Squid Game: Every Episode, Ranked (According To IMDb)

Survival K-drama Squid Game is Netflix’s recent smash-hit, as viewers all over the world have become engrossed with the titular deadly game and all its players. Fan-created Squid Game memes have popped up all over because the show is so popular.

Overall, Squid Game currently has a powerful 8.3 rating on IMDb. When it comes to each episode, however, the ratings vary. There’s no doubt that the Korean series has left audiences around the world in awe, but which episodes are considered the most mind-blowing, and which are just lackluster — according to IMDb users?

9 Episode 2 – “Hell” (7.6)

Unlike nearly every other episode, “Hell” takes place mostly in the outside world rather than within the walls of the competition facility. It has a vastly different tone than the pilot episode, with slow pacing and lots of character building. Instead of tension and action, “Hell,” gives audiences a chance to get to know most of the main characters as it follows their backstories, establishing their motivations for competing in the games.

Perhaps the lack of energy in episode 2 compared to all the other episodes is what made viewers rate it so much lower than the rest.

8 Episode 5 – “A Fair World” (7.8)

In “A Fair World,” nothing too major about the story is revealed. One of the main storylines follows Byeong-gi, the doctor who secretly works with some of the game guards in order to get ahead in the competition, and his deadly downfall. Another main storyline is the developing plot of Jun-ho, the undercover officer, as he manages to break into the records room.

Some might consider episode 5 to be filler, which possibly contributes to its lower ratings. The episodes before and after “A Fair World” are both heavy hitters full of emotion and action, so it only makes sense that this one provides a bit of a lull to balance the intensity.

7 Episode 9 – “One Lucky Day” (7.8)

Episode 9 is the final episode in the series, and yet it is not nearly the highest rated. It starts with the final game between Gi-hun and Sang-woo — a brutal, bloody battle that results in protagonist Gi-hun emerging victorious. The rest of the episode follows Gi-hun’s life after the competition, then leaves audiences with a slight cliffhanger after he ultimately doesn’t board his plane.

Despite the lower rating, the episode is clearly full of big moments. And although it revealed one of the biggest plot twists of Squid Game with Il-nam exposed as the creator of the competition, it appears that the events of the finale were a bit more disappointing than viewers had hoped.

6 Episode 8 – “Front Man” (8.0)

As the title suggests, “Front Man” is the episode in which the true identity of the Front Man is finally revealed. Officer Jun-ho’s story builds up to the final moment in episode 8 when a plot twist exposes that the Front Man had been his missing brother all along. While this happens, the remaining three players prepare for the final game. It is also in this episode that Sae-byeok, one of the most likable Squid Game characters, meets her tragic ending when she is stabbed by Sang-woo after nearly bleeding out.

“Front Man” has a mid-range rating compared to the rest of the Squid Game episodes. Although it is not the highest-rated episode, an 8.0 IMDb rating is still quite impressive. Episode 8 seems to act as an intense setup for the series climax to occur in the following episode.

5 Episode 7 – “VIPS” (8.1)

Episode 7 is when the VIP characters are finally introduced after being mentioned various times throughout the series. Because of their introduction, some questions are answered, but at the same time, new ones are created. The identities of most VIPs are never actually revealed, and many viewers are still wondering about the exact details of their roles in the competition.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of “VIPS” is the episode’s eye-catching production design. The implementation of the mysterious VIP costumes, the intricate design of the VIP room, and the terrifying look of the Glass Stepping Stones game likely contribute to the overall positive rating of episode 7.

4 Episode 3 – “The Man With The Umbrella” (8.2)

A major bounce back from the lower-rated episode 2, “The Man With The Umbrella” dials the intensity back up. Major plot points of this episode include the Sugar Honeycombs game, Jun-ho beginning his undercover mission, and the forming of alliances between contestants.

By the time viewers get to episode 3, it becomes clear that there is a dramatic ebb and flow from episode to episode. Based on ratings though, viewers clearly prefer the higher stakes, action-filled episodes.

3 Episode 1 – “Red Light, Green Light” (8.4)

The first episode of Squid Game, “Red Light, Green Light,” is unsurprisingly one of the highest-rated. This dark and exciting episode gripped the audience right away, and it is safe to say that many viewers who watched episode 1 likely finished the whole series not long after.

The first half establishes Gi-hun’s backstory, but about halfway through, the concept of the competition is finally introduced. Then, the tone for the entire series is set with the first game, Red Light, Green Light, which becomes a bloody massacre of players. Amongst the chaos, viewers can still connect with selfless Squid Game characters like Ali, who held up Gi-hun during the game in order to save his life. Episode 1 is full of perfectly crafted world-building that undoubtedly contributes to its high rating.

2 Episode 4 – “Stick To The Team” (8.6)

One of the bloodiest Squid Game episodes is episode 4, “Stick To The Team.” It is in this episode that the murderous riot instigated by Deok-su occurs, perhaps the most brutal of every major death event within the series. This episode is also when Deok-su and Mi-nyeo get together, followed by the tug of war game.

The absolute wildness of the episode is likely what attributes to its majorly positive IMDb score. With so much going on during “Stick To The Team,” it’s difficult to look away at any given moment, making for an off-the-wall yet successfully engaging episode.

1 Episode 6 – “Gganbu” (9.4)

Episode 6 of Squid Game is infamous for being the saddest of all. It has had a major impact on audiences, mostly due to the many heartbreaking deaths of beloved Squid Game characters that occur during the marbles game. With a whopping 9.4, “Gganbu” soars past every other Squid Game episode in terms of ratings.

“Gganbu” is chock-full of emotion. Throughout the marbles game, viewers watch characters they’ve become so attached to go through sensitive, dramatic conversations with each other that lead to most of their gut-wrenching deaths. Despite audiences feeling so devastated, IMDb users clearly appreciated the emotional rollercoaster, giving the episode such an impressive, near-perfect rating.

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