Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows Ever

Dystopian fiction has long been a cornerstone within the realms of science fiction and horror, but it has truly surged to prominence as a standalone genre in the 21st century. This list showcases the pinnacle of dystopian television, exploring everything from zombie-infested wastelands to AI-driven doomsdays, and even the subtler dystopias such as societies governed by social media rankings or realities 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 (alongside one miniseries) encapsulate the most inventive, terrifying, and often profoundly moving dystopian narratives ever crafted. Some depict post-apocalyptic scenarios, while others might simply feature office workers with microchips in their brains, splitting their consciousness. Our criteria? A dark, gripping vision of the future—be it near or distant—brimming with intensity, intrigue, and boundless imagination.

If your interests lean more towards films, explore the Top 10 Apocalypse Movies of All Time and the 6 Post-Apocalyptic Movies You've Probably Never Seen. Additionally, IGN readers have weighed in on their Favorite Post-Apocalyptic World from Movies and TV!

But if you're here for television, buckle up as we delve into standout series like Fallout, Severance, The Walking Dead, The Handmaid's Tale, The Last of Us, and more. Here's our definitive list of the Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows of All Time!