The 5 Best Post-Apocalyptic TV Shows of All Time That You Can’t Miss

Ranging from an alien invasion or flesh-chomping zombies, all the way to a planet-decimating virus, the best post-apocalyptic TV shows bring both drama and hope. Yes, hope. It’s not the actual full collapse of society, but a way to muddle through it… that’s what keeps viewers tuned in. The creativity, determination, and hard-fought battles are what fans crave. Let’s check out the top five best post-apocalyptic TV shows.

Best Post-Apocalyptic TV Shows of All Time – Our Top Five

To be fair, there are a lot from which to pick. Here we tried to showcase our choices based on originality of plot, purpose-driven characters, and well, the method of wiping out the world. Whether it’s a deadly virus, (Covid, anybody?), killer vampires, or a nuclear wasteland, let’s check out these picks.

Survivors  (1975-1977 series)

Dr. Who writer Terry Nation was the force behind this highly haunting series. When 95 percent of humanity is killed off because of an accidentally released virus, the survivors must find a way to exist. Creativity and sheer willpower win out for who will thrive. Lucy Fleming and Ian McCullough are the leads in this skillfully penned series. Survivors ran for three seasons in the 1970s. (Not to be confused with the series of the same name that ran 30 years later, though that one was good.)

The Strain 

The Strigoi are the real stars in this epic zombie universe. A virus, (yes, another one), is brought to the US likely by an air traveler. And guess what? It turns people into flesh-eating vampire zombies! Yes! Corey Stoll, Kevin Durand, and the uber-talented David Bradley star in this criminally short series. Although it ran for four seasons, devout viewers wanted more. With layered plot lines, mysterious characters, and amazing effects, who wouldn’t be craving more of The Strain?

Colony 

An alien invasion is the catalyst for this setting. In one the our best post-apocalyptic TV show picks, we follow a family who has been affected by this huge change in their lives. Here we see the privileged versus the not-so-lucky while they try to navigate their harsh new reality. Starring Josh Holloway, Sarah Wayne Callies, and Peter Jacobson, this was another series that was cut way too short. Loyal fans petitioned hard for the series to be brought back.

The 100

In a world that has been sadly devastated by nuclear holocaust, 100 juvenile delinquents are sent back to forge for themselves and hopefully procreate to start a new society. Sounds good, right? Complicated characters and inventive storytelling are mixed with intriguing visual effects. Although there are some similarities to other post-apocalyptic shows (Hello, Jericho and Into the Badlands?), this one is highly addictive. The 100 features stars Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, and Marie Avgeropoulos.

The Walking Dead

Unsurprisingly, this long running series (and franchise) is one of the best post-apocalyptic TV shows. The show follows Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon, (played by Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus, respectively), into a world filled with zombies, random adversaries, and infinite plot twists and turns. It’s way more than a blood and guts and zombie-scarfing-down-flesh fest. The Walking Dead is filled with character depth, original storytelling, and plenty of gore to satisfy any viewer. That’s a true testament to its longevity.

Some Closing Thoughts

An honorable mention would be the TV series Revolution, starring Billy Burke. An intelligently written show, this examined societal collapse after a global blackout. Another miniseries that is considered one of the best post-apocalyptic TV shows is The Andromeda Strain. Here we follow a doctor who is trying to get to the bottom of why people are sickened and die after a satellite crashes to the earth in the western part of the United States.

Don’t look now – it’s been approved for a second season – a relative newcomer of a series, Paradise, has shown much promise to be one of the more interesting shows. Starring Sterling K. Brown and Julianne Nicholson, we examine just how far the governing entity will go when “protecting” its citizens in a town called… Paradise.

Zombie apocalypse, postnuclear ruins-scape, or the demise of humanity after a debilitating virus are all captivating storylines. Although these situations are (usually) unimaginable, it’s truly about the challenges presented, how our favorite characters overcome them, and finally, what lessons about humanity can be gleaned from life after the apocalypse.