The end of the world — no one knows how that will unfold. But on television, there are tons of shows that try to depict it — a disease, environmental disaster, nuclear bomb — the list goes on. It’s all very generic in the having to survive after an event destroys the earth as everyone knows it. But in recent years, the television depiction of the storyline has taken many different forms — from drama to horror, and even sitcom.Here’s are some epic apocalyptic-themed tv shows that everyone should watch if they're trying to survive till the end.
Snowpiercer
Creators: Graeme Manson, Josh Friedman
Cast: Jennifer Connelly, Daveed Diggs, Rowan Blanchard, Alison Wright, Sean Bean
An ambitious sci-fi mystery that takes place seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland. The last of humanity is seen aboard a perpetually-moving train that circles the world — with politics of survival, class welfare, social injustices are being played out.
Taking a different route from its source material. Snowpiercer has an outstanding premise — the world-building becomes more and more immersive as the season continues — expanding on the fueled dystopia from the film (2013). As the series continues, the story picks up momentum, laying the groundwork for more exciting storylines to come. With each season, the interest and vigor of the many characters are renewed — boosting the narrative.
Attack on Titan
Creator: Hajime Isayama
Cast: Yûki Kaji, Josh Grelle, Yui Ishikawa
Humans found safety behind the massive walls that stopped the giant man-eating Titans 100 years ago. But their safety is once again threatened — a flood of the giants have wreaked havoc on the remains of humanity. Eren Jaeger vows revenge against the Titans when his mother dies in the hands of one of them — enlisting his remaining friends that survived the attack to help; becoming humanity’s last hope in avoiding extinction.
A spellbinding and impressively realistic animation — a terrifying dystopian reality, with the right balance of action, drama, and suspense. New layers of intrigue are added as the story continues to unfold — focusing on the political intrigues and world-building.
The Last Ship
Creators: Steven Kane, Hank Steinberg
Cast: Eric Dane, Rhona Mitra, Charles Parnell, Marissa Neitling, Travis Van Winkle, Bridget Regan
After a global pandemic wipes out 80% of the world’s population, the crew of a lone unaffected USS Nathan James decides the safest place to develop a cure is at sea — the task given to virologist Dr. Rachel Scott. But after creating the cure for the initial virus that caused the pandemic, the world must live with the reality of a new existing virus that is capable of wiping the world’s population once again.
Movie-sized action sequences — a post-apocalyptic thriller that is enjoyable that leaves viewers wanting more. The storyline has enough variations to keep things interesting — with moments of intense still providing feelings of hope, while also keeping viewers at the edge of their seats.
Van Helsing
Creator: Neil LaBute
Cast: Kelly Overton, Jonathan Scarfe, Rukiya Bernard, Tricia Helfer, Christopher Heyerdahl
The daughter of famed vampire hunter, Vanessa Helsing, wakes up after a five-year coma to find a vampire-controlled world. Fate would have it, she finds out that her blood makes her immune to vampires, has the capability to turn the creatures into humans — humanity’s last hope to turn the world back to what it once was.
In this reimagining of the classic Dracula story, humans need to work together to navigate a world dominated by vampires — incorporating strong performances, and a strong fallen-society storyline. The story is engaging — focusing on the characters struggles, having to navigate through their many choices, whether good or bad. The horror tale is able to successfully balance and navigate the many different elements needed of the genre.
Zoo
Creators: Josh Applebaum, André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner
Cast: James Wolk, Kristen Connolly, Nonso Anozie, Alyssa Diaz, Billy Burke, Gracie Dzienny
Young American zoologist, Jackson Oz, oversees safaris in Africa. When he notices the animals exhibiting strange behaviors, violent attacks on humans start occurring around the world. Jackson races to solve the mystery as the assaults accelerate — seemingly more and more cunning — before humans run out of places to hide for safety.
Based on James Patterson’s bestselling novel — an entertaining and easy to watch series. Some who have read the book may say it’s nothing compared to that of the novel, but many agree that there are thrilling animal sequences, making the series a nonstop madness and lots of fun — with no way of knowing what is to come next, making the series so addictive.
The Rain
Creators: Jannik Tai Mosholt, Christian Potalivo, Esben Toft Jacobsen
Cast: Alba August, Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen, Mikkel Følsgaard, Clara Rosager, Lukas Løkken
Six years after a brutal rain-carried virus wipes out nearly everyone in Scandinavia, two Danish siblings emerge from their bunker to embark on a journey in search of life — with a group of fellow young survivors, heading out on a danger-filled quest through abandoned lands.
Although starting off a bit slow, the series develops into quite a thrilling dystopian story — breaking narrative, exploring the quarantine aspect and whether humanity is able to survive such a catastrophe; where the characters end up, and why.
Station Eleven
Creator: Patrick Somerville
Cast: Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Matilda Lawler, Lori Petty
Spanning multiple timelines, telling the stories of the survivors of a devastating flu — how the individuals attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world from what they once knew of it while holding on to the best of what’s been lost.
The limited series based on the 2014 novel written by Emily St. John Mandel is an intelligently written genre-bending slow burn — full of tenderness, and driven by the faith of humanity — time hopping from the beginning of the flu, spanning 20 years.
Defiance
Creators: Kevin Murphy, Rockne S. O’Bannon, Michael Taylor
Cast: Grant Bowler, Stephanie Leonidas, Julie Benz, Jaime Murray, Jesse Rath, Tony Curran
In the near future after 3 decades of different alien lifeforms have arrived on earth, the landscape has completely altered, with new rules in place — life in the city of Defiance is disrupted when events occur — after the arrival of Nolan and his charge Iris — threatening the peace the people of the city have fought so hard to establish.
The Frankenstein of television — Defiance is a smart and well-crafted sci-fi series that constantly tests its characters and audiences. Throughout the season rearranging the narrative, and deepening the story lore — providing more agencies of surprise with ambitious and creative storylines.
3%
Creator: Pedro Aguilera;
Cast: Bianca Comparato, Vaneza Oliveira, Rodolpho Valente, Fernanda Vasconcellos
With most of the population being in poverty and living in an area known as the Inlands, a select few individuals are allowed to join an elite group who live in a virtual paradise. Every year, 20-year-olds are given the chance to compete in an intense and competitive series of tests, with only 3% of the candidates who succeed and qualify to leave the Inlands and join the privileged in the Offshore.
3% separates itself from other teen-centric dystopian thrillers — a massively underrated series that focuses on the characters’ complicated storylines with a provocative and straightforward approach that heightens expectations.
Wayward Pines
Creator: Chad Hodge
Cast: Matt Dillon, Charlie Tahan, Carla Gugino, Jason Patric, Shannyn Sossamon
Visitors and natives of the unusual town of Wayward Pines struggle to understand the complex origins of the land — what the town really is. When a Secret Service agent comes in search of two missing federal agents, he soon learns that he may never be able to leave the town alive, as shocking events unfold — the human race is in danger, with a civil war emerging.
Creepy and strange in the best possible way — Wayward Pines’ mystery and intrigue are brought to another level — nothing is certain, and no one can be trusted. The balance between unhinged and ominous throughout the series is thrilling to watch, leaving a world that’s ambitious and uniquely appealing.
War of the Worlds
Creator: Howard Overman
Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Gabriel Byrne, Léa Drucker, Elizabeth McGovern
In present-day Europe, transmissions from another galaxy all but wipes out humanity; with eerily deserted lands, a pocket of survivors must team up — avoid and escape aliens bent on destroying mankind, and all they hold dear.
In this Anglo-French reimagining of The Walking Dead, and HG Wells’ classic, War of the Worlds is a slow burn series that examines how humans cope in times of crisis, while also bringing in intrigue with dramatic plots, and secrets being meticulously revealed as the storyline continues.
Into the Night
Creator: Jason George
Cast: Pauline Etienne, Laurent Capelluto, Mehmet KurtuluÅŸ, Alba Gaïa Bellugi
When radiation from the sun causes a global disaster, destroying everything in its path, a plane full of survivors from Brussels must travel at night from city to city — in an attempt to stay ahead and escape the destructive powers of the sun’s rays — to find some place safe to stay.
A blend of ecological calamity, and suspense of a heist thriller — tense, exciting, and remarkably thrilling. The duality of the character and the character developments leave audiences questioning the morality of everyone. The series keeps viewers at the edge of their seats from beginning to end.
Colony
Creators: Ryan J. Condal, Carlton Cuse
Cast: Josh Holloway, Sarah Wayne Callies, Peter Jacobson, Isabella Crovetti
Los Angeles has been invaded by mysterious outside forces, causing a rift between the city’s residents — some collaborating, while others rebel and suffer the consequences that come with their choices. Will Bowman and his wife, Katie, fight to stay together — considering their family obligations, as they were separated from their son during the invasion.
An engaging narrative that balances world-building, while also providing the necessary subtle emotional stakes — with strong performances that make the story compelling. A highly entertaining story that engages the audience.