Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows Ever

Dystopian fiction has long been a staple within the realms of science fiction and horror, but in the 21st century, it has evolved into a formidable genre of its own. This list showcases the crème de la crème of dystopian TV series, spanning from terrifying zombie-infested wastelands to chilling AI-driven apocalypses, and even more subtle yet equally unsettling scenarios, such as societies ruled by social media metrics or worlds where every moment 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 gripping miniseries—embody the most ingenious, terrifying, and often deeply moving dystopian narratives ever crafted. Whether depicting post-apocalyptic landscapes or the mundane setting of an office where employees have microchips splitting their consciousness, the unifying thread is a dark, foreboding vision of the future, brimming with intensity, intrigue, and boundless imagination.

For those more interested in cinematic experiences, don't miss out on the Top 10 Apocalypse Movies of All Time and the 6 Post-Apocalyptic Movies You've Probably Never Seen. Moreover, IGN readers have cast their votes for their Favorite Post-Apocalyptic World from Movies and TV!

However, if it's television that captures your interest, dive deeper with us as we explore iconic 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!