There are many movies that explore the concept of doomsday or the end of the world, and it can be difficult to definitively say which are the “best” as opinions on this topic will vary. Here are a few examples of doomsday-themed movies that are widely regarded as being well-made and thought-provoking:
Here is a list of post-apocalyptic films, which are movies that take place in a world that has been devastated by some sort of catastrophic event:
- “The Road” (2009)
“The Road” is a post-apocalyptic film that follows the journey of a father and son as they try to survive in a world that has been devastated by an unspecified disaster. The film is set in a future where most of humanity has been wiped out, and the few remaining survivors are struggling to stay alive in a barren and dangerous landscape.
As they journey across the wasteland, the father and son face numerous challenges and dangers, including harsh weather, lack of resources, and encounters with other survivors who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Despite these challenges, the father and son remain determined to keep moving and find a place of safety. Along the way, they also struggle with deeper themes of love, hope, and the importance of maintaining their humanity in the face of overwhelming adversity.
- “Children of Men” (2006)
“Children of Men” is a dystopian film set in the year 2027, in a world where humanity has lost the ability to reproduce. As a result, society is on the brink of collapse and is plagued by violence, unrest, and despair. The film follows the character of Theo Faron (played by Clive Owen), a former political activist who is recruited by a group of rebels to help protect a young woman named Kee (played by Clare-Hope Ashitey) who is pregnant and believed to be the first woman to become pregnant in nearly two decades.
Theo and Kee embark on a perilous journey across a landscape filled with danger and desperation, pursued by both government forces and hostile factions who want to capture Kee and use her pregnancy for their own purposes. Along the way, they are aided by a group of rebels who are fighting against the oppressive regime that controls the country.
As they journey across a world that seems to be falling apart, Theo and Kee confront the harsh realities of their situation and the difficult choices they must make in order to survive. “Children of Men” is a thought-provoking film that explores themes of hope, resilience, and the human desire to survive in the face of unimaginable adversity.
- “Mad Max” series (1979-2015)
The “Mad Max” series is a set of post-apocalyptic action films that take place in a dystopian future where society has collapsed and resources are scarce. The series follows the character of Max Rockatansky, a former police officer who becomes a loner and wanderer in this harsh new world.
The first film in the series, “Mad Max” (1979), follows Max as he tries to bring justice to a gang of motorcycle-riding criminals who have terrorized his community. The second film, “The Road Warrior” (1981), finds Max helping a small community defend itself against a group of raiders who are trying to steal their gasoline. The third film, “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” (1985), follows Max as he becomes embroiled in a power struggle in a post-apocalyptic city. The fourth film in the series, “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015), follows Max as he helps a group of rebels escape from a tyrannical ruler who controls the only source of water in the wasteland.
Throughout the series, Max struggles to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world, facing off against various enemies and encountering a variety of strange and dangerous characters. The films are known for their high-octane action sequences, bleak and desolate settings, and unique visual style.
- “The Book of Eli” (2010)
“The Book of Eli” is a post-apocalyptic film set in a future where most of humanity has been wiped out by an unspecified disaster. The film follows a man named Eli (Denzel Washington) as he journeys across a wasteland, trying to stay alive and protect a mysterious book that he believes holds the key to humanity’s survival. Along the way, he is pursued by a group of ruthless bandits led by Carnegie (Gary Oldman), who wants to obtain the book for himself.
Eli is a skilled fighter and survivor, and he is able to fend off the bandits and protect the book, but he also encounters other survivors who are struggling to make their way in the harsh, post-apocalyptic world. As he continues on his journey, Eli begins to reveal the true nature of the book and its importance to humanity’s future. The film ultimately ends on a hopeful note, with Eli entrusting the book to a young woman (Mila Kunis) who he believes will be able to use it to help rebuild society and bring hope to a world that has been devastated by disaster.
- “I Am Legend” (2007)
“I Am Legend” is a post-apocalyptic film released in 2007, starring Will Smith as Robert Neville, the last surviving human in New York City. The story takes place after a pandemic has wiped out most of the human population and turned the survivors into mutated, mindless creatures. Neville is immune to the virus and has spent the last three years trying to find a cure while also fighting off the infected creatures.
Neville’s daily routine involves collecting supplies and performing experiments on the infected creatures in the hopes of finding a cure. He also communicates with other potential survivors through radio broadcasts but has yet to make contact with anyone. Neville’s solitude and isolation take a toll on him, and he begins to lose hope that he will ever find a cure or be rescued.
One day, Neville discovers a group of survivors who seem to be immune to the virus, and he joins forces with them to try to find a way to stop the spread of the disease and save humanity. However, their efforts are met with resistance from the infected creatures, and Neville is forced to confront the truth about the virus and its origins.
Overall, “I Am Legend” is a thought-provoking film that explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of disaster.
- “Dawn of the Dead” (1978)
“Dawn of the Dead” is a classic horror film that was released in 1978. The film is set in a world where most of the population has been turned into flesh-eating zombies, and a small group of survivors must try to stay alive while fighting off the hordes of undead.
The main characters of the film are four people who take refuge in a shopping mall while trying to figure out a way to escape the zombie-infested world. As they struggle to survive, they must also deal with the challenges of living in a society that has collapsed and the dangers posed by other human survivors who are also seeking refuge in the mall.
While “Dawn of the Dead” is primarily a horror film, it also explores themes of consumerism and the nature of society in the face of a catastrophic event. The film was a critical and commercial success upon its release and has since become a cult classic.
- “The Walking Dead” (2010-2022)
“The Walking Dead” is a popular TV series that aired on AMC from 2010 to 2022. It is set in a world where a viral outbreak has caused the majority of the population to turn into mindless, flesh-eating zombies, known as “walkers.” The series follows a group of survivors as they try to stay alive and find safety in a world that has been devastated by the outbreak.
The main character of the series is Rick Grimes, a former police officer who awakens from a coma to find that the world has changed significantly. He joins forces with other survivors, including his family, and together they struggle to find a way to survive in a world overrun by walkers.
Over the course of the series, the group encounters numerous challenges and dangers as they search for a safe place to live. They encounter other groups of survivors with their own agendas, and must also deal with the threat of walkers and other dangers such as raiders and rival factions.
As the series progresses, the group faces numerous challenges and hardships, and the characters must grapple with difficult moral and ethical dilemmas. Despite the challenges they face, the group remains united and tries to maintain their humanity in a world that has been turned upside down by the outbreak.
- “28 Days Later” (2002)
“28 Days Later” is a horror movie that was released in 2002. The movie is set in England and follows the story of a man named Jim who wakes up from a coma to find that the world has been devastated by a virus that turns people into mindless, aggressive creatures.
As Jim tries to survive in this new world and make his way through a deserted and dangerous landscape, he encounters other survivors who are struggling to stay alive in the face of the virus and the chaos that it has caused.
Throughout the movie, Jim and the other survivors must grapple with the challenges of navigating a world that has been turned upside down by the virus, including finding food and shelter, avoiding the infected, and trying to stay alive against all odds.
Overall, “28 Days Later” is a fast-paced and suspenseful movie that explores the theme of survival in a world that has been ravaged by a catastrophic event.
- “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951)
“The Day the Earth Stood Still” is a science fiction film that was released in 1951. It is about an alien named Klaatu who comes to Earth in a spaceship, accompanied by a giant robot named Gort. Klaatu comes to Earth with a message for humanity, warning them about the dangers of their destructive ways and the potential for self-annihilation.
As Klaatu tries to deliver his message, he is met with suspicion and hostility by the governments and militaries of the world. He is pursued by the authorities and eventually taken into custody, but he manages to escape and begins interacting with the general public, trying to convince them of the importance of his message.
Ultimately, Klaatu decides to leave Earth and return to his own planet, but not before he sends Gort back to Earth with a warning that if humanity does not change its ways, it will be destroyed. The film ends with Klaatu’s spaceship taking off and leaving Earth, leaving behind a hopeful message for humanity.
- “The Day After Tomorrow” (2004)
“The Day After Tomorrow” is a disaster movie that was released in 2004. The film is about the consequences of climate change and depicts a world in which sudden and severe changes in the Earth’s climate lead to widespread destruction and the potential for human extinction.
The story follows Jack Hall, a paleoclimatologist who is trying to warn the world about the dangers of climate change. When his predictions start to come true and the Earth’s climate begins to rapidly shift, Jack must try to save his son Sam, who is trapped in New York City as a massive superstorm hits the city.
As the storm rages on and the temperature drops to deadly levels, Jack and Sam must fight to survive in a world that has been transformed by the effects of climate change. Along the way, they are joined by a small group of survivors who are also struggling to stay alive in the face of the devastating environmental disaster.
Overall, “The Day After Tomorrow” is a fast-paced and action-packed movie that raises important questions about the consequences of climate change and the need to take action to protect the planet.
- “Waterworld” (1995)
“Waterworld” is a post-apocalyptic science fiction film that was released in 1995. The film takes place in a future where the Earth has been devastated by a global warming event that caused the polar ice caps to melt and the sea levels to rise dramatically. As a result, most of the Earth’s land masses are submerged under water and the remaining humans live in small, isolated communities on floating platforms or on small islands.
The film follows the story of a solitary sailor named the Mariner (played by Kevin Costner) who possesses a rare genetic trait that allows him to survive in the water-covered world. He is pursued by a group of pirates who are searching for the mythical “Dryland,” a rumored place where the polar ice caps have not melted and dry land still exists.
The Mariner becomes involved in the plight of a young girl named Enola (Tina Majorino) and her guardian Helen (Jeanne Tripplehorn), who are seeking Dryland in order to avoid the clutches of the pirate leader Deacon (Dennis Hopper). The Mariner, Enola, and Helen set off on a journey across the vast ocean, encountering other survivors and fighting off the pirates as they search for Dryland.
Overall, “Waterworld” is a thrilling and action-packed film that explores themes of survival, resourcefulness and the dangers of environmental destruction.
- “Escape from New York” (1981)
“Escape from New York” is a 1981 science fiction film set in the near future (1997) in which the island of Manhattan has been turned into a maximum security prison. The film follows the character Snake Plissken (played by Kurt Russell), a former special forces soldier who is recruited by the President of the United States to rescue the President’s daughter, who has been taken hostage by the prisoners after her plane crashes in Manhattan.
As Snake navigates the dangerous and chaotic streets of the prison, he encounters a variety of characters, including the Duke of New York (played by Isaac Hayes) and the Cabbie (played by Ernest Borgnine), who both have their own agendas. Along the way, Snake must also contend with the authorities who are trying to stop him from completing his mission.
The film is known for its gritty, post-apocalyptic setting and its action-packed plot, and it has become a cult classic.
- “The War of the Worlds” (1953)
“The War of the Worlds” is a science fiction film from 1953 that is based on the novel of the same name by H.G. Wells. The film tells the story of an alien invasion of Earth, in which Martians land on the planet and begin to attack and destroy human cities.
The film follows the experiences of a group of people who are trying to survive and escape the Martian attack, as well as a scientist who is trying to find a way to stop the invasion. As the Martians advance, the characters must overcome numerous challenges and dangers in order to survive.
In the end, the Martians are defeated when they are unable to adapt to Earth’s atmosphere and succumb to diseases that are common to humans but deadly to the aliens. The film ends with the surviving characters reuniting and looking forward to rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the invasion.
- “Planet of the Apes” (1968)
“Planet of the Apes” is a science fiction film released in 1968 about a group of astronauts who land on a strange planet where apes have evolved to become the dominant species and humans are treated as animals. The film follows the story of astronaut Taylor (played by Charlton Heston) as he navigates this strange new world and tries to find a way back to Earth.
As Taylor travels through the ape-dominated society, he encounters a variety of characters, including Dr. Zaius (played by Maurice Evans), a prominent ape leader who is hostile towards Taylor and wants to prevent him from learning the truth about the planet’s history. Taylor also meets a group of human rebels who are fighting against the ape authorities and trying to reclaim their freedom.
As Taylor delves deeper into the mysteries of the planet, he learns that it was once home to a technologically advanced human civilization that was destroyed by a nuclear war. He also discovers that the apes who now rule the planet are the descendants of human scientists who were sent into space before the war and evolved into intelligent beings after a long period of time.
Ultimately, Taylor is able to escape the planet and return to Earth, but he finds that it too has been destroyed by a nuclear war. The film ends with Taylor reflecting on the destructive nature of humanity and the lessons that can be learned from the planet of the apes.
This is just a small sampling of post-apocalyptic films, and there are many others that could be mentioned. The themes and storylines of these films can vary widely, but they all take place in a world that has been significantly altered by some sort of catastrophic event.