Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows Ever

Dystopian fiction has carved out a significant niche within the science fiction and horror genres, and in the 21st century, it has emerged as a dominant force in its own right. This list showcases the pinnacle of dystopian television, encompassing everything from zombie-infested wastelands to AI-driven apocalypses, and even smaller, yet equally unsettling scenarios, such as societies ruled by social media metrics or worlds where every moment is recorded in your brain like a video file.

From devastating pandemics and nuclear winters to robot uprisings, time travel-induced paranoia, and mysterious disappearances, these 19 TV series (along with one miniseries) encapsulate the most ingenious, terrifying, and often deeply moving dystopian narratives ever crafted. Some are set in post-apocalyptic landscapes, while others explore the lives of office workers with microchips in their heads that fragment their consciousness. What unites them all is a dark, gripping vision of the future, whether it's near or distant, that pulses with intensity, intrigue, and boundless creativity.

For those interested in cinematic dystopias, don't miss our curated lists of the Top 10 Apocalypse Movies of All Time and the 6 Post-Apocalyptic Movies You've Probably Never Seen. Additionally, IGN readers have cast their votes for their Favorite Post-Apocalyptic World from Movies and TV!

However, if television is your preferred medium, keep reading as we delve into the worlds of *Fallout*, *Severance*, *The Walking Dead*, *The Handmaid's Tale*, *The Last of Us*, and more. Here are the Top 20 Dystopian TV Shows of All Time!