Dystopian fiction has long been a significant force within the realms of science fiction and horror, but in the 21st century, it has evolved into a dominant genre of its own. This article showcases the pinnacle of dystopian television, encompassing a wide array from zombie-infested wastelands to AI-driven doomsdays, and even more subtle nightmares like societies ruled by social media metrics or worlds where every visual experience is permanently recorded in your mind like a video file.
From devastating pandemics and nuclear winters to robotic rebellions, time-travel-induced paranoia, and mysterious disappearances, these 19 TV shows (along with one miniseries) encapsulate the most ingenious, terrifying, and often deeply moving dystopian narratives ever brought to the screen. Whether it's a post-apocalyptic scenario or a seemingly mundane office setting where employees have microchips in their heads that fragment their consciousness, the unifying theme is a dark, gripping vision of the future, whether near or distant, brimming with intensity, intrigue, and boundless imagination.
If your interests lean more towards movies, don't miss out on the Top 10 Apocalypse Movies of All Time and the 6 Post-Apocalyptic Movies You've Probably Never Seen. Additionally, IGN readers have cast their votes for their Favorite Post-Apocalyptic World from Movies and TV!
For those passionate about television, dive deeper with us as we explore standout series such as Fallout, Severance, The Walking Dead, The Handmaid's Tale, The Last of Us, and many more. Without further ado, here are the Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows of All Time!
