The world as we know it is gone, ravaged by war, disease, or ecological disaster. Yet, humanity persists, often in ways more terrifying and compelling than the cataclysm itself. If you've emerged from the vault of Prime Video's Fallout adaptation craving more tales of survival, moral ambiguity, and bizarre new worlds, you're not alone. The fascination with the end of days, and what comes after, is deeply ingrained in our collective psyche, offering both catharsis and a mirror to our own anxieties (Harvard, 2024). This curated list offers 18 immersive shows like 'Fallout' you absolutely need to watch next, spanning nuclear aftermaths, zombie hordes, and unexpected dystopias.
Why 'Fallout' Captivates & The Allure of the Apocalypse
Prime Video's Fallout brilliantly captures the dark humor and brutal realities of its video game namesake. Set two centuries after a nuclear war, it follows Lucy MacLean's journey from an underground vault into a wasteland teeming with warring factions and mutated creatures. Its blend of gutsy action, sharp satire, and profound questions about humanity's future has resonated deeply with audiences.
The show, alongside HBO's The Last of Us, marks a golden age for video game adaptations, proving that these rich narratives can translate powerfully to the screen. Our enduring fascination with post-apocalyptic narratives stems from a primal desire to understand resilience, morality, and the potential for rebirth in the face of utter devastation (Mayo Clinic, 2023). These narratives invite us to imagine how we, too, might adapt when everything we know is stripped away.
Nuclear Shadows & Dystopian Futures: Worlds Remade
Explore worlds reshaped by catastrophic events, where society rebuilds itself under new, often brutal, rules. These narratives often feature the stark contrasts of survival and the desperate measures people take to maintain order or find freedom.
Twisted Metal (2023 - )
If the vehicular chaos and darkly comedic tone of Fallout appealed to you, Twisted Metal is a must-see. Based on the iconic '90s video game, this Peacock series stars Anthony Mackie as John Doe, a delivery driver navigating a lawless, post-apocalyptic America where roads are battlegrounds. It's a high-octane spectacle of demolition derby-style action, packed with explosions and irreverent humor, perfectly capturing the chaotic energy of its source material. Stream Twisted Metal on Peacock.
Silo (2023 - )
For a more claustrophobic and mystery-driven dystopia, Silo on Apple TV+ offers a compelling alternative. Rebecca Ferguson plays Juliette Nichols, an engineer investigating a conspiracy within a colossal underground silo housing the last 10,000 humans. The world above is allegedly poisoned, and strict rules govern every aspect of life, creating a tense atmosphere of fear and control. It's a prestige drama that masterfully weaves elements of sci-fi, horror, and mystery into a poignant human story. Stream Silo on Apple TV+.
Into the Badlands (2015 - 2019)
Set 500 years in a future ravaged by war, Into the Badlands reimagines a post-apocalyptic Earth where firearms are taboo, and martial arts reign supreme. This AMC+ series transforms the American landscape into feudal kingdoms ruled by ruthless Barons. Daniel Wu stars as Sunny, a skilled warrior navigating political intrigue and breathtaking combat sequences. It's an action-packed spectacle that builds a unique mythology around its devastated world. Stream Into the Badlands on Prime Video and AMC+.
Snowpiercer (2020 - 2024)
In a frozen future, the last remnants of humanity survive aboard a perpetually moving, impossibly long train that circles the globe. Snowpiercer explores the stark class divisions and desperate power struggles within this confined world. Daveed Diggs plays Andre Layton, a 'Tailie' tasked with solving murders, leading to an inevitable uprising. It's a clever sci-fi melodrama that delves deep into social commentary, showing how old hierarchies persist even at the end of the world. Stream Snowpiercer on AMC+ or buy episodes from Prime Video.
The 100 (2014 - 2020)
For a sprawling, epic narrative of post-nuclear survival, The 100 offers seven seasons of intense drama. Descendants of nuclear war refugees return to Earth from space to find a planet teeming with new civilizations, some hostile, some surprisingly advanced. This CW series explores complex moral dilemmas, tribal warfare, and the challenges of leadership in a brutal, remade world. It builds an impressive mythology, culminating in a thought-provoking, almost metaphysical conclusion. Buy episodes of The 100 from Prime Video.
The Expanse (2015 - 2021)
While not strictly a post-apocalyptic Earth story, The Expanse presents a future where humanity has ravaged Earth's resources and expanded into a precarious solar system. This critically acclaimed sci-fi epic, available on Prime Video, explores themes of resource scarcity, warring factions (Earth, Mars, and the Belt), and the desperate struggle for survival and political dominance. Its intricate world-building and morally complex characters will appeal to anyone who enjoys the intricate power dynamics and gritty realism of Fallout. Stream The Expanse on Prime Video.
Surviving the Horde & Mutated Threats: From Zombies to Fungi
If the mutated creatures and existential threats of Fallout are what you're after, these shows deliver varying shades of horror, heroism, and the ever-present danger of a world overrun.
Z Nation (2014 - 2019)
For a less solemn take on the zombie apocalypse, Z Nation offers a campy, gory, and often hilarious ride. From the creators of Sharknado, this SyFy original follows a group tasked with transporting the only known survivor of a zombie bite across the country. Unlike the prestige dramas, this series leans into its B-movie roots, providing a fun, action-packed alternative for those who enjoy the lighter side of mass extinction. Stream Z Nation on Peacock, Tubi, AMC+, and Shudder.
The Last of Us (2023 - )
Arguably the other half of the video game adaptation renaissance, The Last of Us is a masterclass in post-apocalyptic storytelling. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey star as Joel and Ellie, traversing a fungal-infected world where zombified humans pose a constant threat. The series excels not just in its expertly crafted horror and suspense but in the deeply moving, complex relationship between its two protagonists, making the stakes feel incredibly real. It's a poignant and devastating journey that sets a high bar for shows like 'Fallout' you might seek. Stream The Last of Us on HBO Max.
Sweet Tooth (2021 - 2024)
Based on the DC Comics series, Sweet Tooth offers a heartwarming yet harrowing take on a post-pandemic world. After a mysterious virus wipes out most of humanity, hybrid children--part human, part animal--begin to be born. Gus, a deer-boy, embarks on a perilous journey across a changed America, seeking answers about his past and a cure for the 'Sick.' This Netflix series combines fairytale whimsy with profound themes of prejudice, hope, and survival, making it a unique and visually distinct entry into the post-apocalyptic genre, echoing Fallout's blend of wonder and danger. Stream Sweet Tooth on Netflix.
Beyond Earth & Unconventional Ends: Unique Apocalypses
Sometimes, the end of the world comes in unexpected forms, or humanity finds a way to survive off-world. These selections push the boundaries of what a post-apocalyptic narrative can be.
Scavengers Reign (2023)
For something truly unique and visually stunning, Scavengers Reign is an animated sci-fi epic that shares Fallout's spirit of intricate, dangerous world-building. Stranded survivors of a crashed cargo ship find themselves on an alien planet with a bizarre, interconnected ecosystem where the rules of biology are entirely new. It's a captivating exploration of adaptation, survival, and the profound beauty and terror of an unknown world. Stream Scavengers Reign on HBO Max.
Train to the End of the World (2024)
This anime series presents a quirky, colorful apocalypse triggered by experimental 7G technology that warps reality, turning people into animals and creating mind-controlling mushrooms. Shizuru Chikura and her friends commandeer a train to navigate a strange, mutated Japan in search of a lost classmate. It offers a fresh, imaginative take on post-apocalyptic travel, blending adventure with surrealism, and is another excellent option for shows like 'Fallout' you might enjoy for its unique mutations and journey. Stream Train to the End of the World on Crunchyroll or buy episodes from Prime Video.
Murderbot (2025 - )
Based on Martha Wells' Hugo-Award winning series, Murderbot is a dark comedy about a self-aware security construct (Alexander Skarsgård) that has hacked its own programming. All it wants is to watch streaming shows, but it's constantly embroiled in corporate conspiracies and forced to protect its naive human clients. While not a traditional apocalypse, it satirizes a hyper-capitalist future where humanity's biggest threats are often themselves. This Apple TV+ series promises sharp wit and a unique perspective on a dystopian future. Stream Murderbot on Apple TV+.
Raised by Wolves (2020 - 2022)
From executive producer Ridley Scott, Raised by Wolves is a visually stunning and philosophically dense sci-fi series on HBO Max. After Earth's destruction, two androids, Mother and Father, are tasked with raising human children on a mysterious virgin planet. They encounter strange creatures, ancient prophecies, and the remnants of warring religious factions. This series explores the origins of humanity, artificial intelligence, and the struggle to build a new society, making it a compelling watch for those who appreciate the deeper themes in Fallout. Stream Raised by Wolves on HBO Max.
Humanity Tested: Psychological & Social Collapse
These narratives focus less on monsters and more on the human element: how society fractures, reforms, and struggles with the emotional and psychological toll of a world irrevocably changed.
The Decameron (2024)
Challenging the notion that apocalypses must be futuristic, The Decameron offers a darkly humorous take on a real-life historical plague. Loosely adapting Boccaccio's 14th-century stories, this Netflix series follows a group of nobles and their servants who retreat to a countryside villa to escape plague-ravaged Florence. As social mores break down and liquor flows, it explores human nature under extreme duress, with a playful, Bridgerton-esque swagger. Stream The Decameron on Netflix.
Station Eleven (2021 - 2022)
Based on Emily St. John Mandel's acclaimed novel, Station Eleven is a poignant miniseries that explores the aftermath of a devastating flu pandemic. It follows multiple timelines, depicting both the initial collapse and the lives of survivors twenty years later, particularly a traveling troupe of actors. This HBO Max series is a slow-burn meditation on the power of art, memory, and human connection in a fragmented world, offering a deeply emotional and introspective apocalypse. Stream Station Eleven on HBO Max.
The Leftovers (2014 - 2017)
For an apocalypse that looks disturbingly normal, The Leftovers delves into the psychological and sociological impact of an inexplicable global event: 2% of the world's population vanishes without a trace. This HBO series, co-created by Damon Lindelof, explores the grieving, the cults, and the desperate attempts to find meaning in a world upended by an unanswerable question. It's a profound, often grim, but ultimately redemptive exploration of faith, loss, and the human condition. Stream The Leftovers on HBO Max.
The Rain (2018 - 2020)
This Danish import offers a unique take on ecological disaster: a virus spread by rainfall wipes out most of Scandinavia. Siblings Simone and Rasmus emerge from their bunker six years later, embarking on a perilous journey across their devastated homeland in search of safety and their father. The Netflix series provides a distinct European sensibility to the survival genre, exploring themes of family, sacrifice, and the desperate hope for a cure. Stream The Rain on Netflix.
Now Apocalypse (2019)
If you're seeking a lighter, more unconventional, and decidedly queer take on impending doom, Greg Araki's Now Apocalypse is a vibrant choice. Avan Jogia plays Ulysses Zane, a young man in sun-soaked California experiencing bizarre dreams that might be premonitions of an alien invasion. This Starz series, available on Tubi, blends dark comedy, sexuality, and existential dread into a unique, albeit short-lived, exploration of modern anxieties. It's a refreshing departure from typical dreary end-of-the-world scenarios. Stream Now Apocalypse on Tubi.
The Next Binge: Finding Your Post-Apocalyptic Fix
From the grim humor of nuclear wastelands to the psychological depths of societal collapse, the post-apocalyptic genre continues to evolve, offering endless possibilities for compelling storytelling. The success of Fallout reminds us that even amidst the rubble and radiation, there's always a new story to tell, a new challenge to overcome, and a new world to explore.
Whether you prefer high-octane action, intricate mysteries, or profound character studies, this list of shows like 'Fallout' you can watch next provides a rich tapestry of human resilience and depravity. So, pick your poison, settle in, and prepare to be transported to worlds where every day is a fight for survival, and the future is anything but certain.
