The List – Top 10 Post-Apocalyptic Movies

by Beeslo & Rusty

(inadvertently picked two old, bald men as their respective doctors)

In honor of the first official Fallout installment being released in almost a decade this week, Rusty and I have compiled a list of what we considered to be the best post-apocalyptic movies ever made, many of which were most likely inspirations for the Fallout series. This list turned into quite the beast where many deserving movies did not make the cut. As far as guidelines for what is to be considered a post-apocalyptic movie, we felt the word “post” was the one to concentrate on. Considering that a zombie outbreak is a pretty apocalyptic setting, most zombie movies wouldn’t be considered a post-apocalyptic movie since you rarely see what happens afterward. So to be defined as post-apocalyptic, the audience needs to be given an idea to how society has responded and adapted to a particular type of apocalypse on a whole. Also, we mainly stuck to live action movies but we did delve into anime as well. Considering that practically 85% of anime is set in post-apocalyptic locations, we had to be pretty choosey to what we let through.

Honorable Mentions were:

• Omega Man
• Reign of Fire
• Akira
• THX 1138
• Logan’s Run
• Big-O
• Planet of the Apes

Shocked to see one of your favorites in this list? Click on Read More, to see what beat them to the list…

10.

Day of the Dead

Rusty: Although many believe Day of the Dead to be inferior to Romero’s previous Dead films, I find it to be my personal favorite. Set awhile after Dawn of the Dead, Zombies have taken over and humanity has been reduced to small scattered pockets. We follow a group of humans who have taken shelter in an underground bunker. Two groups of people occupy this bunker: Scientists and military. Conflict arises between the two groups while characters continue to become more and more insane. The inclusion of Bub (a zombie who regains some human qualities) is an interesting and memorable one. This film really shows how we (humans) can be our own worst enemy. This film shows humanity’s need for structure. Without rule and order, the military camp has become a brutal survival of the fittest type place. Communication has broken down and the human survivors don’t know if they are the last or not. There is no one to restore peace and order.

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9.

12 Monkeys

Rusty: If your going to watch 12 Monkeys, make sure you have nothing else on your schedule. 12 Monkeys demands your full attention, considering its actually a very complex film about a group of survivors, who live underground in a police state. It doesn’t hurt that this film has solid acting backing it up, with both Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt in some large roles. An oppressive human government has taken control. Everyone lives in fear of them. There is no longer any form of democratic structure and it seems as though people are at the government’s whim. With the collapse of order the strongest once again came to power. Willis plays a prisoner who “volunteers” to go back in time, in order to stop the release of a virus that will destroy humanity. 12 Monkeys jumps back and forth between the future and past. Between cryptic dreams and constant time travel James Cole (Willis) is no longer sure what is real and what is not. 12 Monkeys is a must see.

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8.

Wall-E

Beeslo: I’m sure the inclusion of this movie in list has confused a good many of you, but bear with me. While deep down, this latest Pixar blockbuster could be seen as just a feel good movie about friendship and determination; on its surface, it qualifies as not only a post-apocalyptic movie but a post-apocalyptic movie with a message. The apocalypse that I speak of is the action of polluting the Earth to the point that it is no longer inhabitable. The movie centers on a robot named Wall-E, who is long forgotten in the never-ending and pointless task of cleaning up the Earth. After being whisked across the galaxy following his new robot gal pal named EVE, Wall-E comes in contact with the remnants of humanity who has given itself a leisurely 700 year vacation, free from worry and exercise. The message we receive after watching this movie is that if we destroy the Earth with garbage, we all get floating Laz-E-Boys in space…count me in!

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7.

28 Weeks Later

Rusty: In 28 Weeks all of Britain has been overtaken by the infected. The movie tells the story of the people trying to re inhabit London. It is discovered that some people have immunity to the rage virus, however all does not go well and there is another outbreak. 28 Weeks Later has some great moments that scare and stun you. The action is fast paced and the deaths are nice and bloody. The ending is a great cliff hanger that leaves you wanting more. If the first two films are any indication 28 Months Later is going to be awesome.

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6.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Beeslo: One of the few animes that made the list, this particular anime is part of Hayao Miyazaki’s unfinished masterpiece. Taking place hundreds of years after a Great War which ended with the world being set on fire (nuclear war anyone), humanity rebuilds itself as a system of kingdoms. The Kingdom centered in this movie is nestled within a peaceful valley near an ever expanding poisonous forest. The beloved princess of this kingdom, Nausicaä, vows to not only protect her kingdom and her people, but also to protect the misunderstood giant bugs of the forests. Like Wall-E, this movie has a pretty big eco-message about respecting nature and the dangers of the wrath of man upon the planet. While somewhat dated by today’s animation standards, this one is a classic.

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5.

(cover to book movie is based on pictured)

The Postman

Rusty: A lot of people harp on this movie but I think its awesome. Kevin Costner directs and stars in this movie about a man who is on the run from a neo-fascist army. Once again the strongest have risen, and without good intentions. Although they are resented, no one opposes them due to fear. General Bethlehem does what he pleases and nobody opposes his tyrannical fist. The survivors live in fear of his army and what they could do to him. Costner’s character escapes this tyrant only to stumble upon an abandoned US Postal truck and he innocently takes a postal uniform for warmth. Although it isn’t his intention he begins to reunite the scattered band of survivors into a society once more as the symbolic Postman. This movie has a great story along with some very cool moments, including Tom Petty playing a future version of himself.

Beeslo: I’m with Rusty on this one. The Postman is horribly panned by critics and movie-goers alike but what exists within this epic 3 hour opus is a man looking out for only himself during a horrible uncertain time, only to inadvertently bring society back from the ashes. Its actually one of the most realistic visions of a world ravaged by a global nuclear war and how its survivors attempt to live. The people ask plausible questions like what has happened to their US government after all these years, which the vicious General Bethlehem claims he has restored by the strength of his iron fist. Like Rusty mentioned, the appearance of Tom Petty is a pretty funny answer to what happens to celebrities after a global catastrophe? They become town leaders, of course!

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4.

Boy and His Dog

Rusty: After a nuclear war, the Earth’s surface has been destroyed. Most humans have gone underground and the few who remain above ground fight for what’s left. Without law, humanity has been reduced to its lowest levels. Semen is harvested from “donors” in order to repopulate. Law has become twisted and evil. Vic is an 18 year old man, who mainly focuses on getting food and sex. There are no goals in his life. His only friend is Blood. Blood is a telepathic dog who fetches women for Vic. Blood also tries to educate Vic, in addition to keeping him alive. Eventually Vic is lured to the downunder (where the other human survivors live). He has to escape and reunite with Blood. A Boy and His Dog is a rather dark look at humanity. It is a fun film however, and the ending will leave you saying “WTF??”

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3.

Children of Men

Beeslo: This movie is a nightmare. Possibly one of the most horrifying visions of the near future where humanity slowly comes to the realization that it is about to become extinct and nothing can be done about it. When everyone on the planet (including animals) becomes infertile, the future of mankind will end with the last breath. The movie’s tone is set when the world weeps at the death of the world’s youngest human (the last baby ever born), and unlike any movie before it, the audience is given a genuine feeling of fear and doubt. However when rumor surfaces that after almost 20 years of infertility, a woman is found pregnant, the reaction is a mix of emotion and terror. Obviously many are jubilant to the news but there exists a somber sect that believes this end of humanity will lead to a spiritual beginning and therefore wishes to see this woman destroyed. With the future of humanity resting on the tiniest of heartbeats, this movie will have you on the edge of your seat. The frailty of humankind’s future reminds me of the quote by T.S. Eliot, “This is how the world ends, not with a bang, but a whisper.”

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2.

A Wind Named Amnesia

Beeslo: Never heard of this anime? Wouldn’t surprise me. Granted, its not the best anime ever made, but as far as a post-apocalyptic tale, it is by far one of the most unique ones to come around in a long time. Set in the near future, society halts in a blink of the eye. An ominous wind blows across the globe, wiping the memory of everyone on the planet. And when I say everyone has forgotten everything, I don’t just mean their names or where they live or who they are…but how to talk, how to use tools, how to be human. In an instant, humanity is reduced to savagery. Inexpicably, however, a young man has somehow managed to avoid the winds and slowly tries to re-educate a wondering man scavenging for food. With his humanity somewhat remembered, the man sets out to discover what caused the Amnesia Winds. What he finds will defy all expectation.

and the #1 Post Apocalyptic Movie of All-Time?

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The Mad Max Trilogy

Beeslo: When it came down to it, Rusty and I knew one of the Mad Max movies would reign as the #1 post-apocalyptic movie of all time. But which one? The first is, of course, a cult classic starring a then unknown Mel Gibson. The sequel is considered by many to be the best of the franchise. And Rusty has an unhealthy obsession with Tina Turner and her Thunderdome. Which to choose? Well, we decided that the entire franchise deserved the top spot, considering its what made the sub-genre that it is today. Really if you look at the artwork of the Fallout series including Fallout 3, a majority of it pays homage to the Mad Max series. Hell, you can even wear a leather outfit in the game that bears a striking resemblance to one worn by Mad Max himself. In a world without law and order, survivors find themselves on the side of either the strong or the weak, and in the middle is Mad Max.

Rusty: Without saying the Mad Max movies tell an amazing tale of a world without order. The action is fast paced and unlike a lot of franchises, the sequels managed to have the same level of quality and entertainment as the first film. Mel Gibson provides us with some of his best work. The comic book action is fun to watch and the stunts are great. It doesn’t hurt that the plot is all three movies remains fresh throughout. If you haven’t seen the Mad Max movies, go slap yourself and then watch them. Lets just hope that Fury Road gets made.

So there you have it! Agree with us? Shoot us a comment! Disagree with part or all of the list? Shoot us a comment! But in the end, we have the final say…

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