Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows Ever

Dystopian fiction has long been a pivotal genre within science fiction and horror, but in the 21st century, it has emerged as a dominant force in its own right. This curated list brings you the pinnacle of dystopian television, encompassing everything from zombie-infested wastelands to AI-driven doomsdays, and even the more subtle horrors of societies governed by social media metrics or where every moment is involuntarily recorded in one's mind as if it were a video file.

From devastating pandemics and nuclear winters to robot rebellions, time travel-induced paranoia, and mysterious disappearances, these 19 TV series (along with one miniseries) showcase the most ingenious, terrifying, and often profoundly moving dystopian narratives ever crafted. Whether depicting life after a cataclysmic event or exploring the everyday reality of an office worker with a consciousness-altering microchip, each show presents a chilling vision of the future—be it imminent or distant—that pulses with intensity, intrigue, and boundless creativity.

If your interest leans more towards films, don't miss our lists of the Top 10 Apocalypse Movies of All Time and the 6 Post-Apocalyptic Movies You've Probably Never Seen. Moreover, IGN readers have voted for their Favorite Post-Apocalyptic World from Movies and TV, showcasing the diversity and depth of this genre.

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