5 Gripping Foreign Series Coming To Netflix In 2025 For ‘Squid Game’ Fans

Squid Game fans spent the holidays binge-watching the new season and playing the accompanying video game of the Korean hit sensation, making it the top show and game on Netflix.

Season two of the series from creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk and starring Lee Jung-jae topped the non-English TV list with an incredible 68 million views in its first week on the streamer, ranking No. 1 in 92 countries. Squid Game broke the record for most views for a show in its premiere week and broke into the Most Popular List in record time. Previously, Wednesday broke that record in 2022 with its first season with just over 50 million views.

Millions of fans participated in activations worldwide. Six million online fans in ten countries and 52,000 in-person fans gathered for fan activations, which drove a record three billion impressions that surpassed that of the first season.

The show’s multiplayer video game, Squid Game: Unleashed, reached the No. 1 spot with the action game on the App Store in 57 countries and made it to the No. 1 spot as the Top Free Game in 24 countries.

Because of Squid Game, more than 80% of Netflix members globally watch K-content films and series. As fans anxiously await the third and final season, which will premiere later this year, they can also look forward to these five foreign series coming to Netflix with equally gripping and intricately woven storylines.

Last Samurai Standing (Japan)

Based on the novel “Ikusagami” by Shogo Imamura, this series has been described as “Shogun meets Squid Game.” The story is set in the late 19th century during the Meiji period and takes place at the Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto. Come nightfall, 292 skilled warriors gather, lured by the promise of a grand prize of 100 billion yen. Amongst them is Shujiro Saga, who has entered this game to save his ailing wife and child.

El Eternauta (Argentina)

For this series, think The Last of Us with snow in Argentina. The story takes place after a deadly snowstorm that kills millions of people. Juan Salvo, alongside a group of fellow survivors, must fight against an alien threat that is controlled by an invisible force in this thriller premiering this year.

El Refugio Atómico (Spain)

This new series comes from Álex Pina, who is well-known for the Netflix hit Money Heist. His latest series is just as ambitious and exciting. The story follows a group of billionaires as the end of the world is coming, and they’re forced to hide with their enemies. This eight-episode series will premiere soon.

Néro (France)

It’s 1504 in the South of France and Néro, a cynical and surly assassin who is betrayed by his master and long-term ally, has to run from the dangerous enemies now after him. He soon discovers his orphaned daughter, Perla, and on their journey between vengeance and redemption, Néro will have to choose between saving himself or saving his daughter and the world. Viewers will be able to binge-watch this eight-episode series in the coming months.

Celda 211 (Mexico)

After getting trapped in a prison during a bloody riot, a human rights attorney pretends to be a prisoner to save himself. On the other side of the bars, in survival mode, he embarks on a chilling, life-changing journey. This thrilling limited series will be available for binge-watching soon.

Part of the Squid Game appeal was watching the players take mind-boggling risks all in the name of surviving to the next level and winning the life-changing money. Each of the five series listed here is also centered on the remarkable will to succeed and survive impossible odds.

With titles from every corner of the planet, it shows that despite our many differences, we are much more alike than not. These fascinating stories and characters are reminders to never underestimate the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.