Viewers can’t get enough of dystopian TV series. With HBO’s recent series release The last of us, this obsession is still going strong. Whatever the appeal of watching these shows, may it be a terrible future with a tyrannical government like in the series The Handmaid’s Tale or the collapse of civilization in anime Cyberpunk: Edge Runnersthe dystopia genre has its disturbing hooks among viewers.
Luckily, lovers of dystopian TV series can check IMDb for the top-rated dystopian series, which should be considered essential viewing for fans of the genre. These best dystopian shows have defined the genre over the years and amassed huge fanbases around the world.
Updated April 28, 2023 by Hannah Saab:
A trailer for black mirrorThe sixth season of has finally dropped, confirming that the beloved dystopian anthology series will return in June. As fans eagerly wait to see what twisted fictional inventions, futuristic storylines and dark twists await them in black mirror season 6 is the perfect time to revisit other must-have dystopian series.
ten “Into the Badlands” (2015 – 2019)
IMDb rating: 7.9/10
About 500 years in the future, the United States has moved to a treacherous feudal land between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River. In the Badlands reveals the story of a soldier named Sunny (Daniel Wu) and a boy named MK (AramisKnight) in search of enlightenment and the mythical utopian city of Azra.
CMA In the Badlands draws on the dystopian trope of a familiar setting as the environment is comparable to our world but labeled as post-apocalyptic. The show also mimics the hallmarks of the American Civil War and doesn’t shy away from taking viewers down a darker path.
Watch on Netflix
9 “The Man in the High Castle” (2015 – 2019)
IMDb rating: 7.9/10
In an alternate America conquered by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, The Man in the High Castle features Juliana Crain, played by Alexa Davaloswho uncovers a bizarre film that may hold the key to ending authoritarian governments.
The Man in the High CastleThe explanation of how things might have been is as chilling as it is realistic. It illustrates how effortlessly the world can fall to pieces and is a terrible reminder of how close the world is to disaster at any given time.
Watch on Prime Video
8 “The Promised Neverland” (2019 – 2021)
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
The promised never-never land tells the story of Emma (Sumire Morohoshi/Erica Mendez), Norman (Maya Uchida/Jeannie Tirado), and Ray (Mariya Ise/Laura Stahl) and their plan to escape from their orphanage, Grace Field House. They learn that their orphanage is a place where children are raised to be fed to demons.
One of The promised never-never landThe main dystopian feature of is the fact that humans are pitted against each other. The anime first tries to fulfill all the wishes of the children and then turns them against each other. The promised never-never land taps into that feeling of finding a connection when there seems to be none left in the world.
Watch on Hulu
7 ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022)
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
Cyberpunk: Edge Runners is a remarkable cyberpunk and dystopian show that features a society plagued by anarchy, corruption, and cybernetic implants. A teenager named David (Ken/Zach Aguilar) tries to survive by fighting his way through the wrong side of the law as the “edgerunner”: a high-tech black market mercenary known as a “cyberpunk”.
Another explanation for fans’ love of dystopian shows is identification with the heroes, who are typically bold, brave, and talented. Cyberpunk: Edge Runners fulfills this condition with its captivating characters. David notably has unlimited potential and dreams in a world that continually seeks to destroy him.
Watch on Netflix
6 “Utopia” (2013 – 2014)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
When a group of people find the manuscript of a graphic novel that is said to have predicted the worst disasters of the last century, they find themselves caught in a situation with an organization known as The Network.
A reason why the British thriller TV series Utopia is so remarkable is that it allows the viewer to feel more comfortable with today’s society, which, while imperfect, is far better than that of the series. It’s no surprise that the series has become cult over the years and still attracts new fans today – it’s never too late to catch up.
Watch on Prime Video
5 ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (2017 – )
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Following a second American Civil War, a dystopia is built in the television seriesThe Handmaid’s Tale. The government of Gilead sets rules that women are forced to work in minimal roles, including some as servants. Women also cannot own property, exercise a profession or read.
Drawing on the dystopian trappings of an authoritarian government that took power and disenfranchised people, this series is popular because it produces a sense of empowerment. Watch June Osborne (Elizabeth Moss) rebelling against something bigger than itself helps viewers feel like they can create a new, better reality.
Watch on Hulu
4 ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995 – 1996)
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
The teenager Shinji Ikari, summoned to the city of Tokyo-3 fifteen years after a global cataclysm, discovers that he must help his father. The series follows Shinji and other military men to stop the Angels from causing more disaster.
Neon Genesis Evangelion scores high on a dystopian list for the destruction and anarchy and psychological complexity it brings. As society becomes more socially isolated and yet overwhelmingly dependent on technology, it’s easy to imagine ideas of assimilation won’t be so far in the future.
Watch on Netflix
3 ‘Black Mirror’ (2011 – 2019)
IMDb rating: 8.8/10
black mirror is a series that explores social issues through the lens of technology. Each black mirror The episode is different, taking place in various realities, with distinct characters battling different technologies in the popular anthology series.
Throughout the show’s dark episodes, viewers are confronted with the possible horrors that technology could bring, while acknowledging that the technology depicted isn’t so far off, a trademark dystopian trope. As fans prepare for Season 6, it’s the perfect time to dive back in and watch the show.
Watch on Netflix
2 ‘The Last of Us’ (2023 – )
IMDb rating: 8.8/10
Proving that video game adaptations can work when done right, HBO The last of us took the world by storm when it premiered earlier this year. It centers on jaded survivor Joel (Pedro Pascal), whose experiences as a smuggler lead him to young Ellie (Bella Ramsey). As the duo reluctantly embarks on a journey across the country, each terrifying event brings them closer together.
Whether viewers are fans of the video game series or not, The last of us is an exhilarating zombie spectacle set in a sprawling dystopian world. Hidden in crumbling buildings and under treacherous roads lie the infected, who come in all sorts of frightening shapes and sizes. It’s an HBO phenomenon that audiences shouldn’t miss.
Watch on HBO Max
1 “Attack on Titan” (2013 – 2023)
IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
The attack of the Titans is an anime series centered on a post-apocalyptic world where people live inside cities. Around the cities are huge walls that protect people from massive creatures called Titans. Eren Jäger (Yuki Kaji/Bryce Papenbrook) and his friends swear to destroy the Titans when a Colossal Titan breaks through the wall.
The attack of the Titans offers an unsettling sense of city normalcy and a sense of being trapped. The show ticks all the boxes for a superb dystopian story featuring loss of independent freedom, destruction and anarchy while allowing viewers to connect with the characters. The series is a great jumping off point for anime newbies, who can quickly get hooked on the incredible spectacle.
Watch on Hulu
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