Top 20 Dystopian TV Series Ever

Dystopian fiction has emerged as a powerhouse within the science fiction and horror genres, particularly in the 21st century, establishing itself as a standalone category. Here, we explore the pinnacle of TV dystopia, offering everything from zombie-infested wastelands and AI-driven apocalypses to more subtle yet equally chilling scenarios like societies ruled by social media metrics or worlds where every moment is recorded in your brain as if it were a video file.

From devastating plagues and nuclear winters to robot uprisings, time travel-induced paranoia, and mysterious vanishings, these 19 TV shows—plus one miniseries—encompass the most ingenious, terrifying, and often poignant dystopian narratives ever crafted. Whether depicting life after an apocalypse or focusing on individuals in an office with consciousness-altering microchips, all these series share a common thread: a dark, compelling vision of the future, brimming with intensity, intrigue, and boundless imagination.

If your interest leans towards movies instead, be sure to check out the Top 10 Apocalypse Movies of All Time and the 6 Post-Apocalyptic Movies You've Probably Never Seen. Moreover, IGN readers have voted on their Favorite Post-Apocalyptic World from Movies and TV!

However, if you're here for television, prepare to delve into the worlds of Fallout, Severance, The Walking Dead, The Handmaid's Tale, The Last of Us, and more. Below, we present the Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows of All Time!