'Squid Game' ranks 72nd on NYT's greatest TV dramas of the 21st century list

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk's "Squid Game" has landed at No. 72 on The New York Times' ranking of the greatest TV dramas of the 21st century, determined by votes from actors and industry professionals around the world.

The New York Times on Tuesday (local time) released the 61st-through-100th portion of its list, placing the Netflix series at No. 72, Yonhap reported.

NYT television editor Jeremy Egner described the show as an "extremely violent Korean thriller" with a clear message. "Capitalism is a blood sport that destroys our humanity," he wrote.

He added that "the bitter infighting among the contestants is embarrassingly relatable" and that the series delivers "great fun in its bloody, spectacular way."

Egner also noted that "Squid Game" is the most popular series in Netflix history, and mused that, much like the chaebol character in the show who devised the games, "perhaps we all have a little overlord hiding in our hearts."

The Times added that YouTube CEO Neal Mohan named "Squid Game" among the greatest dramas of the 21st century.

Released on Netflix from 2021 to 2025 across three seasons, "Squid Game" follows 456 contestants competing in a deadly survival game for a prize of 45.6 billion won ($33.5 million).

The contestants' choices and actions as they fight to survive and claim the prize — rooted in distinctly Korean sensibilities — yield unexpected outcomes that have captivated audiences worldwide.

All three seasons of "Squid Game" rank first through third among the most-watched non-English-language series in Netflix history.

Director Lee Sung-jin's "Beef" season 1 ranked one spot higher at No. 71.

The Times compiled the list by asking 500 industry professionals — including actors, drama production staff and streaming executives — to each recommend their 10 favorite drama series that aired after 2000. The remaining rankings will be released in stages, with the No. 1 title set to be revealed Sept. 25.

Meanwhile, talk of an American version of "Squid Game" had gained momentum on the back of the show's global popularity, but the project now appears to be on hold.

On Aug. 8 (local time), US entertainment outlets The Playlist and Gizmodo reported that Netflix had decided to shelve "Heckler" — the working title for an American spinoff of "Squid Game."

Director David Fincher, known for "Fight Club," "Zodiac" and "Gone Girl," had been set to helm the project, with "Utopia" series writer Dennis Kelly attached to write the script.

Speculation about an American version had been further fueled by a scene in the final episode of "Squid Game" season 3, in which the Front Man, played by Lee Byung-hun, is seen playing ddakji with Hollywood actor Cate Blanchett in a Los Angeles back alley.

Following leadership changes at Netflix and years of development, however, the streamer's priorities shifted. Reports indicate it is now more focused on localized versions of the franchise tailored to individual markets rather than a US adaptation.

One source said no region-specific "Squid Game" spinoff is currently in production.

Fincher is currently focused on filming "The Adventure of Cliff Booth," starring Brad Pitt.