The 8 Best Post-Apocalyptic Shows Streaming Right Now (original) (raw)
Published Mar 14, 2025, 7:00 PM EDT
In over three years at Collider, senior author Jake has now penned over 3000 articles covering a wide range of TV and film for the resources, lists, utilities, news, and interview teams. Alongside interviewing stars such as Selin Hizli, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Harlan Coben, and Chelsea Peretti, Jake was lucky enough to visit the set of Aardman and Netflix's Wallace and Gromit: A Vengeance Most Fowl in 2024, getting the chance to chat with four-time Academy Award winner Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. Jake has also worked for other publications, including Agents of Fandom. You can also hear Jake every week as the resident film and TV journalist on Track Radio.
From science fiction's depths of space to the wacky worlds of animated flicks, television has the potential to take viewers to a range of exciting new places from the comfort of their own homes. Post-apocalyptic stories have excelled at doing just that, with the ever-curious possibility of a world post-disaster keeping audiences hungry for more tales in this genre. With that in mind, here's a look at the very best post-apocalyptic shows streaming right now.
Don't see what you're looking for? Why not check out our list of the best action movies on Prime Video or the best movies and shows on Prime Video across all genres?
'Fallout' (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 8.3/10
Fallout
Release Date
April 10, 2024
Network
Amazon Prime Video
Showrunner
Lisa Joy, Jonathan Nolan
One of 2024's biggest television successes and further proof that video game adaptations are getting better by the year, Fallout follows Ella Purnell's Lucy, who lives — like the rest of the population — inside a secure underground bunker following a devastating nuclear war known as the Great War of 2077. A rollercoaster trip through a brilliantly crafted post-apocalyptic landscape, Fallout is the latest benchmark for the genre. Whether you're a fan of the original video game or not, this series has an enormous amount to love, not least of which is Purnell's career-defining central turn. - Jake Hodges
'The Leftovers' (2014 - 2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb 8.3/10
The Leftovers
Release Date
2014 - 2017-00-00
Showrunner
Damon Lindelof
Set in the aftermath of the sudden and tragic disappearance of 2% of the world's population, The Leftovers follows a New York community committed to finding answers. However, just who can they trust? And how will they be able to juggle unimaginable grief with the will to succeed in their mission? Featuring a stunning central cast including the likes of Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, and Christopher Eccleston, The Leftovers shines as one of the best 21st-century examples of the post-apocalyptic genre. Everything from the piercing dialogue to a genius soundtrack is measured to perfection in a show beloved by millions. - Jake Hodges
'The Last Man on Earth' (2015 - 2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.4/10
The Last Man on Earth
Release Date
2015 - 2018-00-00
Network
FOX
Showrunner
Dan Sterling
Directors
Christopher Miller
Created by and starring Will Forte, you won't be surprised to find out that The Last Man on Earth follows, well, the last man on Earth, Phil Miller (Forte). However, after two years of dreaming of human company, Miller's first encounter with fellow civilization isn't exactly what he'd hoped for. When one thinks of the post-apocalyptic genre, one tends to imagine a bleak, harrowing dystopian future. However, The Last Man on Earth teaches us that the apocalypse can bring with it plenty of fun, too, with this series an unquestionable delight from start to finish. Hilarious and touching, you won't regret a moment you spend watching The Last Man on Earth. - Jake Hodges
'The Walking Dead' (2010 - 2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Release Date
2010 - 2022
Network
AMC
Showrunner
Frank Darabont, Angela Kang, Scott M. Gimple, Glen Mazzara
Cast
Melissa McBride
Carol Peletier
One of the most popular shows of the 21st century, The Walking Dead follows Sheriff's Deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who awakens from a coma to find the world destroyed by zombies. Hardened with a new will to survive, Rick attempts to track down his family and instead finds a fellow group of survivors, with the team quickly realizing that their best chance of survival includes relying on each other. Emotional one moment and stomach-churning the next, The Walking Dead is a terrifying, violent, and utterly brilliant series. The catalyst for several successful spinoffs and a new era of zombie franchises, the world has a lot to thank The Walking Dead for, and there's no better way to do so than by watching. - Jake Hodges
'Silo' (2023 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb 8.1/10
Silo
Release Date
May 5, 2023
Showrunner
Graham Yost
One of the best Apple TV+ series of the past few years, the genius Silo follows engineer Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson), a woman tasked with helping keep humanity safe as it remains packed inside a colossal silo with the outside world uninhabitable. However, after Juliette begins to suspect something may not be as it seems, the quick pull on a short conspiracy tether unravels an enormous string of mind-blowing realizations. To many, Silo remains Ferguson's best performance to date. Alongside a terrific ensemble and a set of stunning scripts, Ferguson drives this powerful story to not just critical and audience acclaim but two Primetime Emmy nominations, with much more success likely to come. - Jake Hodges
'The Last of Us' (2023 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 8.7/10
Perhaps the greatest video game adaptation of all time, The Last of Us is set against the backdrop of a world-destroying pandemic and follows Pedro Pascal's Joel as he takes his life, the life of a 14-year-old, and the future of humanity into his own hands. Among a career that includes plenty of highlights, Pascal's portrayal of Joel could well be his best. Utterly immersive from start to finish, The Last of Us not only beautifully represents the beloved game it is based upon but potentially even outdoes it at times. Harrowing, emotional, and undeniably brilliant, The Last of Us is a must-watch. - Jake Hodges
'Station Eleven' (2021 - 2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.6/10
Created by Patrick Somerville, this clever sci-fi series follows a timeline-jumping journey through the survivors of a flu that has wiped out the world as we know it. After an actor collapses on stage, a virus rapidly spreads and brings society to its knees, leaving these brave survivors with the fate of humanity in their hands. Featuring a stellar ensemble that includes the likes of Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Matilda Lawler, and others, Station Eleven is the perfect next watch for every fan of the post-apocalyptic genre. Both surreal and relatable, it's no wonder this enigmatic tale earned seven Primetime Emmy nominations. - Jake Hodges
'See' (2019 - 2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 63% | IMDb: 7.6/10
See
Release Date
2019 - 2022-00-00
Showrunner
Steven Knight
Created by the man behind Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight, See follows Baba Voss (Jason Momoa), the adopted father of a pair of sighted twins in a post-apocalyptic world in which the human race has lost its sight. Against the odds and the hellish onslaught of the enraged, can Voss help them survive? Sometimes thought-provoking and always jam-packed with action, See is a refreshing take on the post-apocalyptic genre. Momoa is his usual effervescent self throughout, proving yet another time that he's well worthy of being a mainstream leading man and helping See achieve a Primetime Emmy nomination, among other accolades. - Jake Hodges