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Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows Ever Ranked

By ChristopherMay 15,2025

Dystopian fiction has long been a pivotal element within the realms of science fiction and horror, but in the 21st century, it has emerged as a powerhouse genre in its own right. Here, we explore the pinnacle of dystopian television, showcasing everything from zombie-infested wastelands to artificial intelligence-driven apocalypses, to more nuanced scenarios such as societies ruled by social media scores or worlds where every moment is recorded in the brain like a video file.

From devastating pandemics and nuclear winters to robotic insurrections, time travel-induced paranoia, and mysterious disappearances, these 19 TV series (along with one miniseries) stand out as the most ingenious, terrifying, and often profoundly moving dystopian narratives ever crafted. Whether depicting post-apocalyptic landscapes or the eerie normalcy of an office where employees have microchips that bifurcate their consciousness, what unites them is a dark vision of the future—whether near or distant—that pulses with intensity, intrigue, and boundless imagination.

For those interested in cinematic dystopias, be sure to explore the Top 10 Apocalypse Movies of All Time and the 6 Post-Apocalyptic Movies You've Probably Never Seen. Moreover, IGN readers have voted on their Favorite Post-Apocalyptic World from Movies and TV!

But if it's television that captivates you, dive into our curated list featuring standout shows like Fallout, Severance, The Walking Dead, The Handmaid's Tale, The Last of Us, and many more. Here are the Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows of All Time!

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