Since the outbreak of CoVid 19, TV show fans from all around the world have found the genre of post-apocalyptic science fiction very relatable. As we have experienced, this world is very frail and brittle. One moment, you're indulging in your morning breakfast; the next, a globally catastrophic event throws civilization into chaos. Natural disasters, wars, pandemics, or technological failures can swiftly disrupt the delicate balance of our lives.
Such events end up transforming ordinary routines into memories of a more stable past. In such moments, society's fragility becomes starkly evident. Apocalyptic disasters reveal the thin veneer of normalcy that masks the underlying instability of our modern lives. In the world of TV shows, the post-apocalyptic genre has a prime focus on the end of the world occurring due to viral outbreaks, nuclear fallouts, alien invasions, technological catastrophes and natural disasters.
Some post-apocalyptic shows on television feature an overarching science fiction plot, while their intense stories and characters helps us relate at a personal level. If the plan is to escape to a fictional world where the fittest survive while battling intriguing zombies, viral outbreaks, catastrophic earthquakes and more, this is your go-to list this year.
Some of the best post-apocalyptic shows ranked in reverse
12. The Strain (2014–2017)
An American series that premiered on FX on July 13, 2014, is a chilling blend of horror and sci-fi. The Strain revolves around Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, the head of a New York-based Canary Project, who is given the responsibility to investigate a plane where everyone aboard was found dead mysteriously, when it landed.
It was later discovered to be a viral outbreak that had similarities to an ancient strain of vampirism. Goodweather works with his team and a group of the city's locals to wage a war to save humanity as the virus begins spreading. Goodweather slowly finds new allies as they discover an untapped underworld, corrupted political campaigns and a sinister plot for dominion over life. We can watch all the seasons of this show on Hulu.
11. The 100 (2014-2020)
This post-apocalyptic drama primarily inspired from the book by Kass Morgan. The show, which aired on The CW on March 19, 2014, follows a group of teenage delinquents sent back to Earth 97 from their space station named The Arc, almost a century after a nuclear apocalypse, only to find a planet bustling with dangers. Divided into 7 seasons, the show's exploration of the fragile nature of humanity, social hierarchy, and the battle for survival is thrilling, with a diverse cast and unexpected plot twists.
With millions of viewers all around the world and its high-end Sci-Fi visuals and storytelling, The 100 is a must watch for fans of this genre. You can stream it on Netflix.
10. Silo (2023-present)
Another acclaimed American Sci-Fi series, Silo, created by Graham Yost, is based on the Silo trilogy of novels (Wool, Shift and Dust). This series delves deep into a future where mankind has been forced to take refuge in a huge underground silo, with the world above deemed unsuitable for human lives.
As secrets about the outside world start to emerge, the residents are in a dilemma: stay safely in their Silo habitat or risk venturing into the unknown. Silo blends enigma, suspense, thrill, and social commentary into an exploration of the limits of human resilience. You can watch Silo on Apple TV+ and stay connected with the upcoming episodes.
9. Sweet Tooth (2021-present)
Sweet Tooth is a post-apocalyptic fantasy drama series adapted from the comic book series created by Jeff Lemire and published by DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint. This show follows Gus, a 10-year old boy who is half-human, half-deer. He journeys across a post-apocalyptic world affected by a deadly virus that kills the majority of the population. The same virus also gave rise to a generation of hybrid babies, born with animal characteristics.
Sweet Tooth offers a one-of-a kind story with a blend of fantasy, adventure, and emotional depth, focusing on the power of hope and compassion in the face of adversity. Sweet Tooth can be streamed on Netflix in most places around the world.
8. Black Summer (2019-2020)
Black Summer was introduced as a spin-off of Z Nation, produced by the same production house, The Asylum. Jaime King stars as Rose, a mother in search of her daughter in the early days of the zombie outbreak. Black Summer is a show that delivers for people who dig a raw and brutal post-apocalyptic experience. The show prioritizes action over dialogue, immersing viewers in the brutal reality of a world overrun by zombies.
This series gets more intense as Rose’s quest progresses, episode by episode, to find her daughter in the immediate aftermath of the outbreak. Catch the latest episodes of Black Summer, which can be streamed on Netflix around the world.
7. Z Nation (2014-2018)
Produced and created by the same people as Black Summer, this post-apocalyptic show completely flips the zombie genre upside down, following a team of everyday heroes on a mission to deliver a cross-country cure across a zombie-devastated America.
The story revolves around Alvin Bernard Murphy and how he was a part of an experiment by the Government to test antibiotics to prevent the zombie virus. His immunity to the infection makes him a crucial asset but also a reluctant hero. But little did he know that this was just the beginning of a journey that nobody would wish for.
Z Nation blends action, comedy and character development very deeply, and it makes Zombie fans jump off their seats quite often. Watch this show only on SYFY.
6. The Walking Dead (2010–2022)
The longest-running post-apocalyptic show in this list is the iconic zombie series, The Walking Dead, which is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman. This tenacious drama, created by Frank Darabont, showcases life after a devastating zombie apocalypse.
Survivors travel in search of immunity and protection, constantly on the go looking for a secure shelter. We see unfiltered human cruelty as the pressure to stay alive makes people plot against their own kind. They soon realise that the overpowering desire to be the last ones standing can be more fatal than the zombies they are running away from.
With a diverse ensemble of characters, captivating plots, and unyielding suspense, this show continues to be the foundation of the post-apocalyptic genre. This show has always been available on AMC and now Fox Network Groups & Disney+ in regions all over the world, outside America.
5. Fear the Walking Dead (2015-present)
The Walking Dead spin-off, set in Los Angeles, California, explores the early days of the zombie apocalypse, following a different group of survivors navigating a world on the edge of collapse. It is a prequel to AMC's popular The Walking Dead and the narrative this time is portrayed through the perspective of high school guidance counselor, Madison Clark.
Fear the Walking Dead delves further into the psychological and social effects of the apocalypse, providing a fresh viewpoint on the well-known narrative. This show is still available to stream in America on AMC Plus streaming app and on Amazon Prime all around the world.
4. Dark (2017-2020)
Hailing all the way from Germany, Dark was a very popular show during the CoVid-19 pandemic. Created by husband-and-wife duo Baran Bo Odar and Jantje Friese, the show premiered on December 1st, 2017 in Netflix took the world of Sci-Fi thriller by storm.
This show not only dwells with post-apocalyptic scenes but also shows mysterious time travel from the 1900s to many generations ahead in the future. The story starts in the fictional town of Winden in Germany, as they seek the truth and reason behind a child's disappearance.
They track connections between four distinct families, to uncover a dark time travel conspiracy that extends over multiple generations. The series delves into the philosophical consequences of time and its impact on human behaviour and existence. All seasons of the show are available in all languages on Netflix.
3. Fallout (2023-present)
This post-apocalyptic show is based on the beloved role playing video game franchise made by Tim Caine and Leonard Boyarski, developed by Interplay Productions. Fallout takes fans to a mid 22nd century post-nuclear wasteland populated with creatures who are mutated, various raiders of ferocious kinds, and remains of a lost civilization.
Fallout is set in an alternate version of our history, where the nuclear race between China and the US leads to an apocalyptic future, where humans live in vaults created specifically to hold life till the surface becomes habitable again. Starring Ella Purnell as Luc MacLean, a vault 33 dweller, Fallout expands on the societal deformities that can plague the world after an apocalyptic nuclear exchange. We get to see equally thrilling action, captivating world-building, and a nostalgic nod to the iconic video game source material.
Catch this action-packed, game-like intense show on Prime Video today.
2. The Last of Us (2023–present)
This critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic series, based on another beloved video game created by Naughty Dog, follows Joel, played by the charismatic and celebrated Pedro Pascal, a tough survivor and smuggler tasked with escorting Ellie, a teenage girl who is immune to a fungal infection that has ravaged humanity after a devastating pandemic. The show depicts the heartwarming bond between the two lead characters and promises an even more exciting second season.
The Last of Us is known to masterfully reproduce scenes from the source material. The series depicts the plots of the game faithfully, blending action with emotions, suspense, and depth to create a truly captivating post-apocalyptic experience. You can catch The Last of Us on HBO and HBO Max in America.
1. Snowpiercer (2020-present)
This amazingly curated post-apocalyptic series, with outstanding visuals, premiered on TNT and is a reboot of the 2013 film of the same name. The original source material for this is a french graphic novel by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand and Jean-Marc Rochette, known as Le Transperceneige. Snowpiercer is set on a constantly moving train carrying the last few remaining human beings in the world after a global freeze. This trains carries the survivors across the globe, moving in circles and traversing a frozen barren landscape.
The series explores the problems with social systems, struggles caused by caste issues, and the robust fight for survival in a restricted and claustrophobic environment. With very detailed world-building, engrossing performances, and thought-provoking themes, this show is a must-watch for fans of sci-fi dramas and thrillers. Snowpiercer and its latest episodes are available on Netflix and AMC.
These are some of the many compelling post-apocalyptic shows waiting to be uncovered in 2024, considering that we are living in a world that has surprisingly survived the CoVid-19 pandemic.
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