Apocalyptic shows continue to be a progressive genre for decades. Over the years, viewers have seen a number of post-apocalyptic shows spring up in a way that mirrors the views and impact of humans on society. Zombies and various outbreaks causing incidents afterThe Walking Deadhas taken center stage. The apocalyptic tv show boom since the TWD show premiered has kept Hollywood well-employed and streaming platforms well-loaded with content. One of thefreshest takes on the apocalyptic genre has been Netflix’sSweet Tooth.
Based on the comics,Sweet Toothis a daring but sweet show that centers on a half-deer, half-boy hybrid who seeks out his mother after the death of his father. The whimsy yet suspenseful show thrusts viewers into the world of hybrids who live feared among humans. Blending fantasy and post-apocalyptic themes makes for great TV. There are tons of shows that blend the two themes in perfect harmony.
15Black Summer (2019-2021)
Created by Karl Schaefer
Black Summeris a show set in the early days of a zombie apocalypse. It follows the struggles of several characters. The show is a spinoff ofZ Nation, a similar zombie apocolypse show. Unlike other zombie shows, Black Summer is packed with intense action and a real terror of the unpredictablilty of the undead.
While the show was quite popular during its run, it failed to pick up higher ratings and was canceled after season 2. While it is connected to the same universe asZ Nation, none of the characters from the original show make an appearance.
Black Summer
Watch on Netflix
14Station Eleven (2021)
Created by Patrick Somerville
Based on a novel byEmily St. John Mandel,Station Elevenis an HBO miniseries that takes place after a deadly flu has ravaged the world. Multiple narratives are weaved together, exploring how the survivors of the pandemic have come together to save the rest of humanity.
The show has positive reviews and is praised for its pacing, as viewers are rewarded for being patient throughout the series with huge payoffs. The show was released during a real life global pandemic and many saw parallels that resonated with viewers.
Station Eleven
13The Stand (1994)
Created by Stephen King
The Stand is a miniseries based off Stephen King’s novel of the same name. A strange human-made plague known as “captain trips” has ravaged the world. The show follows the survivors as they attempt to reshape the world in the wake of the devastation.
The show was adapted again in 2020, but was met with unfavorable reviews, most likely being too close to the real life pandemic going on. The 1994 version was thought to be a superior adaptation starring Gary Sinise and Molly Rignwald.
Buy on Amazon
12Snowpiercer (2020-)
Created by Graeme Manson
Based on the 2013 movie starring Chris Evans, Snowpiercer is about a train that continuously circles the globe protecting the last survivors of a human-made ice age. The train is a microcosm of society, with the lowerclass forced to live in despair on the back of the train, while the upperclass get to live in luxury at the front.
The show originally aired on TNT in 2020 and was canceled two years later. However, it has been picked up again by AMC in 2024 and has continued production. While the first season was met with mixed reviews, the second season and beyond have been highly regarded by fans, saying that Snowpiercer picks up momentum and drops the narrative baggage holding it down in season one.
Snowpiercer
Watch on AMC+
11The Leftovers (2014-2017)
Created by Damon Lindelof
Based on Tom Perrotta’s novel of the same name, The Leftovers is about a world where 2% of the population has suddenly disappeared in what people call “Sudden Departure.” The show is about the lives of those left behind and how they deal with the sudden disappearance of their loved ones and how they rebuild society.
The show is highly acclaimed and considered one of the best fantasy dramas on television. It delves into themes of loss, faith and community as they come together to put back the pieces of their missing lives.
The Leftovers
Watch on MAX
10’The Last of Us' (2023-)
Created by Neil Druckmann
Based on the award-winning video game of the same name,The Last of UsTV adaption brings the horror elements to life. When the world collapses due to a mysterious plague, lone survivor Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) takes charge of teen Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they make their way across the US. Along their journey, the duo encounters zombie-like creatures and other survivors who wish to do them harm.
While taking inspiration from other zombie materials,The Last of Usbrings in a sense of realism by using an infection that could be fatal in real life. Like other shows, the real fear comes in the form of other humans in their fight to survive. What the show lacks in fantasy makes up for in world-ending threats.
The Last Of Us
9'12 Monkeys' (2015-2018)
Created by Terry Matalas
A time-warping apocalyptic show with even reality-bending suspense.12 Monkeysfollows a time traveler from a post-apocalyptic future who ventures into the past to destroy the origins of a deadly plague that wipes out most of the future human race.
The show branched out with complex storytelling and stellar action sequences during its first season. Fitting right in with SYFY’s science fiction format,12 Monkeysexpanded upon their original premise with each season.
12 Monkeys
8’The Strain' (2014-2017)
Created by Guillermo del Toro
Guillermo del Toro’sThe Strainwas a uniquely fresh take on vampire lore. A deadly mysterious outbreak attacks New York with an ancient and otherworldly force. The show progresses with intense action and suspense as the outbreak spreads, consuming the world.
The Strainis a series of numerous New Yorkers all racing to stop the ever-growing threat of annihilation. The pacing maintains as the genre blends the supernatural with the biblical ending elements. The show ran for four seasons.
Watch on Hulu
7’The 100' (2014-2020)
Created by Jason Rothenberg
The 100was a sleeper hit for CW. The show takes place nearly 100 years after a nuclear war destroys human civilization. In a floating spaceship housing the last of humanity, they decide to send 100 unruly teens back down to Earth in hopes of repopulating it.
Despite reviews and criticism,The 100managed to end with seven seasons due to its loyal fanbase. The show blended elements of Game of Thrones with themes of medieval sci-fiction. While the show suffered in the first few seasons,The 100remains one of CW’s most enduring and intense endings.
6’Zoo' (2015-2017)
Created by James Patterson
Based onJames Patterson’s New York Times best-selling book of the same,Zoogave viewers a fresh exciting take on the apocalyptic genre. The show gives viewers a look at a world where a mysterious virus begins to affect all animals' behavior in rash and violent ways. The end results in animals becoming more aggressive towards humans as a small team of researchers look to find the cause of it.
Instead of human beings the focus in an apocalyptic setting, Zoo focuses on animals which make for a more compelling story than most shows. Despite a strong first season, the show ultimately ends with only three seasons.
