When it comes to sci-fi thrillers, the pre and post-apocalyptic storyline gets a lot of love. This isn’t to say it’s overplayed or overrated, but directors and producers know a good thing when they see it. There’s something about seeing the world as it is, suddenly plunged into chaos, darkness, and lawless cities. It’s a scary thought, which is why viewers continue to view these types of films. Also, these films usually come with A-list actors and actresses, lots of action, and cool costumes. What’s not to love?
There’s also something about questioning mankind’s mortality and watching Joe Schmoe down the street, get out of an impossible situation. Either way, there are loads of semi-quality to quality films out there that rank high when the storyline involves the apocalypse.
I Am Legend (2007) – 7.2
Loosely based on the 1954 book by Richard Matheson, I Am Legend is… well… a legend of sorts. This movie gave A-list actor Will Smith the platform to really show his individual acting skills, as he was basically the only main character throughout the film.
I Am Legend flips between the past and present, showing how Dr. Robert Neville (Smith) navigates his way through this new world, among humans-turned-monsters. He’s among the few left who hasn’t turned and is residing in New York City and for all he knows, he’s the last human on Earth. Despite this, he continues his attempts to find a cure before it’s too late.
The Road (2009) – 7.2
Inspired by Cormac McCarthy’s novel, The Road takes a stab on the silver screen and boy, did it deliver. In a post-apocalyptic world filled with danger, a suffering father and his son make their way to the sea for solace. Even though the portrayal of the world is grey and dead, the film’s visuals are beautiful and captivating.
The Road is proof that humans are resilient and will stop at nothing to protect their own, even when the world itself is dying. Starring actor Viggo Mortensen, this film is a tribute to one of his best performances of all time.
Dawn Of The Dead (2004) – 7.3
Based on George A. Romero’s 1978 original, Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead follows a nurse, a policeman, a young married couple, and other survivors that cross paths and band together to survive a worldwide plaque in a Wisconsin shopping mall. This plaque turns out to be a zombie-filled film with a fun and action-packed storyline.
There’s nothing quite like a good zombie movie, with questionable decisions made by the characters and a fight for some type of solace in this new dying world. Starring Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer, and Ty Burrell among many others, Dawn of the Dead has the gore, comedy, and thrills to be one of the deadliest zombie movies ever made.
Equilibrium (2002) – 7.4
Equilibrium is set in a futuristic world where emotions are nonexistent and joys such as reading, art, and music are forbidden. When Cleric John Preston (played by Christian Bale) forgets to take his dose of Prozium, the mind-altering drug that suppresses emotion, he realizes how messed up this world really is.
Instead of enforcing a strict world of non-emotions, he will now stop at nothing to overthrow it. Jokingly referred to as the action-packed version of the book The Giver, this film packs in the sci-fi aspects, as well as the impressive action scenes that make the movie well-rounded.
Take Shelter (2011) – 7.4
Curtis (played by iconic actor Michael Shannon) is a middle-class construction worker and father with a premonition for what’s to come as a destruction future. Take Shelter is based on Curtis’s dreams and hallucinations of the world ending. While his psychiatrist has major doubts, Curtis moves forward by making sure his family is safe and makes an elaborate storm shelter in his backyard.
As Curtis races to figure out if he’s crazy or he can actually see the future, the audience is just as much along for the ride. Take Shelter is among the best roles Michael Shannon has played thus far.
Zombieland (2009) – 7.6
When comedy and thriller genres are mixed, it can result in a disaster on-screen. But when it comes to Zombieland, it’s anything but that. This film is filled with good laughs, slight scares, and A-list actors and actresses.
Upon a zombie apocalypse, a shy man named Columbus is trying to get back to his family. Along the way, he meets Tallahassee (played amazingly by none other than Woody Harrelson), who just wants a dang Twinkie. They come across two sisters, Witchita and Little Rock, who tag along for the zombie-induced joy of a ride. So far, this is one of Woody Harrelson’s most iconic and memorable role to date.
12 Monkeys (1995) – 8.0
Originally a concept from a French short film in 1962, 12 Monkeys is a film to see. When it comes to huge blockbusters, viewers can expect to see actors such as Bruce Willis. In a future world that’s devastated by a disease, a convict named James Cole (Willis) is sent back into the past to gather information about the man-made virus. The virus is extremely dangerous and James needs to stop it from wiping out most of the human population.
12 Monkeys also cast a younger Brad Pitt as a mental patient, to which he plays his role perfectly. Pitt’s portrayal of his character is so impressive, it’s deemed as one of the best roles he’s played thus far. 12 Monkeys is filled with mind-bending twists and mystery, while also being a solid thriller.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) – 8.1
As classic as the original Mad Max trilogy is, Mad Max: Fury Road scored better on IMDb. Starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, this reboot is fun, action-packed, and well portrayed.
In a post-apocalyptic world, a woman named Imperator Furiosa (Theron), rebels against a domineering ruler in search of her homeland. She does so by freeing the imprisoned wives of the despotic ruler Immortan Joe. Along the way, she’s joined by one of Joe’s devoted followers and a drifter named Max (Hardy). Mad Max: Fury Road is an excellent film and perhaps one of the best that’s came out in the mid-2000s.
WALL-E (2008) – 8.4
People may be surprised at seeing Pixar’s WALL-E on here, but it’s just as worthy as the next movie — just a little more light-hearted. This instant classic tells the story of a small waste-collecting robot named Wall-E that embarks on a journey to unknowingly change mankind and its inability to maintain the world they live in.
People now live on a massive space shuttle and have given in to laziness, waste, and life overall. This small robot has the heart, hope, dreams, and ability to show the importance of preserving Earth’s most precious qualities, without barely saying a word. Wall-E is without a doubt, one of the best-animated films that is also a genuine artistic masterpiece.
The Matrix (1999) – 8.7
It goes without saying that if viewers haven’t seen The Matrix, they’re really missing out. Even though Keanu Reeves was a star by the time he became Neo, The Matrix arguably shot him to uber-stardom.
Thomas A. Anderson (Reeves) works as a computer programmer by day and goes by Neo, a hacker, by night. He’s a man who questions reality and the boredom of everyday life but the truth behind everything is far worse than he could’ve imagined. The world he knows is a lie, and the real one is a wasteland dominated by machines that use humans as batteries. Together with a few rebels, Neo must break the machines’ rule if humanity is to have a future.
