10 best dystopian shows that’ll scratch that Hunger Games itch

Deeya
Still from The Handmaid
Still from The Handmaid's Tale (Image via Hulu)

Some of the best dystopian shows are those that feature a dystopian society—often ravaged by war or disease, a new structure of society, and the power dynamics and struggles that happen due to a post-apocalyptic setting. All of these features are in The Hunger Games as well. It is no wonder, therefore, that the movie has been such a big hit. The movie’s dystopian setting has also inspired many shows. Here are the 10 best dystopian shows that will satisfy fans of the movie.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.


Fallout, The 100, and other best dytopian shows to watch for fans of The Hunger Games

1. Silo

Still from the show (Image via Apple TV+)
Still from the show (Image via Apple TV+)

Based on the novel trilogy by Hugh Howey, this sci-fi and dystopian drama show is one of the best dystopian shows in modern times. Created by Graham Yost and starring Rebecca Ferguson, Rashida Jones, Tim Robbins, and others, the series is set in a future where humans live in a giant underground silo of multiple levels. Amidst this reality, an engineer Juliette (Ferguson), becomes embroiled in the mysteries of the past and the present that will uncover the brutal reality of the silos. The show presents a world that has been ravaged by nuclear destruction and has some of the same central ideas as those in The Hunger Games, like using deception to control the people. While both the show and the movie showcase a dystopian society where rules are made for the people’s benefit, it is slowly uncovered that the rules hide something more sinister. Therefore, the show is one of the best dystopian shows.


2. Fallout

Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the show (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Created by Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet, this post-apocalyptic drama is based on the video game franchise created by Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky. Starring Elle Purnell, Kyle MacLachlan, and others, the series is one of the best must-watch dystopian shows. The show has been a massive critical and financial success. The show depicts the aftermath of a Great War that happens in 2077, which causes a nuclear exchange between the US and China. Many survivors of the war take refuge in fallout bunkers that are known as Vaults. However, the residents are unaware that the vaults are designed to perform experiments on the vault dwellers. After more than 200 years, Lucy (Purnell), leaves her vault to go to the wasteland of Los Angeles to look for her father, who has been kidnapped. She soon meets a squire and a bounty hunter and has an adventure of her own. The show has a lot of action and mixes drama and humor well. It is the perfect watch for all those who love the best dystopian shows. Like The Hunger Games, the show has impressive visuals and is surrounded by mystery and conspiracies.


3. Station Eleven

Still from the show (Image via Max)
Still from the show (Image via Max)

Based on the novel of the same name by Emily St. John Mandel, this post-apocalyptic and dystopian fiction miniseries is created by Patrick Somerville and is one of the best dystopian shows. The series showcases a world that is set in the aftermath of a flu pandemic that took over the world 20 years earlier. The pandemic has resulted in running the human society, and there is a group of survivors who make their living as traveling performers. However, they soon encounter a violent cult that is led by a man who is linked to a member of the troupe. The series features Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, and others and was a critical and commercial hit. The show explores the importance of art in dystopia, and like The Hunger Games, there are themes of deception, violence, and survival. It is one of the must-watch best dystopian shows, and viewers who enjoyed the female-centric movie will also like this show with a similar strong female lead.


4. The Handmaid’s Tale

Still from the show (Image via Hulu)
Still from the show (Image via Hulu)

Created by Bruce Miller and based on the 1985 novel by Margaret Atwood, this dystopian series features Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Alexis Bledel, and others. The series is one of the best dystopian shows and features a dystopian society after the Second American Civil War, where a theonomic and totalitarian regime is followed. In such a society, women have no agency and are viewed as slaves and child-bearers. The fertile women are called Handmaids and must bear children as part of their slavery. The show has been a massive critical and commercial success and has opened discussions about the importance of women’s agency and power. Like The Hunger Games, the show has strong female leads and has similar themes of indoctrination, rage, and fascism. Viewers who enjoyed the movie should definitely watch the show, as it is one of the best dystopian shows.


5. The 100

Still from the show (Image via Warner Bros)
Still from the show (Image via Warner Bros)

Based on the novel series by Kass Morgan, this post-apocalyptic and sci-fi drama is developed by Jason Rothenberg and features Eliza Taylor, Paige Turco, Kelly Hu, and others. The series is one of the must-watch best dystopian shows and focuses on post-apocalyptic survivors from a space habitat called The Ark. These survivors return to Earth after a century, when the planet was destroyed by a nuclear apocalypse. These first people who come to Earth are a bunch of juvenile delinquents who meet the descendants of the survivors of the nuclear disaster. In the show, the delinquents are sent to Earth because the spaceship from which they came is running out of oxygen, and it has to be verified if Earth is habitable once more. Like The Hunger Games, the show focuses on themes of scarcity of resources, survival, and the nature of humanity in dystopian settings. It is one of the best dystopian shows and is a thrilling watch.


6. The Society

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Created by Christopher Keyser and starring Kathryn Newton, Gideon Adlon, and others, this mystery teen drama series has just one season, but is an engaging watch like some of the best dystopian shows. The series revolves around a group of teenagers who must create their own community after all the adults mysteriously disappear from their town. The show presents a dystopian situation as the teenagers are in for a fright as they come back from a cancelled field trip and find that all the adults are gone. Further, a dense forest begins to surround the town, and the telephone or the internet suddenly stops working. Like The Hunger Games, the show has young characters who must fend for themselves in a dangerous situation and deal with limited resources. Viewers who liked the young cast in the movie and the tense atmosphere should definitely watch this show as it offers the same aspect. It is therefore one of the must-watch best dystopian shows.


7. The Last of Us

Still from the show (Image via Max)
Still from the show (Image via Max)

Based on the video game franchise by Naughty Dog, this post-apocalyptic drama series is created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann and features Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, and others. The series is set in a society that has been ravaged by a mass fungal infection that began decades earlier. The people who catch this infection, however, turn into zombie-like creatures. The show was a critical and commercial hit and was noted for its design, direction, and performances. As one of the best dystopian shows currently, it is a must-watch. The series also focuses on Joel (Pascal), who is a smuggler and must protect a special girl called Ellie (Ramsey), who is immune to the virus. Like The Hunger Games, the show has a dystopian setting and centers around unlikely partnerships. Viewers who liked the duos of Katniss and Rue would also like the dynamic between Joel and Ellie. It is therefore one of the best dystopian shows.


8. Tribes of Europa

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Starring Emilio Sakraya, Melika Foroutan, and others, this German sci-fi series was created by Philip Koch. The show is set in 2074, 43 years after a mysterious global technological failure caused countries to go into anomie and get reorganized into dystopian tribal and warring microstates. The show focuses on three tribes on the European continent and revolves around the challenges that the people in these tribes have to face against one another as they want a cube that has advanced technology. Like The Hunger Games, where each District has a unique structure and pitted against one another, this show also has a similar theme and structure. Therefore, fans of the movie will definitely love the similar societal structure of the show, and the series has plenty of twists and turns. It therefore has an inventive premise and is one of the best dystopian shows.


9. Into the Badlands

Still from the show (Image via AMC+)
Still from the show (Image via AMC+)

Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, this action drama show features Daniel Wu, Orla Brady, and others. The show is one of the best dystopian shows and is unique as it mixes high-octane martial arts fight sequences with sci-fi elements. The series focuses on a society where war has ruined human civilization. The society has therefore shunned firearms and relies on crossbows. And only electricity and ground vehicles have survived the apocalypse. In such a condition, a feudal society develops, and all the important resources like land and fuel are owned by powerful barons. Amidst all this, a warrior and a young boy decide to journey through the wasteland and seek enlightenment. Like The Hunger Games, the show is dystopian and has high-stakes action. The show also focuses on a society where limited resources have created a privileged class and the disenfranchised class, like the movie. It is therefore one of the must-watch best dystopian shows.


10. Arcane

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Set in the video game universe of the League of Legends, this steampunk action-adventure series is created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee. Featuring the voices of Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and others, the popular animated show focuses on the sisters Violet or Vi (Steinfeld) and Powder or Jinx (Purnell). The sisters become embroiled in the battle between the underworld of Zaun and the city of Piltover. From the show’s visuals and worldbuilding to the soundtrack and pacing, the show has been well-loved by critics and fans alike. The show is set in a dystopian and futuristic world, and its main theme is the class and wealth gap, like The Hunger Games. The struggle between Piltover and Zaun happens because Zaunites live in poverty while Piltover’s residents live in wealth. The show, therefore, has thought-provoking storytelling and interpersonal drama that mirrors the plot of the movie as well. The show is, therefore, one of the best must-watch dystopian shows.

Edited by Deeya