7 Highly Bingeable Shows About Nuclear War

We all turn to TV for escapism, to forget about the chaos of everyday life. But sometimes what we crave isn't fluffy comfort, but a dive into the darkest scenarios of human existence.

Nuclear war shows tap into our collective anxiety while offering a strange reassurance: “at least things aren't THIS bad” (or are they?). These 7 shows each tackle this unsettling topic differently, but one thing remains certain: they're all still terrifying.

1. ‘Jericho’ (2006-2008)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Jericho has 54% from critics and 83% from the audience.
• On IMDb, Jericho is rated 7.9/10.

Before The Walking Dead made post-apocalyptic TV mainstream, Jericho was already doing its thing.

When residents of small-town Jericho, Kansas witness a mushroom cloud over Denver, their world changes instantly. Cut off from information, resources and the outside world, the community must quickly reorganize to survive.

What makes it bingeable: realistic portrayal, mystery surrounding the attacks, great character development.

Available on: Paramount+, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Apple TV.

2. ‘The 100’ (2014-2020)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, The 100 has 93% from critics and 67% from the audience.
• On IMDb, The 100 is rated 7.5/10.

The 100 is widely known as teen drama, but don't let that label fool you. It gets quite deep.

After a nuclear apocalypse made Earth uninhabitable, humanity's survivors cling to existence aboard a deteriorating space station orbiting their former home. Facing critical resource shortages, the station's leaders make a bold decision: deploy 100 teenage test subjects to the planet's surface to determine if Earth can once again support human life.

What makes it bingeable: the show isn't afraid to kill off major characters, moral dilemmas, great world-building.

Available on: Netflix, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Apple TV.

3. ‘The Brink’ (2015)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, The Brink has 55% from critics and 84% from the audience.
• On IMDb, The Brink is rated 7.7/10.

This criminally overlooked dark comedy takes a different approach to nuclear disaster, showing us the ridiculous political chaos that might trigger one. Following three wildly different protagonists, The Brink explores how their interconnected stories might accidentally lead the world into nuclear conflict.

What makes it bingeable: stellar cast including Jack Black and Tim Robbins, sharp political satire, absurdist humor with real stakes.

Available on Amazon Video.

4. ‘The Man in the High Castle’ (2015-2019)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, The Man in the High Castle has 84% from critics and 79% from the audience.
• On IMDb, The Man in the High Castle is rated 7.9/10.

This show takes us to an alternate history where the Allies lost World War II, leaving America divided between Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Based on Philip K. Dick's novel, the series follows characters living in this dystopian reality while mysterious films showing a world where the Allies won begin circulating.

What makes it bingeable: incredible world-building, complex moral questions, constant tension between resistance and survival.

Available on Amazon Prime Video.

5. ‘Fallout’ (2024-present)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Fallout has 94% from critics and 92% from the audience.
• On IMDb, Fallout is rated 8.3/10.

Fallout brings the beloved world of game series to life. When Vault dweller Lucy comes out to the surface for the first time, she discovers a brutal world where radiation has twisted both landscapes and survivors into something unrecognizable.

What makes it bingeable: pitch-perfect black humor, incredible production design, Easter eggs for game fans without alienating newcomers.

Available on Amazon Prime Video.

6. ‘Fist of the North Star’ (1984-1988)

• On IMDb, Fist of the North Star is rated 8.2/10.

This classic anime takes place in a post-nuclear wasteland where water is scarce and the strong prey on the weak. Our hero Kenshiro, master of the deadly Hokuto Shinken martial art, wanders the desert protecting innocents and making bad guys explode with a touch.

What makes it bingeable: over-the-top action, surprisingly deep storytelling beneath the violence.

Available on: Crunchyroll, Amazon Video.

7. ‘Manhattan’ (2014-2015)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Manhattan has 91% from critics and 90% from the audience.
• On IMDb, Manhattan is rated 7.7/10.

This gem tells the story of the scientists racing to build the first atomic bomb at Los Alamos. While not depicting nuclear war directly, it shows the birth of our nuclear age and the moral weight carried by those who created these weapons.

What makes it bingeable: excellent performances, tense atmosphere, thoughtful exploration of science's ethical boundaries.

Available on Hoopla, Plex and Fawesome for free.