With video games such asFortniteandPUBGbecoming worldwide phenomenons, the term “battle royale” has become part of the common vernacular. The term has existed for decades, however, and the concept of “a group of characters forced to fight until only one remains” has been featured in movies for just as long. Television has also gotten in on the trend, with the mega-hitSquid Gameadopting the same core idea to become one ofNetflix’s biggest Emmy-award winners.
Battle Royaleis often credited with creating the genre, though the author of the novel the film was based on,Koushun Takami, was inspired by professional wrestling. The idea of a large group of wrestlers fighting in one ring translated easily into a fictional death game, and other creators have iterated on the idea. Whether it’s schoolchildren, inmates, or some of the most popular fictional characters in the world fighting to the death, battle royales have remained popular in all forms of entertainment. While that 2000 classic was not the first in the genre, it was the one that popularized the concept in cinema and brought it mainstream attention.While any list of the best battle royale movies is sure to be headlined by the Japanese masterpiece, there are plenty of other quality moviesin the traditionally violent genre.
20’Cruel World' (2005)
Directed by Kelsey T. Howard
The filmCruel Worldis theindie arthouse comedy entryto the battle royale genre that dares to mix the blood-soaked chaos of a slasher with the voyeuristic drama of reality TV. In the movie, Philip Markham (Edward Furlong), a vengeful reality show contestant turned psychotic puppet master, brutally kills murdering the show’s host. He then orchestrates a twisted game of survival for nine unsuspecting college students, luring them to a secluded mansion under the guise of a new reality competition.
While the movie attempts to satirize the dark side of reality TV, the result is divisive. The critics have panned its underdeveloped characters and predictable plot,butCruel Worldmay still find an audience among fans of the genre who appreciate over-the-top violence and absurd premise. Though it lacks the depth and sophistication of other battle royale films,Cruel Worldoffers a certain B-movie appeal, with its campy dialogue and unintentionally funny moments.
Cruel World
19’Raze' (2013)
Directed by Josh C. Waller
InRaze,Zoë Bellportrays Sabrina, a woman pushed to her absolute limits in a horrifying game of survival. Kidnapped by a sinister cult, Sabrina and her fellow captives are forced into a brutal fight-to-the-death competition where the lives of their loved ones hang in the balance. As the violence spirals out of control, Sabrina becomes determined not only to survive but to liberate herself and the other women from the cult’s deadly clutches.
Razeprovided a platform for Bellto showcase her skills as both an actress and a creative force. The film’s premise, centered on women forced to fight, allowed her to integrate her stunt background with a powerful performance. The movie is fascinating to watch asit captures the brutal intensity of the choices of its characters. While the screenplay may not be groundbreaking,Razeis still worth watching due to Bell’s undeniable presence and its poignant commentary on the dehumanization and exploitation of women.
18’As the Gods Will' (2014)
Directed by Takashi Miike
Visionary directorTakashi Miikespearheaded the battle royale filmAs the Gods Will, which focuses on a high schooler named Shun Takahata (Sôta Fukushi). The deadly games start with a malevolent Daruma doll initiating a terrifying game of “Red Light, Green Light”, which many will recognize from the iconic TV showSquid Games. As the games escalate, Shun and his classmates confront twisted versions of classic Japanese folklore, each more terrifying than the last.
Miike’s directorial stamp is etched uponAs the Gods Will, blending grotesque imagery, breakneck pacing, and a darkly comedic edge. The movie features a uniquely unsettling and captivating experience, as themain character tries his best to navigate the rapidly increasing terror with a mixture of fear and reluctant heroism. While critics may debate the film’s tonal shift — shifting dramatically from whimsical humor to chilling existential dread —As the Gods Willundeniably stands out as a visually and narratively intriguing entry into the battle royale genre.
Watch on Amazon Prime
17’Would You Rather' (2012)
Directed by David Guy Levy
Directed byDavid Guy Levy,Would You Ratheris a movie that encourages viewers to question their own moral compasses. In it,Brittany Snowportrays Iris, a woman facing an impossible choice to secure the prize money that could save her brother’s life: inflict pain on others or endure it herself. As the stakes escalate within the confines of this suffocating dinner party, viewers are trapped alongside the participants, witnessing their humanity unravel under unimaginable pressure.
While it’s not a battle royale film in the traditional sense,Would You Ratherexcels as it prioritizes suspense and psychological tension over graphic violence. Levy masterfully crafts a claustrophobic atmosphere that amplifies the mounting dread as Iris and the other contestants face increasingly horrific choices. Brittany Snow’s performance should also be given the praise it deserves, as she successfully grounds the film with a sense of relatable fear and desperation. Even though there’s a lot left to be desiredin the horror movie’s ending, the movie’s thrilling atmosphere can’t be denied.
Would You Rather
Directed by Sam Raimi
The Western filmThe Quick and the Deadunfolds in the aptly named town of Redemption, where a mysterious gunslinger named The Lady (Sharon Stone) arrives to participate in a high-stakes dueling tournament. Under the shadow of the ruthless John Herod (Gene Hackman), who rules the town with an iron fist, contestants face off in gunfights where losing often means death. As the dust settles and gunpowder fills the air, The Lady’s quest for vengeance takes center stage, culminating in a climactic showdown.
Sam Raimi revitalizes the Western genre withThe Quick and the Dead, injecting his signature style into this high-stakes battle royale showdown.From the dynamic camera work and inventive angles to the Sergio Leone-inspired silences and intense stare-downs, Raimi crafts an unforgettably stylistic cinematic experience. Stone also proves that she’s a force to be reckoned with thanks to her commanding performance as The Lady delivers a commanding performance as The Lady, proving she’s a force to be reckoned within a male-dominated film genre.
The Quick and the Dead
15’Triggered' (2020)
Directed by Alastair Orr
A recent indie effortfrom South Africa,Triggeredfinds a group of friends kidnaped and dumped in the woods with bombs strapped to their chests. Each has a different time limit until their bomb detonates, and they can increase their time by killing their friends and taking theirs.
The fact thatTriggeredfocuses on a group of friends rather than strangers is a nice touch, as it allows the characters to drop shocking confessions on each other as death draws near. It also makes the situation grimmer, as the youths must murder their closest friends to stay alive.Reine Swart,Liesl Ahlers,Cameron Scott,Russell Crous, and the rest of the cast do an excellent job of reminding viewers of the high-stakes situation they’re in, and what they’re willing to give up for their own survival.
14’House of 9' (2005)
Directed by Steven R. Monroe
A claustrophobic thriller from England,House of 9follows nine strangers who awaken locked up in a house together, with no way out and no contact with the outside world. A voice over the house’s PA system informs them they have been brought together to play a game and that only the last one alive will be set free, with a fee of $5 million as their reward.
House of 9is unique because the players are not given a deadline.They are free to spend their time simply living together, aware this will not result in their release. Of course, their situation creates tension, and it is not long before the cast, which includesDennis HopperandPeter Capaldi, begins turning on each other.
House of 9
13’Mean Guns' (1997)
Directed by Albert Pyun
The rare battle royale film that actually predatesBattle Royale,Mean Gunsfeatures rapperIce-Tas Vincent Moon, a crime boss who has lured 100 of his enemies to an abandoned prison. Arming them with guns and ammo, Moon informs them they have become trapped in a death game, where the last three remaining will split a $10 million cash prize.
Among the hardened killers is Cam (Deborah Van Valkenburgh), an innocent accountant who was abducted after attempting to give evidence of Moon’s crimes to the police. She makes an uneasy alliance with asmall group of assassins in the movie, including the unstable Lou (Christoper Lambert). Together, they fight their way to the finale.
12’Circle' (2015)
Directed by Aaron Hann and Mario Miscione
Doing away with the guns and violence that populate most of the films in the genre,Circleinstead pits its players against each other in a game where they must vote on who dies. Fifty strangers wake up in a dark, empty room with a lit dome in the center. Every two minutes, the dome will kill a player of their choosing until only one remains.
With such a large cast,Circleis able to include a diverse group of characters. They represent different races, sexual orientations, social classes, and religious beliefs, and these topics are hotly debated among the cast as they decide who to kill next. It makes for one of the more psychological battle royale films as lives are lost over words rather than bullets.
11’The Condemned' (2007)
Directed by Scott Wiper
A vehicle for WWE legend"Stone Cold" Steve Austinto launch his acting career,The Condemnedis a surprisingly entertaining action-thriller from the wrestling company’s film division.The Condemnedfollows ten death-row inmates who are dropped on an island and told to fight to the death, with the sole survivor receiving a full pardon.
Austin stars as Jack Conrad, a convict who may have been wrongly imprisoned. Austin makes fora likable leading man, andit is hard not to root for him as he faces off with an international cast.Vinnie Joneschews the scenery as the movie’s big bad who represents Conrad’s biggest rival for survival.
