Dystopian fiction has long been a cornerstone of both science fiction and horror genres, but in the 21st century, it has evolved into a dominant category in its own right. This list showcases the pinnacle of TV dystopia, encompassing everything from zombie-infested wastelands and AI-driven apocalypses to the more subtle horrors of societies governed by social media scores or worlds where every moment is captured and stored in your mind like a video file.
From devastating plagues and nuclear winters to robot rebellions, time travel-induced paranoia, and mysterious disappearances, these 19 TV shows (along with one miniseries) offer the most ingenious, terrifying, and often deeply moving dystopian narratives ever crafted. Whether portraying life after an apocalypse or depicting everyday people with consciousness-altering microchips, each entry provides a dark vision of the future, be it near or distant, that pulses with intensity, intrigue, and boundless creativity.
For those interested in cinematic experiences, don't miss the Top 10 Apocalypse Movies of All Time and the 6 Post-Apocalyptic Movies You've Probably Never Seen. IGN readers have also weighed in on their Favorite Post-Apocalyptic World from Movies and TV!
But if it's television that captures your interest, join us as we explore iconic series like Fallout, Severance, The Walking Dead, The Handmaid's Tale, The Last of Us, and more. Here are the Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows of All Time!
