The 8 Show is a South Korean dark comedy thriller series created by Han Jae-rim. Based on a Naver webtoon titled Money Game and Pie Game by Bae Jin-soo, the Netflix series follows the story of eight cash-strapped people as they participate in a mysterious game that gives them money just to be present but as time progresses things start to go a bit crazy. The 8 Show stars Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-hee, Park Jeong-min, Lee Yul-em, Park Hae-joon, Lee Zoo-young, Moon Jeong-hee, and Bae Seong-woo. So, if you love psychological drama and dark comedy with brilliant performances in The 8 Show here are some similar shows you could watch next.
Alice in Borderland (Netflix)
Alice in Borderland is a Japanese sci-fi survival thriller series created by Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, and Shinsuke Sato. Based on a graphic novel of the same name by Haro Aso, the Netflix series follows the story of an obsessive gamer Arisu as he is transported to an emptied-out Tokyo with his two friends where people take part in dangerous games to survive. Alice in Borderland stars Kento Yamazaki in the lead role with Tao Tsuchiya, Ayame Misaki, Ayaka Miyoshi, Aya Asahina, Nijirō Murakami, Dori Sakurada, and Yuri Tsunematsu starring in supporting roles.
Squid Games (Netflix)
Squid Games is a South Korean survival thriller series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk. The Netflix series follows the story of a cash-strapped down-on-his-luck middle-aged man who accepts an invitation to take part in children’s games alongside hundreds of people like him but losing a game means losing his life. Squid Games stars Lee Jung-jae in the lead role with Jung Ho-yeon, Wi Ha-joon, Gong Yoo, Anupam Tripathi, Lee Yoo-mi, Lee Byung-hun, Heo Seong-tae, Park Hae-soo, Kim Joo-ryong, and O Yeong-su starring in supporting roles.
The Society (Netflix)
The Society is a teen mystery drama series created by Christopher Keyser. The Netflix series follows the story of a group of teenagers who return from a school trip and find that the people in their town have mysteriously disappeared and a dense forest appears surrounding the town. With no adult present the students must establish rules to create a harmonious community but the only problem is that they are teenagers. The Society stars Kathryn Newton, Gideon Adlon, Sean Berdy, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Jacques Colimon, Olivia DeJonge, Alex Fitzalan, Kristine Forseth, Jose Julian, Alexander MacNicoll, Toby Wallace, and Rachel Keller.
Panic (Prime Video)
Panic is a teen drama series created by Lauren Oliver. Based on a 2014 book of the same name by Oliver himself, the Prime Video series follows the story of a group of recently graduated students who take part in the annual Panic Competition with the grand prize of $50,000 which will help the winner escape their small Texas town of Carp, now the only question how far the students are willing to go to win. Panic stars Olivia Wench, Mike Faist, Ray Nicholson, Camron Jones, Enrique Murciano, Rachel Bay Jones, and Nancy McKeon.
Death Parade (Hulu)
Death Parade is a Japanese psychological thriller anime series created by Yuzuru Tachikawa. Based on a 2013 short film titled Death Billiards, the anime series is set in The Quindecim Bar where games are hosted for the recently deceased player to determine the fate of their souls. Death Parade’s English voice cast includes Alex Organ, Jamie Marchi, Jad Saxton, Robert McCollum, Charles Bolton, Morgan Garrett, and Jeremy Schwartz.
Tomodachi Game (Crunchyroll & Prime Video Add-On)
Tomodachi Game is a Japanese mystery thriller anime series directed by Hirofumi Ogura. Based on a manga series of the same name by Mikoto Yamaguchi, the 2022 anime series follows the story of high school student Yuuichi Katagiri who values friendship above all but when all of them are abducted and thrown into a debt repayment game which can only be won if they don’t doubt their friends, but hidden secrets, lies, and betrayal make them grow suspicious of each other.
Liar Game (Not Available in the U.S.)
Liar Game is a Japanese psychological thriller drama series directed by Hiroaki Matsuyama. Based on a popular manga series of the same name by Shinobu Kaitani, the 2007 series follows the story of a trusting and gullible young woman Nao who takes part in the mysterious Liar Game in which the participants are given large sums of money and by lying to each other out of it, after losing miserably and going into a considerable amount of debt Nao seeks the help of a genius con man to win the game. Liar Game stars Erika Toda and Shota Matsuda in the lead roles with Soichiro Kitamura, Soko Wada, Mayuko Iwasa, Makoto Sakamoto, Yoshiyuki Morishita, and Shingo Ippongi starring in supporting roles.