Recently HBO telecasted a survival based show named “The Last Of Us”. The show instantly became the talk of the town because the makers released one episode after the other. People started discussing about this show in podcasts, youtube channels, and even at office meetings. The Last Of Us revolves around the end-of-the-world concept where the main characters Joel and Ellie fight hard to survive. After an outbreak of the virus, the whole world has collapsed and very few humans have remained on earth. For Joel, Ellie is just a responsibility, an exchange for which he can get a vehicle to find his brother. However as they travel together, and fight the demon with their life, they become close to each other. The final episode was telecasted on March 12th, 2023. As per the makers of the show, the second season of The Last Of Us has already begun.
Now that the show is over, here are similar survival based shows or Apocalyptic shows that might interest you.
1) The Walking Dead
The first season of The Walking Dead was released on October 31, 2010. The show quickly became famous for its unique take on the zombie apocalypse genre and its well-developed characters. The Walking Dead took a more character-driven approach, giving viewers a chance to connect with and care about the survivors. Hence even after watching the 11th and final season of the show fans were asking for more of it. The show is based on a comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard.
The story follows a group of survivors as they navigate a dangerous new world filled with flesh-eating zombies (referred to as “walkers” in the show) and other human survivors who pose a threat. The show begins with Rick Grimes, a former sheriff’s deputy waking up in a hospital bed after being in a coma for 59 days after the outbreak. He finds out that the world has been overrun by zombies. Rick must reunite with his family and lead a group of survivors as they fight to stay alive in a world where civilization has collapsed.
2) The 100
The first season of The 100 was released on March 19, 2014, on The CW network. It is based on a book series of the same name by Kass Morgan. This show wins the audience with its intense character development.
The 100 is a post-apocalyptic science fiction TV show that takes place 97 years after a nuclear war has devastated the Earth. A massive spacecraft known as the Ark is in space and the people in this spacecraft are the only surviving humans. 100 juvenile prisoner were sent to earth to determine if Earth is habitable. They have to find out if the planet is safe for the rest of humanity. A diverse group of teenagers from the Ark had to come together and depend on each other for survival on Earth. The 100 came to an end after seven seasons. The show’s final episode aired on September 30, 2020. At the end of the show, the original 100 juvenile prisoners have been reduced to only four characters.
3) Jericho
The first season of “Jericho” was released on September 20, 2006, on CBS. It revolves around the post-apocalyptic genre and survival in the aftermath of a disaster.
The aftermath of a nuclear attack on major US cities sets the stage for Jericho, which takes place in the small town of Jericho, Kansas. The residents of Jericho are struggling to survive in a world that has been thrown into chaos, left isolated and without communication. (Active voice) As they face numerous challenges and threats, including radiation sickness, food shortages, and rival groups vying for power, the townspeople must come together to rebuild their community and find a way to communicate with the outside world. The show has seen its ups and downs. After the first season, CBS canceled the show because of low ratings. Fans campaigned and pressured for a second season of Jericho, but after the release of season 2, the show was canceled again.
5) Falling Skies
The first season of Falling Skies was released on June 19, 2011, on TNT. After 5 seasons and 52 episodes, it got concluded on August 30, 2015.
The story is set six months after an alien invasion has devastated the planet. It wiped out much of humanity and left the survivors to fight for their lives against their technologically advanced oppressors. The show follows a group of resistance fighters led by Tom Mason (played by Noah Wyle), a former history professor turned soldier. Together they try to stay alive and fight with the aliens to live and protect others in the group. The Show explores the emotional toll of loss and trauma, importance of family and community that held the survivors together.
6) Revolution
Created by Eric Kripke, Revolution is a dystopian drama that takes place in a world where all forms of electricity have mysteriously ceased to exist. It premiered in 2012 and ran for two seasons with a total of 42 episodes. After two seasons, it got canceled by the production because of the less traction from the audience.
The main character of the show, Charlie Matheson (Tracy Spiridakos), is a young woman embarking on a journey to find her missing father, a scientist who may hold the key to restoring power to the world. During this process, she meets a group of unlikely allies, including her uncle Miles, a former Marine and skilled fighter. Nora, a rebel who is fighting against a powerful militia led by General Monroe. Together, they navigate a dangerous world filled with violence and uncertainty, as they search for answers and confront the powerful forces that are vying for control of the new world.
7) The Leftovers
Created by Perrotta and Damon Lindelof, who is also known for creating the hit series Lost, The Leftovers show on HBO is based on the novel by Tom Perrotta.
The entire series takes place in New York. The show highlights a global event called the Sudden Departure, in which 2% of the world’s population mysteriously vanished without explanation. The main character of the show is Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux), a police chief dealing with his own personal struggles. A strained relationship with his family and a mysterious connection to the otherworldly events happening around him messes his life. The characters include Nora Durst, a woman who lost her entire family in the Sudden Departure, and Matt Jamison, a local preacher who is grappling with his own crisis of faith.
The Leftovers concluded after the release of season 3.
8) Containment
Based on the Belgian TV series Cordon, Containment is a limited show with 13 episodes. The CW network aired it in 2016, but despite being one of the best survival-based TV shows, it got canceled due to the channel having too many shows in line.
Containment is about a deadly epidemic that breaks out in Atlanta, Georgia, and quickly spreads throughout the city. A group of characters trapped inside the quarantine zone, including Dr. Sabine Lommers, a government official tasked with containing the virus, and Jake Riley, a police officer trying to maintain order within the zone. A pregnant woman named Jana Mayfield becomes trapped inside the zone, and a high school teacher named Katie Frank is separated from her daughter when the quarantine is put in place. The show revolves around these people as they try to fight the odd circumstances.
The show has geo restrictions hence the streaming channel may change depending on your location.
9) Lost
One of the popular shows Lost is based on the concept of survival. Known for its gripping plot, intense characters, and philosophical themes, Lost makes you binge-watch the show.
Oceanic Flight 815, crashes on a mysterious island in the South Pacific and the survivors of this plane have to find a way to escape from the island. As they work together to survive on the island, they come across a number of mysterious and supernatural elements. Along with this journey, the characters reveal their personal life. As the series progresses, the show introduces a number of complex and interconnected storylines, including time travel, alternate universes, and a mysterious organization known as the Dharma Initiative.
The show has a total of six seasons and has been concluded after the release of the final season in May 2010.
`10) The Strain
Based on a novel trilogy of the same name by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan (Creators of the show), The Strain is about a viral outbreak in New York City that turns humans into a vampire.
The show is a horror drama following a team of scientists and citizens as they together fight to stop a vampire-like virus from spreading across New York City. If they don’t, it may take over the world. The show’s central character is Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll), the head of the CDC’s rapid-response team in New York City. Along with his team, Ephraim works to investigate the mysterious outbreak and uncover its source. This leads them to a group of ancient vampire-like creatures known as the Strigoi.
The fourth final season of The Strain was released in 2017 with a total of 10 episodes.
11) Z Nation
Created by Karl Schaefer and Craig Engler and produced by The Asylum, Z Nation is a post-apocalyptic horror-comedy TV show. The casting of the show includes Kellita Smith as Roberta Warren, DJ Qualls as Citizen Z, Keith Allan as Murphy, Anastasia Baranova as Addy Carver, Russell Hodgkinson as Doc, and Pisay Pao as Cassandra. The show also featured a number of notable guest stars, including Henry Rollins and Bruce Campbell.
Z Nation follows a group of survivors navigating a zombie apocalypse. They are also on a mission to deliver a potential cure to a research facility in California. The central character is a former prisoner named Roberta Warren, becomes the leader of the group on their journey. Along the way, the group encounters a variety of eccentric and unusual characters, including a rogue zombie named Murphy, bitten but not turned, and a group of survivors known as the Z Weed Growers.
The fifth and final season was released in 2018. The show is well known for its over-the-top action sequences and irreverent sense of humor.
12) The Last Ship
TNT aired The Last Ship, a post-apocalyptic action-drama television series that can be simply referred to as a survival-based show.
The show revolves around the crew of a United States Navy destroyer, the USS Nathan James after a global pandemic wipes out most of the world’s population. The crew must work to find a cure for the virus and save what remains of humanity while facing numerous obstacles and challenges. Starring Eric Dane as Captain Tom Chandler, the commanding officer of the USS Nathan James, and Adam Baldwin as Commander Mike Slattery, his second-in-command.
With a total of 56 episodes, the show is a treat for people who love apocalyptic action drama. They released the fifth and final season of The Last Ship in 2018.