15 End-of-the-World Movies That Make 2023 Look Pretty Okay
Thought your day was not going great? Wait until you watch these characters struggling to survive.
1. Blindness
A sudden epidemic of blindness engulfs a city, leading to society's breakdown. Julianne Moore, the only one who can still see, guides a group of the blind, facing both the best and worst of humanity. Ever tried navigating your room in pitch dark? Now, imagine a whole city.
2. On The Beach
Nuclear war's wiped out the northern hemisphere, and Australia awaits the inevitable radioactive fallout. As people come to terms with their doomed fate, a U.S. submarine seeks sanctuary and perhaps an escape. If you thought dealing with impending deadlines was hard, this gives 'counting down the days' a new meaning.
3. Contagion
Before you say it, yes, it sounds too close to home. A deadly virus, global panic, society teetering on the edge. But with a star-studded cast like Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Winslet, it's almost like watching a grim A-list party you never wanted an invite to. The realism in this film? Almost makes recent pandemic seem mild. Almost.
4. 28 Days Later
Thought you overslept your alarm? Imagine waking up from a coma to find London deserted. That's what happens to Cillian Murphy's character. The cause? A virus (yes, another one) that turns people into rage-filled zombies. As he and a group of survivors navigate the decaying city, they grapple with both the infected and the harsh realities of human nature. If you were fussing about lockdowns, this makes being cooped up at home sound heavenly!
5. I Am Legend
Will Smith plus a German Shepherd in a deserted New York City. Sounds dreamy, right? Not so much when you find out almost everyone's been wiped out by a virus, and those who remain have turned into nocturnal mutants. Smith plays a virologist trying to find a cure while defending himself against these not-so-friendly neighbors.
6. Children of Men
Babies are cute, right? Well, imagine a world where no child has been born for 18 years. Society's collapsed and hope is a thing of the past. Enter Clive Owen's character, who finds himself protecting a miraculously pregnant woman. The goal? Get her to safety through chaotic and war-torn Britain. Birthrates declining doesn't sound that far-fetched anymore, does it?
7. Waterworld
Ever considered a world completely underwater? Kevin Costner did in this 90s film. Playing a mutant with gills, he navigates this drowned Earth, searching for the mythical "Dryland" while battling warlord pirates. Just think about it, your entire city submerged, and your prized possessions? Probably floating somewhere. Makes rising sea levels feel eerily real.
8. The Road
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Based on Cormac McCarthy's novel, this film features Viggo Mortensen as a father guiding his son through a post-apocalyptic world. They're just trying to survive – finding food, evading cannibals, and keeping hope alive. Honestly, their grocery store trips? Way more intense than any shopping frenzy you've seen. The father-son bond, though? Heartwrenchingly beautiful amidst all the despair.
9. Snowpiercer
Okay, so we tried to combat global warming and ended up freezing the Earth. Oops? Now, the last of humanity's aboard a train that never stops, divided by class. Chris Evans leads a revolt from the tail end, revealing dark secrets of the train as they push forward. So, next time you're on a crowded train, just remember, at least it's not the only piece of civilization left!
10. Wall-E
A cute robot in a world of trash. After humans abandoned Earth due to excessive waste, Wall-E's left cleaning up. When he falls for a robot named Eve and follows her into space, he discovers humans – now too lazy to walk and completely reliant on technology. Adorable animation, yes, but a not-so-subtle dig at our lifestyle? Absolutely!
11. The Book of Eli
Ever valued a book so much you'd fight for it in a post-apocalyptic wasteland? Denzel Washington's Eli would. He's got the last known Bible, and he's taking it west, battling warlords and thugs along the way. If you've ever felt protective over that limited edition comic, Eli's commitment will resonate deeply.
12. 12 Monkeys
Bruce Willis travels back from a future where a virus has forced humanity underground. His mission? Stop the virus from ever happening. With twists, mental institutions, and Brad Pitt in one of his zaniest roles, this one's a head-scratcher. Makes our debates about where viruses come from seem like small talk.
13. The Day After Tomorrow
The world's top climatologist, played by Dennis Quaid, warns the globe about the impending Ice Age, but naturally, no one listens. And guess what? New York freezes over! We're talking super tornadoes, mammoth tidal waves, and a whole lot of ice. Makes stocking up on toilet paper we all went through just a couple of years ago seem a little trivial, right?
14. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
When an asteroid's about to obliterate Earth, Steve Carell decides to find his high school sweetheart. Teaming up with Keira Knightley, it's a quirky road trip with an apocalyptic backdrop. Ever thought of what you'd do if the end was near? Probably not as charmingly absurd as this!
15. Mad Max: Fury Road
Welcome to the desert wasteland. Remember when water was just a turn of the tap away? Not here. Immortan Joe controls the water and the populace. When Furiosa, played by the fierce Charlize Theron, helps a group of women escape his clutches, we get a high-octane chase across the desert. Oh, and Tom Hardy's Max? He's there, strapped to a car, being used as a "blood bag" for Joe's warriors. Makes your bad day seem like a walk in the park, huh?