The Last of Us has become a massive hit for HBO, with its dystopian sci-fi drama captivating audiences and earning high ratings. Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, the show is based on the hugely successful 2013 Playstation game from Naughty Dog. With the first season wrapping up on March 12 and no release date for season two, fans may be looking for more shows like The Last of Us to watch in the meantime.
The Last of Us takes place in a not-too-distant future, after a fungal infection has wiped out much of humanity and survivors fight for their lives against hoards of infected undead. Amid the tragedy, a grieving father agrees to transport a girl to safety, but she harbors a secret that could hold the key to humanity’s survival. The two journey, evading foes both fungal and human.
If you’re looking for more shows like The Last of Us, we’ve got you covered. Here are our top picks for shows that explore dystopian futures, contagion, and comradery:
1. Station Eleven (2021-2022)
Also streaming on HBO Max, Station Eleven is one of the best streaming originals in years. After a pandemic kills most of humanity, survivors try to salvage the best parts of the world before as they create a new society together. The show features a man taking on a surrogate parental role to a young girl orphaned by a deadly virus, similar to the dynamic between Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us.
2. The Walking Dead (2010-)
One of the most popular shows on television, The Walking Dead follows a group of survivors as they navigate a world overrun by zombies. The show explores themes of survival, loss, and the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones.
3. Jericho (2006-2008)
Set in a small Kansas town after a nuclear attack on the United States, Jericho follows the residents as they struggle to survive and rebuild their community. The show explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the human spirit in the face of adversity.
4. The 100 (2014-2020)
Set 97 years after a nuclear apocalypse, The 100 follows a group of young people sent back to Earth to see if it’s habitable. The show explores themes of leadership, morality, and the consequences of our actions.
5. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-)
Based on the novel by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale is set in a dystopian future where women are forced into sexual servitude to repopulate a world facing environmental disaster. The show explores themes of oppression, resistance, and the power of hope.
Whether you’re a fan of dystopian futures, contagion, or comradery, these shows are sure to satisfy your craving for more content like The Last of Us. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.The Walking Dead (2020-2022)
The Walking Dead is a popular TV series that has become a household name. The show is about a group of human survivors who band together to make it through alive in a world overrun by zombies. As the seasons progress, the group faces new threats, often coming from fellow survivors as well as the titular walking dead. The show borrows undead film tropes for extended serialized stories of survival after the apocalypse.
The Mandalorian (2019-ongoing)
The Mandalorian is a live-action Star Wars series, the first of its kind on Disney Plus. The show follows a bounty hunter who wanders the galaxy taking on jobs to earn a living. On his travels, he encounters a young, Force-sensitive orphan and takes it upon himself to protect the boy from those who would wish him harm. Pedro Pascal plays the titular Mandalorian, making the series a fun compliment to The Last of Us.
Chernobyl (2019)
Chernobyl is a historical drama miniseries based on the real accounts of survivors who experienced the disaster firsthand. The show chronicles the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster in Soviet Ukraine, offering a glimpse at the lives of those who experienced it and those tasked with responding to it. The award-winning HBO drama offers a sobering look at real-world failures in the face of world-threatening events. While The Last of Us is built on dystopian fiction, it attempts to draw on harsh realities, which are also reflected in Chernobyl.
Z Nation
Z Nation is a post-apocalyptic horror-comedy TV series that follows a group of survivors as they navigate a world overrun by zombies. The show is known for its humor and over-the-top action sequences. While it may not be as serious as The Last of Us, it still offers a fun and entertaining take on the zombie genre.
oduction history, with multiple showrunners and delays, but finally premiered in 2021. The show explores themes of gender, power, and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Fans of The Last of Us will appreciate the focus on character development and the exploration of complex moral dilemmas.
Conclusion
These TV shows offer a glimpse into the post-apocalyptic genre, exploring themes of survival, humanity, and hope. While they may not all be critical darlings, they offer unique perspectives on what it means to survive in a world that has been turned upside down. Fans of The Last of Us will find much to enjoy in these shows, from the focus on character development to the exploration of complex moral dilemmas. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare to be transported to a world where anything is possible.
The Passage: A Thrilling Sci-Fi Series You Need to Watch
If you’re a fan of sci-fi and thriller genres, then you should definitely check out The Passage. This TV series, created by Liz Heldens, is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good story with a twist.
What You Need to Know About The Passage

Rating: TV-14
Runtime: 44 minutes per episode
Creator: Liz Heldens
Main Cast: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Saniyya Sidney, Jamie McShane, Caroline Chikezie, Emmanuelle Chriqui
Genre: Thriller/Sci-Fi
Ratings: 7.2 – IMDB / 62% – Rotten Tomatoes
The Passage revolves around Project Noah, a secret government medical facility that has the potential to cure all diseases. However, it could also end the world. A federal agent is tasked with transporting a girl to the facility as a test subject. In doing so, he takes on a fatherly role and vows to protect her at all costs.
Based on the novel trilogy of the same name by Justin Cronin, The Passage is a unique take on the usual trope of a parental figure leading a child somewhere that could lead to the apocalypse rather than ending it. It leads to a familiar crisis of conscience, with a twist. Despite being cancelled after its first season, The Passage is still one of the best shows on this list, and you can thankfully still watch it on Hulu.
If you’re looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking series to watch, The Passage is definitely worth your time. So, grab some popcorn and get ready for a wild ride!