My Top 5 Post-Apocalyptic Movies
After watching Doomsday this morning and seeing previews for Blindness and City of Ember, I realized 2 things:
- Rhona Mitra is hot as a futuristic bad ass chick (and looks a lot like Kate Beckinsale)
- I really enjoy post-apocalyptic, end-of-the-world, the future is bleak type movies (what does that say about me, doc?)
Yes, that means it’s list time. Here are my Top 5 Post-Apocalyptic Movies (let me repeat that, these are my top 5, not a genius list of top 5 of all time. your top 5 will likely differ):
#5 - Cloverfield
Apocalypse Bringer: Godzilla-like, alien bug-spewing monster
Why It’s Good: The Blair Witch style of filming combined with incredible effects make this a frightening look into New York being ground zero once again in the future
#4 - I Am Legend
Apocalypse Bringer: Epidemic
Why It’s Good: Will Smith and his dog Sam carry this movie as the seemingly last survivors on earth, except of course for the light-fearing zombies that come out at night. The visuals of a deserted New York are incredible and it makes you wonder what you’d do all day if you had the city to yourself.
#3 - 28 Days Later
Apocalypse Bringer: Dumbass animal rights activists
Why It’s Good: It’s scary to think that PETA could be at fault for exterminating a country. After being warned of the consequences, some animal rights activists release a chimp that had been used for “medical research.” Unfortunately, that research involved being infected with a deadly virus. The movie follows a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma to realize London is now full of zombies. Not only is he fighting for his life from the zombies, he has to survive the horny army and their plan to make all healthy women sex slaves. Sounds silly, but it’s not your average zombie flick.
#2 - Children of Men
Apocalypse Bringer: Infertility
Why It’s Good: With babymaking not happening for about 20 years, Clive Owen is tasked by his ex-wife to transport a pregnant woman to safety. The movie is set in an eerily near future and shows the dark side of a humanity that is close to extinction. I’d relocate to Hawaii if I were there, but that’s just me.
#1 - Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
Apocalypse Bringer: War, energy shortages, bikers in bondage gear
Why It’s Good: This film basically created the post-apocalyptic genre and launched the career of Mel Gibson. Set in futuristic wasteland Australia, Mel is an ex-cop who scavenges along the highway with his dog in search of food, water, and gasoline. Fun life! Any kid that was a fort builder will appreciate the oil refinery that’s home to the good guys. Add that to the boomerang kid, the armored tanker chase scene, and the S&M biker gang and you have 91 minutes of awesomeness.
Honorable Mention:
- The Day After Tomorrow
- Wall-E
- War of the Worlds
- The Happening
- Doomsday
What would you add to the list? Remove?
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October 7th, 2008 at 3:42 am
I am legend? Are you serious?
October 7th, 2008 at 3:42 am
This is the worst list of anything ever. Do you even watch movies?
October 7th, 2008 at 3:44 am
red dawn!
October 7th, 2008 at 3:47 am
What happened to ‘Salute of the Jugger’ - pffftt kids these days
October 7th, 2008 at 3:50 am
BULLFUCKINGSHIT. Where’s 12 Monkeys!? A Boy and His Dog? Dawn of the Dead (the CLASSIC zombie movies?) The Day The Earth Stood Still?
This is the most retarded fucking list. The Day After Tomorrow was HORRIBLE, AS WAS THE HAPPENING, Doomsday was only so-so (that car chase at the end, puh-lease).
This list is damn terrible.
October 7th, 2008 at 4:21 am
I’m sorry but do you even KNOW what “post-apocalyptic” means?
Since when is Cloverfield considered a post-apocalyptic movie and why is it even listed as top 5?
I think this list needs serious rewrite.
October 7th, 2008 at 5:00 am
The Matrix?
October 7th, 2008 at 5:06 am
Have you never heard of “Twelve Monkeys”?
October 7th, 2008 at 5:10 am
The Movie made in the seventies(i think, coulda’ been the early eighties) Titled “This Quiet Earth” was stellar(and boring, but what’d ya expect if no one else is left on the planet) anyway it was filmed in Ned-Zed(new zealand) and has a memorable scene when our protagonist is watching a breathtaking sunrise at the beach…….and around the ’sunrise’ are rings..(it’s actually supposed to be the planet Saturn)……oh, and ClockworkOrange is good too…futuristic, maybe not apol. though Thanks!
October 7th, 2008 at 5:10 am
28 Days Later is more of a ‘zombie-virus’ movie that only wipes out the UK. The same with ‘I am Legend’ because it’s just a vampire disease thing that suddenly breaks out and (spoiler!) humanity is presumably saved in the end. I suppose my view of this genre is narrower than yours. Also, I personally would’ve included Wizards directed by Ralph Bakshi on my list.
October 7th, 2008 at 5:12 am
You left out “A Boy and His Dog.”
October 7th, 2008 at 5:20 am
Worst list I even seen
October 7th, 2008 at 5:25 am
This list is rubbish. There are tons of better post-apocalyptic movies. If you count zombie-apocalypse, where is Shawn of the Dead? Or for a “what would you do if you had a city to yourself experience” watch Ever Since the World Ended (it also has the Blair Witch aspect, that was not utilized very well in Cloverfield). What about Idiocracy? Directed by Mike Judge, very funny take on post-apocalypse-ness. On the same note, Mars Attacks. Mad Max is good, and number two is the classic, but what about Planet of the Apes (not saying better, but just as good in it’s own way).
You cannot leave 12 Monkeys off this list, or Akira, or Woody Allan’s Sleeper. All classics and for good reason. There are tons more, I’m sure.
Please, spend more time watching good movies so you can have a decent opinion. These are all big budget Hollywood CGI-gasms, money machines and pointless remakes, There is more to movies than your local Multi-plex.
October 7th, 2008 at 5:34 am
The mad max films where great, a little old in the tooth now though. Coverfield was OK, just didn’t like the style of the movie. Too much like Blair Witch.
October 7th, 2008 at 5:45 am
???
Cloverfield is not post-apocalyptic. It is not even really apocalyptic.
Children of Men is also not really post-apocalyptic.
Mad Max is a no brainer (score one for the lame list).
Items are 2-5 are made in the last 5 years. You seriously need to look a little deeper than the last 5 years. You will easily find better.
Wall-e as an honorable mention??? Sorry bud, you lost all credibility there.
October 7th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Dugg
I amalso very interested in post-apocolyptic movies, I have always liked “water world” and “the post man”
October 7th, 2008 at 6:11 am
that is the worst list ever you just picked the last 5 movies that came out that have that theme, do some hw next time
October 7th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Tip of the hat for Mad Max, but the rest is just a who’s who of very recent Hollywood disaster movies. Expand your chronological horizons a bit, movies have been made for a long time and there’s a rich history out there.
October 7th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Threads. Look it up.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:00 am
On the Beach, Twelve Monkeys, c’mon man, grow a dick. YOU SUCK.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Omega Man? I am Legend with Charleton prior to his glove insertion…
October 7th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Planet of the Apes!!!!
October 7th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Where is Le dernier combat? Are you kidding me adding Cloverfield to the list? Isn’t a postapocaliptic movie!
October 7th, 2008 at 7:44 am
At a minimum the list needs a bit of expansion. But thanks for getting the thoughts rolling.
How about… Invasion of the Bady Snatchers (1978), Omega Man (1971- the first attempt to make I am Legend into a movie), Soylent Green, you could make a case to add Escape from New York.
Miracle Mile is an 1988 gripping indie movie, though it’s more nuke apocalyptic than post-apoc. IMDB plot quote: “A young man hears a chance phone call telling him that a nuclear war has started and missiles will hit his city in 70 minutes.”
I have to echo “The Quiet Earth” (nice mention Mr Alford). 12 Monkeys is a post-apoc staple. Had The Postman adhered closer the the book’s plot line (even a little) it would be mandatory; alas, they hired Costner, then jacked-up the screenplay.
And finally, I’m holding out hope for a remake of The Stand. Also, I high hopes for an HBO or Showtime mini-series of the Dark Tower.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Doomsday sucked not post Apocalyptic , it was a rip off of about 4 or 5 other films. Cloverfield isn’t anything ‘Apocalyptic’ pre, post or present, I am legend should have been called ‘We are Legend’ film got bad when women and kid showed up. 28 days later, next time use ‘28 Weeks later’ that is more along the lines, but still thats a Zombie Apocalypse film, different genre. The only one in the list that is right is Mad Max.
This list is terrible, i’m suprised you didn’t put ‘Apocalypse Now’ in there, just because it had the word Apocalypse in the title.
Using your rules you can have, Equilibrium, Aeon Flux, AI, Night-Day-Dawn-Diary-Shaun of the Deads in there, Resident Evil 3, any many many more that are 10x better than any (besides Mad Max) of these.
October 7th, 2008 at 7:56 am
um… am i allowed to say that you forgot tank girl?
October 7th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Campiest vote would have to go to Damnation Alley.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:05 am
A Boy and His Dog…. one of the originals… and come on, I Am Legend? Seriously, if you’re going to put up that story at least put up one of the original versions like Omega Man with Charlie Heston, or even better, The Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price which came before them all. Also Cloverfield has nothing to do with the Apocalypse and Children of Men is a real stretch. Seriously not trying to be mean, but do a bit more research next time and if you’re doing a “Best of” list and try to dig deeper into the history of a genre. Movies that honestly should be somewhere on this list; The Quite Earth, Escape from New York (and LA if you have too), Delicatessen, Day of the Dead (but not really the other “Dead” films), Akira, All the Mad Max/Road Warrior films (I know one was up there), 12 Monkeys (don’t forget Bruce Willis character comes from a post apocalyptic time), and I hate to even list these on the list cause I absolutely hated them, but Postman and Waterworld are both technically about the post Apocalypse and they are also a great lesson in shitty film making and how Kevin Costner may be the herald of the real Apocalypse. If you haven’t seen any of the above listed movies, you should especially if you’re a fan of the post apocalypse genre, these are the classics.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:11 am
And how could I have forgotten…. Planet of the Apes.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Wow, excellent choices. Very nice indeed.
Jiff
http://www.anonweb.eu.tc
October 7th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Wow… I don’t understand what compelled you to make this list. The Happening as honorable mention? Cloverfield? I Am Legend? If those are amongst the best post-apocalyptic films to you, you must certainly hate the setting.
Planet of the Apes, Boy and his Dog, 12 Monkeys is a good bet, you could even make an argument for Soylent Green and Nausicaa. See these movies, or if you have seen them and just like I Am Legend better, start writing about new subjects.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Your list blows hard.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:00 am
thank you for all of the positive feedback everyone! (ha)
it’s my list and i got into these type of movies lately and have been catching up via netflix.
i’ll be sure to watch all of your suggestions.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Delicatessen
From the same people who brought you The Fifth Element.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Let me go ahead and explain to you what “Post Apocalyptic” means. It means just great cataclysm, destruction, whatever that effected the entire world has already happened. And the “Post” part means it is taking place after said destructive event.
Examples - Nuclear War, Super Volcanoes erupting at once, Aliens attack and devastate the planet, Skynet becomes self aware and uses robots to hunt and kill the human race.
The mention of terminator made me think of something else - Said apocalyptic event doesn’t have to happen in one day. It can happen over a period of time.
Cloverfield - This isn’t post apocalyptic or just apocalyptic by any means. It’s just monster that attacks New York City. World doesn’t end.
I am Legend - Hey you got this one right. Expand your knowledge though and watch the originals and someone else said.
28 Days Later - No, this would be the events that led to a post apocalyptic world. But Since it didn’t and the “zombie” out break was only on the Island of England makes this not a apocalyptic movie or does it lead to post apocalyptic events.
Also 28 Weeks Later wouldn’t even register as someone else mentioned. Again this would be the events that led to a post apocalyptic world. Keep your eyes out for 28 Months Later!
Children of Men - Again not a post apocalyptic movie. Saying that these are events that lead to a post apocalyptic world would be pushing it to imo. But since that chick had a baby at the end well guess what - humanity saved!
Mad Max - YES YES YES and YES! It doesn’t get any better than this. Consider your other choices, I wouldn’t be surprised if you just put this on there cause you saw someone else talking about it.
In short - This list sucks.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I demand to know what 16 year old posted this list and why
October 7th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Are you kidding? You did a post apocalyptic movie list and didn’t mention The Day After (look it up) or Waterworld? Waterworld sucked, but it’s a LOT more qualified to be on this list than Cloverfield.
This list sucks. It sucks hard.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:46 am
25 and these are my favorites, deal with it!
October 7th, 2008 at 10:36 am
This list sucks.
Where A Boy and His Dog??
October 7th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Cloverfield?! Are u serious? That movie was the biggest waste of time. I mourn the loss of that hour and some change. If anyone hasn’t seen it, I’d recommend you to avoid it like the plague.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Umm these are good but not best by far…What about waterworld and the stand? Those are awesome…
October 7th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Just because you rented some DVDs this summer doesn’t qualify you to write a blog about something you obviously don’t even know the meaning of. Also for someone’s who is 25 years old you blog like a 16 year old, deal with it. Next time spend some actual time researching your topic before wasting people’s time with pathetic articles.
October 7th, 2008 at 11:21 am
yes, not top5 list,
this is the only five this guy knows :ç
October 7th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
turn off your computer and leave it be this list is CRAP!
October 7th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
DUDE this list sucks….dawn of the dead anyone?, i mean the terminator (future scenes), 12 monkeys!
Do u watch movies?
October 7th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Damn, there are a LOT of internet tough-guys responding to this list. Let me remind you, tough guys, that the title of this article is “My Top 5 Post-Apocalyptic Movies”… Now, last time I checked, we are allowed to have personal preference correct? I know what you are thinking, internet tough guy, “well my opinion is that this list is @#^%$(*&^#(*&^@(!” Can you not express that disagreement in a way that does not PROVE that you are a complete knuckle-dragger? How tough are you in reality, internet tough guy? Do you start spewing vulgarities and insults at your co-workers at Burger King when they express their opinions?
October 7th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
lol at the comments, you all need to calm down
its just his opinion. 28 days later was an amazin film, but thats probably the only one that’d be in my top 5
October 7th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
wow, this is must have been written by a dead dog under a porch.
Wheres Turkey Shoot, New Barbarians, A Boy and his Dog, and of course The Blood of Heros.
October 7th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
#1 and #2 are great, 28 Days Later is, as noted, the precursor to an apocalypse…
A Boy and His Dog, The Blood of Heroes, Escape from New York, 12 Monkeys and Planet of the Apes all deserve to be on this list before those recent examples of Hollywood mediocrity.
October 7th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I gotta say… I like some of the movies on this list, but there are, as many folks mentioned, a lot you’re missing. Rather than rehash, I thought I’d point out one or two others that might have been overlooked.
Reign of Fire (2002): Okay, so this wasn’t a smash hit or anything, but, Dragons! Dragons portrayed as something other than magic creatures that can befriend the protagonist is a nice change of pace. Christian Bale starring for you fans of Batman Begins/TDK.
Logan’s Run (1976): This movie is more dystopian for the most part, but you get to see why near the end. Anyone asking for Escape from NY probably knows this movie or has at least heard of it.
Six String Samurai (1998): Indie flick that was really popular with the various film festivals. Set after a Cold War flare up in which the Soviets a-bombed the US, the story follows Buddy as he searches for Lost Vegas.
There are tons more, most of them pretty bad 80’s productions. Some of the better ones:
Solarbabies (1986)
Steel Dawn (1987)
Cherry 2000 (1987)
Cyborg (1989)
Steel Frontier (1995)
Also, I’d like to point out that while The Day After Tomorrow had way too many cliche’s, it really struck a nerve with me. Childhood nightmares being what they are and all.
October 7th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
You’re an idiot! Worst list ever
October 7th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
This is the worst list ever. Seriously are you 14? Have you never seen a movie that is over ten years old?
October 7th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
actually layne The Road Warrior is from 1981, so yes i have. thank you for your concern.
October 7th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
“wow, this is must have been written by a dead dog under a porch.”
Well said Jason E.
October 7th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
[...] Top Five post apocalyptic movies [...]
October 7th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Heh,
I was indignant at first at this list, but some of the voices of reason have a point - it is this guy’s list, not yours. I’m sure you would find your list of post-apocalyptic movies much better than gibbs12’s list.
In any case, I would say:
1) Road Warrior
2) 12 Monkeys
3) The Mutants of 2051 (the mini-movie at the beginning of Strange Brew)
4) Escape from New York (partial apocalyptic)
5) Equilibrium
October 7th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
This IS the worst list ever…Terminator series?
October 8th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Top 3: Soilent Green, Omega Man, Planet of the Apes…anyone see a trend here?
October 8th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Worst list ever!!!! Since when Cloverfield is post apocalyptic film?
October 8th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Ever heard of “A Boy and his Dog” or “Planet of the Apes”?
October 8th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
I once taught a course on Post Apocalyptic film and fiction. I hate to say it, but out of the five films you have, two of them aren’t PA. Children of Men, although brilliant, shows a world ending, not a true end. Cloverfield is not global, so thus not a world ending. 28 Days is not PA, either. It’s one country. Of course with the coming of a possible third installment where the infection finds its way into the wider world, you’ll get closer to PA, but the first and even second installments aren’t PA. I’m with everyone here when I say that you would serve the Net well by pulling this list, signing up for Netflix, and getting a hand on some real PA films.
October 11th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Love the list, it’s always great to see what a person’s opinions are for this kind of list. They may not all be post-apocalyptic but they are all disaster movies of some form. I myself love to see perils to humanity.
There were quite a few greats missing from the list, all pretty much mentioned already
October 21st, 2008 at 10:28 am
I think this list is fucking awesome.
October 24th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
this list skims the surface of a rich vein of sci-fi films. 28 days later is a truly awesome film, this is not my opinion, this is fact. watch it alone in a dark room. enjoy. clovefield could have been so much better, a cop out ending, everyone gets nuked. original. I am legend got too caught up in the fact it was supposed to be epic, it just annoys me. nothin really happens. city of men bored me. ‘nuf said. mad max is a crackin film, hard-core, blunt and unsympathetic. real post apocalyptic shit. this list has 4 films that date post 2000, which simply cannot be right.
November 6th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Don’t listen to these guys your list was pretty good. I don’t agree with “I Am Legend” and “Cloverfield,” as they wouldn’t be on my list, but your top 3 movies are spot on in my opinion.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I hate to join in on the bashing..but this list is to horrible..”The Happening” as an honorable mention? Mad Max is the only movie that deserved any mention at all. I know it’s “your” top five but still man….It seems like you just typed in “post apocalyptic” into Google and used what popped up first. And by the way, Clover field doesn’t even fit in this category.
If you’re really into these type of films then watch some of the movies the people above me suggested…. and trust me after you do you’ll want to puke all over this list.
November 8th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Well done people. Fairly soon it will not be possible to have any opinion at all without having anonymous insults thrown at you. Golf clap.
I love ‘I am Legend’. I don’t care if it was made yesterday. The lonely feel is enough for me. And as for post-apocalyptic semantics, I really don’t think it matters. If it does to you, you might need to check your blood pressure.