Dystopian Story Ideas: 21 Scary, Yet Engaging Concepts for Your Next Novel

Do you love to write dystopian fiction? Looking for a writing prompt for your next story idea? If so, you’re in luck! This blog post will discuss 21 dystopian story ideas that will keep you engaged. These creative writing prompts are perfect for your next novel and will leave readers wondering what will happen next. Remember that these ideas are just a starting point – feel free to add your twist or change them to make them your own. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

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21 Dystopian Writing Prompts for Writers Who Want to Think Outside the Box

In a world where the government can track your every move, two lovers must go on the run to escape its clutches.
In a post-apocalyptic world where water is scarce, a group of survivors must band together to find a new source before they all perish.
In a society where books are forbidden, a rebellious teenager must decide whether to risk everything to smuggle in some much-needed reading material.
In a future where climate change has made the planet nearly uninhabitable, two people must choose between staying put and making the dangerous journey to a colony on Mars.
In a world where people are born into predetermined social classes, one woman must figure out how to escape her lowly station in life.
In a future city that’s been taken over by pollution and poverty, a group of teens must decide whether to join forces with the resistance or make their way in the world.
In a world where time travel is possible but strictly regulated, one man must choose between staying in the present or going back to fix his mistakes in the past.
In an oppressive society where women are second-class citizens, one woman must decide whether to conform or rebel against the status quo.
After an earthquake destroys most of civilization, two people from different parts of the world must find each other and rebuild their lives together.
Following a nuclear war, two families from opposite sides of the conflict must work together to survive in a ravaged world filled with danger and betrayal at every turn.
In a world where the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, a group of rebels decides to fight back by any means necessary.
In a world where processed food is the only available, a group of people decides to go back to basics and start farming their food.
In a world where technology has taken over, a group of people decides to live off the grid in an isolated community.
In a world where climate change has made large parts of the planet uninhabitable, a group of survivors must find a way to live together in harmony.
In a world where the government is corrupt and oppressive, a group of citizens decides to start their society from scratch.
In a world where unemployment is at an all-time high, a group of friends decides to start their own business.
In a world where wars are common, and peace is rare, two people from opposite sides of the conflict fall in love.
In a world where superhumans are real, two people with different abilities must learn to trust each other to save the world from destruction.
In a world where time travel is possible, someone accidentally changes the course of history and must fix it before it’s too late.
In a world where parallel universes exist, someone crosses over into the wrong one and must find their way back home.
In a world where teleportation is possible, someone gets stranded in an alternate reality and must find their way home before it’s too late.

Whatever story you tell, remember that dystopian fiction is all about examining societies gone wrong and asking, “what if?”

Is Dystopia the Opposite of Utopia?

A dystopia is a fictional society typically characterized by widespread misery and oppression. The word “dystopia” comes from the Greek root “dys,” meaning “bad,” and “topos,” meaning “place.” A good example of a dystopia is George Orwell’s classic novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. In this book, the government controls everything, and the citizens live in constant fear.

In contrast, a utopia is a fictional society typically characterized by prosperity and harmony. The word “utopia” comes from the Greek root “eu,” meaning “good,” and “topos,” meaning “place.” An example of a utopia is Thomas More’s book Utopia, which describes a society with no poverty or crime and everyone is equal.

Where a utopia is an ideal society marked by peace and prosperity, a dystopian world is quite the opposite-a society full of suffering and oppression.

What Makes a Movie Dystopian

A dystopian movie typically takes place in the future in a society that a repressive government controls. The government controls every aspect of life, and the citizens are kept in line through strict rules and surveillance. In some cases, the government may control to maintain order and prevent chaos. In other cases, the government may be corrupt and totalitarian, oppressing its citizens for its gain.

Dystopian movies often explore individuality vs. conformity, oppression vs. freedom, and technology vs. humanity. These movies ask questions about what it means to be human and whether our technology is ultimately helping or harming us.

Some popular dystopian movies include The Hunger Games, Blade Runner, The Terminator, Escape from New York, Mad Max, and The Matrix.

Dystopian movies are popular because they offer a glimpse into a possible future that is both fascinating and terrifying.

Is Brave New World a Utopia or Dystopia?

The novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is set in a future society that the government has totally controlled. It marked a milestone in dystopian literature. The people in this society are happy and content with their lives, but is this a utopia or a dystopia?

On the surface, Brave New World would appear to be a utopia. The people are healthy and happy, there is no poverty or crime, and everyone has a place in society.

However, Brave New World is a dystopian novel because the government has complete control over the people. They are not allowed to think for themselves or express their own opinions. Instead, they are taught to conform to the norms of society. This lack of freedom means that the people are not truly happy, even though they may think they are. In some ways, it’s the ultimate dystopian setting.

Common Themes in the Dystopian Genre

Dystopian stories have been around for centuries, but they’ve gained particular prominence recently. What is it about these stories that resonate so deeply with audiences?

Dystopian stories are usually set in a future world ravaged by war, disease, or other cataclysmic events. The survivors are left to rebuild civilization in the aftermath, but the new world order is often repressive and oppressive. Writers use this setting to explore social and political issues relevant to their own time and place.

One of the most common themes in a dystopian society is the loss of freedom. In many cases, the characters live under a totalitarian regime controlling every aspect of their lives. They may be required to wear uniforms, adhere to strict rules and regulations, and live in fear of punishment if they step out of line. This loss of freedom can be interpreted as a comment on how our societies are becoming increasingly controlled and conformist.

Another common theme is the power of government or another authority figure to control people’s thoughts and feelings. In dystopian societies, people are often indoctrinated from a young age to believe certain things about the world and their place in it. This might be done through schools, churches, media, and entertainment. The result is a society full of people who think and feel alike without dissenting voices. This might be seen as a warning against how our society relies on groupthink and conformity.

If you’re interested in writing a dystopian story, consider which themes you want to explore and how you can use them to comment on the world around you.