Both Squid Game and Alice in Borderland achieved immense popularity as dystopian thrillers, but their journey in terms of social media buzz, audience statistics, revenue, and production costs reveal stark contrasts. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of these two global hits.

Social Media Critics and Public Reception

Squid Game

1. Social Media Buzz
   Squid Game sparked a viral sensation with its striking imagery, like the pink jumpsuits, geometric-masked guards, and the giant doll from Red Light, Green Light.
   TikTok trends like the Dalgona candy challenge amassed over 29 billion views under related hashtags.
   Critics praised its social commentary on capitalism, but some labeled it as overly violent and accused it of glorifying poverty.
2. Cultural Commentary
   Social media debates focused on the show’s depiction of class struggles and the desperation caused by economic inequality.
   Memes, cosplay, and fan theories dominated platforms like Twitter and Instagram.

Alice in Borderland

1. Social Media Buzz
   Alice in Borderland received strong reviews but didn’t generate the same level of viral trends.
   Discussions focused more on the show’s thrilling puzzles and game mechanics rather than emotional or cultural commentary.
   The lack of a standout, meme-worthy visual element limited its social media penetration.
2. Cultural Commentary
   Critics highlighted the show’s unique approach to psychological survival games but noted its darker tone might not appeal to casual audiences.

Audience Stats

Squid Game

Squid Game became Netflix’s most-watched show of all time, with over 1.65 billion viewing hours within its first 28 days.
The show reached #1 in 94 countries, appealing to a broad demographic due to its universal themes.
The official Squid Game Instagram account garnered millions of followers in weeks, reflecting its massive online impact.

Alice in Borderland

Alice in Borderland also performed well but was overshadowed by Squid Game. It reportedly garnered over 18 million households in its first 28 days.
The show was most popular in Japan but ranked lower globally compared to Squid Game.
While the series had a dedicated fan base, it didn’t achieve the same viral traction as Squid Game.

Revenue and Cost

Squid Game

The entire season of Squid Game was produced for a relatively modest $21.4 million (~$2.4 million per episode).
Netflix estimated that Squid Game generated nearly $900 million in value, making it one of the most profitable series in Netflix history.

Alice in Borderland

The exact budget for Alice in Borderland hasn’t been disclosed, but estimates place it significantly lower than Squid Game, as Japanese productions typically operate on smaller budgets.
While Netflix does not disclose specific revenue figures for the show, Alice in Borderland was considered a success but not a record-breaking one.

Key Factors Behind the Differences

Universal Appeal

Squid Game resonated globally due to its simplicity (childhood games with deadly stakes) and universal themes of inequality.
Alice in Borderland leaned on more complex, puzzle-oriented narratives, making it harder to attract casual viewers.

Marketing Push

Netflix heavily promoted Squid Game globally, recognizing its potential for viral success.
Alice in Borderland received less aggressive marketing, with much of its success driven by word-of-mouth and niche fans of Japanese media.

Visual and Viral Elements

Squid Game’s costumes and games became instant cultural icons, fueling memes, TikTok challenges, and cosplays.
Alice in Borderland lacked similarly distinct visuals or easy-to-replicate trends.

Timing

Squid Game premiered in 2021, during a time when the world was grappling with economic instability and social isolation, making its themes highly relevant.
Alice in Borderland premiered in late 2020, during the early pandemic phase when audiences were still adjusting to streaming content en masse.

Conclusion

While both shows are excellent examples of survival thrillers, Squid Game outperformed Alice in Borderland due to its universal themes, viral potential, and Netflix’s strategic promotion. Its ability to resonate with a global audience, combined with clever marketing and striking visuals, turned it into a cultural phenomenon.

On the other hand, Alice in Borderland remains a critically acclaimed series with a dedicated fan base but didn’t capture the same widespread, cross-cultural appeal. The success of Squid Game highlights the importance of relatability and timing in the world of global streaming content.