5 Must-Watch TV Shows If You Love Board Games
If you're a board game enthusiast, you know the thrill of strategy, wit, and clever gameplay. But sometimes, you want to kick back and watch others flex their game-night muscles. Whether you’re into mind games, puzzles, social deduction, or tactical brilliance, these TV shows about games and strategy bring the same excitement to your screen.
Here are 5 TV shows to watch if you love board games—perfect for fans of tabletop nights, game cafés, and everything in between.
1. The Devil’s Plan
If you like social deduction games like Secret Hitler, Mafia, or Avalon, The Devil’s Plan is going to hook you from episode one. This Korean reality show on Netflix brings together a group of celebrities, intellectuals, and creatives to compete in complex mental and social challenges.
There’s deception. There’s strategy. There are alliances. And yes, just like your favorite bluffing games, someone is always plotting behind the scenes.
Why board game lovers will love it:
- Intense brain games and logic puzzles
- High-stakes social interaction
- Similar to real-life games like Werewolf, Coup, and Resistance
📺 Available on Netflix
2. TableTop
Hosted by actor and mega-geek Wil Wheaton, TableTop is a dream come true for board game fans. Each episode features Wheaton playing a different tabletop game with a mix of guests—comedians, gamers, and actors alike.
Not only is it wildly entertaining, but it also helps you discover new board games, learn the rules, and see how they play out in real time.
Why board game lovers will love it:
- Real gameplay of games like Codenames, Betrayal at House on the Hill, and Ticket to Ride
- Great chemistry and laughter between players
- Ideal for discovering your next favourite board game
📺 Watch for free on YouTube
3. The Queen’s Gambit
While not a “board game show” in the traditional sense, The Queen’s Gambit deserves a spot on this list because of its riveting portrayal of chess, the OG of strategy games.
This Netflix limited series follows Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy navigating a male-dominated world, addiction, and personal trauma. With stunning cinematography and edge-of-your-seat matches, it makes chess feel like an emotional battleground.
Why board game lovers will love it:
- Deep dive into strategy, obsession, and competitive gameplay
- Gorgeous visuals and strong character development
- Makes you want to dust off your chessboard immediately
📺 Available on Netflix
4. Taskmaster
If you enjoy party games, improvisation, or game nights filled with absurd challenges, Taskmaster is a riot.
In this British comedy panel show, a rotating cast of comedians are given ridiculous tasks to complete—often requiring logic, creativity, or pure chaos. It’s like watching Cranium, Pictionary, and Charades explode into an hour of hilarity.
Why board game lovers will love it:
- Puzzle-solving in unpredictable ways
- Hilarious moments and creative thinking
- Great for fans of light-hearted, interactive games
📺 Watch on YouTube, Channel 4 (UK), or Amazon Prime (select seasons)
5. Only Connect
This one’s for the trivia and word game nerds. Only Connect is a British quiz show that’s infamous for being one of the hardest on TV. Contestants must find connections between seemingly unrelated clues, decode sequences, and match patterns that require serious lateral thinking.
Think of it as a high-IQ version of Linkee, Codenames, or Just One.
Why board game lovers will love it:
- Challenges your brain like no other show
- Ideal for puzzle solvers and trivia fans
- Feels like a TV version of a strategy-heavy party game
📺 Watch on YouTube or BBC iPlayer (UK)
Bonus Tip: Turn Game Night Into Binge Night
Next time you're too tired to shuffle a deck or set up that heavy board game, fire up one of these shows. Whether you’re in the mood for mind games, chaotic comedy, or deep strategic battles, these picks scratch the same itch as your favorite tabletop classics.
You might even pick up some new tactics and inspirations for your next game night!
