15 Finest Apocalyptic TV Reveals, Ranked

The tip of the world is nigh, or at the least that appears to be a warning primarily based on the flood of apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic TV reveals being launched over the previous couple of a long time, notably within the final 5 to 10 years. In every of the reveals, the world has come to an finish by means of some type of tragic circumstance: a nuclear struggle, a lethal virus, an alien invasion, even a zombie takeover.

The very best apocalyptic reveals mix an intriguing story with compelling character arcs. Most are emotional, typically to the purpose of gut-wrenching, whereas some supply a extra humorous take. Many deal with the apocalypse as merely a backdrop for a bigger story concerning the state of humanity. However the very best apocalyptic TV reveals have followers looking forward to extra as quickly as an episode, or season, is finished.

15

‘Z Nation’ (2014–2018)

Created by Karl Schaefer and Craig Engler

A defining entry within the pantheon of collection and flicks that outlined the zombie craze of the 2010s, Z Nation stands out with its air of playfulness that embraces the thrill of horror in all its glory. Opening three years after the outbreak of a zombie virus that has decimated America, it follows a small group of survivors as they got down to escort humanity’s final hope—a person injected with an experimental vaccine to fight the zombie virus—throughout the nation to a analysis lab in California.

Whereas facets of the collection could also be too camp for viewers who take pleasure in grappling with the drama and ethical ambiguity current in lots of apocalypse tales, Z Nation gives unabashed enjoyable by means of its distinctive method and its keen forged. It additionally led to Black Summer, a extra severe prequel collection set through the preliminary levels of the outbreak that ran for 2 seasons and was launched on Netflix from 2019 to 2021.

14

‘Jericho’ (2006–2008)

Created by Stephen Chbosky, Josh Schaer, and Jonathan E. Steinberg

One thing of a forgotten gem of 2000s tv, Jericho makes use of an fascinating method to apocalyptic drama to current an intriguing story of paranoia and concern of the unknown. Set within the eponymous small city in Kansas, it follows residents within the wake of a large-scale nuclear assault on America. With all providers happening and hysteria working rampant, the group wrestle to remain united as considerations develop over what’s going to come subsequent, and if anybody else survived the assault.

With a eager curiosity in analyzing how folks reply to disaster, what evokes folks to stay collectively, and the way communities attempt to outline themselves, all whereas embracing all of the cautionary panic that comes with any story about nuclear obliteration, Jericho is as daring as it’s thematically loaded. After being initially canceled after it 22-episode first season, it was introduced again for a seven-episode second season to function a decision. Even with this, Jericho stays one among many series that were axed prematurely, by no means being given a correct likelihood to appreciate its potential.

13

‘The Final Man on Earth’ (2015–2018)

Created by Will Forte

Considered one of few humorous takes on the apocalypse, The Last Man on Earth stars Saturday Night Live alum Will Forte because the title character, or so he thinks. Following the existence of a lethal virus that seemingly wipes out everybody in all the world, Phil (Forte) spends years on his personal till lastly coming throughout one other survivor named Carol (Kristen Schaal). They imagine they need to repopulate the Earth, however Carol is insistent that they marry first. Quickly after, the pair come throughout 4 different survivors and Phil realizes he might have acted in haste.

The Final Man on Earth follows Phil’s journey with the opposite survivors he comes throughout, the friction among the many eccentric characters, and the hilarity that ensues as this band of misfits attempt to determine find out how to convey the world again.

12

‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)

Created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

A extensively underrated supernatural drama, The Leftovers commences years after an apocalyptic occasion often known as the Sudden Departure led to 2 % of the world’s inhabitants mysteriously disappearing. The individuals who stay are often known as the leftovers, and the collection follows their wrestle to outlive amidst a lot confusion and loss.

The Leftovers examines the human situation and the necessity for course, with a number of cults rising after the loss and the decline of mainstream faith. The largest risk is a cult often known as the Responsible Remnant, together with one led by a person named Holy Wayne (Paterson Joseph) who believes that he’s the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Leftovers acquired more and more higher overview by means of its three seasons, with the ultimate third season reaching an almost perfect Rotten Tomatoes critics score.

11

‘The 100’ (2014–2020)

Created by Jason Rothenbern

Youthful survivors are on the coronary heart of The 100 set 100 years after an apocalyptic occasion. Survivors have been residing in area, however now it’s time to try to reinhabit the Earth. A gaggle is shipped down to perform this, all made up of juvenile delinquents. After they arrive, nonetheless, they discover that there are descendants of survivors residing on the bottom already.

Airing for seven seasons, The 100 acquired overwhelmingly constructive critiques from critics, who name it an ideal responsible pleasure. Whereas the characters are stereotypical portrayals, there’s one thing satisfying about seeing the way it all performs out.

10

‘Falling Skies’ (2011–2015)

Created by Robert Rodat

Created by Robert Rodat—the Oscar-nominated screenwriter behind Saving Private Ryan—and with Steven Spielberg serving as an govt producer, Falling Skies is a persistently intriguing alien invasion thriller that thrives with its leisure awe and its engrossing manufacturing worth. Set within the aftermath of an alien assault that has decimated humanity, it follows a big group of survivors who combat to guard their very own whereas launching a resistance motion in opposition to the invaders.

Intelligently meshing its grandiose stakes and spectacle with a lean but sharp deal with interpersonal relationships and budding conflicts, Falling Skies is a poised and brilliantly layered collection that’s comfy juggling its apocalyptic immensity and its extra nuanced particulars. Sustaining its high quality throughout its five-season run, the dystopian sci-fi collection is ready to fulfill viewers craving excessive stakes and motion drama whereas nonetheless providing lots for many who prioritize the exploration of complicated and difficult concepts.

9

‘Candy Tooth’ (2021–)

Created by Jim Mickle

Government produced partially by Robert Downey Jr., Sweet Tooth has an fascinating premise whereby the tip of the world has led to the emergence of infants born as hybrid people and animals. Gus (Christian Convery) is on the middle of the present, a 10-year-old who is a component human boy, half deer. Following the demise of his father, he units out on a journey to find his lacking mom.

Candy Tooth is a fantasy drama that concurrently follows the story of Dr. Aditya Singh (Adeel Akhtar) who’s looking for a remedy for the virus that has plagued the inhabitants, and Bear (Stefania LaVie Owen), a frontrunner of an animal military who dedicates her life to defending the hybrids. The present was met with widespread reward, with followers loving the truth that it’s appropriate for pre-teens, too.

Created by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Michael Jonathan Smith

Within the apocalyptic world portrayed in Twisted Metal, based on the video game series of the identical title, the Earth has change into an enormous wasteland and varied teams have taken over totally different areas, making touring from one to the opposite close to not possible doe to great hazard. John Doe (Anthony Mackie) suffers from amnesia and doesn’t keep in mind a lot of something about his life earlier than. However he works along with his automobile “Evelyn” as a extremely sought-after milkman who helps teams barter amongst each other by transporting items from one group to a different. When the chief of a thriving group presents him with the chance of becoming a member of, John decides to tackle the duty she units out for him to do: transport an essential bundle to a harmful location and make it again alive.

The primary season follows John’s journey, assembly folks alongside the best way together with Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz), one other lone survivor along with her personal sordid backstory, the vicious Agent Stone (Thomas Haden Church), and the maniacal killer clown Candy Tooth (performed by Joe Seanoa and voiced by Will Arnett). Twisted Metallic is trustworthy to the online game with loads of thrilling automobile chases and battle scenes, providing a mix of ugly violence, drama, and biting humor.

7

’12 Monkeys’ (2015–2018)

Developed by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett

A collection primarily based on the 1995 movie Twelve Monkeys, which was itself primarily based on the 1962 French featurette Le Jetée, Syfy’s engrossing time-travel apocalyptic thriller overcomes a lackluster first season to excel as one of the transfixing and underrated collection of the 2010s. It follows James Cole (Aaron Stanford), residing within the ruins of a lethal virus in 2043 who’s recruited to enterprise again to 2015 to research the origin of the illness. Discovering an ally in Dr. Railly (Amanda Schull), Cole units out to convey down the Military of the 12 Monkeys earlier than the terrorist group can unleash the apocalyptic contagion.

Rising in stature and confidence all through if four-season run, 12 Monkeys actually grows past its supply materials in its sophomore outing, delivering a relentlessly twisty and thrilling sci-fi collection that strikes a exact steadiness between being astonishingly clever and simply understandable. Capping issues off with a brilliantly stunning finale, 12 Monkeys is really a hidden gem of apocalyptic tv that each one lovers of nice storytelling must stick with.

6

‘Silo’ (2023–)

Created by Graham Yost

Many didn’t understand that Silo is definitely primarily based on a novel trilogy. The story is an fascinating tackle the apocalypse whereby the occasions above floor have led to the event of a large underground silo the place survivors reside. However very like Earth earlier than, the Silo is split by class, with the working-class residing on the underside ranges and the upper-society elites on the high. When Juliette’s (Rebecca Ferguson) pal winds up lifeless below suspicious circumstances, she is satisfied that not all is what it appears. She groups up with the sheriff Holston (David Oyelowo) to try to work out what’s actually happening.

The overarching story in Silo, one of many best original series on Apple TV+, is politics and fact: nobody actually is aware of if what they see exterior by means of an outsized window is actual, nor who or why the silos had been created. However everyone seems to be afraid to query the established order. As soon as despatched exterior, nobody is permitted to return, and so they seemingly perish inside minutes of being uncovered. With season one ending on a significant cliffhanger with huge reveals, followers can’t wait to see how the story continues.

5

‘The Strolling Lifeless: The Ones Who Stay’ (2024)

Created by Scott M. Gimple, Danai Gurira, and Andrew Lincoln

Considered one of many spin-offs in The Walking Dead universe, and the most recent to be launched, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live broke data for AMC and acquired accolades throughout. Set 13 years after the zombie apocalypse, a virus infects everybody such that once they die, they flip into flesh-eating undead. This collection follows two important characters from the unique, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) as they try to reunite. It additionally introduces a few of the best new characters in The Walking Dead universe. Rick left the unique collection in season 9 and had been presumed lifeless for a while. When his spouse Michonne believes she has discovered proof that he’s nonetheless alive, she units out on a journey to search out him and convey him again dwelling.

A love story as a lot as it’s an apocalyptic story, The Strolling Lifeless: The Ones Who Stay brings satisfying closure to a narrative and characters which have change into beloved by followers. Whereas the one season may be the tip of the story, there’s a lot extra to be instructed in different spin-offs, with the potential for cameos and crossovers as effectively.

4

‘The Strolling Lifeless’ (2010–2022)

Created by Frank Darabont

What followers love about The Strolling Lifeless is that because the story progresses, it turns into much less and fewer concerning the risks posed by the strolling undead within the new world overtaken by a virus and extra concerning the risks posed by different people. It’s additionally concerning the troublesome selections folks should make when there are seemingly not possible ones. The story follows the principle group of survivors, individuals who come collectively from all walks of life, as they search shelter, sources, and safety. It’s troublesome to find out who to belief, and as formidable enemies seem, the group should determine find out how to deal with them and keep alive.

The Strolling Lifeless follows the favored comedian e-book collection in its base storylines, but in addition diverts in some methods with thrilling twists and turns to shock even die-hard comedian followers. Whereas the story arcs will be repetitive at occasions, and the present took a dip in scores and critiques by means of its eighth and ninth seasons, The Strolling Lifeless is a kind of uncommon reveals that re-emerged stronger and ended on a excessive.

3

‘Station Eleven’ (2021)

Created by Patrick Somerville

An underrated miniseries hit from HBO that casts a refreshing and optimistic lens on humanity within the apocalypse, Station Eleven cleverly weaves collectively a number of timelines to current a holistic and heady imaginative and prescient of the tip of time. It follows survivors in a world the place civilization has collapsed as a result of a lethal flu outbreak. Containing its focus to a touring performing troupe who aspire to convey pleasure to survivors, it explores Kirsten Raymonde’s (Mackenzie Davis) experiences as each a younger woman struggling to navigate the preliminary virus outbreak and, years later, as a member of the troupe making an attempt to evade the assaults of a violent cult.

Whereas meticulously paced and measured in its thematic explorations, Station Eleven rewards patience because it grapples with daring and assertive concepts of morality and goal, each in an inventive sense and within the context of life and demise. It makes some daring departures from Emily St. John Mandel novel it’s primarily based on, however maintains the supply materials’s life-affirming and unusually comforting perception that human decency will all the time discover a option to prevail, regardless of how bleak the circumstances.

2

‘Fallout’ (2024–)

Created by Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet

Primarily based on the online game franchise of the identical title, Fallout is about sooner or later the place society has populated underground bunkers often known as Vaults. Varied communities commerce with each other, however when a tragic occasion happens, a younger girl named Lucy (Ella Purnell) decides to journey to the floor to search out her lacking father. Regardless of its risks and wasteland standing, above floor is populated by others. However these aren’t welcoming of us, as Lucy alongside the mutated ghoul bounty hunter (Walton Goggins) discovers.

Fallout got here out of the gate robust, with many critics applauding how carefully it mirrors the sport, and even seems like an extension of it. From the characters to the tales and the fabulous visuals that appear like they’re proper out of a recreation, Fallout is poised to change into top-of-the-line apocalyptic TV reveals ever made, and the very best present primarily based on a online game.

1

‘The Final of Us’ (2023–)

Created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann

The Last of Us was all anybody might speak about in 2023, notably the performances by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. He performs Joel, a hardened survivor in a post-apocalyptic world brought on by a mass fungal an infection. She, in the meantime, is Ellie, a younger woman believed to be immune and probably maintain a remedy. Joel is reluctant to oblige when requested to move Ellie to what’s purported to be a protected location. However the pair embark on a journey full of hazard and emotional father-daughter-like moments.

Staying trustworthy to the online game whereas additionally growing separate however associated distinctive tales, such because the love story between survivors Invoice (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett), The Final of Us has change into a masterclass in each apocalyptic reveals and online game TV present variations. Incomes 24 Primetime Emmy nominations and successful eight, The Final of Us might change into the subsequent huge post-apocalyptic franchise.

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