Best Squid Game memes: The Netflix show is serious, but these jokes are funny
We laugh because the hit show makes us cry.

The plot of the new Netflix drama Squid Game is nothing to laugh at. In the show, which might end up being the streaming service's biggest hit ever, financially strapped people compete in a tournament of kids' games where losers get killed. Not very funny. But the show has captured the public's imagination, which of course means memes and jokes.
It's easy to see why. Squid Game has many complex characters, as well as plenty of visually striking scenes and objects (the Dalgona cookies, the game organization's business card, the outfits). It's full of meme material, and here are some of the best. (Some show spoilers ahead, be warned.)
Squid Game candy memes
In one episode, the contestants have to carve a piece of Dalgona candy out of a tin without breaking the shape. It's not easy, although a smuggled cigarette lighter and eventually some licking get the job done for some players.
One meme shows the hardest shape to pry out, the infamous umbrella, with the caption, "Law professors: The exam won't be that bad," and then the umbrella challenge as the exam.
And another declared, "Me to the red men in Squid Game after I crack the umbrella: Double or nothing?"
Who’s been watching #squidgame 😱😱😱
— Legal Job Coach (@legaljobcoach) October 6, 2021
Would you rather do the #dalgona candy challenge or sit a law final? It’s a tough call honestly... #law #lawstudent #legal #finals #exams #studentinlaw #dalgona #dalgonacandy #meme #memes #student #studentmemes #studentstruggles pic.twitter.com/u9hv8iQkwe
Me to the red men in Squid Game after I crack the umbrella pic.twitter.com/bLHlBviFXf
— Chat🏹 (@LittleOne_1130) October 2, 2021
@BingingWBabish racing to get a Squid Game Dalgona candy video out while the memes are still hot pic.twitter.com/wJdC9cyzgU
— derik #StandWithIATSE (@derik__david) October 5, 2021
This is still one of the funniest scenes in squid game 😂 chose umbrella because his mom would always give him broken ones that he refuses to take to school bc he wants a cool one. GUESS WHAT 😭😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/9gJPomCNeM
— 토⚘🌟 (@326mingming) October 4, 2021
When I participate in squid game and I have to cut out the umbrella pic.twitter.com/xoCfzgVfOL
— 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐚 ⛓ (@simpchoppa) October 4, 2021
my impression of what the people who had to cut out an umbrella in squid game were thinking: "oh so they wanted me to die, like me specifically, they hand-picked my death. okay"
— 💝 SQUIRREL 💝 || jackboxtwt moment (@ShslSquirrel) October 4, 2021
I've been trying figure out at what level of Squid Game I'd have made it up to 😆😂🤔 at most, the game in the Man With the Umbrella episode sheesh pic.twitter.com/i15FyCXJdV
— -Empress of Africa- (@Kimofdiamonds) October 6, 2021
if i was in squid game and the cookie was the umbrella “just shoot me already” pic.twitter.com/s5EjcGTdr9
— Commando (@SimplyCommando) October 6, 2021
#squidgamenetflix
— mishti doi WRLD (@mishti666) October 3, 2021
How i thought how my life
my life would be: actually is: pic.twitter.com/BtI2U3zxjB
All those dalgona memes from Squid Game and i think this one's the best LMAO 🤣 pic.twitter.com/oiUdz18tve
— Joshi⁷🐋💜 (semi-IA) (@jshgmbl) September 22, 2021
Squid Game Red Light, Green Light robot memes
In the very first game, contestants must play Red Light, Green Light, but with a creepy twist. A giant robot of a little girl swings around to watch for those who move after she says "Red Light." Moving, of course, is fatal. And the robot is irresistible to meme-makers, many of whom set a dancing video of the doll to the song of their choice.
Squid game doll dancing to EXO’s Paradise 😂 pic.twitter.com/8oGkIg8Wu5
— RYE insomniac era 🐧🌹 (@nonStopKSoo_) September 28, 2021
Squid game's red light green light doll found dancing to baby by Justin Bieber
— sany (@drewsmenu) October 2, 2021
pic.twitter.com/3VPdrYC4Nh
the red light green light doll when someone moved on red light pic.twitter.com/NF4wfy9Ltu
— 💕abdul💕 (@allahswiffer) October 6, 2021
me on squid games when the doll turn around pic.twitter.com/v1nGtZipEk
— krista the barista (@mycheleofficial) September 29, 2021
green light, RED LIGHT #SquidGame #rupaulsdragrace pic.twitter.com/K8S337LMLs
— alex | denali thinker💭 (@GOTTMlLF) October 4, 2021
Squid Game marbles memes
If you've seen the show, oof, you know the emotional punch of the episode in which the contestants all play marbles for the chance to advance. Let's just say the game set-up wasn't what the teams expected, and tears flowed. (Some big spoilers in the memes.)
Finished the marbles episode of squid game pic.twitter.com/vCPW7XTqQo
— Tupac Minion (@TupacMinion) September 28, 2021
The marbles episode #SquidGame pic.twitter.com/vNvdPvWyZP
— JT (@J_T93) October 5, 2021
The marbles episode of #SquidGame was one of the most emotionally brutal and brilliant episodes of TV ever. pic.twitter.com/CP3h7ZCjJm
— B H (@barbhaynes) October 5, 2021
#squidgame During the marbles episode pic.twitter.com/PDQuj49fUK
— rip mona I have ayaka now (@GachaImpact) October 3, 2021
The guard in Squid Games when he saw Ali give his marbles to Sang Woo pic.twitter.com/BX2OYL3yjm
— BreadGod (@_Bread_God_2) September 29, 2021
nah the husband on squid games fr ain’t let his wife keep them marbles im crying
— uh oh gback again 🧸 (@gbenlola) October 6, 2021
Squid Game glass bridge memes
In one contest, players had to cross a glass bridge where some panels would shatter underfoot. You bet that eerie scenario was memed, with some proposing creative ways they would have tried to cross, and others making jokes of their own.
Them: We shall cross that bridge when we get there.
— merzz mike (@klauseduardz) October 6, 2021
The bridge:...#squidgame pic.twitter.com/ZoGfQ8fb1A
squid game fifth challenge "glass bridge game" unreleased scene pic.twitter.com/3ZEMH6ylhn
— mavie. (@sungsjeekies) October 3, 2021
How I would win the glass bridge game in Squid Game pic.twitter.com/ItHy6IgaZr
— B Tha One 🎙 (@BthaOne) October 3, 2021
The glass bridge challenge in Squid Game is nuts. I would’ve just tried to run across with the glass falling behind me like I’m going over the big red balls on total wipeout
— Jason Okundaye (@jasebyjason) October 4, 2021
More Squid Game memes
No squid were gamed in the making of Squid Game. Wrote one Twitter user, "Squid Game (Netflix) rating 1/10. Not enough squid."
squid game (Netflix)
— Iman Azlan (@ImanAzlan11) September 20, 2021
rating:
1/10
Not enough squid
I’m obsessed with #SquidGame memes please keep making them pic.twitter.com/58GZ8qT1bB
— Jenny Will (@jennywill45) September 30, 2021
This is the best squid game meme of the social apps downtime 😂🙌 pic.twitter.com/xpw3sCwIcM
— Series Abíọ́dún ‘Baj ☻ (@Engr_Series) October 4, 2021
everyone’s talking about #squidgame but i haven’t seen any love for the best character, made a little tumblr text post meme for this absolute queen pic.twitter.com/zXwva2RqQV
— genevieve (@cuttleb0nes) October 3, 2021
Accumulate massive debt as the competition in your field grows larger. College is the reverse Squid Game
— Daniel Murray (@Murrda446) October 5, 2021
Me at the end of Squid Game pic.twitter.com/69SXZaEFQ6
— Ellams The Great 🤫 (@ellamsgeorge1) October 3, 2021
are these the squid games yall talking about pic.twitter.com/p4mm1XwPEw
— Funny Tweets (@MemePortfolio) October 1, 2021
finally understanding all the squid game memes pic.twitter.com/sf6WcZ4ylJ
— VINCENT ⑱ (@V1VlCA) September 30, 2021
Squid Game makes you cry
The show packs an emotional punch -- actually, several of them, as characters whom viewers have become attached slip away. One tweet contrasted Seong Gi-hun's ID photo, taken before the deadly games begin, with his shocked face later on, captioning the two, "Me (when I) start watching Squid Game vs. Me after watching it."
Me start watching #SquidGame
— آية (@its_scintilla) September 28, 2021
Vs.
Me after watching it (; pic.twitter.com/3vrCI7oVXu
Me when i applied for college and got accepted without knowing what i was getting myself into #SquidGame pic.twitter.com/Sl3oPdLL9V
— Ted Mosby (@have_u_met_ted) October 5, 2021
Why are you crying? It's just a character
— Thasha (타샤) (New Acc/ Looking for moots) (@moonchildarmyy) October 1, 2021
The character : #SquidGame pic.twitter.com/9enNmmQME6
#squidgamenetflix #SquidGame
— way too early (@_itsjav) October 3, 2021
Them: don't cry, its just characters on tv
The characters: pic.twitter.com/b9rgfz3kbk
Me before vs after watching #SquidGame #squidgamenetflix pic.twitter.com/0T8tCBQx9N
— Out Of Context Squid Game (@nocontextsquidg) October 5, 2021
I just finished watching Squid Game, and this image sums up what I feel about everything. pic.twitter.com/123H6uVy3E
— GH4ST || -ᄒᴥᄒ- (@floatyghast) October 1, 2021
Can you leave him alone? He just finished episode 6 of Squid Game pic.twitter.com/o198VCQTWW
— natywonka (@natywonka_) September 29, 2021
Best Squid Game meme
I'm calling it: This is my absolute favorite Squid Game meme. It makes me laugh every time.
It shows two squids on subway or train seats with the caption, "Squids on their way home after playing the game. (I don't know,) I've never watched the show."
Squids on their way home after playing the game. Idk I’ve never watched the show pic.twitter.com/HV8OBxoPNt
— Mar (@Mar240k) September 28, 2021
All nine episodes of Squid Game now are available on Netflix.