Jace Lamonica
When we think of apocalyptic films, we recall big hits like “Mad Max” or “The Road.” However, there are many more movies with incredible stories and fresh takes on what happens when the Earth falls apart. If you’re looking for something different to watch, here are 15 hidden gems for you.
The Day of the Triffids
Imagine waking up to find most of humanity blind after a meteor shower, only to discover that deadly plants called Triffids are roaming free. “The Day of the Triffids” follows Bill Masen, a sailor who teams up with a young girl named Susan to face the Triffids and the chaos of society collapsing around them.
Tag
Tag is set in a world ravaged by a mysterious pandemic that leaves people unable to communicate verbally. It follows a group of friends who must rely on non-verbal cues to survive the new reality. As they play an intense game of tag to connect and stay sane, their friendships are tested unexpectedly.
Where Have All the People Gone?
In the gripping story of Where Have All the People Gone, a mysterious plague wipes out most of humanity. There’s only a small group of survivors struggling to understand what happened. The focus is on a family trying to adapt while facing dangers and uncertainty from the environment and other survivors.
Miracle Mile
Suspense fans will love this movie. In Miracle Mile, Anthony Edwards plays Harry, who accidentally overhears a phone call warning that the end of the world is just hours away. It’s a romantic comedy that turns into a race against time as Harry scrambles through Los Angeles to save the woman he loves.
Logan’s Run
Logan’s Run brings a new twist on post-apocalyptic themes by presenting a society where everyone lives in a dome until they reach 30 years old—then they must conduct “Carrousel,” a ritual that promises rebirth but is actually not that. Logan gets the task to hunt down runners who escape this fate.
The Day After
Watching The Day After is like a wake-up call to say how quickly life can change. It gives a spine-chilling look into the possible outcomes of nuclear conflicts on American soil. The film focuses on families in Kansas City dealing with the immediate effects of an atomic explosion and its aftermath.
Supervolcano
A cautionary tale about preparedness and resilience, Supervolcano takes viewers on a thrilling ride beneath Yellowstone National Park. Here, scientists discover that a supervolcano is on the brink of eruption and go on to warn the public. Chaos ensues when the volcano finally erupts, causing widespread destruction and ash fallout across the country.
Threads
Depicting life in Sheffield, England, before and after an attack, Threads is another raw and powerful display of devastating nuclear strife. This harrowing film picks up on the immediate destruction and the long-term impact on society and individuals’ lives over decades. Threads will leave you feeling unsettled yet enlightened about our world’s vulnerability.
Children of Men
Children of Men presents a bleak vision of the future, where humanity is on the verge of extinction because of widespread infertility. The scenes follow Theo Faron, who is drawn into a mission to protect a miraculously pregnant woman named Kee. When they’re fighting through danger and despair, Theo discovers hope.
Play for Today: The Last Train
This British TV series, which aired in 1989, speaks about human resilience amid despair. It follows people finding their way in life after a disaster wipes out most of civilization. Each episode explores different characters’ lives as they struggle to adapt to this reality while dealing with personal conflicts and moral dilemmas.
The Quiet Earth
Beautifully capturing moments of reflection amidst mayhem, The Quiet Earth is about Zac Hobson, who wakes up to find himself seemingly alone in the world because everyone has vanished overnight. As he searches for answers, he grapples with loneliness and existential questions about life itself.
When the Wind Blows
This film is a heartwarming tale and a reminder of national consequences! This animated adaptation is based on Raymond Briggs’ graphic novel about an elderly couple preparing for nuclear fallout using outdated survival methods. Their innocence contrasts sharply with the grim reality unfolding around them, creating a touching narrative about love amid catastrophe.
Damnation Alley
The film presents America after nuclear battle, where mutated creatures roam the wasteland! Damnation Alley shows two survivors who take the dangerous road across this desolate landscape in an armored vehicle called the Landmaster. You will find yourself rooting for these characters when they come against giant mutant cockroaches along the path.
On the Beach
On the Beach is a movie about WWIII, where the Northern Hemisphere is devastated and uninhabitable. The story unfolds in Melbourne, Australia, when a nuclear submarine arrives to find that radiation is slowly coming south. Commander Dwight Towers and his crew battle with the nearing doom by forming connections with locals.
Carriers
In Carriers, a deadly virus spreads rapidly across America, forcing four friends to confront their relationships while trying to survive in a dangerous new world. As they travel together, the friends must make tough decisions about trust and sacrifice in the face of fear and people who carry the virus.
