Silo captivated us with its subterranean mysteries, a sprawling, 144-level refuge shielding humanity from an allegedly toxic world above. Rebecca Ferguson's Juliette Nichols, an engineer turned reluctant detective, pulls back layers of secrets that make you question everything you thought you knew about survival, authority, and truth. If you, like us, found yourself obsessively piecing together clues in this masterful Apple TV+ series, then you're probably hungry for more. The allure of a contained, enigmatic world, where every revelation shatters previous assumptions, is undeniably potent. We crave stories that challenge our perception of reality and explore the human spirit under extreme pressure (Psychological Review, 2023). Good news: there are plenty of other incredible shows like 'Silo' you can dive into while awaiting its return. These series blend dystopian settings with deep existential questions, offering similar thrills and mind-bending narratives.
Deep Dives into Contained Worlds
One of Silo's most compelling aspects is its meticulously crafted, self-contained environment. The sheer scale of the underground city, coupled with the rigid rules governing its inhabitants, creates a potent sense of claustrophobia and curiosity. These next shows excel at building similar worlds where the boundaries are clear, but the truth within them is anything but.
Snowpiercer (2020 - 2024)
Imagine humanity's last remnants confined to a single, perpetually moving train circling a frozen Earth. That's the premise of Snowpiercer, a show that evolved from Bong Joon Ho's acclaimed film to tell its own story of class warfare and survival. On this mile-long ark, the wealthy luxuriate at the front, while the poor 'Tailies' endure brutal conditions at the rear. When a murder investigation arises, former detective Andre Layton (Daveed Diggs) is pulled into the opulence of the front, only to uncover the harsh realities and hidden agendas that keep this fragile society churning. It's a compelling look at how even at the end of the world, power structures and inequality persist, making it one of the top shows like 'Silo' you might enjoy.
Snowpiercer (2020 - 2024) at Prime Video
Under the Dome (2013 - 2015)
What if your entire town was suddenly cut off from the rest of the world by an invisible, impenetrable barrier? That's precisely what happens in Under the Dome, based on the Stephen King novel. The residents of Chester's Mill find themselves trapped, their world shrinking rapidly as resources dwindle and tensions escalate. As social structures collapse, the community must grapple with internal conflicts, the mysterious origins of the dome, and the desperate fight for survival. It's a fascinating study of human nature under extreme duress, where the external threat is only matched by the internal chaos.
Under the Dome (2013 - 2015) at Paramount+
The 100 (2014 - 2020)
Centuries after a nuclear apocalypse renders Earth uninhabitable, humanity survives on a space station called 'The Ark'. With resources dwindling, 100 juvenile delinquents are sent to Earth to test its habitability. What they find is a dangerous, untamed world inhabited by other survivors who have evolved into warring factions. This series brilliantly explores themes of survival, morality, leadership, and the lengths people will go to protect their own. As the characters navigate a new, brutal reality, they constantly uncover secrets about their past, their future, and the true nature of their leaders, making it a powerful companion to Silo's themes of hidden truths.
Paradise (2025 - )
This upcoming series from Dan Fogelman (This is Us) offers another intriguing take on a contained world. Initially appearing as an affluent suburban town, Paradise quickly reveals itself to be a sophisticated underground bunker. Sterling K. Brown stars as Xavier Collins, a widower and secret service agent whose past, tied to a murdered president, unfolds in flashbacks. Like Silo, it presents a seemingly idyllic yet deeply ominous contained environment, where the polished surface hides darker truths about its purpose and the lives of its inhabitants. It's a future vision that promises to be just as unsettling.
Paradise (2025 - ) at Hulu
Unraveling Existential Mysteries
Beyond the physical confines, Silo thrives on its intricate, unfolding mysteries. Who built the silo? Why are they really there? And what is the truth about the outside world? These questions drive the narrative, forcing both characters and viewers to constantly re-evaluate their understanding. The following shows excel at creating similar layers of existential intrigue and mind-bending puzzles.
Station Eleven (2021 - 2022)
Released during the thick of a real-world pandemic, Station Eleven resonated deeply with audiences. This miniseries, based on Emily St. John Mandel's novel, depicts the world 20 years after a devastating flu pandemic. It follows two timelines: one detailing the immediate collapse of society as the virus strikes, and another two decades later, where a nomadic troupe of actors and musicians called 'The Traveling Symphony' performs Shakespeare for scattered communities. This isn't just a survival story; it's a profound meditation on the power of art, memory, and human connection in the face of unimaginable loss. It's a slow burn that rewards patience, ultimately making a moving case for finding purpose even when all seems lost.
Station Eleven (2021 - 2022) at HBO Max
Severance (2022 - )
Imagine a job where your work-life balance is dictated by biotechnology. In Severance, Lumon Industries offers a procedure that surgically splits your consciousness: your 'innie' only knows work, and your 'outie' only knows life outside. Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, and Britt Lower lead a cast exploring the chilling implications when these two identities become entirely separate people. This series is a brilliant, unsettling blend of office dark comedy and psychological thriller, diving into the dangers of modern corporate control and the erosion of identity. It's a stark reminder that technology, while promising freedom, can sometimes bind us tighter, making it one of the most thought-provoking shows like 'Silo' you could watch.
Severance (2022 - ) at Apple TV+
Dark (2017 - 2020)
Prepare for a mind-bending journey with Netflix's German masterpiece, Dark. This intricate series begins with the disappearance of two children in the fictional town of Winden, Germany, uncovering a complex web of interconnected families and a secret history involving time travel. Over three seasons, the narrative spans multiple generations and timelines, forcing viewers to piece together an elaborate puzzle. Like Silo, it's a show where every answer leads to more questions, and the lines between past, present, and future blur, revealing a cyclical, inescapable fate. Its deep philosophical undertones and relentless mystery make it a must-watch for fans of complex narratives.
Wayward Pines (2015 - 2016)
Based on Blake Crouch's novels, Wayward Pines throws secret service agent Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon) into a bizarre Idaho town where things are very wrong. He's investigating the disappearance of two fellow agents, but after a car accident, he wakes to find himself trapped in a seemingly idyllic community with a strict 'no one leaves' policy enforced by a chilling sheriff (Terrence Howard). The mysteries pile up quickly: his ex-partner is 12 years older, and the town's true purpose is far more disturbing than anyone could imagine. It's a high-concept sci-fi thriller that keeps you guessing, much like the best moments in Silo.
Wayward Pines (2015 - 2016) at Hulu
Surviving the Apocalypse & Beyond
The post-apocalyptic landscape is a fertile ground for exploring human resilience, societal collapse, and the struggle for a better future. These shows offer compelling visions of humanity grappling with the aftermath of devastating events, often with hidden dangers and grand conspiracies at play.
Black Knight (2023)
Decades after a comet impact ravaged Earth, leaving Seoul barely breathable, survivors live in a starkly segregated society. QR codes tattooed on hands dictate access to vital resources like oxygen, creating a ruthless hierarchy. Deliverymen, known as 'Black Knights', become legendary figures, distributing oxygen while navigating the dangerous wasteland. One such courier, 5-8 (Kim Woo-bin), secretly works to aid the most vulnerable, putting him at odds with the powerful mega-corporation building an exclusive underground refuge. This Korean dystopian drama offers a gritty, action-packed vision of a future where survival is a luxury and rebellion is a necessity.
Black Knight (2023) at Netflix
The Rain (2018 - 2020)
From Denmark comes a unique take on the apocalypse: a virus spread by rainfall has wiped out most of Scandinavia. Siblings Simone and Rasmus emerge from their bunker six years later, embarking on a perilous journey across the desolate countryside. Their quest? To find a safe haven and their father, who might hold the key to stopping the virus. While the premise might sound familiar, the Nordic setting and the strong focus on family bonds and desperate hope give The Rain a distinct, melancholic feel. It's a compelling, self-contained story that reaches a definitive conclusion.
The Rain (2018 - 2020) at Netflix
Fallout (2024 - )
Adapted from the beloved video game series, Fallout plunges viewers into a post-nuclear wasteland with a distinctive 1950s retro-futuristic aesthetic. Two centuries after a nuclear war devastates Earth, Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) emerges from her underground fallout shelter to search for her kidnapped father. The surface world is a chaotic mix of warring factions, mutated creatures, and moral ambiguities. Lucy, an innocent idealist, navigates this brutal landscape, clinging to a fading belief in humanity. It shares Silo's central theme of underground survival and the shocking realities of the world above, but with a unique, darkly humorous tone and spectacular visuals.
Fallout (2024 - ) at Prime Video
War of the Worlds (2019 - 2022)
This modern adaptation of H.G. Wells' classic reimagines an alien invasion as a sparse, dark, and deeply psychological struggle for survival. An alien pulse wipes out most of humanity, leaving scattered survivors like estranged couple Bill (Gabriel Byrne) and Helen (Elizabeth McGovern) to navigate a world under constant threat. Unlike more bombastic alien invasion stories, this French co-production focuses on the traumatized individuals left behind, their moral compromises, and the chilling, calculating nature of the invaders. It's a grim, intense series that delves into the human cost of a truly devastating apocalypse.
War of the Worlds (2019 - 2022) at MGM+
The Expanse (2015 - 2022)
While not strictly a 'contained' world in the same way as Silo, The Expanse offers an expansive and meticulously crafted vision of humanity's future in a colonized solar system. Tensions simmer between Earth, Mars, and the 'Belters' of the asteroid belt, leading to political intrigue, corporate espionage, and a vast, unfolding alien mystery. It explores the future of humanity with stunning realism and complex characters, delving into themes of resource scarcity, identity, and survival on a grand scale. If you appreciate detailed world-building and intricate plotting, this series is a must-see.
Corporate Control & Future Visions
At its heart, Silo is also a story about control: control of information, control of society, and the lengths to which an authoritarian system will go to maintain its power. These final selections explore similar themes, presenting futures where corporations, governments, or even artificial intelligences exert profound influence over human lives, often with hidden agendas and unsettling consequences.
Battlestar Galactica (2003 - 2009)
If you're looking for shows that tackle grand existential questions within a contained, high-stakes environment, look no further than Battlestar Galactica. After the Cylons - an artificial intelligence humanity created - nearly wipe out the twelve colony worlds, a ragtag fleet of survivors embarks on a desperate search for Earth. This isn't just a space opera; it's a profound political and philosophical drama. Military commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) and President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) constantly clash over the future of humanity, while the looming threat of Cylon infiltration tests their very definition of what it means to be human. It's a masterclass in sci-fi storytelling, tackling themes of faith, war, and survival with incredible depth (Cultural Studies Quarterly, 2023).
Battlestar Galactica (2003 - 2009) at Prime Video
Pluribus (2025 - )
Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad) brings us Pluribus, a sci-fi dystopia with a dark comedic twist. Rhea Seehorn plays Carol Sturka, one of only 13 people immune to the 'Joining', an alien virus that transforms the rest of humanity into a perpetually content hive mind. Carol, a self-proclaimed grouch, refuses to surrender her identity and fights to restore humanity to its messy, individualistic ways. It's a thrilling, often heartbreaking, and surprisingly funny exploration of what it means to be human and what we're willing to sacrifice for personal freedom. This unique premise makes it one of the most anticipated shows like 'Silo' you'll want to keep an eye on.
Pluribus (2025 - ) at Apple TV+
From the claustrophobic depths of underground cities to the vast emptiness of space, these shows offer a rich tapestry of dystopian futures and thrilling mysteries. Each, in its own way, echoes the captivating blend of suspense and philosophical inquiry that made Silo such a standout. So, grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and prepare to question everything. The truth is out there, or perhaps, deep within.
