Squid Gameseason 1 was one of the better pieces of dystopian media in recent years. It had a lot to live up to, given the success of series likeThe Hunger Games. TheKorean-language Netflix serieswas up to the challenge, shocking and compelling international audiences.
Unfortunately for the show, the premiere season seemed more like lightning in a bottle than the creators had hoped. Ever since its strong debut,things have gone downhill for the series.Squid Gameseason 2, while still setting record viewership, had an ending that frustrated many viewers.
Squid Gameseason 3released the show’s final six episodes, with many audiences quickly binge-watching the series to completion. However, the reception hasn’t been the most positive, andSquid Gameseason 3 has only a 50% Popcornmeter among audiences.
This has left viewers in need of a great dystopian movie or TV show. There is still a while to wait for the nextHunger Gamesinstallment, which is scheduled for November 2026, but there are two Stephen King adaptations in the coming months that could fill this void.
Running Man & The Long Walk Are Releasing In Fall 2025
Both Surprisingly Have Survivalist & Competitive Elements
King adaptations have already had a big year so far, but that trend is about to get even more significant. This September and November, respectively, will see the releases ofThe Long WalkandThe Running Man.
The Long Walk, which King originally published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, was the first novel the now-famed author ever wrote. It centers around a group of teenage boys who are forced to compete in a competition where they must continuously walk at a certain speed or risk being shot. This will be the first screen adaptation of the story.
The Running Manwas previously adapted in 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the leading role, but this year will see a version byEdgar Wright. Glen Powell portrays Ben Richards, who competes in a game show where he has 30 days to survive, while people are sent out to kill him.
BothThe Long WalkandThe Running Manare set in dystopian settings and feature similar competitive but deadly elements. Survivalist mindsets drive its lead characters, and both involve major and majorly messed-up competitions.
Running Man & The Long Walk Explore Similar Squid Game Themes
This Includes Greed, Human Desperation, & More
The Long WalkandThe Running Manare not that far off fromSquid Gameon a thematic level. Firstly, they both touch on ideas of greed. InSquid Game,the characters need money to pay off their debts, which motivates them to continue staying in the game.There is a similar hubris that would drive someone to think they could win the Long Walk competition.
InSquid Game, characters also have to pay off huge debts, often tied to their families.
At the same time,the leads are also driven by a sense of desperation.AsThe Running Mantrailerreveals, Ben is out of work and looking to pay medical bills for his sick child. InSquid Game, characters also have to pay off huge debts, often tied to their families.
All three stories are set in worlds where powerful people take advantage of those who are financially desperate. As such, the narratives present similar social structures. Albeit using different plot lines and styles, they all operate within a similar framework.
Running Man & The Long Walk Are Tonally Different
It’s A Nice Change Of Pace From Squid Game Season 3
Despite some overlapping plot elements,The Running ManandThe Long Walkare tonally disparate fromSquid Gameseason 3.The Long Walkis the darkest film of the bunch. The trailer has made it clear that this project is leaning into the grittiness in its social critique.
By comparison,Squid Gamesprinkles in more comedic character moments. However, it mostly leans into its melodrama in a way that is distinct from TV, and especially common within the K-drama space.The Running Man, especially under Wright’s direction, will have occasional witty lines,but will not look likeSquid Game.
This will create a welcome change of pace in the dystopian genre afterSquid Gameseason 3. Part of the differences may stem from differing cultural presentations of dystopia. Either way, the upcoming King adaptations will be a different experience from the Netflix hit series.
These Stephen King Movies Are The Perfect Replacement For Squid Game Season 3
Especially For Anyone Craving More Survivalist Content
Even with their differences, these King adaptations are greatSquid Gameseason 3 replacements now that the show has wrapped up. The films will be particularly great for those looking for more survivalist content. Both movies will scratch this itch,presenting characters in high-stakes efforts to survive and win.
As of now, bothThe Running ManandThe Long Walkhave good chances at being hits. They arebased on beloved King novels, and his work is already on a roll this year. If they turn out as well as one could hope, this could set off a positive pattern not only for King movies but for the state of dystopian content.
The Running Man
Cast
The Running Man centers on a man participating in a perilous game show where contestants evade deadly “Hunters” in a global pursuit.
The Long Walk
The Long Walk, set to be released in 2025, follows sixteen-year-old Ray Garraty among fifty boys participating in an annual, harrowing endurance challenge. Governed by strict rules and the ominous consequence of receiving a ticket, the event underscores the chilling reality that only one can emerge victorious from this relentless competition.
Squid Game
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
