The 80+ Best Apocalyptic And Post-Apocalyptic TV Shows
Vote up the best TV shows set during or after apocalyptic events.
This story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by flesh-eating zombies known as "walkers." Sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) leads a diverse group of survivors as they battle both the undead and other hostile humans in their quest for safety. This gripping series explores themes such as hope, humanity, and resilience against all odds.
- Premiered: October 31, 2010
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The 100 revolves around a group of juvenile delinquents sent back to Earth from an orbiting space station, tasked with determining if the planet is habitable after a nuclear apocalypse. As they navigate this harsh new world, these survivors face moral dilemmas and forge alliances in their fight for survival. Led by Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor) and Bellamy Blake (Bob Morley), viewers are taken on an emotional journey through love, loss, and sacrifice.
- Premiered: March 19, 2014
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The story of a small Kansas town thrown into chaos following multiple nuclear attacks across America. With limited resources and communication cut off from the outside world, residents must band together under Mayor Johnston Green (Gerald McRaney) to rebuild society amidst constant threats from within and beyond their borders. This compelling drama showcases human ingenuity in times of crisis.
- Premiered: September 20, 2006
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Based on the acclaimed video game, explores a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal infection that turns humans into monstrous creatures. Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey), two survivors from different backgrounds, must traverse this dangerous landscape together while developing an unexpected bond amidst the horrors they face.
- Premiered: January 15, 2023
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Set in a future where electricity ceases to exist due to mysterious circumstances, plunging society into darkness overnight. In this dystopian landscape devoid of modern technology, Charlie Matheson (Tracy Spiridakos) embarks on dangerous missions alongside her uncle Miles (Billy Burke), seeking answers that could restore power while battling tyrannical forces controlling what remains of civilization.
- Premiered: September 17, 2012
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A history professor, Tom Mason (Noah Wyle), becomes an unlikely leader when Earth is invaded by extraterrestrials called "skitters" intent on enslaving humanity or wiping it out completely; he joins forces with fellow survivors forming resistance groups determined not only to survive but also reclaim their planet one battle at a time.
- Premiered: June 19, 2011
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Fear the Walking Dead serves as a prequel to its parent show The Walking Dead, delving into the early days of the zombie apocalypse through new characters' perspectives like Madison Clark (Kim Dickens) and her family. As they navigate this terrifying new reality, their survival instincts are tested in ways they never imagined possible.
- Premiered: August 23, 2015
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This show chronicles life aboard USS Nathan James after a global pandemic wipes out most of Earth's population; Captain Tom Chandler (Eric Dane) leads his crew in search of hope and salvation as they work tirelessly to find potential cures for humanity's last chance at survival.
- Premiered: June 22, 2014
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- A story set in a post apocalyptic America.
- Premiered: April 10, 2024
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Viewers are taken back 85 million years when Earth is dying due to overpopulation and pollution; scientists discover portals leading them back in time where families like the Shannon's embark on extraordinary journeys filled with danger yet offering newfound hope for human civilization amid lush prehistoric landscapes teeming with dinosaurs.
- Premiered: September 26, 2011
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Colony transports us to Los Angeles under alien occupation where former FBI agent Will Bowman (Josh Holloway) is forced to collaborate with these extraterrestrial overlords or risk losing his family; meanwhile his wife Katie Bowman (Sarah Wayne Callies), secretly joins resistance efforts against their otherworldly oppressors putting them on opposing sides within this tense struggle for control.
- Premiered: January 14, 2016
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A reimagining of humanity’s fight against extinction following devastating attacks by robotic Cylons seeking vengeance upon their creators; Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) guides the last human fleet towards a mythical planet called "Earth" while facing internal strife, politics, and betrayal among dwindling survivors who must confront their own humanity.
- Premiered: January 14, 2005
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All of Us Are Dead presents a chilling tale set in Hyosan High School, where students find themselves trapped amidst a sudden outbreak turning people into bloodthirsty creatures craving human flesh. This South Korean series explores themes such as friendship, loyalty, and survival instincts as these teenagers struggle against overwhelming odds to stay alive while hope dwindles around them.
- Premiered: January 28, 2022
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Into the Badlands introduces us to martial arts prodigy Sunny (Daniel Wu), navigating through feudal lands ruled by ruthless barons seeking power and control over territories using armies called "Clippers." As he mentors young M.K., they uncover dark secrets hidden within this brutal world filled with stunning fight choreography and colorful landscapes.
- Premiered: November 15, 2015
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A world overrun by zombies, where an unlikely group of survivors transports the only known survivor of a zombie bite across the country in hopes that his antibodies can lead to a cure. With eccentric characters like Murphy (Keith Allan) and Lieutenant Roberta Warren (Kellita Smith), this series offers a unique blend of horror, humor, and heart.
- Premiered: September 12, 2014
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In the wake of a zombie apocalypse, a mother embarks on an intense and harrowing journey to reunite with her daughter. As she navigates through dangerous territories and encounters various survivors, each episode keeps viewers on edge. With Jaime King leading the cast as Rose, this gripping series showcases humanity's resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors.
- Premiered: April 11, 2019
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Set on Earth after an alien war has left it forever changed; humans coexist alongside extraterrestrial species struggling for power over resources amidst political strife—this imaginative sci-fi series features Grant Bowler’s compelling portrayal as Joshua Nolan who protects his adopted town from external dangers while navigating complex relationships between diverse inhabitants.
- Premiered: April 15, 2013
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The Rain immerses viewers in post-apocalyptic Scandinavia after a deadly virus carried by rainfall wipes out most of the population; siblings Simone (Alba August) and Rasmus Andersen (Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen) emerge from a bunker years later to search for answers about their father's mysterious involvement with the virus's creation while evading the treacherous remnants of society.
- Premiered: May 4, 2018
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Time travel takes center stage when James Cole (Aaron Stanford) is sent back from 2043 to the present day, tasked with preventing a deadly virus from wiping out humanity. As Cole forms an unlikely partnership with Dr. Cassandra Railly (Amanda Schull), they race against time to unravel conspiracy theories and alter history in this thrilling adaptation of Terry Gilliam's cult film.
- Premiered: January 16, 2015
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A deadly virus outbreak turns New York City into ground zero for vampiric creatures threatening humanity's existence. Driven by a fascinating blend of horror, science fiction, and mythology, this Guillermo del Toro-created show follows Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll) as he leads a team against these supernatural foes while uncovering dark secrets along the way.
- Premiered: July 13, 2014
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- In a ruined and toxic future, a community exists in a giant underground silo.
- Premiered: May 5, 2023
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Survivors
Ian McCulloch, Lucy Fleming, Carolyn SeymourFollowing a devastating pandemic that wipes out most of humanity, a group of disparate individuals band together to navigate their new post-apocalyptic world filled with uncertainty and danger at every turn; led by Abby Grant (Carolyn Seymour), they must find ways to adapt in order to survive both physical threats and emotional turmoil.
- Premiered: April 16, 1975
When an unknown pathogen breaks out in Atlanta, authorities enforce strict quarantine measures to prevent its spread beyond city limits – but tensions rise quickly within the containment zone among those trapped inside it. With captivating performances from David Gyasi and Chris Wood as prominent characters Lex Carnahan and Jake Riley respectively; survival instincts take center stage in this thrilling drama.
- Premiered: April 19, 2016
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Based on Stephen King’s iconic novel, this gripping series centers around a group of survivors led by Stu Redman (Gary Sinise) as they navigate a world ravaged by a catastrophic plague that has wiped out most of the population. Facing off against the sinister Randall Flagg (Jamey Sheridan), these resilient characters must make their stand between good and evil in order to determine humanity's fate.
- Premiered: May 8, 1994
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In this adaptation of Stephen King's novel, residents of Chester's Mill find themselves inexplicably trapped under an impenetrable dome – cut off from society and forced to confront their own dark secrets amidst dwindling resources; featuring Mike Vogel as Dale "Barbie" Barbara who leads efforts for survival while uncovering shocking revelations about the dome itself.
- Premiered: June 24, 2013
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When Secret Service agent Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon) wakes up in the mysterious town of Wayward Pines after surviving an accident, he quickly discovers that all is not as it seems; trapped within its borders alongside other residents, they must decipher hidden truths while facing terrifying threats lurking just beyond their idyllic facade.
- Premiered: May 14, 2015
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Set in a dystopian future where humankind has lost its sense of sight due to a mysterious virus, tribal leader Baba Voss (Jason Momoa) fights fiercely for his people when two twins are born with sight—challenging societal norms and igniting dangerous power struggles among rival factions seeking control over newfound abilities.
- Premiered: November 1, 2019
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When animals worldwide begin launching coordinated attacks against humans without warning or explanation, zoologist Jackson Oz (James Wolk) and his team race to uncover the cause behind these terrifying occurrences; this thrilling series combines action, suspense, and a touch of science fiction as they work tirelessly to prevent humanity's extinction.
- Premiered: June 30, 2015
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In a post-apocalyptic world where hybrid human-animal children are hunted for being perceived as threats, young Gus (Christian Convery), half-deer and half-human sets out on an extraordinary journey alongside gruff loner Jepperd (Nonso Anozie); together they explore the remnants of civilization while searching for answers about Gus's origins in this heartwarming adaptation of Jeff Lemire's comic book series.
- Premiered: June 4, 2021
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On a distant planet after Earth's destruction, two androids are tasked with raising human children in an attempt to preserve mankind – but when religious differences threaten their fragile society, Mother (Amanda Collin) is forced into desperate measures to protect her charges from escalating conflict in this visually stunning and thought-provoking sci-fi drama.
- Premiered: September 3, 2020
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- A teenage outcast searches for his lost love in a post-apocalyptic world full of zombies.
- Premiered: October 24, 2019
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Based on Terry Brooks' best-selling novels, this fantasy epic follows Elven princess Amberle Elessedil (Poppy Drayton), half-elf Wil Ohmsford (Austin Butler), and rover Eretria (Ivana Baquero) as they embark on a quest across dangerous lands filled with magic, intrigue, and deadly creatures—all while trying to save their world from demonic forces seeking its ultimate destruction.
- Premiered: December 15, 2015
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- After an unlikely event wipes out the population, Phil Miller travels around looking for survivors.
- Premiered: March 1, 2015
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Jennette McCurdy, Jesse Carere, Ryan AllenThe small town of Pretty Lake becomes ground zero for panic when everyone over 21 suddenly dies due to an unknown virus—leaving only teenagers and children struggling for survival amidst chaos; Jennette McCurdy stars as Wiley Day who must navigate newfound responsibility while questioning the government’s true intentions regarding their quarantine efforts.
- Premiered: May 21, 2015
- Jeremiah is one of the oldest survivors of a deadly virus that wiped out the adult population.
- Premiered: March 3, 2002
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- Life After People is a television series on which scientists, structural engineers, and other experts speculate about what might become of Earth should humanity instantly disappear. The featured experts also talk about the impact of human absence on the environment and the vestiges of civilization thus left behind. The series was preceded by a two-hour special that aired on January 21, 2008 on the History Channel which served as a de facto pilot for the series that premiered April 21, 2009. The documentary and subsequent series were both narrated by James Lurie.
- Premiered: April 21, 2008
- Sarah Connor tries to stop machines that are out to get her son, John.
- Premiered: January 13, 2008
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- Daryl Dixon shepherds a young boy across Walker-infested France.
- Premiered: September 10, 2023
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- Scientists from the Centers for Disease Control travel to a research facility in the Arctic.
- Premiered: January 10, 2014
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- 3% is a Brazilian dystopian thriller that debuted on November 25, 2016. The series is set in a future where the population is divided between progress and devastation. The majority live in dire poverty, but each year, young adults are given a single chance to join the privileged 3% after passing The Process, a brutal and highly competitive series of tests. Major themes include social inequality, meritocracy, and survival. As candidates face moral dilemmas and intense challenges, the show questions the true cost of paradise. The ensemble cast includes notable performances by Bianca Comparato and João Miguel.
- Premiered: November 25, 2016
- A motormouthed outsider gets a chance at a better life if he can survive a post-apocalyptic world.
- Premiered: July 27, 2023
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- After two percent of the world's population disappears, those left behind struggle to understand.
- Premiered: June 29, 2014
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- Individuals take on new personas for each new assignment.
- Premiered: February 13, 2009
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- Survivors of a devastating flu attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world.
- Premiered: December 16, 2021
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- Survivors (2008) is a British science fiction television series, loosely based on the novel of the same name written after the 1975 series of the same name. After an unknown virus pandemic kills more than 90% of the world's population. Those immune must strive to survive and overcome the difficulties of this new world order, hoping that the virus will not mutate.
- Premiered: November 23, 2008
- In a world decimated by plague, Mother Abagail and a handful of survivors struggle to survive.
- Premiered: December 17, 2020
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The Walking Dead: Torn Apart
The Walking Dead: Torn Apart is a six-part web series based on the television series The Walking Dead. It aired in its entirety on October 3, 2011, on AMC's official website. The web series tells the origin story of Hannah, also known as "Bicycle Girl", the walker whom Rick Grimes killed in the first episode. Rick risks a walker encounter to go back and find Hannah before he sets out for Atlanta. After telling her he is "sorry this happened to you," Rick shoots her in what is clearly a humanitarian gesture, which reveals much about Rick's own character and sets a tone for the rest of season one. These webisodes were followed by a second set of webisodes, titled Cold Storage, which were released on October 1, 2012.- Premiered: 2011
- Oats Studios is a unique anthology series from director Neill Blomkamp, known for films like "District 9" and "Elysium." The show is a collection of experimental short films featuring science fiction, horror, dystopian, and alternate reality genres. Each episode presents a standalone narrative, exploring themes such as alien invasions, apocalyptic events, and the essence of humanity. The series is noted for its high production values, inventive storytelling, and willingness to take creative risks. It features a rotating cast and has become a cult favorite among audiences.
- Premiered: October 1, 2021
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- The remnants of humanity inhabit a perpetually moving train.
- Premiered: May 17, 2020
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- An alien virus threatens the world.
- Premiered: May 4, 1997
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- Jade Wesker is haunted by her past and fights for survival in a world overrun by infected creatures.
- Premiered: July 14, 2022
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- After being declared enemies of the state, the crew of the Colorado finds refuge on an island.
- Premiered: September 27, 2012
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- Faced with a terrifying virus, survivors set off on a long, dangerous journey.
- Premiered: October 7, 2020
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- The last male survivor of a cataclysmic event traverses a post-apocalyptic world.
- Premiered: September 13, 2021
- Four teenagers embark on a cross-country journey through an apocalyptic world.
- Premiered: October 4, 2020
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- Earth 2 is an American science fiction television series which aired on NBC from November 6, 1994 to June 4, 1995. The show was canceled after one season of 22 episodes. It follows the journey and settlement of a small expeditionary group called the Eden Project, with the intent to journey to an Earth-like planet called G889 in an attempt to find a cure to an illness called "the syndrome". The series was created by Michael Duggan, Carol Flint, Mark Levin, and Billy Ray, produced by Amblin Entertainment and Universal Television, and filmed primarily in northern New Mexico around the Santa Fe area. The series' music was composed by David Bergeaud, and the executive producers were Michael Duggan, Mark Levin, and Carol Flint. In Indonesia, this Series Originally broadcast by SCTV year 1997. Initially, the show's audience was quite large, reaching eighth place; however, by April 23 of the next year, Nielsen ratings share had dropped from 23% to 9%. During its run, it had been nominated for a Primetime Emmy, Saturn, and other awards. In 2005, the entire series was released on DVD in a 4-disc set.
- Premiered: November 6, 1994
- Individuals with intertwined destinies find themselves in a fight to survive nature's wrath.
- Premiered: October 18, 2023
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- An eclectic group of seemingly unconnected characters intersect during the last days of humanity.
- Premiered: October 1, 2015
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- Children search for an antidote to the virus that wiped out the adults.
- Premiered: August 22, 1999
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- Sheltered girl Kipo gets a crash course in survival when a mutant attack sends her to the surface.
- Premiered: January 14, 2020
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- Aftermath is a four-part 2010 documentary television series created by History Television Canadian station, airing in the United States on the National Geographic Channel, and produced by Cream Productions. Aftermath consists of a series of "experiments" looking at what would happen if planetary conditions changed drastically, within our lifetime. The series is a follow-up to the TV special Aftermath: Population Zero. In 2010, the series was nominated for a 2010 Gemini award for best documentary.
- Premiered: 2010
- The Last Train is a British six-part post-apocalyptic television drama serial first broadcast on the ITV network in 1999. It has since been repeated on ITV2 in 1999/2001 and on numerous occasions on the UK Sci-Fi Channel. The serial was written by Matthew Graham and produced for ITV by Granada Television. In the United States, the Fox Network purchased the rights to produce a new version of the series soon after its original UK transmission. Retitled The Ark, the idea did not progress beyond the pilot stage. As of May 2013, the series has not been released on DVD or any other format, and has never aired in the US.
- Premiered: 1999
- A midlevel tech support employee becomes the unwitting messenger of God.
- Premiered: June 15, 2022
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- Robots and humans coexist in harmony after an apocalypse.
- Premiered: February 25, 2006
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- Anna (AMC+, 2021) is an Italian adventure drama horror series created by Niccolò Ammaniti. The series follows a 13-year-old Sicilian girl who must contend with a viral contagion that has killed off all adults as she sets out in search of her kidnapped brother.
- Premiered: April 23, 2021
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- Curfew (Sky One, 2019) is a British dystopian action drama television series created by Matthew Read. To protect the population from a virus sweeping the earth that turns the infected into mindless and terrifying "mooks," the totalitarian government of the UK attempts to control the infection by imposing a curfew - throwing violators into quarantine or worse.
- Premiered: 2019
- A marine biologist on a submarine research mission must fight to survive with the crew.
- Premiered: April 20, 2022
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- Lex, Jamie, Pip and Bobby go on a road trip to bring Wellness cult leader Lane to justice.
- Premiered: April 19, 2021
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- Hard Sun (Hulu, 2018) is a pre-apocalyptic British television drama series created by Neil Cross. While investigating a death of a hacker in London, two police officers stumble upon proof that the world is facing imminent destruction.
- Premiered: January 6, 2018
- To save his mother, a boy and his daemon friend set out on a journey across post-apocalyptic Japan.
- Premiered: November 23, 2023
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- An epidemic spreads through verbal communication in a dystopian world.
- Premiered: December 2, 2022
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- Massive storms wreak havoc.
- Premiered: November 6, 2005
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- Danny Doom and Lhandi sling beers in their mobile subterranean pub.
- Premiered: January 28, 2022
- A family is put to the test when a series of massive earthquakes throw Japan into total mayhem.
- Premiered: July 9, 2020
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- Mysteries unfold through calls that become surreal as the characters face disturbing experiences.
- Premiered: March 19, 2021
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- Cleopatra awakens from a cryogenic deep freeze after more than five centuries.
- Premiered: January 17, 2000
- A drug kingpin escapes a Mexican prison only to encounter deadly mutant zombies.
- Premiered: August 6, 2021
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- Family members join other travelers in a post-apocalyptic world beset by a mysterious fog.
- Premiered: March 26, 2022
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- Dishonored warrior, Waka Nuku Rau is sent back from the afterlife to find redemption.
- Premiered: January 23, 2020
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- The Lottery is an American post-apocalyptic drama television series that aired on Lifetime from July 20 through September 28, 2014. The series was set in a dystopian future when women have stopped having children due to an infertility pandemic. It starred Marley Shelton, Michael Graziadei, Athena Karkanis, David Alpay, Shelley Conn, Yul Vazquez and Martin Donovan. On October 17, 2014, Lifetime cancelled The Lottery after one season.
- Premiered: 2014
- Ark II is an American live-action science fiction series, aimed at children, that aired on CBS, beginning on September 11, 1976 and ending on December 18, 1976, as part of its weekend line-up. Only 15 half-hour episodes of Ark II were ever produced. The program's central characters were created by Martin Roth; Ted Post helped Roth develop its core format.
- Premiered: September 11, 1976
- After Earth is destroyed by aliens, survivors have to start society over from scratch.
- Premiered: May 12, 2023
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- Earthquakes threaten North America.
- Premiered: May 21, 2006
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- City leaders act in the wake of a temblor.
- Premiered: November 14, 1999
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