12 Monkeys
Whatever Bruce Willis’ limitations as an actor, he consistently picks very good projects. 12 Monkeys is a complex but fascinating story about a man sent back through time to stop a biological weapon from bringing about the end of civilization.
The Animatrix
In between the game-changing and well-received The Matrix and its misunderstood and underappreciated sequels, the Wachowski’s produced a series of animated shorts expanding the world of the franchise. Of these, the most interesting was the two-part “The Second Renaissance” which told the backstory.
Apocalypse Now
Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam epic is not about the end of the world but it is about revelation, one of the alternate definitions of “apocalypse,” as an American soldier travels into the war and into the darkest parts of the human heart.
Armageddon
Yes, it is stupid, but Armageddon is also undeniably entertaining. The film has earned a reputation for its sloppy science, hammy performances, and self-conscious sentimentality but in those regards it is no worse than most Hollywood blockbusters. It also has a sense of humor, something many of Michael Bay’s other films lack.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
The second chapter of the original Planet of the Apes series is its darkest installment and includes a race of mutant humans that worship a giant nuclear bomb.
Children of Men
In the near future, human beings have lost the ability to procreate. When a pregnant woman is discovered, a reluctant hero must escort her to a safe haven. This is a beautiful and smart film that was underappreciated when it was released in 2006.
Dawn of the Dead
The renewed interest in zombie films and apocalypse cinema seems tied together and they share a common root in George A. Romero’s 1978 film.
Deep Impact
Released the same year as Armageddon, this was a much more thoughtful film about various groups of people coping with Earth’s impending collision with a comet.
End of Days
Arnold Schwarzenegger fights off the Devil on New Year’s Eve 1999. The film was supposed to revive Schwarzenegger’s career after a string of underperforming movies and a bout with heart surgery but it came in below expectations. Nevertheless, End of Days is a silly but fun action picture.
I am Legend
Based on Richard Matheson’s novel of the same name, this is actually the third film adaption of the story. 1964’s The Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price and 1971’s The Omega Man with Charlton Heston preceded the 2007 Will Smith version.
In the Mouth of Madness
One of John Carpenter’s underrated projects, this film follows a private investigator searching for a bestselling horror novelist who has gone missing and discovers that writer’s fictional world may be real.
Last Night
On the eve of the apocalypse, various people prepare for the end of the world. This is a small but beautiful film about people struggling with the finite quality of life.
Melancholia
This 2011 film is among Lars von Trier’s most depressing films but it is also one of his best. A mysterious planet is about to collide with the earth and a depressive woman finds her despair vindicated.
The Mist
Film adaptations of Stephen King’s stories run the gamut from great to god-awful. The Mist is one of the better pictures although the ending is very divisive.
On the Beach
In this Cold War movie the Earth’s northern hemisphere has been destroyed by nuclear war. Gregory Peck, Fred Astair, and Ava Gardner star.
The Road
The adaption of the Cormac McCarthy’s novel is a stark movie about a father and son traveling through the world after an unspecified cataclysm.
The Road Warrior
The sequel to Mad Max is one of the most influential action films of all time, as it is imitated in movies like Waterworld, The Book of Eli, and The Fast and the Furious.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
This 2012 film is really a midlife crisis story set against the end of the world. It’s a little thin on plot but it has a wicked sense of humor and impressive performances by actors Steve Carell and Keira Knightley.
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