12 Best TV Shows Like The Last of Us

Since its debut, The Last of Us has become one of the most celebrated television adaptations ever made. The series combines emotional storytelling, complex character development, survival horror, and a brutal post-apocalyptic world. Viewers were drawn to the relationship between Joel and Ellie, the realistic portrayal of human survival, and the constant tension between hope and despair. Beyond its infected creatures and action-packed sequences, the show explores love, loss, morality, and sacrifice. If you have already finished the The Last of Us and are searching for more stories that deliver similar emotions, suspense, and world-building, this guide is for you. In this article, we introduce the best TV Shows Like The Last of Us that every fan should watch next.

 1. The Walking Dead (2010)

Taste Match: Post-Apocalyptic + Horror + Survival Drama

Best For: Fans of survival stories and zombie-infested worlds.

Expectation: Large-scale survival conflicts, emotional losses, and long-term character development.

The Walking Dead is the most obvious recommendation for viewers seeking TV Shows like the Last of Us. Set after a zombie outbreak devastates civilization, the series follows groups of survivors navigating a dangerous world where humans can be more threatening than monsters. Like Joel and Ellie’s journey, the show focuses heavily on relationships, trust, and sacrifice. Its long-running story offers countless memorable characters and emotional moments. Fans who enjoy survival against overwhelming odds will find plenty to love here.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 79%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 78%

IMDb: The Walking Dead

 2. Station Eleven (2021)

Taste Match: Post-Apocalyptic Drama + Science Fiction

Best For: Viewers who prefer emotional storytelling over constant action.

Expectation: Deep character journeys and a unique vision of rebuilding society.

Station Eleven explores life after a devastating pandemic wipes out most of humanity. Rather than focusing entirely on survival, the show examines art, memory, and human connection in a broken world. Like The Last of Us, it uses a post-apocalyptic setting to tell deeply personal stories. The characters struggle with grief, hope, and rebuilding meaningful lives. The result is one of the most thoughtful and emotionally powerful series of recent years.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 98%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 74%

IMDb: Station Eleven

 3. Silo (2023)

Taste Match: Dystopian Mystery + Science Fiction

Best For: Fans of mystery-driven world-building.

Expectation: Twists, conspiracies, and a fascinating hidden society.

Silo takes place in a massive underground structure where thousands of people believe the outside world is uninhabitable. As secrets begin to emerge, one woman questions everything she has been taught. Similar to The Last of Us, the series combines suspense, survival, and strong character development. Every episode reveals new layers of mystery and tension. It is an excellent choice for viewers who enjoy uncovering hidden truths.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 92%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 89%

IMDb: Silo

 4. Black Summer (2019)

Taste Match: Zombie Horror + Survival Thriller

Best For: Fans who want nonstop tension and realistic survival.

Expectation: Fast pacing + intense action, and minimal downtime.

Black Summer offers a raw and realistic take on a zombie apocalypse. The series follows ordinary people desperately trying to survive during the earliest days of societal collapse. Unlike many zombie shows, it avoids lengthy exposition and focuses on immediate danger. The atmosphere is constantly tense, making every encounter feel unpredictable. Fans of the darker and more brutal aspects of The Last of Us should definitely add this series to their watchlist.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 88%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 67%

IMDb: Black Summer

 5. Sweet Tooth (2021)

Taste Match: Fantasy Adventure + Post-Apocalyptic Drama

Best For: Families and viewers looking for hope amid chaos.

Expectation: Emotional storytelling mixed with adventure and fantasy.

Sweet Tooth tells the story of a young hybrid boy living in a world devastated by a mysterious disease. Like Ellie in The Last of Us, the young protagonist represents hope for humanity’s future. The series balances danger with optimism and heartwarming moments. Its unique blend of fantasy and survival creates an experience that feels familiar yet fresh. The emotional bonds between characters are the true highlight of the show.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 92%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 88%

IMDb: Sweet Tooth

 6. Fallout (2024)

Taste Match: Post-Apocalyptic Adventure + Dark Comedy

Best For: Fans of video game adaptations.

Expectation: Action, mystery, dark humor, and world exploration.

Fallout successfully transforms the beloved video game franchise into an engaging television experience. The story follows survivors navigating a nuclear wasteland filled with danger and strange factions. Like The Last of Us, it combines emotional storytelling with a richly developed post-apocalyptic setting. The production quality is exceptional, and the characters quickly become memorable. It is one of the strongest recent entries in the genre.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 94%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 92%

IMDb: Fallout

 7. Kingdom (2019)

Taste Match: Historical Horror + Political Thriller

Best For: Viewers who enjoy political intrigue and zombie horror.

Expectation: Fast-moving plots and intense action sequences.

Kingdom blends historical drama with a terrifying zombie outbreak in medieval Korea. Political conspiracies, royal succession conflicts, and survival challenges drive the narrative forward. Fans who appreciate the human conflicts in The Last of Us will enjoy the power struggles depicted here. The show’s visual style and pacing are outstanding. It remains one of Netflix’s highest-rated international series.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 98%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 91%

IMDb: Kingdom

 8. See (2019)

Taste Match: Post-Apocalyptic Action + Adventure Drama

Best For: Fans of epic world-building.

Expectation: Unique societies, large-scale battles, and emotional family stories.

Set centuries after humanity loses the ability to see, See imagines a fascinating new civilization. The series explores survival, leadership, and family loyalty in a harsh environment. Jason Momoa delivers a powerful performance as a warrior protecting his children. Similar to Joel’s protective nature in The Last of Us, family bonds drive many of the show’s emotional moments. The action scenes are also among the best on television.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 63%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 84%

IMDb: See

 9. The 100 (2014)

Taste Match: Science Fiction + Survival Drama

Best For: Younger audiences and fans of ensemble casts.

Expectation: Moral dilemmas, political conflicts, and survival decisions.

The 100 begins when young survivors return to Earth after a nuclear catastrophe. They quickly discover that surviving on the planet is far more difficult than expected. The show explores leadership, ethics, and sacrifice through multiple perspectives. Like The Last of Us, difficult choices often carry devastating consequences. Its combination of science fiction and survival drama makes it highly binge-worthy.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 93%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 75%

IMDb: The 100

 10. The Leftovers (2014)

Taste Match: Psychological Drama + Mystery

Best For: Viewers seeking emotional depth.

Expectation: Philosophical questions and unforgettable performances.

The Leftovers examines a world where millions of people suddenly disappear without explanation. Rather than focusing on the mystery itself, the show explores how survivors cope with grief and uncertainty. The emotional weight feels similar to many of The Last of Us’ most powerful scenes. Relationships and personal trauma take center stage. It is widely regarded as one of television’s greatest dramas.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 91%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 90%

IMDb: The Leftovers

 11. Snowpiercer (2020)

Taste Match: Dystopian Thriller + Political Drama

Best For: Fans of class conflict and social commentary.

Expectation: Constant tension and evolving power struggles.

Snowpiercer takes place aboard a train carrying the last survivors of humanity after a climate disaster. The social hierarchy inside the train creates intense political and personal conflicts. Similar to The Last of Us, survival depends on difficult choices and shifting alliances. The series combines action with meaningful themes about inequality and leadership. Every season expands the world in interesting ways.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 75%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 71%

IMDb: Snowpiercer

 12. Game of Thrones (2011)

Taste Match: Fantasy + Political Drama + Action

Best For: Fans of brutal violence, political intrigue, and massive world-building.

Expectation: Epic battles, shocking twists, and unforgettable characters.

If what you loved most about The Last of Us was its brutal storytelling, moral ambiguity, and emotional character arcs, Game of Thrones is an essential watch. The series features competing factions fighting for power in a dangerous medieval-inspired world. Political manipulation, betrayals, and large-scale battles drive the story forward. Every major character faces difficult choices that carry lasting consequences. Few television series have matched its cultural impact and scope.

Rotten Tomatoes:

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 89%
• Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 85%

IMDb: Game of Thrones

MovieTaster Taste Map for The Last of Us Fans

If You Love Zombie Survival:

• 1.The Walking Dead
• 2.Black Summer
• 3.Kingdom

If You Love Emotional Storytelling:

• 1.Station Eleven
• 2.The Leftovers
• 3.Sweet Tooth

If You Love Mystery and World-Building:

• 1.Silo
• 2.Fallout
• 3.Snowpiercer

If You Love Political Drama:

• 1.Game of Thrones
• 2.Kingdom
• 3.Snowpiercer

If You Love Epic Adventure:

• 1.See
• 2.Fallout
• 3.The 100

Final Note from MovieTaster

The Last of Us became a global phenomenon because it blended survival horror with deeply human storytelling. While no series perfectly replicates Joel and Ellie’s journey, the shows on this list capture many of the same strengths, whether through emotional character relationships, post-apocalyptic survival, political intrigue, or brutal action. If you want the closest overall experience, start with The Walking Dead, Station Eleven, Silo, and Fallout. Fans looking for darker and more intense stories should prioritize Kingdom and Black Summer. No matter which direction you choose, these TV Shows Like The Last of Us offer plenty of unforgettable adventures to keep you entertained long after the credits roll.