From zombie outbreaks to Earth destroying asteroids, it seems that apocalyptic content is a go-to for thrill-seeking film fans. By nature, the subject is high stakes and full of drama, but there are plenty of movies that take a comedic approach to the end of the world. What does a candy cane-wielding high schooler, a ukulele strumming kindergarten teacher, and a dowdy electronic salesman all have in common? Well, they might just save the world from destruction while also providing a sense of relief in the face of annihilation.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, these are just some of the onscreen characters and stories that shed the most amount of light in the darkest of times and prove that in order to survive, laughter is essential.
Seeking A Friend At The End Of The World: 55%
When an asteroid hurtling towards Earth causes the world to spiral into a massive panic, neighbors, Penny (Keira Knightley) and Dodge (Steve Carell), journey on a road trip in a last-ditch effort to see their families before the world ends. Although the premise is dark and bleak, Seeking A Friend leaves room for plenty of comedic moments.
Perhaps one of the best things about this film is that it presents a grounded representation of the apocalypse and focuses on the heart and the sincerity of coming to terms with mortality.
Anna And The Apocalypse: 77%
Anna And The Apocalypse is a mixed bowl of film genres that shouldn’t go together but surprisingly do. It’s one-part Christmas comedy, one-part musical, and all parts zombie-apocalyptic madness. Student Anna Shepard (played by Ella Hunt) leads her friends through a toe-tapping journey as they battle the undead with songs, candy canes, and a will to survive.
Don’t let the campiness fool you, Anna features lots of gore and bloodshed while also covering themes such as the importance of friendship, growing up, and believing in oneself.
It’s A Disaster: 80%
Who knew brunch could be this catastrophic? When a group of friends arrange to gather for an innocent meal, tensions are already high. What they don’t know is that it’s also the end of the world. Relationships are put to the test and hilarity ensues as they await their fate. The cast includes Julia Stiles, David Cross, and America Ferrera.
As one could guess based on the concept, the film is full of rich and cleverly crafted dark humor and just might get you to rethink your weekend plans.
Little Monsters: 80%
Not to be confused with the 1989 Howie Mandel flick of the same name, Little Monsters is a 2019 Australian film that features a unique twist on the zombie genre. Dave, a broken-hearted and cranky musician chaperones his nephew’s kindergarten class field trip to a farm. Soon after their arrival, things take a sinister turn when he realizes the outing has put them in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.
Together, Dave and teacher, Ms. Caroline (played by Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o) are tasked with the impossible challenge of not only surviving but also protecting an entire class of five-year-olds. Chock full of fantastic physical comedy and Taylor Swift songs, Monsters brings a much-needed sense of comedic relief to the zombie genre.
This Is The End: 83%
What do you get when a gang of Hollywood’s favorite comedic actors are dropped into the middle of an apocalypse? Well, you get one of the greatest comedies of the 2010s. This Is The End features Seth Rogan, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Jay Baruchel, and Danny McBride as themselves in a wild action-packed adventure that invites audiences to watch as they attempt to survive the end of the world.
Packed with cameos from a slew of celebrities including Mindy Kaling, Channing Tatum, Rihanna, Michael Cera, and Emma Watson, this side-splitting comedy is ripe with pop culture centered references and jokes that entertainment buffs will appreciate.
Save Yourselves!: 88%
When a young Brooklyn couple, with a serious case of social media addiction, agree to retreat to a remote cottage for a phone-free break, things go downhill very fast. In Save Yourselves! Su (played by Sunita Mani) and Jack’s (John Paul Reynolds) getaway is interrupted by an end-of-the-world invasion of fluffy ethanol sucking aliens referred to as “poofs.”
Not only is the film a laugh out loud sci-fi adventure, but it also provides insightful commentary on the climate change crisis and the side effects of living in the digital age.
Zombieland: 89%
Zombieland starts in the thick of a zombie infestation that has taken over America. Jesse Eisenberg plays a student under the alias of Columbus, who is attempting to make his way home to Ohio. The movie also stars Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, and Woody Harrelson as Eisenberg’s newly adopted band of fellow misfits.
The film is a fan favorite among zombie enthusiasts and its sequel, Zombieland: Double Tap premiered in 2019.
The World’s End: 89%
The third and final film of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, The World’s End tackles the end of days by swapping out zombies for androids. The Edgar Wright directed feature tracks a group of childhood friends who reunite for a pub crawl across their hometown. Their boozy journey goes from tame to wild when they discover that a group of aliens is replacing townspeople with robotic versions of themselves.
In true Wright fashion, the film stars his frequent collaborators and writers, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost along with British film icons Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, and Rosamund Pike. With his trademark whiplash-inducing editing and witty dialogue, Wright pulls out all the stops as a fond farewell to his end of the world centered anthology.
The Cabin In The Woods: 92%
We have all seen this before: A group of young people visit a remote cabin in the woods and of course, they find a haunted relic that possesses an evil spirit that unleashes terror upon them. However, just when you think the horror-comedy is an overdone trope, a never-see-it-coming twist comes into play.
To avoid spoilers, one should be advised to watch the film to find out how the apocalypse plays a factor. Rest assured it isn’t all doom and gloom as there are plenty of laughs and fun jump scares along the way.
Shaun Of The Dead: 92%
Shaun of the Dead sees the potential for comedy in the dark and sinister zombie genre and runs with it. The story follows a down on his luck salesman, Shaun (Simon Pegg), who gets an opportunity to prove his worth when London becomes overrun by hungry zombies and he has to lead his family and friends to safety. This is the first film in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy by writers Pegg, Nick Frost (who also plays Nick), and director Edgar Wright. Since its release in 2004, the film has rightfully earned a spot as a young classic.
Not only does the movie serve up a healthy dose of laughs, but it also delves into some hard-hitting truths about purpose, sacrifice, and the hardships of letting go.
