7 Best Post-Apocalyptic Movies That Rule the Wastelands

It is always bewitching to imagine a dystopian world where civilizations have collapsed, and the survival of the rest is witnessed. Several post-apocalypse movies explore the unpacking of human values and morals under the greatest threats ever.

Movie Insiderz has compiled a list of the seven best post-apocalyptic movies that are fully action-packed and give a meditative reflection on battered human conditions. 

7 best post-apocalyptic movies everyone should watch at least once

I Am Legend (2007)

Francis Lawrence came up with one of the best end-of-the-world movies with an IMDb rating of 7.2. The film is based on a novel of the same name, authored by Richard Matheson. 

Will Smith, as Robert Neville, plays the last human survivor of a plague that spread in the entire New York. The virus was mainly created to cure cancer, but this is where an interesting twist appears. Neville tries to reverse the effects of the virus with his own blood. 

The film does great while in the running, but there are several questions about minute mistakes that keep you wondering afterwards. However, the dread and contemplative elements are anchored well with a fantastic lead performance.  

Bird Box (2018)

Susanne Bier did an amazing job by bringing us a convincingly good post-apocalyptic survival movie. An unseen entity forces any human who can see it to commit suicide. Malorie (played by Sandra Bullock) takes her two children, blindfolded, through lands where havoc has already taken over in order to survive. 

The meaning of the bird box is deeply rooted within the film’s narrative, as Malorie does not let go of hope in times of radical apocalypse. Her embrace of motherhood gives strength for the rest of the journey, as she overcomes a sense of foreboding to protect her children. The release of birds after reaching a safe spot is a symbol of hope for a fearless future.  

A Quiet Place (2018)

This movie might seem similar to Bird Box, but it has a fright factor of its own. Directed by John Krasinski, this sci-fi end-of-the-world flick is about sound-sensitive creatures hungry to kill people.

The creatures are blind but extremely alert to the slightest sound. A family has to survive in such a place where they can only interact in sign language. The horror media franchise ensured that the audience knows silence means survival.  

The post-apocalyptic survival story of a family, of which one member they have lost already, is a perfect example of what ways humans can adopt to value their lives and those around them. 

28 Days Later (2002)

This year, Danny Boyle is coming with the third instalment of the said franchise, 28 Years Later, but the first one, 28 Days Later, still has our nostalgic attachment. Cillian Murphy’s Jim wakes up in a hospital, four weeks later, in a city where everyone has been infected by a virus.

He and a handful of survivors write their own story of existence. The situations they find themselves helpless in depend on their own understanding of human nature. 

The Road (2009)

John Hillcoat directed the film based on a novel written by Cormac McCarthy. Hillcoat mentioned to Entertainment Weekly that he is a huge fan of McCarthy, and when he heard that it was a post-apocalyptic story of a father and a son, he was emotional. 

He said, 

“I had it in my own head that it’s one of the genres out there that’s been embedded so deeply with all its clichés. So that made me nervous. And then when I read it, of course, it hit me like a ton of bricks.” [Source]

The film does not highlight dystopian or apocalyptic features of the story- it is more of the discovery of the trauma and circumstances that revolved around the surviving duo. The human spirits of father and son, while dealing with the obstacles, meant more to them both, which shaped their journey altogether. 

The name “The Road” deals with the strengthening bond between father and son, where the post-apocalypse serves as a backdrop. The central theme is the instinct to survive, and both of their human abilities to endure severe hardship keeps their dream of civilization alive.  

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

An extremely high-rated post-apocalyptic film where a woman becomes a rebel against the tyrannical ruler of the dusty wastelands. Petrol and water are scarce commodities, and Joe (played by Hugh Keays-Byrne) holds the power over their supply.

A lengthy road battle begins when Max (Tom Hardy) shakes hands with Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) against Immortan Joe. His five captive wives become part of the plot when Furiosa deviates from the path to collect fuel.

Some of the prominent reasons for its success among post-apocalyptic stories are its thematic depth, compelling characters, strong action sequences, and visually stunning action by groundbreaking stunt work. Also, the female-led narrative challenged the normal action movie direction, giving new meaning and layers to the blockbuster film and its franchise.  

Movies like Mad Max: Fury Road: Mortal Engines (2018), The Creator (2023), Snowpiercer (2014), Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead (2014)

Leave the World Behind (2023)

An exciting post-apocalyptic thriller, slow but well-acted, takes us into a story of a family’s getaway that turns ominous with the arrival of two strangers. The strangers bring news of a cyber blackout, and the family has to survive a crisis besides their own collapsing world. 

The tension rises with the disintegration of society when people, who went out to enjoy the times of their lives, are caught in a world of distress. The best part of such movies is that we get to watch human nature closely.

The character-driven emotional depth comes with absorbing acting skills, which all the characters played brilliantly. Human elements of resilience and the acute urge to survive are incorporated vividly in large-scale disaster events.

Have you watched all of them? Which one is your favorite? If there is any more that should be added to the list, we would love to see your comment below.