Top 20 Dystopian TV Series Ever

Dystopian fiction has long played a pivotal role in both science fiction and horror, but it's in the 21st century that the genre has truly come into its own—emerging as a powerful narrative force. From terrifying zombie wastelands to chilling AI overthrows, and from hyper-surveilled societies governed by social media scores to worlds where every visual experience is recorded directly into your mind, dystopian television continues to push boundaries and provoke thought.

Whether it’s the aftermath of a global pandemic, the icy silence of a nuclear winter, an uprising of sentient machines, or the psychological unraveling caused by time travel anomalies and mysterious disappearances, these 19 TV series (along with one compelling miniseries) showcase the most inventive, unsettling, and emotionally resonant dystopian storytelling ever brought to the screen. Some explore life after the end of civilization, while others focus on eerily plausible near-futures—like an office setting where employees have microchips implanted in their brains, splitting their consciousness. The only requirement? A vision of the future—near or distant—that grips you with its intensity, complexity, and originality.

If you're looking for [ttpp], be sure to explore our list of the Top 10 Apocalypse Movies of All Time or dive into the 6 Post-Apocalyptic Movies You've Probably Never Seen. IGN readers have also shared their favorite apocalyptic worlds from both film and television—so there’s plenty to discover beyond the small screen.

But if you're ready to immerse yourself in the best dystopian storytelling TV has to offer, then prepare to enter the world of Fallout, Severance, The Walking Dead, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Last of Us, and more. This is the definitive list of the Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows of All Time—ranked for impact, imagination, and unforgettable moments.