10 Gripping Shows Like The Last of Us
If you were captivated by The Last of Us' blend of post-apocalyptic survival, emotional depth, and complex character relationships, these series offer similarly powerful storytelling. From fungal pandemics to nuclear winters, these shows explore humanity at its best and worst when civilization collapses.
Chernobyl
HBO MaxAvailable on HBO Max, Apple TV
This harrowing miniseries about the 1986 nuclear disaster shares The Last of Us' themes of ordinary people facing extraordinary catastrophes. Like Joel and Ellie navigating the infected zones, Chernobyl's scientists and first responders confront invisible threats with courage. The show's visceral portrayal of bureaucratic failure and human resilience makes it essential viewing for fans of grounded, emotional storytelling.
The Leftovers
HBO MaxAvailable on HBO Max, Hulu
When 2% of the world's population vanishes, survivors grapple with loss in this profound drama. The Leftovers explores grief and meaning with the same emotional intensity as The Last of Us. Justin Theroux's performance as a broken father mirrors Pedro Pascal's Joel, both men struggling to connect in a changed world. The show's surreal yet moving examination of trauma makes it perfect for fans of character-driven apocalypses.
The Walking Dead
NetflixAvailable on Netflix, AMC+
The iconic zombie drama that defined survival horror television. The Walking Dead shares The Last of Us' exploration of moral dilemmas in a lawless world. Its early seasons particularly mirror Joel and Ellie's journey, with Rick Grimes protecting Carl through dangerous territories. The show's evolving threats (both undead and human) and emphasis on found family will satisfy fans craving more apocalyptic storytelling.
Station Eleven
HBO MaxAvailable on HBO Max
This poetic drama follows a Shakespearean troupe decades after a flu pandemic. Station Eleven shares The Last of Us' emphasis on art's survival amid devastation. Its nonlinear storytelling reveals how trauma connects people across generations, much like the game's flashbacks. The show's haunting beauty and message of hope make it perfect for fans who appreciated The Last of Us' emotional depth.
Black Summer
NetflixAvailable on Netflix
This relentless zombie thriller throws viewers directly into societal collapse. Black Summer captures the visceral fear and desperation of survival with raw intensity. Its grounded approach to the genre and focus on human behavior under stress will appeal to The Last of Us fans. The show's long-take action sequences create tension comparable to the game's most harrowing encounters.
Sweet Tooth
NetflixAvailable on Netflix
A hybrid deer-boy and his protector journey through a post-virus world. Sweet Tooth mirrors The Last of Us' evolving father-son dynamic with warmth and danger. While more whimsical in tone, the show doesn't shy from dark themes, exploring how hope survives catastrophe. Its unique blend of fantasy and emotional realism makes it perfect for fans who loved Joel and Ellie's relationship.
Snowpiercer
NetflixAvailable on Netflix, TNT
Humanity's last survivors live aboard a perpetually moving train in this frozen dystopia. Snowpiercer examines class warfare in extreme conditions, similar to The Last of Us' exploration of power structures. Daveed Diggs' revolutionary and Jennifer Connelly's enigmatic leader create complex moral dynamics. The show's claustrophobic tension and social commentary will satisfy fans of thought-provoking apocalypses.
12 Monkeys
HuluAvailable on Hulu
This time travel thriller about preventing a pandemic evolves into a complex tale of fate. 12 Monkeys shares The Last of Us' themes of sacrifice and connection across timelines. Aaron Stanford's performance as a man out of time mirrors Joel's world-weariness, while the show's intricate plotting rewards attentive viewers. Its emotional character arcs make it perfect for fans who enjoy apocalyptic stories with heart.
The 100
NetflixAvailable on Netflix
Juvenile delinquents return to Earth a century after nuclear apocalypse. The 100 explores moral dilemmas and society-building in dangerous new world. Its themes of leadership, survival, and the costs of violence mirror The Last of Us' darker moments. While more YA-oriented, the show doesn't shy from hard choices, with Eliza Taylor's Clarke becoming a ruthless yet compassionate leader.
See
Apple TV+Available on Apple TV+
In a world where humanity has lost sight, Jason Momoa protects his sighted children. See shares The Last of Us' themes of protecting special children in a dangerous world. The show's brutal action and tribal politics create a unique post-apocalyptic landscape. While more fantastical, its exploration of family and survival in extreme circumstances will appeal to fans of Joel and Ellie's journey.
Key Themes in These Post-Apocalyptic Shows
Survival & Sacrifice
Like The Last of Us, these shows explore what people will do to survive and protect loved ones. From The Walking Dead's brutal choices to Station Eleven's artistic resilience, each examines survival's physical and emotional costs.
Found Family
With biological families often lost, characters form new bonds. Sweet Tooth's Gus and Tommy, The Last of Us' Joel and Ellie, and The 100's delinquents all demonstrate how connection persists even in collapse.
Moral Complexity
These shows avoid simple heroes and villains. Like Joel's controversial actions, characters in The Leftovers, Snowpiercer, and Black Summer make impossible choices that challenge viewers' sympathies.
World-Building
From Station Eleven's traveling theater to Snowpiercer's class-divided train, these shows create fully realized post-apocalyptic societies with their own rules, cultures, and threats, much like The Last of Us' various survivor factions.
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