Dystopia is one of those sub-genres that lends itself to some interesting philosophical ideas and TV show creators take full advantage of that. In the history of cinema, many great directors and storytellers have created some of the most iconic movies set in dystopian societies like Blade Runner and Total Recall. Max (formerly known as HBO Max) hosts almost all of the brilliant HBO and Max shows and some of those are great dystopian shows. So, we decided to compile a list of the best dystopian shows you can watch on Max right now.
Station Eleven
Station Eleven is a post-apocalyptic dystopian drama series created by Patrick Somerville. Based on the 2014 novel of the same name by author Emily St. John Mandel, the HBO Max series is set twenty years after a flu pandemic destroyed civilization and it follows a group of survivors who make their living as traveling performers but when they come across a violent cult, one of the performers must face up to their past. Station Eleven stars Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Matilda Lawler, David Wilmot, Nabhaan Rizwan, Daniel Zovatto, and Lori Petty.
The Leftovers
The Leftovers is a sort-of dystopian philosophical mystery drama series created by Damon Lindelöf and Tom Perrotta. Based on the 2011 novel of the same name by author Perrotta, the HBO series is set three years after the “Sudden Departure,” which is a global event that saw 2% of the world’s population mysteriously disappear and it follows the story of police chief Kevin Garvey and his family in Mapleton, N.Y. as they still struggle to adjust their new life after the Sudden Departure. The Leftovers stars Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston, Liv Tyler, Chris Zylka, Margaret Qualley, Carrie Coon, Emily Meade, Ann Dowd, Amanda Warren, and Michael Gaston.
Years and Years
Years and Years is a British dystopian political thriller drama series created by Russell T Davies. The HBO series follows the story of a Manchester-based Lyons family who see the rise of a controversial political figure and in the future because of her the whole nation is divided. Years and Years stars Russell Tovey, Rory Kinnear, T’Nia Miller, Ruth Madeley, Anne Reid, Jessica Hynes, and Emma Thompson.
DMZ
DMZ is a dystopian drama miniseries created by Roberto Patino. Based on the DC comic book series of the same name created by Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli, the HBO Max series follows the story of Alma Ortega whose son wanders off during evacuation as a civil war breaks out in America and Manhattan becomes a demilitarized zone. DMZ stars Rosario Dawson, Hoon Lee, Freddy Miyares, Jordan Preston Carter, Venus Ariel, Amandla Jahava, and Benjamin Bratt.
Watchmen
Watchmen is a dystopian superhero thriller drama series created by Damon Lindelöf. Based on the 1986 DC Comics graphic novel of the same name created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, the HBO series is set 34 years after the original story as a white supremacist group attacks the local police department leaving only two surviving cops. After the attack laws are passed to protect police officers allowing them to hide their true identities behind masks. Watchmen stars Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Andrew Howard, Jacob Ming-Trent, Tom Mison, Sara Vickers, Jeremy Irons, Hong Chau, Jean Smart, and Louis Gossett Jr.
Gen:Lock
Gen:Lock is an animated dystopian sci-fi mecha action series created by Gray Haddock. The Rooster Teeth and later on HBO Max series is set in a dystopian future and it revolves around a group of diverse young robot pilots recruited by the last free society on Earth to fight a mechanized war against The Union. Gen:Lock’s voice cast includes Michael B. Jordan, Dakota Fanning, Golshifteh Farahani, Maisie Williams, Kōichi Yamadera, Asia Kate Dillon, Blaine Gibson, Gray Haddock, and Miles Luna.
Samurai Jack
Samurai Jack is an animated dystopian action-adventure drama series created by Genndy Tartakovsky. The Cartoon Network and later on Adult Swim series follows the story of young samurai Jack who is sent to the future by the evil wizard Aku. Now, Jack must fight against Aku’s henchmen and Aku to get back to his own time. Samurai Jack’s voice cast includes Phil LaMarr, Mako, and Greg Baldwin.