Top 12 Post-Apocalyptic Films

According to the Mayan calendar, December 21st was the start of a new era; the apocalypse was due to bring total obliteration to all of humanity!

Luckily, that never really materialised, but for decades now, Hollywood has taken it upon themselves to put forth the infinite possibilities of how this might happen.

Here are THN’s Top 12 Apocalyptic Films from 2000-2012:

Terminator Salvation – 2009

With Skynet still on the hunt to wipe out humanity, the Man vs. Machine war continues, with John Connor leading the way.

TERMINATOR SALVATION belongs on this list because SkyNet upped their game. They realised sending Arnie to destroy humanity was a big mistake.  He ends up turning against them, and helping John Connor. The pressure is on for Skynet; if John Connor lives, he could end up saving humanity, and crushing the machines.

So, they decide to send a female Terminatrix to destroy John Connor. Score one for equalitarianism, but surprise surprise, T-X can’t get the job done either. SkyNet then decides to create T-800. This comes in the form of hunky piece of eye candy, Marcus Wright. Half man, half machine, he and Connor decide to team up, to bring SkyNet down. If awards were given for best efforts to destroy humanity, SkyNet would win gold, silver, and bronze, for their sheer unwavering persistence and optimism.

Zombieland – 2009

The world has become a Zombie playground in this film, which follows a shy college student as he tries to find his family, while avoiding being the next meal for some drooling hot mess of a zombie. Along the way he meets some Interesting and lively individuals.

Not only does it give you a glimpse into the future, if we all become flesh eating zombies, but it also gives us a survival guide. Here are a couple of pointers:

One: Cardio – Put down the cake! Yes you, put it down! And pick up the salad. Yes, if you want to survive, you need to have outstanding health. Visit the gym daily, even two times a day, if you’re hardcore. There will be a lot (and I mean a lot) of running.

Two: The Double Tap. The guide clearly says, in order to survive, you need to make sure they’re actually dead, so let them have another round!

The Matrix Reloaded – 2003 

In this dystopian future, Neo, Morpheus and Trinity are still being pursued by the machines, whilst trying to stop them capturing the inhabitants of Zion.

THE MATRIX RELOADED has some of the most exciting characters in any oppressed society. Neo’s skills have become even more impressive, with bullets obeying his commands, but top marks have to be given to his enchanting overcoat. Trinity shows us a cool position to land after sending a bike crashing into a building, Morpheus still walks with his hand behind his back, and Agent Smith… well, what a mesmerising voice.

Battle Royale – 2000

This film shows a future where the oppressive Japanese government capture and force ninth grade students to kill each other. The last child standing wins.

Apart from maybe resorting to cannibalism, this has to be one of mankind’s worst fears; The ‘every man for themselves’ apocalypse. There are no heroes, there are no rules. The human race is in such a state that you can’t count on people for help, but can count on the fact that someone will try and kill you. BATTLE ROYALE belongs on this list because it asks the question ‘how far would you go to ensure you own survival?’

Doomsday – 2008

The Reaper virus spreads throughout Britain, killing thousands, and the government decides to quarantine half of the country. 25 years after the epidemic, the virus comes back, and a team of soldiers are sent to find the cure.

The title says it all really, but DOOMSDAY finds itself on the list for numerous reasons. One is Rhona Mitra who, as Eden Sinclair, puts an unfamiliar spin on the stereotypical protagonist. It is refreshing to see a female save the world from a flesh-eating outbreak. Furthermore, not only is Major Sinclair majorly hot, she also has a cool cyborg eye.

The Day After Tomorrow – 2004

This film decides to show the end of the world happen by way of an ice age sweeping over the globe. Fighting against time and disastrous weather, Jack Hall (Denis Quaid), tries to save his son, Sam Hall (Jake Gyllenhaal).

THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW has been chosen for its fantastic visual effects. Considering the film was made in 2004, and the use of CGI takes up 80% of the scenes, Emmerich could easily have become lazy, and it might have ended up looking like X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE. However, they were very realistic, and bagged him a BAFTA for visual effects.

I Am Legend – 2007

Will Smith plays a scientist trying to cure humanity from a virus that turns people into predatory monsters.

Some may say the same generic plot is being used; virus – pandemic – people turn into monsters – and someone saves the world. But here’s what’s different about I AM LEGEND: The dark seekers, as they were formerly known, aren’t like your average hungry-for-flesh zombies. They have vampiric traits. They are considerably stronger, smarter, and faster, and let’s not dwell on the fact that they only come out at night. Not only is that enough, but they’re a scary looking bunch, who watch Dr Neville’s every move. How he survives for three years on his own, is beyond comprehension…

Dredd 3D – 2012 

Based on the 2000 AD comics, ‘Judge Dredd’, DREDD is set in a violent futuristic world, were lawlessness is rife. So, to calm the brewing storms, police have been put in authority; they act as judge, jury and executioner.

DREDD has some of the best slow motions scenes in 2012. For once, they are all in the right place too, not just scattered about like fairy dust.  Moreover, we finally have a comic book film that annoying secondary school kids can’t see. Peace in the cinema.

Not only is this comic book film packed with action, but the story is great; simple but entertaining, with a humorous tone. Karl Urban makes a fetching Judge Dredd. Also, Ma-Ma, played by Lena Headey, has to be one of the scariest female comic book villains ever! The woman is seriously nuts.

28 Days Later- 2002

Here’s another virus that manages to wipe out half of humanity, and the rest are left in a zombie-like state. Jim, played by Cillian Murphy, is the protagonist who wakes from a coma to an empty London… or is it?

28 DAYS LATER is a prime example of a low budget zombie apocalypse film. The estimated budget came in at $8,000,000, proving you don’t have to have billions in the bank to make a decent, end-of-the-world film. Cough, cough… WATERWORLD.

This is one of the few on the list that shows a realistic portrayal of what a post apocalyptic world would be like. A distinct lack of people, food and plenty of raping.

Children of Men – 2006

Clive Owen stars in this bleak tale where humanity can no longer procreate. The world’s youngest person dies at the age of 18, and mankind sits on the brink of extinction, until one woman gets pregnant, meaning faith and hope may be within reach.

This could be seen as a more drawn-out end for the human race. With solid acting, a sound narrative and the right amount of action, this three time Oscar nominated film still holds its own. Step away from the razor though, because if you focus more on the hope factor of the it, you need not find it depressing.

WALL·E – 2008

In the future, earth is a wasteland of rubbish, and WALL·E is a computer-animated robot who collects waste. The film follows WALL·E as he falls in love with another robot, EVE.

Oh yes, we did! We put an animated hybrid Disney Pixar film on the list. WALL·E has all the characteristics of a great apocalyptic film. Human’s desert earth, which becomes a barren wilderness of garbage. But that’s not the reason it’s on the list, and it isn’t on here for being the first to show humanity getting disgustingly obese. No, WALL·E has surpassed all the action-packed, supernatural, ninja-knife-throwing films, because of robot love.

2012 – 2009

Another of Emmerich’s films complete the rundown; it would seem that he is quite taken with the whole end-of-the-world theme.

This time the end of the world is caused by a geological problem, which leads to a global cataclysm.

The main reason this film has made it to the list is because you can’t make a list about the 2012 apocalypse, without putting 2012 in there. Simple.