Dystopian fiction has long been a cornerstone of both science fiction and horror genres, but in the 21st century, it has emerged as a powerful standalone category. This list showcases the pinnacle of dystopian television, spanning from zombie-infested wastelands and AI-driven apocalypses to more nuanced scenarios like societies governed by social media metrics or worlds where every visual experience is recorded in your mind like a video file.
From devastating pandemics and nuclear winters to robot rebellions, time travel-induced paranoia, and mysterious disappearances, these 19 TV shows (along with one miniseries) are the epitome of clever, terrifying, and often deeply moving dystopian narratives. Whether set in a post-apocalyptic landscape or featuring office workers with consciousness-altering microchips, each series offers a dark vision of the future—near or distant—that pulses with intensity, intrigue, and boundless creativity.
If you're more interested in dystopian movies, be sure to explore the Top 10 Apocalypse Movies of All Time and the 6 Post-Apocalyptic Movies You've Probably Never Seen. Additionally, IGN readers have voted on their Favorite Post-Apocalyptic World from Movies and TV!
But if it's TV you're here for, then dive into our exploration of shows like Fallout, Severance, The Walking Dead, The Handmaid's Tale, The Last of Us, and more. Without further ado, here are the Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows of All Time!
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