For a long time, people have been fascinated and frightened by stories of the world ending. They’ve imagined scenes where meteors set the sky on fire, diseases that can’t be stopped spread everywhere, and society falls apart completely. These fears could come true because of natural disasters, deadly viruses, or even our own mistakes. The idea of the world ending and what happens after has always been something that intrigues people.
Are you interested in seeing how these end-of-the-world situations might happen? There’s a collection of movies that look at this idea, with films that have received great reviews for their take on these subjects.
These movies show diseases spreading, huge natural disasters, and what happens when society breaks down. Watching these movies can be a way to think deeply (and maybe even enjoy) about how the human story might end.
Check Out These 10 Highly Rated And Critically Acclaimed Post-Apocalyptic Movies
1. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
- IMDB rating: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 91%
- Metacritic rating: 71%
Forget everything you thought you knew about malls. In George Romero’s horrifying masterpiece, Dawn of the Dead, these havens of consumerism become battlegrounds. The dead have risen, and a group of survivors find themselves holed up in a deserted mall, crawling with the undead.
But the film is more than just a zombie flick. It’s a razor-sharp social commentary. This setting serves as a poignant critique of materialistic society, a theme that resonated with audiences and critics alike.
Despite its small budget, the film became a runaway success, grossing a staggering $66 million worldwide. It received critical acclaim, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the horror genre.
2. Twelve Monkeys (1995)
- IMDB rating: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 88%
- Metacritic rating: 75%
A Terry Gilliam masterwork, Twelve Monkeys, throws us into a future ravaged by a deadly virus. Bruce Willis plays James Cole, a convict chosen for a perilous mission: to travel back in time and pinpoint the source of the outbreak. His journey leads him to Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe) and the unhinged Jeffrey Goines, a role that earned Brad Pitt critical praise.
Inspired by Chris Marker’s La Jetée, the film weaves a complex narrative that captivates audiences. Critically acclaimed, it raked in over $168 million worldwide, dwarfing its $29 million budget. It received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor (Pitt) and Best Costume Design, solidifying its impact.
3. Independence Day (1996)
- IMDB rating: 7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 68%
- Metacritic rating: 59%
This film isn’t just about aliens. It’s a story about humanity’s defiant spirit. In the face of a devastating extraterrestrial attack, people from all walks of life unite in the Nevada desert. Their target: a daring counteroffensive on July 4th, America’s Independence Day.
Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, and a stellar ensemble cast bring this fight for survival to life.
A box office smash, Independence Day raked in over $817 million worldwide, dominating the year. Reviews were mixed, but the film’s groundbreaking visual effects and stirring score stole the show. It earned an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition.
4. 28 Days Later (2002)
- IMDB rating:7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 87%
- Metacritic rating: 73%
28 Days Later throws viewers into a terrifying world. After animal rights activists accidentally release a rage virus, Britain crumbles. Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes from a coma to a deserted London and joins a band of survivors struggling through the chaos
Directed by Danny Boyle, the film boasted powerful performances, a haunting soundtrack, and impressive visuals. It grossed over $82 million worldwide.
The film’s impact extends beyond the screen, spawning sequels, graphic novels, and awards recognition, including a Saturn Award for Best Horror Film.
5. Children of Men (2006)
- IMDB rating: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 92%
- Metacritic rating: 84%
Here, director Alfonso Cuarón paints a chilling portrait of a future ravaged by infertility. Humanity has lost the ability to reproduce, leading to societal disintegration. Clive Owen stars as Theo, a man who stumbles upon a glimmer of hope—a miraculous pregnancy. Theo dedicates himself to protecting this woman, Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey), as they journey through a crumbling world.
Despite a modest box office return, the film garnered critical praise for its exceptional filmmaking. Its screenplay, cinematography, and innovative action sequences were all hailed. It received nominations for prestigious awards like the Oscars and BAFTAs.
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6. I Am Legend (2007)
- IMDB rating: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 68%
- Metacritic rating: 65%
I Am Legend stars Will Smith as Robert Neville, a lone virologist in a deserted New York City, after a mutated virus, originally intended to fight cancer, turned humanity into nocturnal darkseekers. Immune himself, Neville searches for a cure while evading these terrifying creatures.
Loosely adapted from Richard Matheson’s novel, the film became a box-office smash, grossing over $585 million globally. Reviews were mixed, with Smith’s performance lauded, but the ending sparked debate for its deviation from the source material. Despite this, the film earned recognition, including a Saturn Award for Best Actor for Smith and nominations for impressive visual effects and stunt work.
7. The Road (2009)
- IMDB rating: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 74%
- Metacritic rating: 64%
This is a harrowing portrayal of a father and son’s fight for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Adapted from Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, the film stars Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee. Together, they trek across a barren landscape, haunted by cannibals and the remnants of a lost civilization.
Though box office numbers were low, the film garnered critical acclaim for its raw portrayal of humanity’s struggle. Mortensen’s performance as the protective father was a highlight, earning award nominations.
The film’s faithful adaptation of the novel’s tone and hauntingly beautiful cinematography were also praised.
8. Zombieland (2009)
- IMDB rating: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 89%
- Metacritic rating: 73%
Zombieland isn’t your typical zombie flick. Director Ruben Fleischer injects humor into the chaos of a post-apocalyptic America overrun by the undead. It follows Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), a neurotic but resourceful young man, on his journey across the zombie-infested landscape.
Along the way, he teams up with a hilarious group of survivors: Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a trigger-happy Twinkie enthusiast; Wichita (Emma Stone), a quick-witted and skeptical Wichita; and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), a tough-as-nails young girl. Together, they seek a rumored sanctuary free from the undead hordes.
The film received rave reviews and was praised for its humor, cast performances, and Bill Murray’s scene-stealing cameo. It raked in over $102 million worldwide on a $23.6 million budget.
9. The Impossible (2012)
- IMDB rating: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 82%
- Metacritic rating: 73%
This is more than just a disaster film. It is about survival and resilience. The J.A. Bayona film tackles the true story of Maria Belon during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
It follows the Bennett family, vacationing in Thailand, as their world is shattered by a monstrous wave. Torn apart in the chaos, Maria (Naomi Watts) and her eldest son Lucas (Tom Halland) find themselves facing life-threatening injuries and seemingly impossible odds to reunite with their loved ones.
Watt’s raw and powerful performance earned her an Academy Award nomination.
The Impossible enjoyed critical and commercial success, grossing over $198 million on a $45 million budget.
10. Snowpiercer (2013)
- IMDB rating: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 94%
- Metacritic rating: 84%
Imagine a world encased in ice, with humanity’s last survivors clinging to existence aboard a train perpetually circling the globe. This is the setting of Snowpiercer. The train becomes a microcosm of society, with the wealthy elite dwelling in luxury at the front, while the impoverished masses suffer in squalor at the back.
In this pressurized environment, Curtis (Chris Evans) emerges as the leader of a brewing rebellion. The oppressed lower class yearns for a taste of the fairness they’ve been denied.
The film received critical acclaim and was commercially successful, raking in $86 million on a $40 million budget. It also received over 20 awards and many nominations, including a Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure Film.
Director Bong Joon-ho masterfully crafts a story of class struggle and the fight for survival in a world on the brink.
