Dystopian Fiction - Literature, Movies, Authors
First modern works of dystopian fiction became available in over 200 years old works of the famous English author H.G. Wells. Since then, the theme of Dystopias became explored in the various types of mediums. Here you can enter the world of dystopian movies, novels, games, comics and more.
List of Dystopian Literature
Over the last two hundred years, countless of authors tried to envision the various societies that are firmly in the grip of the dystopian rule. Novels that you can find here are filled with the incredible imagination and visions of the dark future.
List of Dystopian Music, TV and Games
Same as with literature, interesting visions of dystopias inspired the creators of many music, television and video game projects. Here you can find out the most notable dystopian themed projects of those mediums that were created over the last fifty years.
List of Dystopian Comics
Birth of the 20th century comic book industry brought the ideas of the utopia and dystopia to many comic book creators. As with any other type of visual and written mediums, comics proved to be an excellent canvas for describing various visions of the future and the dystopian societies that are present in them.
List of Dystopian Movies
Film history is full of movies that managed to very realistically depict future dystopian societies, filled with desolate landscapes, oppressive governments and subjugated people who strive to become free. Here are some of the best of them.
Dystopian Movies
Many movies that explore the complex theme of dystopias have found their way to the public success and critical acclaim. From the examination of the social class struggle in almost 100 years old “Metropolis”, to the futuristic computer created the world of “Matrix”, these movies provides unique look of the dystopian environments.
A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange is a darkly science fiction film adaptation of satiric, futuristic novel by Antony Burgess of the same name. This movie adaptation was written and directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1971, while novel was written in 1962. The film features life in dystopian future Britain.
Blade Runner
This 1982 famous cult science fiction movie managed to visualize to great detail dark, futuristic and dystopian version of overpopulated Los Angeles. Masterfully filmed, this movie explores the concepts of globalization, paranoia, value of human life, emotions, artificial life, climate change, religion and genetic engineering.
Children of Men
Set in the near future, this dystopian science fiction movie depicts the life in the collapsed society of England. Devastated by the virus that managed to destroy the means of human reproduction, this movie follows the adventure of several protagonists who were tasked to protect the only surviving baby.
I am Legend
This movie (loosely adapted from the novel of same name) is focused on the life of the last human being in the environment of the vampire-infested Manhattan. Surrounded by hostile environment, our lone protagonist must learn to survive in this dystopian land and maintain his drive to find the cure for the rest of humanity.
Metropolis
This landmark science fiction movie from 1923 today is today remembered as the first dystopian movie of all time. Set in the futuristic dystopian society, this movie explored the concepts of communism, capitalism, workers rebelling against ruling class, and the influences of technology on our lives.
Dystopian Literature
Dystopian literature typically depicts events that take place in the future, often filled with the incredible imagination and visions of the dark future. Creators of dystopian works usually criticize some social trends and write about their wish to prevent it. Here you can find descriptions of many famous dystopian science fiction novels.
Fahrenheit 451
This famous dystopian science fiction novel from 1953 (later on adapted into movie) described the life in the futuristic oppressive society that tightly controls the flow of communication between its citizens. Themes that are masterfully explored in this novel are freedom of speech, propaganda, censorship, and influence of television and mass media on our life.
Animal Farm
Written by George Orwell, this satirical allegory of Soviet totalitarianism has easily found its place as one of the most important dystopian novels of all time. Centered on the theme of creation of tyranny, this novel explores the themes of revolution, control, humanity, and class distinctions.
Nineteen Eighty-Four
This famous novel by George Orwell describes the life in the futuristic and dystopian environment of modern London. Often regarded to be one of the most important classic novels ever written, this dark vision of the future focuses on the concepts of government surveillance, censorship, sexual repression and mind control.
The Handmaid's Tale
This award-winning novel written by Margaret Atwood focuses on the issues of woman rights. Set in the environment of futuristic religious theocratic state, author masterfully explored the themes of, religion, mistreatment of women and gender roles and their class rights.
Dystopian Authors
Authors that tackled the theme of futuristic dystopias began releasing their works after early years of 19th century. Here you can find out more in-depth look at their lives, and instrumental works that influenced many future generations of authors, philosophers, filmmakers and more.
Aldous Huxley
This famous English writer earned his place in the history of literature with his 1932 dystopian novel “Brave New World”. In addition to this timeless work of art, Huxley will remain remembered for his work in the fields of parapsychology, philosophical mysticism and visual communication.
Ayn Rand
Although critical acclaim of her works came after her death, two of her dystopian novels “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged” published in the mid-20th century received much fame during the recent years. During her life, she became the proposer of her philosophy of Objectivism, in which he advocated that reason must take precedence over faith and religion.
Ray Bradbury
This famous and award winning author will forever remain remember for his lifetime of work in the field of literature and science fiction. His long carrier is filled with various influential novels, most notably Fahrenheit 451 in which he masterfully described the life in the futuristic dystopian society.
Margaret Atwood
This award winning author from Canada is known today mostly for her work in the field of feminism. Her most famous dystopian novel is without a doubt 1985’s “The Handmaid's Tale”, in which she vividly described the life of woman in the futuristic totalitarian society.
George Orwell
This celebrated English author will forever be remembered for his long successful career, and most notably for his two dystopian political satires “Nineteen Eighty-Four” and “Animal Farm”. These two important pieces of literature masterfully explore the concepts of government control, censorship, class distinctions and humanity.
Yevgeny Zamyatin
This Russian author is today most remembered for writing his famous dystopian novel “We”. Based on his experiences during the Russian revolutions of 1805 and 1917, this novel provides the great look at the futuristic society that is controlled by the police state, which bears great resemblance to the political order in Russia.
H.G. Wells
According to many historians, works published by Wells and his contemporary Jules Verne today represent starting point of the modern age of science fiction. As a dystopian writer, Wells influenced future generations of writer by his innovative novels “The Time Machine”, “When The Sleeper Wakes” and others.
