Movies and shows like The Last of Us to watch next

Last of Us, the post-apocalyptic HBO drama adapted from Naughty Dog’s 2013 game of the same name by ChernobylIts first season was concluded earlier this month by series creator Craig Mazin as well as Neil Druckmann who co-created it.

Pedro Pascal is the star of this series.Mandalorian, Game of ThronesJoel (played in part by fellow) is Joel, a middle age survivor of the deadly pandemic. He has been hired to help Ellie. Game of ThronesBella Ramsey (alum), a young girl with mysterious immunity, travels across the nation to find a cure. Along the way, the pair are forced to contend with the myriad horrors of this strange new world — including zombie-like creatures, militant factions, and cannibalistic cult leaders — all while growing closer together. Although it is not a love story, the six first episodes averaged over 30,000,000 viewers.

The ninth and final episode of the season, which has reignited debate about the ending between fans new and old, achieved a series high of over 8.2 million viewers despite competition from this year’s Oscars. Another season has already been greenlit, with star Bella Ramsey stating that we probably won’t see Joel and Ellie again until “end of 2024, early 2025” at the earliest.

If you’re looking for another show to fill the void left by Last of Us’ finale, not to worry: We’ve tapped the mycelial network that is Polygon’s staff to create a list of the best post-apocalyptic-adjacent shows to watch while we patiently wait for the series’ next chapter. Obviously, everyone’s going to mention Mandalorian — which also stars Pedro Pascal as a gruff no-nonsense father figure to a incorrigible trouble-seeking youth — but that recommendation is so obvious, we figured you already thought of it.

If you’re looking for some more recommendations, scroll through for our suggestions of the best shows to watch after HBO’s The Last of Us.

Station Eleven

Parrish Lewis/HBOMax

Here’s what it looks like: One decade after the devastating flu pandemic, a troupe of traveling theatre performers travels the Great Lakes area. Kirsten Mackenzie Davis (Mackenzie Davis), encounters a brutal cult that is led by an unknowingly connected man.

Why it’s like Last of Us: Stop me if you’ve heard this one: We’re 20 years on from a deadly pandemic. Many people are content with the little they do have and often forget what connection, community and humanity means to them. Should feel like. Thought Station ElevenAnd Last of Us have very different tragic thrusts, the sense of survival — and whether mere survival is sufficient — bonds these two cosmically. They’re part of the same cultural mycelial network, is what I’m saying. —Zosha Millman

It’s where to be seen: Station ElevenIt is streaming on HBO Max.

The Road

Image: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Here’s what it looks like: John Hillcoat’s 2009 adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s post-apocalyptic novel stars Viggo Mortensen (the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The History of Violence) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (Please Let Me In, Dawn of the Planet of the ApesThe trek is made by the explorers (pictured above), who are forced to traverse a landscape devastated by an extinction event that nearly killed all species of animal and plant life.

Why it’s like Last of Us: It’s depressing as fuck! Aside from that, it’s a post-apocalyptic story that centers on a father-son relationship that evolves under the duress of several existential threats, including but not limited to heavily armed, violent cannibal gangs. Cannibalism, you say? You are going to get cannibalism, oh boy! —Toussaint Egan

It’s where to be seen: The RoadIt is free to stream on Plex and with advertisements on Tubi TV and Pluto TV. You can also stream it with a Hoopla library card.

Black Summer

Image by Netflix

Here’s what it looks like: An offshoot of Z Nation, it’s a zombie show co-created by John Hyams (Day of Reckoning for the Universal Soldier, Get Sick). Black Summer Follows Jamie King, a mother who is separated from her child at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse and sets off with a few friends to search for her.

Why it’s like Last of Us: In addition to the “adult seeking to protect a child in a post-apocalyptic setting” vibes, it’s also the actual best zombie show on TV. —Pete Volk

It’s where to be seen: Black Summer You can watch it on Netflix.

Lone Wolf and Cub Series

Image: Katsu Production/Toho Company

Here’s what it looks like: Kenji Misumi’s 1972 chambara film (and its five sequels) based on Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima’s classic manga of the same name stars Tomisaburo Wakayama as Itto Ogami, the disgraced former executioner of a villainous shogun, who becomes a sellsword after his wife is murdered. Itto, along with his son Daigoro (Akihiro Tomikawa), creates an enviable swathe of destruction and death through all those who would dare to harm him or his child.

Why it’s like Last of Us: Watching their father kill a group of stupid dudes (tried killing daddy), and winning a silly prize (getting killed), teaches a child how to manage themselves in harsh, violent situations. —TE

It’s where to be seen: Criterion Channel has all six Lone Wolf and Cub films available for streaming.

Children of Men

Universal Pictures

Here’s what it looks like: Alfonso Cuarón’s 2006 dystopian action thriller centers on Theo (Clive Owen), a civil servant living in a future where human infertility has left society on the brink of collapse. He is recruited by his ex-wife to safeguard a pregnant woman — the first in over two decades — through a harsh and violent world to safety. While initially devoid of hope, Theo eventually becomes willing to risk everything — including his own life — in the hope that the woman’s child may be the key to a better future.

Why it’s like Last of Us: Children of menInexplicably, the world is ravaged by a worldwide catastrophe. While not quite as severe, Cordyceps fungus Last of Us, the film’s infertility crisis basically transforms the entire planet into one big hospice with society collapsing into despotism as humanity slowly yet surely races toward extinction. So yeah, it’s a lot like Last of Us! —TE

It’s where to be seen: Children of MenYou can rent it for only $3.99 from Prime Video or Apple.

Prospect

Image: Gunpowder & Sky

Here’s what it looks like:Sophie Thatcher stars in this 2018 independent sci-fi adventure movie.YellowjacketsJay Duplass and ).Puffy ChairThe story is about a father-daughter team who set out to find gems on an alien moon’s poisonous forest. When the pair are ambushed by two rival prospectors, Ezra (Pedro Pascal) and his partner Number Two (Luke Pitzrick), the girl’s father and Ezra’s partner are killed in the scuffle — forcing the surviving two to forge a desperate alliance to fend off mercenaries, escape the planet, and make off with their haul of space gems.

Why it’s like Last of Us: Pedro Pascal and his smart-alecky child are forced to cooperate to overcome hostile environments and deadly adversaries. In space! —TE

It’s where to be seen: ProspectIt is streaming on Hulu with a Kanopy library card. You can also rent it for $1.99 on Prime Video and Apple.

Sweet Tooth

Photo: Kirsty Griff/Warner Bros.

Here’s what it looks like: The story is inspired by a comic where the virus that kills all of humanity causes a flood and babies begin to be born.

Why it’s like Last of Us: A special child with a “gruff protector” works to survive in an apocalyptic world. —PV

It’s where to be seen: Sweet Tooth You can watch it on Netflix.

Logan

Image: 20th Century Fox

Here’s what it looks like: James Mangold’s 2017 superhero film adapts Mark Millar and Steve McNiven’s “Old Man Logan” comics storyline, following the adamantium-clawed mutant (Hugh Jackman) as he attempts to survive in a dystopian future where no mutants have been born in over two decades and nearly all of the X-Men — save for Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Caliban (Stephen Merchant) — are dead. Logan accepts to take Laura (Dafnekeen), to an American-Canadian refuge. Soon, they discover that Laura is a mutant being hunted by the biotech conglomerate. They also share a deep connection that goes beyond what either knew.

Why it’s like Last of Us: It is a deadly pandemic that leads to societal collapse. The unemployment problem has been exacerbated with the automation of labor. I’m sorry, but what did you ask? Yes, it is. LoganLike Last of Us? Well, it’s about a violent old man with “a particular set of skills” (that is, an aptitude for killing) who becomes the surrogate daddy figure to an equally violent little girl. They travel across the country and bond with each other as they witness the deaths of countless malicious and desperate criminals. —TE

It’s where to be seen: LoganDisney Plus allows you to watch it live on-demand.

The Passage

Image: Eliza Morse/Fox

Here’s what it looks like: An adaptation on Justin Cronin’s trilogy of novels from Liz Heldens (Friday Night Lights), The Passage The story follows the life of a young lady who has been chosen as a test subject for dangerous viruses. And the man who takes the decision to help her. Do you sound familiar?

Why it’s like TThe Last of Us: Swap out “zombies” for “vampires” and “immunity” for “chosen test subject,” and you’re pretty dang close. —PV

It’s where to be seen: The Passage It is also available digitally on Amazon, Google Play, Vudu and Vudu

The Gift-Averse Girl

Image: Poison Chef

Here’s what it looks like: TV veteran Colm McCarthy adapted Mike Carey’s book about a post-apocalyptic future after a deadly fungal infection, and a special young girl who may hold the key to a cure. You don’t need to know anything about it.

Why it’s like Last of Us: This one’s so on the nose, it’s even got apocalyptic fungi! —PV

It’s where to be seen: The Gift-Averse Girl You can stream it for free on Tubi and Pluto TV or with an Hoopla library card.

Surround the Garden Wall

Cartoon Network Image

Here’s what it looks like: Patrick McHale’s animated miniseries (Adventure Time, Guillermo del Toro’s PinocchioThe story follows two brothers, who find themselves in an unfamiliar forest while trying to return home.

Why it’s like Last of Us: Two strangers venture into a wild, unknown land full of potential dangers and they aren’t sure which one to trust. Also, Melanie Lynskey shows up! It’s really good. —PV

It’s where to be seen: Surround the Garden Wall Available to stream via Hulu or HBO Max

Midnight Special

Warner Bros. Pictures

Here’s what it looks like: Michael Shannon (ShelterJoel Edgerton (Underground RailroadJaeden Marstell (It) star in this 2018 sci-fi road movie as Roy Tomlin, his friend Lucas, and Tomlin’s son, Alton, who race to escape a mysterious cult and a government manhunt after Alton begins to manifest mysterious telekinetic abilities.

Why it’s like Last of Us: A father risks everything — his life, his job, potential arrest by the authorities — in order to deliver his child from harm. Also, did I mention it’s got a creepy militant cult à la Kathleen’s Hunters and David’s cannibals? —TE

It’s where to be seen: Midnight SpecialYou can rent it for as low as $2.99 at Prime Video and Apple.

Busan: Train

Image: Well Go USA Entertainment

Here’s what it looks like: A global smash-hit zombie movie from South Korean director Yeon Sang-ho (Psychokinesis,HellboundThe movie () depicts the emergence of the zombie apocalypse aboard a high-speed train.

Why it’s like Last of Us: Apart from the element of the zombie, there is also the main character. Busan: Train He is riding the train along with his little girl and tries to keep her safe from all the dangers. —PV

It’s where to be seen: Busan: Train You can stream it on Prime Video, Peacock and Shudder. The movie is available free of charge with advertisements on Pluto TV and The Roku Channel.

I Am Legend

Warner Bros.

Here’s what it looks like: Will Smith stars in Francis Lawrence’s 2007 post-apocalyptic action thriller as Robert Neville, a virologist forced to survive in a partially destroyed New York City filled with humans that have been transformed into violent nocturnal mutants. Neville is immune and works together to create a treatment while protecting two other healthy humans.

Why it’s like Last of Us: You know the deal — a world ravaged by a mysterious virus, a man trying to find peace with the loss of everything he once loved and cherished, mutated humans who are nonetheless susceptible to gunfire. There’s a little kid in this movie too who Robert takes a shine to and attempts to protect like he once did for his own lost son. —TE

It’s where to be seen: I Am LegendYou can rent it for only $3.99 from Prime Video or Apple.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Studio Ghibli/GKIDS Image

Here’s what it looks like: Hayao Miyazaki’s 1984 post-apocalyptic fantasy anime follows the eponymous teenage princess of a village who becomes embroiled in the machinations of a power-hungry empire attempting to eradicate the Ohm, a race of giant mutant insects that have overtaken the planet.

Why it’s like Last of Us: This list includes all of the TV and film shows that are mentioned. Nausicaa of the Valley of the WindMost likely has one of its closest analogs Last of Us’ CordycepsThe poisonous forest is a toxic environment that harbors giant mutant bugs and toxic mold. Even though Nausicaa is not immune to the effects of the spores, she still represents an equivalent figure to Ellie.Last of Us, one who — while not capable of eliminating the forest — nonetheless possesses the power to bring balance between the insectile inhabitants of the poisonous forest and the remnants of humanity. —TE

It’s where to be seen: Nausicaa of the Valley of the WindIt is streaming on HBO Max.

War of the Worlds

DreamWorks Home Entertainment

Here’s what it looks like: Steven Spielberg’s 2005 film starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning transforms H.G. Wells’ classic 1898 sci-fi novel into a post-9/11 horror drama, telling the story of a Brooklyn dock worker who struggles to protect his children in the wake of an alien invasion.

Why it’s like Last of Us: Protecting his child against apocalyptic threats, both interpersonal and extraordinary, includes murdering someone whose violent behavior could endanger his life as well as the lives of others. —TE

It’s where to be seen: War of the WorldsIt is also available for streaming on Paramount Plus and HBO Max.

Leave No Trace

Bleecker Street Media

Here’s what it looks like: Debra Granik’s masterpiece adaptation of the 2009 novel My abandonmentThis movie is about a war veteran with PTSD (Ben Foster), and his life off the grid, with Thomasin McKenzie (Thomasin). It’s a gorgeous movie, and the two of them are fantastic in it.

Why it’s like Last of Us: If not the Grid, what is an apocalyptic menace? That’s a stretch, but the relationship between father and daughter is central to what makes Leave No Trace It is a beautiful setting that allows for creativity and innovation. There’s a lot to like in this for fans of Last of Us. —PV

It’s where to be seen: Leave No Trace It is streaming on Netflix or free with a Kanopy library card.