The Apocalypse is a significant event commemorated in various religions across the globe. For instance, in Christianity, this event pertains to the end of the world and the Second Coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. But in many other faiths, they also have their own versions of the Apocalypse.
Then, there’s the concept of post-Apocalypse. Basically speaking, this concept and genre describes or relates to the situation after the world’s destruction. Or to a horrible and unpleasant situation wherein it seems as if the world has been destroyed.
Post-Apocalypse is seen in books, TV shows, and movies, among many other materials. In this list, we’ll explore some of the best movies that depict this scenario.
Most Disturbing Post-Apocalyptic Movies You Must Watch
1. ‘Interstellar’
First is “Interstellar.” This is a movie comprised of award-winning cast members and production team. Its director is Christopher Nolan, who is known for making movies that make viewers question things.
Nolan, the director of “Inception,” “Oppenheimer,” and “The Dark Knight” trilogy, tells the story of a team of pioneers who undertake the most important mission in human history here in “Interstellar.”
The director is awesome. The cast is awesome. Academy Award-winner Matthew McConaughey stars as a former pilot turned farmer who must leave his kin and a foundering Earth behind to lead an expedition to the galaxy to discover if humanity has a future elsewhere.
Also starring here are equally award-winning actors such as Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain.
2. ‘Avengers: Endgame’
You didn’t reasonably expect “Avengers: Endgame” to be part of this list, did you? Especially since it is mainly a superhero movie. Well, this film that stars Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, and Mark Ruffalo, among others, also depicts some concepts of the post-Apocalypse.
The explanation behind it lies in its narrative. Its narrative blends elements of post-apocalyptic, heists, an opera, and sci-fi time travel in one of the longest films in human history that had viewers advised to take their bathroom break before the movie starts.
3. ‘WALL-E’
Disney can make post-apocalyptic movies?! You got it. Broaden your mind. Post-apocalyptic isn’t just about chaos, zombies, destructions, and monstrosities after the world has shattered. Sometimes, these movies can be just as simple as featuring and forelooking the future.
“WALL-E” follows a solitary robot, whose name is the movie’s title, traversing a future, uninhabitable, and deserted Earth – particularly in the year 2805 – but is left to clean up the garbage from yesterday.
But, being a Disney movie, “WALL-E’s” story continues as WALL-E is visited by EVE, also a robot, sent from the fictional starship called Axiom, whom he falls in love with and pursues across the galaxy. “WALL-E” is a movie that breaks boundaries.
4. ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’
Here’s something you’d expect to be part of this list of the best post-apocalyptic movies. Set in a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland where petrol and water have become so scarce, “Mad Max: Fury Road” follows Max Rockantansky, the antihero protagonist, who joins forces with Imperator Furiosa to topple cult leader Immortan Joe and his army, leading to an epic battle, specifically road battle.
“Mad Max: Fury Road” is co-written, co-produced, and directed by George Miller, the filmmaker also responsible for “The Witches of Eastwick,” “Babe,” and “Happy Feet,” among others. The movie stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, with Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Zoë Kravitz, and more.
5. ‘Edge Of Tomorrow’
“Edge of Tomorrow” is mainly identified as a science fiction action movie, but it is also well a post-apocalyptic film, no doubt.
Directed by Doug Liman and written by Christopher McQuarrie, this movie is loosely based on “All You Need Is Kill,” a Japanese novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. “Edge of Tomorrow” stars the dashing Tom Cruise and the beautiful Emily Blunt.
The film is set in a future where most of Europe has been occupied by aliens. Major William Cage, whom Cruise portrays, a public relations officer whose combat experience is limited, is forced by his bosses to sign up for a landing operation against those aliens, only to find himself in a time loop as he finds a way to defeat the alien invaders. Truly a must-watch.
6. ‘Train to Busan’
If you’ve watched this film in the cinema, you’d probably have been with the crowd screaming at the top of their lungs as its scenes progressed. “Train to Busan” is scary, thrilling, and extraordinary.
This Korean movie mostly happens in a KTX, or a train, from Seoul to Busan as a zombie apocalypse suddenly breaks out in the East Asian nation, threatening the safety of the passengers and, possibly, the country’s people.
Its story concept is fundamental and straightforward, but that simplicity is what makes this movie fun to watch.
7. ‘Zombieland’
Looking at the official movie poster of “Zombieland,” you can find this film very youthful, and it is. If you don’t focus on the title, you wouldn’t think this is of the post-apocalyptic genre. But post-apocalyptic genres have always been equated with zombies.
Directed by Ruben Fleischer in his theatrical debut, “Zombieland” stars Woody Harrelson, “Mark Zuckerberg” Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Bill Murray, and Abigail Breslin, among various others.
Its story has Harrelson, Eisenberg, Stone, and Breslin making their way on an extended cross-country road trip to locate a sanctuary and oasis that is free from zombies roaming around the area. It’s slightly shallow but never too minimal to be shoved off your list.
More Post-Apocalyptic Movies
Those are seven of the best post-apocalyptic movies of all time. If you need more, here are more post-apocalyptic movies you might want to include on your list.
- “Dawn of the Dead”
- “I Am Legend”
- “The Hunger Games”
- “The Matrix Reloaded”
- “Snowpiercer”
The Takeaway
Post-apocalyptic movies are disturbing, yes, but viewers love them. These movies are a coping mechanism for them. Consuming post-apocalyptic content can help a person feel like they are gearing up for the worst. Through these films, viewers can get ideas about what they can and would do should a societal collapse or global catastrophe occurs.
Be guided by the list above should you need a reference on the best post-apocalyptic movies.
