Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows Ever

Dystopian fiction has long been a vital part of the science fiction and horror genres, but in the 21st century, it has emerged as a dominant category in its own right. Here, we delve into the crème de la crème of dystopian TV shows, offering everything from zombie-infested wastelands to AI-driven doomsdays, to more subtle yet equally terrifying scenarios like societies ruled by social media scores or worlds where every moment is recorded in your brain as if it were a video file.

From devastating pandemics and nuclear winters to robot rebellions, time travel-induced paranoia, and mysterious disappearances, these 19 TV series (plus one miniseries) showcase the most ingenious, terrifying, and often deeply moving dystopian narratives ever crafted. Some are set in a post-apocalyptic world, while others explore the lives of office workers with microchips in their heads, splitting their consciousness. What unites them all is a dark vision of the future, whether near or distant, pulsating with intensity, intrigue, and boundless imagination.

For those interested in cinematic dystopias, be sure to explore 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 TV series are more your speed, keep reading as we dive into iconic shows like Fallout, Severance, The Walking Dead, The Handmaid's Tale, The Last of Us, and many more. Here are the Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows of All Time!