Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows Ever

Dystopian fiction has always been a key component of science fiction and horror genres, but it has truly come into its own in the 21st century, establishing itself as a formidable category. Here, we explore the best of TV dystopia, spanning from zombie-infested wastelands to AI-driven apocalypses, and even more nuanced dystopias such as societies controlled 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 miniseries) showcase the most ingenious, terrifying, and often deeply moving dystopian narratives ever created. Whether depicting post-apocalyptic scenarios or the everyday life of office workers with consciousness-splitting microchips, all these series share a dark vision of the future, brimming with intensity, intrigue, and boundless imagination.

For those more interested in cinematic dystopias, be sure to check out 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!

However, if it's television you're after, delve deeper with us into series like Fallout, Severance, The Walking Dead, The Handmaid's Tale, The Last of Us, and more. Here are the Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows of All Time!