Best Dystopian Movies & TV Shows

Children of Men

10 / 10

In 2027, in a chaotic world in which humans can no longer procreate, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea, where her child's birth may help scientists save the future of humankind.

Run time: 109m Tagline: The year 2027: the last days of the human race. No child has been born for 18 years. He must protect our only hope. Release: 2006-09-22

Stars: Charlie Hunnam Chiwetel Ejiofor Clare-Hope Ashitey Clive Owen Danny Huston Julianne Moore Michael Caine Oana Pellea Pam Ferris Peter Mullan

Watchmen

9 / 10

Set in an alternate history where “superheroes” are treated as outlaws, “Watchmen” embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel while attempting to break new ground of its own.

Stars: Jean Smart Jeremy Irons Regina King Sara Vickers Tom Mison Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

The Terminator

10 / 10

In the post-apocalyptic future, reigning tyrannical supercomputers teleport a cyborg assassin known as the "Terminator" back to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead insurgents against 21st century mechanical hegemony. Meanwhile, the human-resistance movement dispatches a lone warrior to safeguard Sarah. Can he stop the virtually indestructible killing machine?

Run time: 108m Tagline: Your future is in its hands. Release: 1984-10-26

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger Bess Motta Dick Miller Earl Boen Lance Henriksen Linda Hamilton Michael Biehn Paul Winfield Rick Rossovich Shawn Schepps

Blade Runner

9 / 10

In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.

Run time: 118m Tagline: Man has made his match... now it's his problem. Release: 1982-06-25

Stars: Brion James Daryl Hannah Edward James Olmos Harrison Ford Joanna Cassidy Joe Turkel M. Emmet Walsh Rutger Hauer Sean Young William Sanderson

The Matrix Reloaded

8 / 10

The Resistance builds in numbers as humans are freed from the Matrix and brought to the city of Zion. Neo discovers his superpowers, including the ability to see the code inside the Matrix. With machine sentinels digging to Zion in 72 hours, Neo, Morpheus and Trinity must find the Keymaker to ultimately reach the Source.

Run time: 138m Tagline: Free your mind. Release: 2003-05-15

Stars: Carrie-Anne Moss Gloria Foster Harold Perrineau Harry Lennix Hugo Weaving Jada Pinkett Smith Keanu Reeves Lambert Wilson Laurence Fishburne Monica Bellucci

The Matrix Revolutions

7 / 10

The human city of Zion defends itself against the massive invasion of the machines as Neo fights to end the war at another front while also opposing the rogue Agent Smith.

Run time: 129m Tagline: Everything that has a beginning has an end. Release: 2003-11-05

Stars: Carrie-Anne Moss Collin Chou Harold Perrineau Harry Lennix Hugo Weaving Ian Bliss Jada Pinkett Smith Keanu Reeves Laurence Fishburne Mary Alice

The Matrix Resurrections

7 / 10

Plagued by strange memories, Neo's life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself back inside the Matrix.

Run time: 148m Tagline: Return to the Source. Release: 2021-12-16

Stars: Carrie-Anne Moss Christina Ricci Jada Pinkett Smith Jessica Henwick Jonathan Groff Keanu Reeves Lambert Wilson Neil Patrick Harris Priyanka Chopra Jonas Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

Mercy

6 / 10

In the near future, a detective stands on trial accused of murdering his wife. He has ninety minutes to prove his innocence to the advanced AI Judge he once championed, before it determines his fate.

Run time: 99m Tagline: Prove your innocence to an AI judge or face execution. Release: 2026-01-20

Stars: Annabelle Wallis Chris Pratt Chris Sullivan Jamie McBride Jeff Pierre Kali Reis Kenneth Choi Kylie Rogers Rafi Gavron Rebecca Ferguson

Westworld

8 / 10

A dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin. Set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, it explores a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged.

Stars: Aaron Paul Angela Sarafyan Ed Harris Evan Rachel Wood James Marsden Jeffrey Wright Luke Hemsworth Tessa Thompson Thandiwe Newton

Ready Player One

8 / 10

When the creator of a popular video game system dies, a virtual contest is created to compete for his fortune.

Run time: 140m Tagline: A better reality awaits. Release: 2018-03-28

Stars: Ben Mendelsohn Hannah John-Kamen Lena Waithe Mark Rylance Olivia Cooke Philip Zhao Simon Pegg T.J. Miller Tye Sheridan Win Morisaki

The Matrix

10 / 10

Set in the 22nd century, The Matrix tells the story of a computer hacker who joins a group of underground insurgents fighting the vast and powerful computers who now rule the earth.

Run time: 136m Tagline: Believe the unbelievable. Release: 1999-03-31

Stars: Belinda McClory Carrie-Anne Moss Gloria Foster Hugo Weaving Joe Pantoliano Julian Arahanga Keanu Reeves Laurence Fishburne Marcus Chong Matt Doran