Well, all of us have heard at least once in our life that the world will end one day. Even before the global warming, there were mentions in many historical scripts, mythology and religious books about the ultimate Apocalypse. Apocalypse basically means the final destruction of the world and it is inevitable as one that’s created will get destroyed one day.
However, nobody can exactly predict the apocalypse, whether the scientists or the religious scholars. Although the scientists believe at the end of the world, they are pretty much sure that it will take billions of years more for the final destruction. Nevertheless, this apocalypse theme has struck quite virally among the people they want to believe in everything that they come across regarding the end of the world. Whether it was the biblical reference of the apocalypse or the Mayans predicting the world to end in 2012, the people were totally involved in these theories.
Hence, it was evident that filmmakers won’t stay back either but explore this theme and show us a world of their imagination after the so-called apocalypse. Today, I am going to share the best lot from these Best post Apocalyptic movies of All Time made over the years.
Best Post Apocalyptic Movies of All Time
The Quiet Earth (1985)
So, the first on the list is the 1985 sci-fi film The Quiet Earth directed by Geoff Murphy. The title of the film basically narrates what the theme of the film is all about. Well, the film is loosely based on the 1981 science fiction novel of the same name written by Craig Harrison as well as a couple of inspirations are also drawn from the books such as I am Legend, Dawn of the Dead, and specifically from a film titled The World, the Flesh, and the Devil. The film basically tells us the story of three survivors after a cataclysmic disaster.
On the Beach (1959)
Next, on the list is the classic1959 black and white film On the Beach. The film talks about a nuclear war and is based on the 1957 novel of the same name, authored by Nevil Shute. However, unlike the novel, there’s no direct blame placed on anybody starting the nuclear war and instead, the film focuses on the aftermath of the nuclear war. The film displays the horrific effect that the humanity could face if nuclear war becomes a reality.
A Boy and His Dog (1975)
One of the most violent films, both in terms of bloodshed and sex, A Boy and His Dog is a must watch to understand how a human desire can change and think beyond morals and ethics just to satisfy oneself. The film’s script is based on a cycle of narratives with the same title penned by Harlan Ellison. In the film, you can also see the loyal friendship between the dog and the boy, which is also the central theme of the film.
Time of the Wolf (2004)
Time of the Wolf may not be successful as others at Box Office. However, I have included the film on the list for a reason. Talking about the life post-apocalypse is quite difficult as nobody knows how the life is going to be. Yet, we are certain that the availability of food and water will be scarce and it may result in some sort of civil war among the survivors and take us back to the dark ages. This film actually depicts a similar story where a family struggles to find shelter and food at their own country home, which is already occupied by strangers.
The Road (2009)
The Road is a 2009 post-apocalyptic drama film based on the 2006 novel of the same name written by American author Cormac McCarthy. The film is centered upon the struggle of a father-son duo, which is fighting with the extreme weather conditions, dodging cannibal attacks, and hunting for supplies to survive in the post-apocalyptic wasteland. Directed by John Hillcoat, the film stars Viggo Mortenson and Kodi Smit-McPhee as the father-son duo, whereas, Charlize Theron is featured in a small role in the film as the mother.
Twelve Monkeys (1995)
Well, Twelve Monkeys is not exactly a post-apocalyptic movie entirely but it does have a similar theme and is one of the highly acclaimed movies of all time. Starring the likes of Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad Pitt in the lead roles; the film talks about two different times. These two different times are set in 1996 (the pre-apocalypse) and 2035 (the post-apocalypse). A man from the post-apocalyptic era is sent back in time to collect information on the virus that wiped out a majority of humanity so that the scientists in the future could identify the cure for it.
The Omega Man is the second film adaptation of the famous novel I am Legend written by Richard Matheson. Released in the year 1971, the film is directed by Boris Sagal starring Charlton Heston in the lead role as U.S. Army Colonel Robert Neville. The story is set in the post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, where humanity is almost erased due to a plague outbreak resulting from the biological warfare between China and Russia. The only other inhabitants of the city are the plague affected nocturnal albino mutants, who blame technology for the downfall of humanity and are adamant to destroy all of them including Neville. The Omega Man is one of the Best Post Apocalyptic Movies of All Time.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Almost everyone is aware of the theory of evolution and how mankind was evolved from Apes. The range of evolution is not simply about the looks and features but also the development of mind that makes the most intelligent being on this planet. However, what if there’s another being that is also as intelligent as us. Watch this 2014 film Dawn of the Planet of Apes that features the world where a group of Apes which has developed intelligence owing to an experiment and now they are challenging the mankind for supremacy. The film is a sequel to Rising of the Planet of Apes, a film that marks the reboot of the original Planet of Apes series.
Snowpiercer (2013)
Snowpiercer is a 2013 English-language South Korean post-apocalyptic film based on French graphic novel Le Transperceneige. The film is set in an era where humanity is on the decline owing to the Ice Age scenario caused by the climate engineering to counter global warming. The only surviving humans are aboard a train named The Rattling Ark, a massive snow piercer train. However, the central theme of the film is about the disparity within this train, where the elites enjoy the extravagant front cars and the scum inhabit the filthy tail cars. Owing to this difference, there’s a revolt by the tail passengers led by Curtis Everett, portrayed by Chris Evans. The film is a clear example of inequality, misuse of power and suppression of the weak by the strong.
Mad Max: Fury Road is the fourth installment of the Mad Max franchise as well as also acts as a reboot of the series with Tom Hardy taking over the titular role from Mel Gibson. The film also stars Charlize Theron in the leading role as Imperator Furiosa, who betrays the cult leader Immortan Joe and his army and flees in an armored tanker truck with few young virgin girls leading to a fearsome road battle. Set in the post-nuclear war era, where the world has turned into a desert wasteland, the film talks about a civilization dominated by a ruthless cult leader and his army.
I Am Legend (2007)
I Am Legend is a 2007 post apocalyptic Zombie film starring Will Smith in the lead role as Robert Neville. As the title of the film suggests, I Am Legend is the third film adaptation of the popular 1964 novel of the same name written by Richard Matheson. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic era in New York City, where Robert Neville is the sole survivor of the viral epidemic along with his German Shepherd Sam. The only other inhabitants of the city are nocturnal mutants called Darkseekers. Being a U.S. Army virologist, Neville is working towards finding a cure in the hope that one day his experiments would succeed and it will help sustain mankind in the world. I am Legend is one of the Best Films about Zombies.
Escape from New York (1981)
Escape from New York is an interesting film on the list of top post-apocalyptic movies. Directed by John Carpenter, the film is set in a post-apocalyptic era but rather than focusing on the epidemic or the cause of apocalypse, the film is centered upon the crime-ridden culture of the United States. The crime rate in the country reaches such a height that the Manhattan Island in the New York City is turned into a maximum security prison. However, things get even worse when the Air Force One crashes into the prison world and the United States President is kidnapped by the prisoners. Now, it is all up to ex-soldier Snake Plissken, portrayed by Kurt Russell, to rescue the hope for America.
Children of Men (2006)
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, Children of Men is a science fiction thriller film based on the book of the same name written by P.D. James. The film is set in an era where humanity is on the verge of decline after two decades of human infertility. Now, the only hope for humanity is Kee, played by Clare-Hope Ashitey, an immigrant refugee who becomes the pregnant woman in the last 18 years. In order to protect her and her baby, Theon Faron is assigned the task to transport Kee so that she could get away from the chaos to get aboard a ship named “Tomorrow”.
Waterworld (1995)
Waterworld is a post-apocalyptic film that tries to show us the world if all the polar ice caps are melted. Yes, with global warming on the rise, this could be a reality in the near future and our own world can be changed into Waterworld as shown in the film, where the sea level has raised enough to almost cover all the land on Earth. Alongside displaying the life in Waterworld, the film also focuses on the main lead of the film, an antihero played by Kevin Costner, and his voyage to find the Dryland.
Reign of Fire (2002)
Well, almost every other movie on this list features an apocalypse owing to global warming, nuclear war or a virus outbreak; Reign of Fire is a bit different in terms of triggering an apocalypse. The film is basically set in 2020, where dragons have taken over as the dominant species after a team of tunneling project workers awaken the dragons by mistake 20 years ago. In order to save the mankind from getting extinct, the two surviving group led by Quinn Abercromby, played by Christian Bale, and Denton Van Zan, played by Matthew McConaughey, team up together to hunt down and destroy the beasts before they destroy the surviving humans.
Over to You!
That’s it. I suggest that everyone in this world must watch these movies at least once in their lives because only then we would respect the nature, the resources, the life we have today. Also, these films can be an eye-opener for many that if we don’t care for the environment; an apocalypse will strike in the distant future.
Also, let us know your feedback on our list and share your views on Best Post apocalypse Movies of All Time through the comments section below.
Rajeesh Nair is a true Gizmofreak and an addictive movie buff. He blogs at LifeBlender.com – a lifestyle Blogzine which focuses on general life related topics of the 21st Century.
