The holidays are almost here and unless you’re travelling, you may have some free time on your hands. Why not spend it watching prepper and survivalist shows? Netflix has several great TV shows to choose from. There many great movies and documentaries I could have included as well, but the list would have been too long.
Keep in mind that most of this is “edutainment.” While you can learn a lot, you should always double check what you learn from these shows because some of them–cough! man-vs-wild! cough!–have been known to give very bad advice. Others are pure fiction (such as The Walking Dead), but are still the kind of shows preppers might enjoy.
For each show, I made a note at the end indicating whether it is available to stream, on DVD, or both. Also, I was going to link directly to the Netflix pages, but then I realized that if you don’t have Netflix, the links just take you to a page asking you to sign up. So instead I linked to the Wikipedia entries. Now, on to the list.
Last Update: 3/16/17
1. Combat Zone – A documentary series about the many operations and missions the U.S. military has fought around the world. Each episode is about a different battle, invasion, ambush, gunfight, rescue operation, you name it. This show is a good wake-up call for people who imagine themselves capable of serious combat after the SHTF. DVD only.
2. Falling Skies – This sci-fi series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where extraterrestrials have invaded Earth and killed most of the population. A group of survivors, led by a retired U.S. Army Captain, mount an insurgency against the aliens. This is a very well-done show that gets better as it goes. DVD only.
3. I Shouldn’t Be Alive – This series tells true stories of people who survived life-threatening situations against all odds. Through interviews and dramatic reenactments, we learn about the endurance and decisions of survivors who got through scenarios like being shipwrecked, lost at sea, trapped under a boulder, and more. DVD only.
4. Jeremiah – In a post-apocalyptic future, nearly everyone over 13 has been killed by a deadly virus. 15 years after “The Big Death,” a young man named Jeremiah and his friend Kurdy travel the country is search of the “Valhalla Sector” where his father–a viral researcher–may still be alive. DVD only.
5. Jericho – This series follows the residents of a small town in Kansas after the largest cities in the United States have been destroyed by nuclear missiles. Since they have no power or communication with the outside world, they have to manage with limited resources while trying to figure out what has happened. Available on DVD and to stream.
6. Life After People – This show asks the question, “What would happen to the world if humanity suddenly disappeared?” Scientists and engineers speculate about the fate of skyscrapers, bridges, certain plants and animals, and pretty much anything else built or impacted by humans. It extends from one year to several million years into the future. Very interesting show. DVD only.
7. Man vs. Wild – In this show, survival expert Bear Grylls is dropped into a different scenario in each episode–lost in the desert, jungle, mountains, forest, etc. He teaches you how to construct a shelter, forage for food, build a fire, and generally survive until you can reach civilization. Unfortunately, he makes a lot of foolhardy decisions in order to increase the entertainment value. DVD only.
8. Man, Woman, Wild – A husband-and-wife team attempt to survive inhospitable environments around the world with only a few supplies. Most of it features Mykel Hawke teaching his wife, Ruth England, various survival skills. It’s a pretty good show, although sometimes Ruth gets on my nerves. DVD only.
9. Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment – This series follows nine volunteers who make their way through the Alaskan wilderness with only a few supplies. They have to forage for food, build shelters, and stay warm amid freezing temperatures. Each volunteer has the option to summon a rescue team if they want to quit the experiment, and most of them do. DVD only.
10. Revolution – A post-apocalyptic sci-fi show about what happens too the world after all the electronics abruptly stop working. It’s an interesting look at how society would function after all the current institutions experience a permanent blackout. Available on DVD and to stream.
11. Storm Chasers – Meteorologists visit Tornado Alley in order to study twisters and capture them on video. This show doesn’t teach any survival skills, but it’s very well done. At times it is very suspenseful and instills a sense of awe at the power of these deadly phenomena. DVD only.
12. Survivorman – Probably one of the best survival shows ever. Filmmaker and survival expert Les Stroud ventures into the wilderness completely alone with just a few supplies and his camera. Although there is a support team monitoring him from a distance, he manages to survive on his own for at least a week and teaches viewers exactly how he does it. DVD only.
13. Survivors – After a pandemic wipes out over 90% of the world’s population, the people remaining have to survive in a world without power, running water, and many other things we all tend to take for granted. The show follows a specific group of people who encounter many obstacles, the worst of which are other people. Available on DVD and to stream.
14. The 100 – A post-apocalyptic science fiction show life on Earth nearly a century after a nuclear apocalypse. A group of teens become the first humans to return to Earth after the disaster. The teens are 100 “expendable” prisoners who are sent to Earth as a test to see whether the planet is habitable. They have to find a way to survive in a dangerous new world. Available on DVD and to stream.
15. The Barkley Marathons – While this isn’t technically a survivalist show, it should still be of interest to survivalists. It’s about a yearly race that pushes marathon runners to their absolute limit. The course is about 100 miles and takes about 60 hours to complete, during which the runners get no sleep and have no map. It takes place in some of the most difficult terrain in America (Frozen Head State Park). Available to stream only.
16. The Colony – This reality show follows 10 volunteers with various skills and backgrounds who are placed in a simulated post-apocalyptic environment and asked to rebuild civilization. Although it’s pretty entertaining, unless you’re a complete newbie prepper you may find yourself yelling at the TV. Available on DVD and to stream.
17. The Shannara Chronicles – An epic fantasy set thousands of years after the destruction of civilization. The show follows three heroes who go on a quest to stop a force of demons from destroying the planet. Available on DVD and to stream.
18. The Walking Dead – I love this show! Lots of great action and intense drama. Don’t expect to learn anything useful, though. In fact, there are several things that get on my nerves: They seem to have a never-ending supply of canned food, vehicles that have been abandoned for over a year run just fine, and even though zombies stagger along slowly no one can outrun them. But it’s still great if you enjoy post-apocalyptic shows. Available on DVD and to stream.
19. Top Sniper – A documentary series about the annual International Sniper Competition in Fort Benning, Georgia. This more than just a shooting competition. They have to compete in simulated war conditions and display multiple skills including camouflage, stalking, and urban combat. DVD only.
20. Z Nation – This series is a blend of action, drama, horror, and post-apocalyptic science fiction, and it’s as good as it sounds. The story starts several years after a the beginning of a zombie apocalypse caused by a virus. One of the main characters is the survivor of a zombie bite because his blood contains special antibodies. The group needs to get him to the CDC alive and well in order to save humanity from the virus. Available on DVD and to stream.
GregT says
March 15, 2018 at 1:56 pmLOL, this is one of the most hilarious and useless articles I’ve read today. Thanks for the laugh, I needed it.
Angela says
October 21, 2017 at 2:22 amNothing good
jsm says
January 26, 2017 at 9:49 amthe colony isnt on netflix , for stream or dvd
Ashbarmar says
February 25, 2017 at 4:37 amIt’s on YouTube 🙂
1st world view says
November 12, 2016 at 4:20 amNetflix true crime series Narcos spurs huge demand for Colombian women.
Produced by Netflix, the show “Narcos” takes on the infamous Medellin drug cartel which follows the rise and fall of Colombian kingpin Pablo Escobar and the Drug Enforcement Agency agents hunting him. The story is told largely from the points of view of Escobar (Brazilian actor Wagner Moura) and U.S. DEA Agent Steve Murphy (Boyd Holbrook), on opposite sides of what would become an all-out war.
Many critics of true crime dramas have always complained they are promoting crime and violence by glorification, an unintended consequence of American entertainment industries. These shows can have other interesting consequences. The Foreign Bride industry has seen a huge spike in demand for Colombian women. This can be viewed as positive or negative, depending on social perspective.
Foreign Brides, sometimes referred to as “mail order brides”, a term the industry completely rejects, have become a billion dollar a year business. According to industry leaders, Colombia represented only about 3% of the market three years ago. Since the popularity of Narcos, many companies have seen near tenfold increases in men seeking Colombian wives.
A Foreign Affair (AFA), a company that helps men find women through international tours, says tours to Colombia are now selling out. AFA arranges group tours where 10 to 20 men travel together to Medellin, Cartagena or Barranquilla. During the tour, they attend arranged Social events where the men meet hundreds of beautiful Colombian women looking for marriage. Women can also place their profiles on the AFA web site, in the hopes of finding a husband.
Kenneth Agee, the marketing director for AFA says, “Because of the show we are doubling our tours to Medellin for next year. Narcos has brought a lot of attention to the intense beauty of Colombian women. Although the show is often very violent, the women of Colombia come across as very family oriented and loyal. These values seem harder and harder to find in this world. I would have to agree, because of the interest in Narcos, we even added an excursion to where Pablo’s self-built prison was located, in the hills overlooking Medellin.
The crowning of 2015 Miss Universe Paulina Vega put Barranquilla, Colombia on the map. Barranquilla now has recognition for being home to some of the most beautiful and talented women in the world. Not only is Miss Universe from here, Grammy Award winning pop singer Shakira, and actress Sofia Vergara also call Barranquilla home. Vergara stars on the ABC series Modern Family as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett. She’s been nominated for 4 Golden Globe Awards, 4 Prime time Emmy Awards, and 7 Screen Actors Guild Awards, all stemming from this role. In 2014, she was ranked as the 32nd Most Powerful Woman in the world by Forbes.
David from Mesa AZ says he met more qualified women in one week than he has during the last 10 years. In 2010, Lisa Ling and the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) filmed a one hour show on the AFA tour called “Online Brides – Our America with Lisa Ling.” Even Lisa Ling was surprised by the beauty and sincerity of the women from Barranquilla.
Janet Davis, head of a women’s rights group says “AFA is just taking advantage of women from these third world countries. This is no different than Pablo trafficking in narcotics, but these companies traffic women.” Proponents refer to a Report (INTERNATIONAL MATCHMAKING ORGANIZATIONS: A REPORT TO CONGRESS) that these marriages have much lower divorce rates and abuse rates compared to traditional domestic marriages. This data makes international dating similar to a woman in the US joining eHarmony to look for a husband.
23-year-old Viviana, from Cartagena, says “I come to these events because I know the men attending are serious about marriage, they are faithful and are good to family. For Colombian women, it is the most important thing, good husband and good family.
Kenneth says, “It has not been all rosy. Narcos has brought us some problems. In Cartagena, we have several Penthouses we rent out. One was originally owned by “Don Diego” head of the Norte Del Velle Drug Cartel, the other by Pablo’s people. Over the past year, the properties have been tracked down by individuals thinking they will find large qualities of cash hidden, thus we sometimes find holes all over the walls after a tenant leaves.
For Narcos fans, those who love the gangster genre, or just those who just like seeing beautiful Latin women, there’s good news; Netflix’s has confirmed Season 3 and 4.
Alan says
November 14, 2016 at 7:27 amThanks for the suggestion, I gotta add that to my list.
King Vktamin says
September 30, 2016 at 5:27 amJeremiah is NOT on Netflix.
Ryan Law says
July 10, 2016 at 10:18 amAwesome round-up, and great to see the low-budget-but-surprisingly-awesome Survivors get some love!
I’ve come across a handful of new series thanks to your list, and you’ve inspired to write my own round-up. If you have a minute, it’d be great to see what you think: http://ashtales.com/post-apocalyptic-tv-shows/
Thanks again!
dave bowers says
January 20, 2016 at 9:31 amThere is only 1 prepper show even on this stupid list. SMH
Derek Leggatt says
October 10, 2015 at 10:03 pmThe Island with Bear Grylls; Great show 3 Seasons
Walker Texas Stranger says
September 10, 2015 at 8:05 amWhat? No Gilligan’s Island?
Tina Cochrane says
August 27, 2015 at 9:15 amI watched The Colony about a year ago, and then searched for it recently and it was no longer there. Did it get taken off Netflix??
Scott says
July 22, 2015 at 11:15 amThe first season of The Colony was amazing! Sadly, don’t bother watching Season 2. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so I will just say their skill sets sucked compared to season 1.
Jessica Thompson Miller says
August 12, 2015 at 9:10 pmThe skills of season 2 are what you would expect from a random group of survivors. 1st show not realistic at all… what are the chances that a small group of people would have those backgrounds. I like the realistic part of their skills in season 2. Sure I would rather survive with experts, but you’ve got to work with what you’ve got.
N2KMaster says
September 20, 2016 at 6:56 amAlso there is no season 3 for the colony due to a volunteer being killed by a marauder by accident. I was eagerly awaiting season 3 to and couldn’t figure it out where it had went to. Then i found blogs, some info, and figured it out what happened.
SHTF411 says
April 8, 2015 at 1:32 pmcheck out
Live Free Or Die (TV show 2014)
Josh says
February 6, 2015 at 9:26 amThe movie “Goodbye World” is now on Netflix. Fresh point of view on surviving and being self sustainable after the grid goes down.
Gina says
January 2, 2015 at 5:05 pmHappy People is a documentary on Netflix about a small, very remote village in Siberia. They are surrounded by thousands of square miles of wilderness. Other than a short couple months in the summer the only way in is by helicopter. The village is on a large river that is their lifeline. They show a wonderful example of how to build a canoe to cross the river and how to build traps they have been using for generations. They also show how to make cross country skis and they teach the importance of building these things the right way. It’s a very informative film if you expect to be in the wilderness, to go hunting or trapping, or anticipate cold weather. Also shows how to make mosquito repellent with birch tar.
Tami says
December 29, 2014 at 10:15 pmGreat list, My favorite is Dual Survival, it keeps getting better!!
Jay Ruggio says
December 29, 2014 at 11:10 pmhahaha – ask chicken joe teti where the sun rises and sets – thats survival 101- haha
Jay Ruggio says
December 28, 2014 at 4:34 pmthe guys from dual survival have been voted the #1 and #2 FAKE TV SURVIVALISTS on thetoptens.com under fake survival- read it for yourselves
Jay Ruggio says
December 28, 2014 at 4:24 pmdual survival is no longer a show about survival- it is an hour long commercial to sell products like knives , sunglasses and watches . It is fronted by a guy who has 0 survival skills and background- Mr Chicken Joe Teti himself , and his catch phrase is ” i am afraid joseph teti” . Cody Lundin rules . period .
Monique Marie says
December 28, 2014 at 10:19 amhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec4K9H2v0IY
Monique Marie says
December 28, 2014 at 10:18 amWHY IS MAN, WOMAN, WILD NOT ON NETFLIX??????????????
Jay Ruggio says
December 29, 2014 at 11:15 pmits on the list – its not available ? discovery pulled it ? with intent to harm the Hawkes ? Wasn’t that show voted #1 in a contest run by discovery just a few months ago ? Weren’t they supposed to run a marathon when it won the voting? Seems like there is a conspiracy here to investigate .
wmyers4u says
January 18, 2016 at 7:36 pmNothing good is in netflix
Monique Marie says
December 28, 2014 at 10:18 amJOSEPH TETI SUES SPECIAL FORCES COMMUNITY to protect his LIES and Discovery continues their campaign to cover up his lies………….Teti wants to SILENCE US………..
Joseph Teti has reported our TRUTH Articles. He is desperate to stop the TRUTH from being known to the Public…..He and his attorney are playing dirty and they are trying to SILENCE us. It will not work………PLEASE SHARE video and Spread the TRUTH……….
The simple question put to Joseph Teti by thousands of his Special Forces Brothers and just as many civilians was for him to show his DD-214’s and his NGB-22’s, UNCLASSIFIED Military paperwork; paperwork that many other SF men who out-rank and out-served him had posted publicly; paperwork that would PROVE Teti’s Claims as both a Military guy and a Contractor (green badger).
Yet, Teti refused to Prove those claims and chose to fight against those who asked for the Proof. He chose to make a public display of his belligerent defiance of a normal and reasonable request. The more Teti fought to keep his claims ‘secret’, the more desperate he became.
In his own words Teti said the following: “Don’t even guess about it because that will get you in big trouble. Don’t even take liberties at guessing because you’re actually crossing a legal line right there…I am not at liberty to discuss—ethically, legally, morally — who I worked for.” Yet, his Facebook page is inundated with pictures he claims as being at ‘secret’ locations. The more Teti fought to keep his claims ‘secret’, the more desperate he became. In his own words Teti said the following: “Don’t even guess about it because that will get you in big trouble. Don’t even take liberties at guessing because you’re actually crossing a legal line right there…I am not at liberty to discuss—ethically, legally, morally — who I worked for.” Yet, his Facebook page is inundated with pictures he claims as being at ‘secret’ locations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec4K9H2v0IY
Monique Marie says
December 28, 2014 at 10:13 amJoseph Teti Sues Special Forces Community to protect his Lies and Discovery continues their campaign to covery up his lies………….Teti wants to SILENCE US…………….
Joseph Teti has reported our TRUTH Articles. He is desperate to stop the TRUTH from being known to the Public…..He and his attorney are playing dirty and they are trying to SILENCE us. It will not work………PLEASE SHARE video and Spread the TRUTH……….
The simple question put to Joseph Teti by thousands of his Special Forces Brothers and just as many civilians was for him to show his DD-214’s and his NGB-22’s, UNCLASSIFIED Military paperwork; paperwork that many other SF men who out-rank and out-served him had posted publicly; paperwork that would PROVE Teti’s Claims as both a Military guy and a Contractor (green badger).
Yet, Teti refused to Prove those claims and chose to fight against those who asked for the Proof. He chose to make a public display of his belligerent defiance of a normal and reasonable request. The more Teti fought to keep his claims ‘secret’, the more desperate he became.
In his own words Teti said the following: “Don’t even guess about it because that will get you in big trouble. Don’t even take liberties at guessing because you’re actually crossing a legal line right there…I am not at liberty to discuss—ethically, legally, morally — who I worked for.” Yet, his Facebook page is inundated with pictures he claims as being at ‘secret’ locations. The more Teti fought to keep his claims ‘secret’, the more desperate he became. In his own words Teti said the following: “Don’t even guess about it because that will get you in big trouble. Don’t even take liberties at guessing because you’re actually crossing a legal line right there…I am not at liberty to discuss—ethically, legally, morally — who I worked for.” Yet, his Facebook page is inundated with pictures he claims as being at ‘secret’ locations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec4K9H2v0IY
3lbisivni says
March 6, 2016 at 4:44 pmYou may be 100% correct buy your delivery makes you sound like a crazy person regardless.
lastrohm says
December 27, 2014 at 6:04 pmBear Grylls? No. Even he admits he is a fake.
The Mighty Kevin 2 says
December 24, 2014 at 3:55 pmThe 100 is a good post-apocalyptic show. Not a lot of survival information but still entertaining.
MI Patriot says
December 18, 2016 at 4:15 pmThe 100 is on Netflix right now. We binge-watched it in about 2 weeks. That doesn’t mean it won’t be on there in January though. It seems like Netflix takes all the good shows off and puts on a lot of crap in its place sometimes.
alabubba says
December 22, 2014 at 8:58 pm“Dude Your Screwed” is one of my favorite shows, I dont know if its on netflix or not.
Sean says
December 22, 2014 at 11:11 amThings like the Walking Dead turn into overdrawn soap operas, with almost nothing except interpersonal relationships and idiotic maneuvers like running out in front of moving vehicles. They never seem to learn anything from what’s happened to them, and they make more noise than when the circus comes to town. Tactically, they wouldn’t last a week in the real situation, and drinking contaminated water would kill any quirky survivors. I shouldn’t expect Hollywood to come up with realism or reality, but I grow tired of the accolades for stupidity and the repetition of same. Les Stroud is about the only one I would recommend. Cody Lundin knows his stuff, but that bare foot crap is an invitation to trouble.
Idahoser says
December 22, 2014 at 3:06 pmevery show turns into a soap opera.
JeanneS says
December 22, 2014 at 2:50 amI love shows like Revolution, Jericho, Falling Skies, and Survivors (I preferred the remake done in 2008 over the original). I can’t say I was impressed by Alaska: The Last Frontier, however, once I found out that the family involved are actually pretty wealthy and most of what’s on the tv show is just their preferred way of doing things rather than a necessity (they certainly aren’t in any danger of going hungry if the garden fails or they don’t get enough hunting done!). I recommend Frontier House, about 3 families who agree to live in Montana as though they were back in the 1880’s and are judged by experts & historians on their success. If it’s not on Netflix, you can find it on YouTube.
L O says
December 22, 2014 at 7:59 amI Have the frontier house..great show..
AUDIOMIND says
December 22, 2014 at 1:53 pmFrontier House actually is on Netflix as a PBS documentary.
Mooni says
February 1, 2015 at 8:44 pmFrontier house was a joke. Every episode I wanted to slap those people. The father and son were the only decent ones there.
Mark Zarraonandia says
December 21, 2014 at 5:48 pmRevolution is a great show. Only lasted a couple of years.
Charlie Aurum Goldman says
December 21, 2014 at 11:42 ami like that you listed survivors, but you should mention the original from the 70’s, rather than the 2008 version, the original is much better
Ismael Jawad says
December 19, 2014 at 11:56 amYou can always get more stuff to stream via Netflix by changing Netflix region. Here’s how it’s done http://goo.gl/AcCrwm