the most polished film in the world, its attempts to tap into various unexplored themes easily make it commendable in its efforts.
Nerve
Release Date June 27, 2016
Runtime 96
14 ‘Danganronpa: The Animation’ (2013)
Directed by Seiji Kishi
Adapted from the first in a series of widely beloved visual novel video games, Danganronpa: The Animation sees everyday student Makoto Naegi lucky enough to win a lottery to attend Hope’s Peak Academy, the seemingly perfect school where only the best students attend. However, as soon as he arrives at school, he and the 14 other students find themselves trapped in the confines of the school with no way of escape. To make things worse, a sadistic teddy bear appears, saying that to escape their prison, one student must kill another and get away with it without getting caught.
While many other adaptations of video games make a conceited effort to change and adapt their stories for new mediums, Danganronpa: The Animation does an exceptional job of bringing the first game in the series to life with a beautiful animation style. While it certainly comes with some of the narrative hurdles of translating a 25-hour visual novel into a 5-hour miniseries, it still features a lot of the best death game attributes of the franchise. The miniseries proved to be popular enough that a sequel series, that acted as both a sequel to the miniseries and a sequel to the games, was released soon after.
Watch on Crunchyroll
13 ‘Death Race 2000’ (1975)
Directed by Paul Bartel
Image via New World Pictures
Another dystopian future, another death game televised for the public’s amusement. Death Race 2000 features a story detailing a TV show created by the rebuilding U.S. government in an attempt to distract citizens from the harsh realities of their country. With zany characters like Frankenstein (David Carradine) and Joe “Machine Gun” Viterbo (Sylvester Stallone), Death Race 2000 leaned into its pulpiness.
What sets Death Race 2000 apart from other death game movies is its over-the-top production and trendsetting approach (not to mention its wacky costumes). Made in 1975, Death Race 2000 was one of the earliest entries into the genre, paving the way for films following a similar path. The entertaining 1970s B-movie never took itself too seriously as it offered interesting commentary on social rebellion.
Death Race 2000 (1975)
Release Date April 27, 1975
Director Paul Bartel
Runtime 84
12 ‘Escape Room’ (2019)
Directed by Adam Robitel
Image via Columbia Pictures
Largely touted as one of the best PG-13 entry points for death games to younger audiences and those who can’t stand the more gory, R-rated attributes of many of these films, Escape Room is simple yet effective fun. The film follows six strangers who, after solving a mysterious yet difficult cube puzzle, are invited out to compete in a top-notch escape room with a $10,000 prize. When they arrive, however, they soon realize that the stakes are much higher and that their lives are on the line if they don’t make it through the rooms fast enough.
Combining the classic death game concept with the increased interest and success of escape rooms in recent memory, it was only a matter of time before a film like Escape Room was created. The biggest strength of the film is easily the vast reaches of creativity that went into the different room designs as well as the puzzle solutions for each room, inviting the audience to play along in finding the solutions. While it’s certainly more family-friendly and tame compared to other death games, its vast creativity makes it a must-watch as one of the most effective death game movies.
11 ‘The Running Man’ (1987)
Directed by Paul Michael Glaser
Image via TriStar Pictures
Based on Stephen King’s novel, The Running Man follows Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a police helicopter pilot who has been accused of committing a massacre. After he is sent to prison, he escapes with the help of two men, but is eventually caught. Richards is then given the option to appear on a sadistic TV show in which he must flee from armed mercenaries in an attempt to win a pardon.
The Running Man received a lukewarm from both critics and audiences alike upon its release. The movie does leave a lot to be desired, but the film’s influence and impact on future works is undeniable. The Running Man also delivers the typical Arnold experience that every movie fan can enjoy.
The Running Man
Release Date November 13, 1987
Director Paul Michael Glaser
Cast Arnold Schwarzenegger , Maria Conchita Alonso , Yaphet Kotto , Jim Brown , Jesse Ventura , Erland van Lidth
Runtime 101
10 ‘The Platform’ (2019)
Directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
A movie that aims to leave more of an impression with its social commentary rather than its sheer brutality, The Platform’s story is rather simple. In the near future, prisoners are sent to a tiered facility where they are assigned one cellmate in a single room. The only catch? Their only food source is a buffet style that sits on a platform that lowers into the room from the top and continues down to the next level below. The table only has a certain amount of food. So if a prisoner is assigned a cell on the very bottom, they will starve.
There is more than enough food to go around for each of the prisoners. But the mindset of “I’ve paid my dues” strikes true for many of the prisoners, feeling like they have already suffered enough and deserve to be rewarded. The film does a solid job of sharing its worldview without hitting it being too hamfisted. The Platform offers a unique take on the genre and should be a must-watch for any horror fan.
The Platform
Release Date March 20, 2020
Cast Ivan Massagué , Zorion Eguileor , Antonia San Juan , Emilio Buale
Runtime 94 minutes
Watch on Netflix
9 ‘Ready or Not’ (2019)
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
Image via Searchlight Pictures
While death games normally see themselves revolving around a large group of people each fighting to survive dangerous circumstances, Ready or Not condenses the death game action onto the quest of a singular player. The film follows Grace (Samara Weaving), who, on the night of her wedding, has her new in-laws spin a wheel to decide which children’s game will induct her into the family. After it lands on Hide and Seek, it quickly becomes apparent that the stakes are insurmountably high, as the rest of the family has until sunrise to hunt her down and kill her.
Ready or Not takes the divides and complications of dealing with new in-laws and amps it up to chaotic, death-game extremes, telling a hilarious story of bloodshed, betrayal, and fighting to stay alive. What makes the film work as exceptionally well as it does is the leading performance from Weaving, who does a great job at embodying the wrath and unending will to live as she fights through hell and back to make it to sunrise unscathed.
Ready or Not
Release Date August 21, 2019
Runtime 95 Minutes
8 ‘Cube’ (1997)
Directed by Vincenzo Natali
image via Lions Gate Entertainment.
Cube follows a simple story. Five people enter a room with no knowledge of how they got there. They soon realize that they are trapped in an elaborate maze with several rooms that appear to be booby-trapped. After failing to find a way out of their newfound prison, the five people slowly begin to turn on each other.
Despite its seemingly bare-bones story, Cube offers a tense and wild journey in the film that is wrapped in thrilling mystery. The movie is filled with a sense of dread as the players in the Cube’s game slowly lose hope of ever returning to their everyday lives. Even its very first scene, where a clueless player is quietly but brutally killed, is more than enough to send a chill down any viewer’s spine and sets the tone for the rest of the film.
Cube (1997)
Release Date September 9, 1997
Director Vincenzo Natali
Cast Nicole de Boer , Nicky Guadagni , David Hewlett , Andrew Miller , Julian Richings , Wayne Robson , Maurice Dean Wint
Runtime 1h 30m
Watch on Tubi
7 ‘3%’ (2016 – 2020)
Created by Pedro Aguilera
Set in a dystopian future where people are impoverished and struggling to survive in the Inland, 3% depicts the spine-chilling tradition of choosing 20-year-old individuals who compete in “The Process” for a chance of moving to virtual paradise, “Offshore.” Each candidate goes through grueling and dangerous tests – in the end, only 3% remain.
The show made history by being the first Portuguese-language Netflix original, and offers a fun (and often terrifying) story full of well-written characters. Its death game is unsurprisingly inextricably linked with social commentary about the consequences of the widening gap between the rich and poor, as well as the lengths the elite will go to in order to maintain the status quo. It’s a great pick for audiences willing to explore international entries on Netflix.
Watch on Netflix
6 ‘Would You Rather’ (2012)
Directed by David Guy Levy
While many death games are quick to have an increased emphasis on either the game at hand or the deadly results, Would You Rather intelligently places its focus on the human psyche and the psychopathic nature of its game. The film sees a desperate young woman, looking to find funds for her ill brother, choosing to compete in a deadly game of Would You Rather, hosted by a sadistic philanthropist who enjoys seeing the suffering of others. The game sees people going against their ethics and committing painful acts in the name of money, as this ringleader embellishes his power over the poor.
Would You Rather’s greatest strengths are easily its quandaries and themes of capitalistic greed and abuse of power, acting as an incredibly ahead-of-its-time take on the death game genre. A good reason why the film’s themes and effectively abhorrent nature are expressed so well is the brilliant performance from Jeffrey Combs as the main villain and host of the game, Shepard Lambrick. His combination of glee, charm, and toxicity make him one of the most compelling yet despicable characters in fiction, as he does a perfect job playing up the worst aspects of capitalism in a singular character.
Watch on Hulu
5 ‘The Hunger Games’ (2012)
Directed by Gary Ross
Image via Lionsgate
Based on the popular book series by author, Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games helped introduce the death game genre to an entirely new generation. Starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games tells the story of a dystopian future where young people participate in a televised set of twisted games that test their ability to survive whatever deadly challenge is thrown their way.
The Hunger Games grossed just under $700 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable movies of 2012. The movie also cemented Lawrence as a bona fide movie star. The Hunger Games gave the genre one of its most accessible entries, while still staying true to its roots. The film was brutal, but in a blockbuster kind of way.
4 ‘Saw’ (2004)
Directed by James Wan
Image via Lionsgate Films
Saw is the film that launched one of the highest-grossing horror franchises with some of the most gruesome and unique death games ever seen on film. The brainchild of Australian filmmakers James Wan and Leigh Whannell, Saw follows the story of Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) and Adam Stanheight (Whannell). Both men have woken up in a decrepit room, chained to the walls. They are then given instructions by the mysterious Jigsaw (Toby Bell) that they are there for a reason, and must his game in order to make it out alive.
Saw is as shocking as it is well-made. The tension is cranked up to a 10 throughout the entire film and there is never a moment in which the characters ever feel “safe.” There is also a sense of real mystery in the film, an element that is severely lacking in the subsequent sequels. Saw is razor-sharp in its execution, leaving its influential mark on the death game genre.
Saw
Release Date October 1, 2004
Runtime 100
3 ‘Alice in Borderland’ (2020 – )
Directed by Shinsuke Sato
Image via Netflix
Alice in Borderland tells the story of Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) and his band of gamer friends. When they mysteriously emerge onto the streets of a desolate version of Tokyo, the group soon realizes that they must compete in a series of twisted games in order to survive. With no other choice but to play along, the friends do what they do best. Game.
Alice in Borderland came out before Squid Game, but was never able to catch the same amount of fanfare. But that doesn’t mean the show is any lesser because of it. Alice in Borderland is a great entry into the genre, offering an original take that breathes fresh life into the death game concept. Very few shows have ever captured the feel of being in a ruthless video game as Alice in Borderland.
Alice in Borderland (2020)
Release Date December 10, 2020
Cast Kento Yamazaki , Tao Tsuchiya , Nijirô Murakami , Eleanor Noble
Seasons 2
2 ‘Battle Royale’ (2000)
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Image Via Toei Company
Taking place in the near future, the Japanese government has instituted a mandatory game where dozens of teenage students are transported to a secret island where they must face off and kill each other in a twisted attempt to curve juvenile violence in the outside world. Seems pretty reasonable, huh? Upon its release, the film received harsh criticism for its brutality and subject matter, all involving teenagers.
Over 20 years later, Battle Royale is now recognized as an influential film that has inspired TV shows, films, and video games. The concept of a “battle royale” has peaked in popularity in recent years, with the game Fortnite leading the way. Battle Royale is now known not only as one of the best death game films, but among the greatest Japanese movies fans of the genre should see.
Battle Royale
Release Date December 16, 2000
Director Kinji Fukasaku
Cast Tatsuya Fujiwara , Aki Maeda , Tarô Yamamoto , Takeshi Kitano , Chiaki Kuriyama , Sosuke Takaoka
Runtime 114
1 ‘Squid Game’ (2021 – )
Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk
Image via Netflix
Netflix’s international sensation, Squid Game offered a refreshing take on the death game genre. The story focuses on people who have fallen on very hard times. They are each offered a chance to escape their troubles. All they have to do is win a few simple games, and they’ll win a small fortune. Seems a little too good to be true, right? Well, that’s because it is.
The most popular death game Netflix show, Squid Game wasted very little time in showing viewers just how brutal the games will be. Losers don’t go home, they die. The stakes offered incredible tension because no one character is safe. Few shows have ever been as willing to dispose of central characters as Squid Game. The sense of dread gave the story meaning and the characters a purpose. Squid Game offered the death game genre a glimmer of humanity.
Squid Game
Release Date September 17, 2021
Cast Wi Ha-joon , Anupam Tripathi , Oh Yeong-su , Heo Sung-tae , Park Hae-soo , Jung Ho-yeon , Lee Jung-jae , Kim Joo-ryoung
Seasons 1
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