Top 20 Dystopian TV Series Ever

Dystopian fiction has long been a staple within the realms of science fiction and horror, but in the 21st century, it has surged to the forefront as a dominant genre in its own right. Here, we delve into the crème de la crème of dystopian television, showcasing a spectrum from zombie-infested wastelands to AI-driven apocalypses, and even subtler nightmares like societies controlled by social media scores or worlds where every moment is recorded in your brain like a video file.

From devastating pandemics and nuclear winters to robot rebellions, time travel-induced paranoia, and mysterious disappearances, these 19 TV shows—plus one gripping miniseries—epitomize the most inventive, terrifying, and often heart-wrenching dystopian narratives ever crafted. Whether portraying life after a cataclysmic event or depicting the daily grind in an office where a microchip splits your consciousness, each series presents a dark, foreboding vision of the future, brimming with tension, mystery, and boundless creativity.

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. Moreover, IGN readers have voted on their Favorite Post-Apocalyptic World from Movies and TV, offering further insights into beloved dystopian landscapes.

However, if your heart is set on TV, prepare to immerse yourself in the worlds of 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!