Top 20 Dystopian TV Series Ever

Dystopian fiction has long been a staple in the science fiction and horror genres, but in the 21st century, it has emerged as a dominant category in its own right. This article highlights the crème de la crème of dystopian TV series, encompassing a wide range of themes from zombie-infested wastelands to artificial intelligence-driven apocalypses, and even more nuanced scenarios such as societies governed by social media scores 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 exceptional miniseries—represent the most inventive, terrifying, and often deeply moving dystopian narratives ever crafted. Whether depicting a post-apocalyptic world or exploring the lives of office workers with consciousness-altering microchips, all these shows share a compelling, dark vision of the future, brimming with intensity, intrigue, and boundless imagination.

If your interest leans more towards films, 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, offering another angle to delve into this fascinating genre.

However, if TV series are your preference, continue reading as we delve into iconic shows like 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!