12 Post-Apocalyptic TV Shows, Ranked By How Much You’d Want To Live In What’s Left Of The World

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Post-apocalyptic TV shows are incredibly popular right now. We’re seeing fantastic adaptations of video games like Fallout and The Last of Us, alongside thought-provoking series like Paradise and Pluribus. The best of these shows go beyond just showing how people survive; they explore how characters cope with their own inner struggles and rebuild their lives.

Post-apocalyptic stories are entertaining to watch, but actually experiencing those worlds would be frightening. Whether it’s deadly zombies, dangerous people, or the loneliness of survival, these futures are truly terrifying. Thankfully, many of them also include a glimmer of hope.

12. The Last Of Us

2023-Present

Life in the world of The Last of Us is a constant struggle for survival, and simply being alone isn’t enough to stay safe. Twenty years after a devastating fungal pandemic wiped out most of humanity, life is harsh and relentless. Even communities that seem secure, like the one in Jackson, Wyoming, are constantly threatened, as shown by the events in The Last of Us season 2, where peace quickly fell apart.

Beyond the safe zones, both infected creatures and other people pose a threat. While there are occasional heartwarming stories, like the touching relationship between Frank and Bill in the third episode of The Last of Us’s first season, these are rare and usually end in tragedy. This world is a dangerous place where survival is never guaranteed.

11. The Walking Dead

2010-2022

The Walking Dead is the classic zombie apocalypse story, and while many people love it, living in that world would be incredibly harsh. There’s never a true safe haven, so survivors are always on the run. Food, water, and other supplies are hard to come by, danger lurks everywhere, and people often have to make difficult choices just to stay alive. Simply surviving is the best anyone can hope for in The Walking Dead.

The show highlighted that, similar to The Last of Us, other living people often pose a greater threat than the monsters themselves, much like the walkers in The Walking Dead. Betrayal, deliberate damage, and a focus on surviving at any cost are commonplace. Communities are easily broken, and it’s hard to find anyone you can truly trust. This world is relentlessly harsh for anyone who isn’t looking for a dramatic, action-hero experience.

10. The 100

2014-2020

Nearly a century after a devastating nuclear war, the series The 100 begins. Humanity’s last survivors live on the Ark, a space station that’s quickly running out of supplies. To find out if Earth is safe to return to, 100 young criminals are sent down to the planet, creating a dark and unsettling story similar to the movie Wall-E.

The group soon learns that some people did survive, but their choices are often disturbing. The planet is full of increasing threats, including warring groups, radioactive areas, and strange occurrences. Thankfully, in the world of The 100, everything is still recognizably human, meaning the worst thing that can happen is death – you won’t encounter any zombies or transformations.

9. Snowpiercer

2020-2024

The TV series Snowpiercer is based on the popular film and takes place seven years after a global environmental disaster has frozen the Earth. The story centers around a train that constantly travels in a circle, providing the only remaining habitable space for humanity. While the train’s movement keeps everyone alive, society inside is deeply divided by wealth and status. Passengers in First Class live in comfort and luxury, while those in lower classes struggle with limited resources and difficult living conditions.

Unlike many post-apocalyptic stories, life on the Snowpiercer isn’t a constant struggle against immediate death. While the train has rules to keep everyone safe and maintain order, the biggest dangers come from social issues: unfairness and control lead to anger, frustration, and ultimately, revolt. Surviving is actually easier on the Snowpiercer than in some other similar settings, but people have to fight for a decent life, comfort, and any sense of hope.

8. Silo

2023-Present

The Apple TV+ series Silo is a gripping sci-fi story set in a huge underground bunker. After a mysterious disaster makes the world outside dangerous, the last of humanity lives inside, but the truth about what happened is more complicated than anyone knows. Life within the silo is tightly controlled, with each level dedicated to specific jobs like farming, repairs, and governing. Information is carefully restricted to keep everyone in line.

Life in the Silo is controlled through strict rules, constant monitoring, and severe penalties, fostering a fearful and stifling environment. Though similar to the world of Snowpiercer, the Silo’s society is more about social class than a strict, unchangeable hierarchy, and the differences between levels aren’t based on advanced technology. While residents are physically safe, the lack of freedom and constant surveillance would take a heavy toll on their mental well-being.

7. Fallout

2024-Present

The new Prime Video series Fallout takes place over 200 years after a nuclear war caused by corporate greed. It’s set in a unique world that blends old and new styles, with a surprising amount of personality. While life inside the protective vaults is generally safe and comfortable, the world outside is dangerous and unpredictable. Whether it’s thrilling or deadly depends on where you are, who you’re with, and how much risk you’re willing to take.

The world is overrun with dangerous mutated creatures, and people face the constant threat of becoming monstrous ghouls or something even worse, making just surviving incredibly difficult. However, amidst the ruins, you can find small settlements where people have managed to build communities and find a little bit of peace and normalcy. Fallout is a dangerous place, but it’s also a world where courage, cleverness, and the hope for a better life still exist.

6. Sweet Tooth

2021-2024

I’m a huge fan of Sweet Tooth on Netflix! It’s based on this amazing comic, and it’s set after a devastating virus called ‘The Sick’ wipes out most of the population. But that’s not all – around the same time, kids start being born who are part human and part animal. It’s a really tough situation, and sadly, a lot of people are scared of these kids and hunt them, which is heartbreaking.

Life in the world of Sweet Tooth isn’t as physically challenging as in many other apocalyptic stories. The biggest struggle for people is mental and emotional – widespread paranoia and distrust have created a deeply lonely and broken world. Most people live by themselves or with only a few family members. While there’s fear and isolation, Sweet Tooth stands out because it’s also a story filled with hope.

5. Station Eleven

2021-2022

Twenty years after a deadly flu wipes out most of the population, the world of Station Eleven is a changed place. The series, adapted from Emily St. John Mandel’s novel, beautifully and poignantly explores themes of loss, sadness, and the important connections between people.

Though it has some common themes with other survival stories—like limited resources, tight-knit groups, and moments of peril—this story isn’t primarily about constant fear. Instead, it emphasizes finding purpose again through creativity, relationships, and remembering the past. Groups like the Traveling Symphony work to restore culture to a devastated world, showing that simply staying alive isn’t enough. It’s a story about rediscovering how to live, and finding hope even after losing everything, as depicted in the post-apocalyptic world of Station Eleven.

4. Wayward Pines

2015-2016

The sci-fi thriller Wayward Pines creates a surprisingly normal atmosphere, at least initially. It’s easy to get drawn in and think you’re watching a story set in a typical small town… until you realize it’s actually 2,000 years in the future. Beyond the town’s borders lie the Aberrations, or “Abis,” dangerous creatures who are the evolved descendants of humans.

Life in Wayward Pines promises safety, but it comes at a high price. Everything is controlled – your career, who you love, even your daily activities – and you’re always being watched to make sure everyone follows the rules. It feels like you have choices, but true freedom doesn’t exist. If you work hard and obey, you can have a comfortable life here.

3. The Last Man On Earth

2015-2018

“The Last Man on Earth” is a unique and funny take on the post-apocalyptic genre. The show takes place in late 2020, almost a year after a devastating virus has wiped out most of the population. Will Forte stars as Phil, who initially thinks he’s the sole survivor, but eventually discovers a quirky group of others who become his unconventional family.

These travelers wander the Southwest, scavenging from a world full of forgotten things. With the population so low, danger isn’t a major concern, and the story focuses on funny and sometimes uncomfortable relationships. However, the vast emptiness can be deeply affecting. Finding meaning and genuine connection proves surprisingly difficult.

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2026-04-04 21:41