Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows Ever Ranked

Dystopian fiction has long been a vital part of both science fiction and horror storytelling, but in the 21st century, it has evolved into a powerful genre all its own. This list showcases the very best dystopian TV shows ever made—series that explore terrifying futures, broken societies, and extreme human struggles. From zombie-infested wastelands to artificial intelligence overthrows, from hyperconnected social media dystopias to worlds where every visual experience is recorded directly into your mind, these stories offer chilling, imaginative, and often eerily plausible visions of what could come next.

Whether it’s a global pandemic, nuclear devastation, robotic rebellion, time travel-induced paranoia, or mysterious disappearances that fracture reality, the 19 series and one miniseries featured here represent the most intelligent, frightening, and emotionally resonant dystopian television ever produced. Some are set in post-apocalyptic ruins, while others depict disturbingly controlled modern environments—like an office where a microchip has fractured a person's consciousness. All of them share one thing: a bleak, gripping portrayal of the future, near or distant, filled with tension, mystery, and creative brilliance.

If you're more interested in dystopian *movies*, we've got you covered too—check out our lists for the Top 10 Apocalypse Movies of All Time and the 6 Post-Apocalyptic Movies You’ve Probably Never Seen. And if you're curious, IGN readers have also voted on their favorite post-apocalyptic worlds from both film and television.

Top Dystopian TV Shows to Watch

But if it's dystopian TV that interests you most, then keep reading as we dive into some of the most unforgettable series ever made. Explore the radioactive chaos of *Fallout*, the psychological divide of *Severance*, the brutal survivalism of *The Walking Dead*, the oppressive regime of *The Handmaid’s Tale*, the emotional journey of *The Last of Us*, and many more groundbreaking shows. These are the 20 most essential dystopian TV series of all time—each offering a unique, haunting glimpse into what humanity might face when the world goes terribly wrong.