Movies about apocalypses and the end of the world (as people know it) are a favorite genre of all horror and sci-fi fans. Sometimes a natural disaster is to blame for what happens, sometimes a pandemic erupts or people do the damage themselves. And other times, aliens enter the scene, and they’re not friendly.
RELATED:Best Western Isekai MoviesWhatever the cause is, the end of the world has happened many times in movies, both old and new. Any fan of this genre, therefore, has a lot of options to choose from. Unsurprisingly though, some movies that work with this topic are better than others.
10Planet Of The Apes (1968)
WhilePlanet of the Apesisn’t the end of the world for everyone, it’s still the end for human society as we know it. The main hero, an astronaut played by Charlton Heston, travels to a planet populated by highly intelligent apes who control the human population there. However, not everything is at it seems.
The movie is an undeniable classic today, and for a good reason, since it’s intelligent and full of surprises. It spawned multiple sequels, including the recent successful trilogy with Andy Serkis playing the leader of the apes, Caesar.
9Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)
Sometimes the end of the world doesn’t have to happen with a bang. Sometimes it happens slowly but thatdoesn’t make it any less frightening. In this movie, aliens invade the Earth and start replacing all humans with their identical copies, who, however, have no emotions.
The worst thing is that the heroes can’t escape their fate since once they fall asleep, the invaders will get them. And everybody needs to sleep sooner or later… This movie is a remake of an older story from the 1950s but the 1970s version has both better actors (Donald Sutherland, Leonard Nimoy) as well as a more intense atmosphere.
812 Monkeys (1995)
Terry Gilliam is no stranger to creating movies about societies in which something is terribly wrong. He brings this to a whole new level in12 Monkeys. Bruce Willis travels back in time to verify that his world doesn’t get destroyed and to learn what happened. Unfortunately, some things can’t be reversed.
The movie’s plot is complex and it takes a while to understand what’s going on. But once the viewers get the overall picture, they’re in for a unique experience with great actors.
728 Days Later (2002)
Danny Boyle has directed multiple movies that play with the idea of the end of the world, such as the sci-fi movieSunshine. However, the zombie story28 Days Latercame before that.Zombie movies are very popular, and in this one, only a group of heroes manages to survive. Their troubles are far from over, though, since humans can sometimes be just as dangerous as zombies, if not more.
RELATED:Best Korean Horror ShowsThe look at mostly abandoned London and brutal scenes are enough to make this movie a must-watch for all fans of zombies. And if somebody wants to go back to the classics, they should also check out George Romero’sNight of the Living Deadfrom 1968.
6Children Of Men (2006)
Alfonso Cuarón directed many well-rated movies butChildren of Menis one of his best. It takes place in a world where a pandemic caused infertility. When a pregnant woman appears, it’s up to the main hero to protect her because it’s the only hope for a better world.
The movie proves what many people already know - that in order to win, others sometimes have to lose. It’s not only full of action scenes and stars great actors (such as Clive Owen in the leading role), but it can also make the audience think.
5Contagion (2011)
Contagionisn’t easy to watch, especially these days, since its events are similar to the COVID-19 pandemic to a certain degree. In this movie, a strange epidemic erupts and many people start dying. Scientists and doctors are trying to help, of course, but they might not be fast enough.
The movie has a star-studded cast but isn’t afraid to kill its heroes which keeps the audience emotionally invested. It’s also highly realistic in its portrayal of the epidemic and shows how it could look in real life.
4The Cabin In The Woods (2012)
Unlike other movies that touch on the topic of the end of the world,The Cabin in the Woodsonly gets to it properly in its final part. That doesn’t make it any less impressive. The movie is a clever story that turns the usual horror conventions and rules upside down. The less the audience knows about the story before watching the movie, the better.
RELATED:Best Horror Films With Multiple VillainsJoss Whedon helped pen the script and the movie has a great cast. Throughout the whole movie, the audience and the heroes alike believe that everything will be alright in the end, but this time, it might just be an illusion.
3Snowpiercer (2013)
Based on a graphic novel,Snowpiercerworked with an original idea, so it’s no wonderthe movie also got a remake in the form of a TV show. However, it would be a mistake to overlook this movie. Its story is captivating and it has excellent performances from actors such as Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, and Jamie Bell.
The movie takes place in a frozen wasteland where the rest of humanity survives in a continuously moving train. The idea alone is enough to intrigue the audience but when combined with the story, the actors, as well as the overall atmosphere,Snowpierceris an excellent sci-fi flick.
The world of this movie is no place for the weak.George Miller returned to his most popular franchiseand created a modern, captivating, fast-paced piece. Tom Hardy shines as the titular Mad Max, even though he barely speaks in the movie. Charlize Theron drew a lot of attention to her part of Furiosa.
Other than the characters, the movie offers a view into a wasteland where water is rare and nobody knows if they’re going to be alive tomorrow. The older movies in the series are good as well, especially the first one from 1979, but the more recent version is a must-watch for all fans of this genre.
1A Quiet Place (2018)
John Krasinski is best known for his acting roles but his directorial debut took the world by storm.A Quiet Placeshows a world invaded by aliens who hunt and kill everyone who makes a strong sound. The Abbott family tries to survive with a baby on the way but they won’t have it easy.
The movie not only works with an interesting premise but it’s full of tension from start to finish. And all the actors give excellent performances, including Krasinski himself andhis wife Emily Blunt, who also plays his character’s onscreen wife.
