10 Post-Apocalyptic TV Shows That Outshine The Walking Dead

1. Jericho (2006-2008)

Before there were zombies overrunning the earth, Jericho brought us a different kind of apocalypse. After a nuclear attack decimates 23 major U.S. cities, the residents of Jericho, Kansas are left to piece together the remnants of society. Despite being cancelled after one season due to low ratings, a fan campaign involving sending nuts to CBS resulted in a second season.

Because nothing says We love this show like a bombardment of peanuts. The strength of Jericho lies in its exploration of community dynamics and moral dilemmas, presenting us with complex characters that make this show shine brighter than a nuclear explosion.

2. Survivors (2008-2010)

BBC's Survivors gives us a frightful vision of a world decimated by a pandemic, long before we had to start stocking up on toilet paper in 2020. Only 1% of the world's population survives, and they're left grappling with the basics – food, shelter, and the biggest challenge of all, human nature. Despite only lasting two seasons, Survivors was a solid blend of character-driven drama and post-apocalyptic survival that often gets overlooked in the shadow of its zombie-loving counterparts.

3. Dark Angel (2000-2002)

This one's a blast from the past, starring Jessica Alba before she was a household name. Dark Angel follows Max Guevara, a genetically enhanced super-soldier, or 'transgenic,' who escapes from a covert military facility as a child. In the post-apocalyptic world of 2019 that of course looks nothing like the real thing, she attempts to lead a normal life while eluding capture from her creators and seeking her fellow escaped transgenics.

James Cameron, the king of blockbusters, co-created this show. While the series wasn't a rating juggernaut, its unique blend of cyberpunk aesthetic, strong female lead, and engaging storylines makes it a dark horse in the post-apocalyptic genre.

4. The Last Train (1999)

A comet strikes the earth, and a group of train passengers are the lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it) survivors, courtesy of their cryogenic suspension. It's Lost meets Snowpiercer, but without the zombies. The Last Train is a hidden gem of British television, with a fresh take on the post-apocalyptic genre. Plus, it has one of the most realistic portrayals of the aftermath of a comet strike, at least according to that one science class I took in high school, you know?..

5. The Tribe (1999-2003)

The Tribe is what happens when you mix Lord of the Flies with a dash of 90s fashion and a heap of teenage angst. Set in a world where a virus has wiped out all adults, leaving only children and teenagers, the New Zealand series focuses on tribes formed by the surviving youngsters. It's one part social experiment, one part fashion disaster. But hey, it's the apocalypse, who's going to critique your neon crop tops and crazy hair?

6. Cleverman (2016-2017)

Imagine a world where ancient Aboriginal myths come to life, resulting in societal upheaval. Cleverman is that world. Here, the Hairypeople (mythical creatures) clash with humans, leading to segregation and conflict. This Australian series, hailed for its innovative premise and commentary on racism and classism, boasts an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Who said post-apocalyptic TV had to be all gloom and doom?

7. Z Nation (2014-2018)

When we think about post-apocalyptic shows, we think of gloomy, barren landscapes and grim-faced survivors. But Z Nation says, Why so serious? The Syfy original took the zombie apocalypse and infused it with a healthy dose of humor and a dash of absurdity, setting it apart from the crowd.

The mission? Transport the only known survivor of a zombie bite to a lab across the country to develop a vaccine. Oh, and the survivor can control zombies now, which is as much a party trick as it is a survival mechanism. For the zombie enthusiast who enjoys a little laughter with their end-of-the-world drama, Z Nation serves up the perfect platter.

8. Into the Badlands (2015-2019)

If you like your post-apocalyptic shows with a side of high-flying martial arts action, then AMC's Into the Badlands is the ticket. In a world where guns have been banished, society has reverted to a feudal system, with rival barons controlling resources and employing armies of loyal soldiers, called clippers. The series follows Sunny, the deadliest clipper, and his unlikely ally, a boy named M.K., who possesses a mysterious and dangerous power.

Co-produced by Hong Kong's fight choreography maestro, Stephen Fung, the series truly shines in its jaw-dropping fight sequences, turning what could have been just another post-apocalyptic drama into a dynamic visual feast. Seriously, go check it out, fight scenes alone worth it.

9. The 100 (2014-2020)

Earth was uninhabitable due to nuclear Armageddon, and humanity took refuge in a space station called the Ark. A century later, a group of juvenile delinquents is sent down to test if the earth is liveable again. This CW series takes teenage drama to a new level – survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The 100 is loosely based on the novel series of the same name by Kass Morgan. The series succeeds in painting a complex, often grim picture of survival, leadership, and the moral lines blurred in the face of extinction.

10. Terra Nova (2011)

Terra Nova is a series where humanity escapes their dying earth... by traveling back in time to the era of the dinosaurs. As far as solutions go, it's a little out there, but you have to admire the creativity. Sadly, the show was canceled after just one season, but the concept and the blend of prehistoric and futuristic elements make Terra Nova a unique entry in the genre. The highlight of the show? Definitely the dinosaurs. They might not be Spielberg-level, but there's a certain charm to watching a T-Rex cause mayhem on your screen.