Squid Game became a global phenomenon upon its 2021 debut, and while the Netflix series’ ending has proven somewhat controversial, its best episodes explain its popularity. Squid Game changed the game for international series on Netflix, proving the right story and themes could draw audiences worldwide.
And all three seasons of Squid Game are compelling, even if some viewers believe the show should have ended after season 1. While the split format of seasons 2 and 3 — and some of the turns the final episodes took — was questionable, some of the show’s best installments come from its later outings.
Overall, the greatest additions to Squid Game are the ones that blend the titular tournament’s stressful and horrific nature with strong emotional beats and thoughtful commentary. Viewers are likely to remember them long after their credits are finished rolling.
“One More Game”
Season 2, Episode 5
Squid Game season 2 receives a lot of flak because it’s an incomplete story, but it features some of the best games of the series — and the six-legged race is an example of that. Although this game technically begins in “Six Legs,” Gi-hun and the other main characters don’t get their shot at the pentathlon until “One More Game.”
And “One More Game” is an anxiety-inducing installment of the Netflix series, reminding viewers what makes it such a thrilling watch. Seeing Squid Game season 2’s new players work together to complete this challenge is invigorating, and the characters’ energy will get audiences just as into it.
In addition to offering a high-stakes, high-energy installment, “One More Game” proves an interesting character study of the people around Gi-hun, like Jung-bae and In-ho. “One More Game” isn’t the most emotional or thought-provoking episode, but it still has all the things that make Squid Game great.
“Bread And Lottery”
Season 2, Episode 1
“Bread and Lottery” has led to complaints that Squid Game season 2 starts off too slowly, but in reality, the season 2 premiere is a masterfully written installment. “Bread and Lottery” gives Squid Game‘s Salesman an intriguing backstory, and it perfectly encapsulates the themes of the Netflix series.
The Salesman’s “bread or lottery” challenge demonstrates how often people will choose the potential to gain riches or win big over immediate needs. This cycle, unfortunately, keeps many impoverished — and it’s precisely why people vote to continue the titular tournament.
While Squid Game season 2’s premiere is a masterclass in episodic storytelling, its lack of action and the fact that it’s detached from the main story prevent it from ranking higher among the series’ best episodes. It’s a divisive installment, to be sure, but it’s intentional and thoughtful.
“One Lucky Day”
Season 1, Episode 9
Squid Game season 1’s finale is, surprisingly, not the most hard-hitting installment in the first outing. However, it’s still a memorable conclusion to Gi-hun’s first tournament, and it leaves a powerful impact ahead of season 2. “One Lucky Day” features the final showdown between Gi-hun and Sang-woo, and it’s every bit as dark and devastating as it should be.
Additionally, “One Lucky Day” features a major twist regarding Oh Il-nam — and while it undoes the impact of an ever better episode, it’s a genuinely surprising turn of events. Gi-hun’s bet with the other man also drives home the reality that humans can choose to do the right thing far better than Squid Game‘s actual series finale.
“One Lucky Day” also sets the stage for later outings impressively, even if Gi-hun’s revenge doesn’t pan out as well as anyone hoped. The season 1 finale is genuinely a great episode, though beyond Gi-hun and Sang-woo’s fight, it’s missing some of the intensity of superior chapters.
“O X”
Season 2, Episode 6
By far, one of the most chaotic and anxiety-inducing games in Squid Game is Mingle, and that makes season 2’s “O X” one of the show’s most gripping installments. The stress the characters experience while trying to form groups of the correct number is palpable, and it makes watching this episode a fully immersive experience.
There are also some shocking turns throughout this chapter, from In-ho choking someone to save his group to Yong-sik being pulled away from his mother mid-game. Young-mi’s death ensures that “O X” is heart-wrenching in addition to shocking, blending Squid Game’s strengths perfectly.
The bathroom brawl at the end of “O X” also takes certain character arcs in surprising directions, upending viewer expectations in satisfying ways. There are episodes that go deeper into the Netflix show’s themes, but “O X” must be included in any top 10 ranking.
“Front Man”
Season 1, Episode 8
Sometimes, the lead-up to a series finale is even better than the finale itself, and that’s the case with Squid Game season 1’s “Front Man.” Although both installments are among Squid Game’s top 10 episodes, “Front Man” proves just a little better than the season 1 finale. Its emotional beats are the reason why.
Jun-ho’s story wavers in later outings, but his narrative is nearly as gripping as the tournament itself in season 1 — and it reaches its climax in “Front Man.” This episode sees Jun-ho realizing the truth about his brother: that In-ho isn’t dead after being in the competition; he’s actually the person running it.
Their heartbreaking encounter and Jun-ho’s ambiguous fate are enough to bring this installment into Squid Game‘s top 10, but the tensions between the final three players are also masterfully done. The end of this episode sets up Gi-hun’s showdown with Sang-woo well, though it’s more emotion than action, and a few better episodes manage to mesh both.
“001”
Season 2, Episode 2
Squid Game season 2 doesn’t immediately bring viewers back into the eponymous tournament, but “001” sees Gi-hun finally rejoining the competition — and it’s as tragic and intense as you’d expect. While Gi-hun’s first game in season 2 isn’t as gripping as season 1’s opening, it still makes for great television.
Viewers will be biting their nails, even knowing what’s coming. And the fact that Gi-hun warns a disbelieving group of competitors about the deadly nature of the games adds layers to “001.” It finds an impressive way to make a familiar round of Red Light, Green Light feel fresh all over again.
The survivors still voting to continue the tournament speaks to Squid Game‘s exploration of how desperate people often make terrible choices. And of course, “001” concludes on one of the best cliffhangers of the series: that the Front Man will be participating as Player 001. It’s lacking the emotional depth of a few better installments, but “001” is still great.
“Red Light, Green Light”
Season 1, Episode 1
Squid Game has one of the strongest series openings in years, landing its season 1 premiere in its top five episodes overall. “Red Light, Green Light” wastes no time throwing players (and viewers) into the action, with its shock ending demonstrating how high the stakes of the tournament really are.
In fact, the final moments of “Red Light, Green Light” are likely responsible for Squid Game‘s viral success, as they take the story from zero to 100 in minutes — and that perfectly sets the stage for what’s to come. The earlier portions of the episode make sure to get us invested in Gi-hun’s story though, painting a picture of a person with realistic and relatable problems.
Because this is an opening episode, it doesn’t have the emotional weight of several later installments, which benefit from viewers knowing who the characters are. But based on the world-building and shock factor alone, this episode still comes in ahead of most of Squid Game‘s installments.
“VIPs”
Season 1, Episode 7
While the VIPs are Squid Game‘s most controversial characters, they arrive during one of the show’s best overall installments: season 1, episode 7, “VIPs.” This episode reveals how twisted the titular tournament really is, acknowledging that rich and powerful people from all over the world are gaining entertainment and profit from it.
This adds layers to Squid Game‘s central narrative, though the VIPs aren’t the sole reason for this chapter’s high ranking. This episode also introduces Glass Stepping Stones, a game that sees the players crossing a glass bridge, with squares that can hold the weight of two people and squares that will break instantly beneath them.
The players are forced to deduce which squares are which with limited knowledge, making for an intense addition to the series. The tensions benefit this installment, as does Jun-ho’s storyline, which places him in nearly as much danger as the contestants. “VIPs” falls short of just two episodes, both of which are just as high-stakes and even more emotional.
“The Starry Night”
Season 3, Episode 2
Squid Game season 3 may be the weakest chapter of the series, but it contains the series’ second-best episode: “The Starry Night.” The second installment of season 3 places the characters in a game of hide-and-seek — and it kills many fan-favorites, just after they managed to survive Gi-hun’s uprising in season 2.
The deaths of characters like Hyun-ju and Yong-sik are gutting all on their own, but Squid Game season 3, episode 2 also contains the show’s darkest twist of all: Jun-hee giving birth in the middle of the game. While viewers don’t learn the baby will be a contestant until later, this development is disturbing and unexpected.
Gi-hun’s pursuit of Dae-ho during “The Starry Night” also adds to its greatness, as it shows that even Gi-hun can be turned against the other contestants and have his rage weaponized. The tournament brings out the worst in people, and this installment is a stark reminder of that. It’s intense, emotional, and only topped by one season 1 chapter that’s all those things and more.
“Gganbu”
Season 1, Episode 6
Without question, the greatest episode of Squid Game is season 1’s “Gganbu,” during which the contestants play a deadly game of marbles that results in several major character deaths. These are all heavily emotional, but the worst of them is the fakeout death of Oh Il-nam, which manages to be the season’s most devastating moment.
It’s not just the apparent death of Player 001 that makes “Gganbu” so heart-wrenching; it’s Gi-hun’s response to the situation, as well as the regret and guilt he feels after taking advantage of his friend. Even if Gi-hun isn’t as ruthless as Sang-woo during this game, this installment proves even the best players are far from perfect, especially with their lives on the line.
It’s a testament to Squid Game‘s writing and acting that the best episode features one of the quietest games. Marbles somehow manages to be as hard-hitting and intense as the more physical and violent challenges throughout the show. It’s all down to how well-crafted “Gganbu” is. This masterpiece installment perfectly conveys Squid Game‘s themes without missing a beat.
