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Heads up: spoilers ahead. A post-apocalyptic movie belongs to the science fiction genre and typically takes place in a world ravaged by nuclear warfare, disease, or some other massive catastrophe. This list highlights ten of the most iconic films in this genre, with a twist—introducing a few under-the-radar films that you might not see on typical lists.
10. The Quiet Earth 1985
The Quiet Earth, based on the novel by the same name, dives into the psychological unraveling of a man who discovers he may be the last person alive after a catastrophic event he inadvertently triggered. The film portrays Hobson's descent into madness and his eventual recovery, with the latter occurring just before he realizes he’s not as alone as he thought. The movie closes with an ambiguous ending (a true 'What just happened?!' moment) that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.
9. Mad Max 2 1981
The second installment in the Mad Max trilogy kicks off with a classic backstory narrated by a voice explaining how the world has “collapsed and… The cities have exploded;” following a devastating (nuclear) war. In this desolate future, the survivors are a ragtag group of ruthless biker gangs, and oil is the most sought-after resource. Max (Mel Gibson), a former cop armed with a modified sports car and a sawed-off shotgun, must defend a group of settlers working at an oil refinery against a wild gang.
8. Dawn of the Dead 1978
This marked the second entry in George A. Romero’s iconic Living Dead series, expanding the scale of a zombie outbreak. The dead have risen from their graves and now feast on human flesh. A group of survivors barricades themselves inside a shopping mall, but as time passes, the undead relentlessly attempt to break in, while society outside collapses. As the novelty of their situation fades, one of the women becomes pregnant. With all outside emergency transmissions cut off, the survivors feel a crushing sense of isolation. Their downfall comes when a gang of bikers invades the mall, inadvertently allowing the zombies inside.
7. Delicatessen 1991
Set in a small-scale post-apocalyptic society where food is a rare and valuable commodity, the film focuses on an apartment complex that has a delicatessen on its ground floor. The butcher who owns the shop also owns the building and is in desperate need of a new maintenance worker after the last one mysteriously vanished. A former clown takes the job, unaware that the butcher plans to kill him and serve his meat to the building’s eccentric residents, who pay for their food with grain. The clown and the butcher’s daughter fall in love, and she conspires to thwart her father’s plans by reaching out to the “troglodytes,” a society of underground dwellers who view food as survival, not currency. This darkly comedic tale reflects the science fiction movement known as la Nouvelle Vague.
6. On The Beach 1959
Following a devastating nuclear war, much of humanity has been wiped out. The last remaining refuge is Australia, but time is running out as radioactive fallout will soon reach the continent. Everyone is aware that they have only months to live. Among the survivors are U.S. Navy officer Cmdr. Dwight Towers, whose submarine and crew were at sea when the war broke out; Moira Davidson, a free-spirited woman who becomes closely attached to Towers; Julian Osborne, who dreams of winning the Australian Grand Prix; and Lt. Cmdr. Peter Holmes, who worries deeply about his wife and newborn child's future, as well as his own.
5. La Jetée 1962
Set in a ruined Paris after World War III, the few remaining humans turn to time travel research, hoping to send someone back to a pre-war world to gather supplies and perhaps find a way out of their desperate situation. One man is haunted by a vague childhood memory, which will ultimately change the course of events. This film serves as the inspiration for the movie *12 Monkeys*, which borrows heavily from it. While most have seen *12 Monkeys*, not everyone has seen *La Jetée*—and they should.
4. Logan’s Run 1976
One of the standout sci-fi classics of the 1970s, *Logan’s Run* predates the big special effects era of *Star Wars* and *Close Encounters*, making those films feel a bit outdated by comparison. Set in a post-nuclear war future, the story takes place within a domed city where everyone is condemned to die, or be 'Renewed,' at the age of 30. Anyone who rebels against this fate and tries to escape is hunted down and killed by the Sandmen. Logan, a Sandman, is tasked with finding ‘Sanctuary’—a supposed haven for those who have managed to flee. This film, filled with classic 70s charm, also led to a TV adaptation.
3. Planet of the Apes 1968
A sci-fi icon, *Planet of the Apes* earned numerous accolades in its time and became one of the first major sci-fi franchises, spawning four sequels and a TV show. Three astronauts, led by Taylor (Charlton Heston), crash-land on an unknown planet in the year 3978 A.D. after a 2006-year journey, during which only 18 months pass for the crew. The trio sets off through a desert, eventually discovering an oasis. After taking a swim, the adventure begins as they’re captured by gorillas on horseback. The gorillas take Taylor to 'Ape City,' where he learns that the talking apes rule while mute humans are hunted and enslaved. Taylor escapes to the 'Forbidden Zone' where he uncovers the shocking truth—humans once controlled the world, but at some point, the apes evolved, and roles reversed. The film’s ending features one of the greatest plot twists in cinema.
As Taylor rides along the beach with his new companion, a familiar object appears on the horizon. In disbelief, Heston drops to his knees and cries, “They finally did it, and goddamn you all to hell!” The camera zooms out to reveal the half-buried remains of the Statue of Liberty, revealing the devastating truth—this is Earth’s future all along.
Notable Mentions: The Day After, 28 Days Later, The Postman, Waterworld, A Boy and his Dog
2. The Omega Man 1971
Released in 1971 and based on the novel *I Am Legend*, *The Omega Man* far surpasses the recent Will Smith remake, despite some dated makeup and effects. This is the quintessential 'last man on Earth' story. A biological war has wiped out most of humanity. Army Colonel Robert Neville (Charlton Heston) is immune and rules Los Angeles by day, hunting down and killing the survivors who have formed 'The Family'—a cult of night-dwelling mutants infected by the plague caused by the war's fallout. By night, Neville becomes a prisoner in his own fortified home as The Family seeks to end his life.
1. Day of the Triffids 1962
*Day of the Triffids* is a 1962 British film that stands out for its use of color at the time. It has left a significant mark on later classics like *28 Days Later* and many zombie films. The story revolves around Triffids, giant plants with deadly poisonous stings. After an unusual meteor shower leaves most of the world's population blind, a man wakes up in a hospital with bandaged eyes and finds the world in chaos. Survivors are struggling to cope with their blindness, some banding together while others fight. Within days, society begins to crumble as the Triffids hunt the helpless survivors. A must-see classic.
