The prospect of the end of the world as we know it is enticing to us. Imagine you’re Will Smith from ‘I Am Legend,’ and you’re one of the few people left alive on the planet. What would you do if you were humanity’s sole remaining faith? Now, you can’t dispute that being the last human on Earth has its own set of benefits: you can do whatever the hell you want. But it’s a hardship to be stuck within your own home since the world outside is full of strange monsters and people who aren’t really people anymore; they’re the walking dead.
Some films, such as ‘Zombieland’ and ‘Shawn of the Dead,’ take a lighthearted approach to this not-so-lighthearted predicament, reminding us that the world may not be such a bad place after all, even if there are half-dead murderous humans all around us. Others, on the other hand, provide a sliver of the gloomy truth of a post-apocalyptic world. Films like ’10 Cloverfield Lane,’ ‘2012,’ and ‘World War Z’ fall into this category. So we’ve compiled a list of all of these movies that are now available on Netflix. You can watch some of these with your pals on a fun night out or just for the thrills and chills. Whatever your reason, simply scroll down and select the option that best suits you. Here’s a selection of some of Netflix’s best post-apocalyptic films that you can watch right now.
9 (2009)
‘9,’ directed by Shane Acker and starring Elijah Wood as 9, is an animated film. The movie is based on Ackerman’s short film of the same name, which received an Academy Award nomination. In a parallel universe, a tyrant forces a scientist to build a robot for the sake of technological advancement in the year 1930. The scientist produces B.R.A.I.N, a highly intelligent robot without a soul. When the dictator takes the robot to turn it into a Fabrication Team, which will aid him in creating an army of war machines, the world is on the verge of ending. Because it lacks a soul, the Fabrication Machine decides to exterminate all life on the planet.
#Alive (2020)
This South Korean zombie flick could very well be the most relatable quarantine film you’ll see in 2020. ‘#Alive’ tells the narrative of Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in), a video game live broadcaster, and how he escapes a zombie apocalypse after being forced to live alone in his apartment. Not only is the quarantining technique realistic, but so is the film’s excessive usage and reliance on social media and technology. The importance of sharing knowledge, which can even save lives, will be reaffirmed in this film. The film is based on Matt Naylor’s script, “Alone,” which he co-wrote with Cho Il-Hyung for this project.
ARQ (2016)
A couple becomes trapped in a time loop within a lab, where they are attacked by a gang of mask raiders every day at the start of the day. They must adapt and learn to combat these pirates while also developing technology that can serve as a power source in order to save the world from Judgement Day. The film presents a new story twist every time the couple wakes up to find themselves at the start of the time loop again, keeping you captivated and on the edge of your seat. The concept of time loops has been used many times before, and this is one of those films that does justice to it.
Bird Box (2018)
After its premiere on Netflix, this film went viral, receiving nearly 45 million views. However, the film’s reception has been divided and contentious. ‘Bird Box,’ starring Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock, depicts the struggle of a single mother in a post-apocalyptic world who must cross a hazardous river with her two children, the largest hurdle they confront being that they must do so while blindfolded. Doesn’t the plot sound a little familiar? That’s because it’s extremely similar to the film ‘A Quiet Place,’ which depicts the narrative of a family trapped in a post-apocalyptic world filled with sound-sensitive monsters drawn to even the tiniest disturbance. The film has received mixed reviews, with many critics expressing dissatisfaction with the film’s unclear finale. Others, on the other hand, loved this thriller for its brilliant concept and the portions when too much was left unsaid since they gave us a glimpse inside the protagonist’s thoughts as she tried to solve the riddles around her.
Blame! (2017)
‘Blame!’ depicts a futuristic society in which humanity are fully reliant on cyber-technology. However, a terrible virus progressively spreads over the world, causing all technology to malfunction and eventually wiping out the entire population. The anime is based on a very new and unique concept that has been performed exceptionally effectively. Some radical sci-fi topics are left unexplained in the film, so if you’re unfamiliar with these kind of flicks, make sure you have access to Google.
‘Cadaver,’ a Norwegian film, is set in a metropolis that has been burnt to the ground following a nuclear explosion, where suffering reigns supreme. People are starving without food, crime is prevalent, and witnessing decomposing dead bodies on the street is a daily occurrence. In such environment, the only way to survive is to “stay together.” Leonora (Gitte Witt) and Jacob (Thomas Gullestad) are the parents of an only child, Alice (Tuva Olivia Remman), whom they adore. Mathias Vinterberg (Thorborm Harr), a well-known theatre director, unexpectedly announces an exclusive show, ‘The Hotel,’ with the promise of a delicious lunch. They decide to attend the event because they see it as an opportunity to escape reality. When fact and fantasy collide, pandemonium erupts, revealing the truth about survival in a world where “eat or be eaten” is the rule.
Cargo (2017)
A heartwarming zombie apocalypse story about a guy searching for a new home for his newborn daughter after learning that he may only have a few hours before succumbing to a pandemic. There aren’t many zombie flicks with heart, but this one does an excellent job of eliciting a wide range of emotions as well as thrills. I wouldn’t call it an Oscar contender, but it is surely a breath of fresh air.
District 9 (2009)
‘District 9’ is widely regarded as one of the best science fiction films of the decade. It is based on true events that occurred during apartheid in Cape Town’s ‘District Six.’ Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, and Best Film Editing were among the four Academy Award nominations for the film. The plot begins in 1982, when an alien ship is seen over Johannesburg, and it is a mix of discovered footage and science fiction. The aliens who were left on Earth were starving, but they were met with hostility. They are housed in District Nine, a designated zone by the South African government. As it begins to feel more and more like a prison, an insurrection erupts, resulting in a confrontation between humans and extraterrestrials.
Extinction (2018)
Nightmares of a post-apocalyptic world plague a guy. After a while, these dreams become so genuine that he begins to believe they are foreshadowings of things to come. Everyone, including his own family, begins to doubt his sanity, but he later emerges as a hero when all of the events that once troubled him begin to become true, but he is well prepared for them. ‘Extinction’ is about a man who follows his instincts and utilizes them to protect his family against an army of extraterrestrial beings attempting to attack Earth. The picture is so brilliant and well-directed that it serves as a model for all future alien invasion apocalyptic films. Micheal Pena does a fantastic job in the lead role, but the film’s climax features a twist that will either disappoint or delight you.
Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017)
You’re probably asking why a ‘Godzilla’ film is on this list. This one is a little different from the previous Godzilla films we’ve watched in that it’s an anime film set in a post-apocalyptic future where most of humanity has fled since the Earth is dominated by Kaijus, the Godzilla force’s leader. A group of refugees returns to Earth with the goal of restoring confidence in the world and combating the dark forces of colossal monsters. Will they be able to carry out their plans? To find out, watch this action-packed anime film.
How it Ends (2018)
The film follows a young man in a post-apocalyptic world who is trying to find his way back home to his pregnant wife. The world is no longer the same, and it is filled with confusion. Will he be able to contact his wife at home? This film gets off to a great start and appears to be fairly engaging at first. However, it gradually loses track of the plot from where it began and fades into obscurity. Many events and decisions in the film will leave you wondering where the story is going and why it is going in that direction. However, it is still a fantastic time-killer that you may watch once because it contains some excellent action scenes.
I Am Mother (2019)
‘I Am Mother’ is another post-apocalyptic science fiction thriller. Daughter (Clara Rugaard) lives in a bunker and is raised by a robot named Mother (Rose Byrne’s voice), who is assisting in the repopulation of the Earth by instilling the necessary skills and values for a human to survive on the planet. A Woman (Hillary Swank) enters the lives of Mother and Daughter and delivers some shocking news. This film takes a unique approach to ethics, responsibility, parenthood, and what it means to be alive. On January 25, 2019, this film had its world debut at the Sundance Film Festival.
Into the Forest (2016)
Patricia Rozema directs the Canadian horror film ‘Into the Forest.’ Because of how near it is to our world, this story gives us the creeps. It’s about a family who lives in seclusion in a mansion in the woods in the near future. They are, nonetheless, heavily reliant on energy and technology for their survival, way of life, and safety. Their problems begin when a continent-wide power outage lasts over a year, forcing them to learn to exist on the bare necessities. This story goes on to show that people are no longer a part of the natural world, and that without these aids, they would not be able to survive comfortably. Ellen Page, Evan Rachel Wood, Callum Keith Rennie, Max Minghella, and Michael Eklund star in the film.
IO (2019)
The film ‘IO’ depicts a post-apocalyptic future in which the Earth has been entirely wrecked to the point where humanity are no longer able to live on it. Almost all humanity have left the Earth and relocated to IO, Jupiter’s moon. However, Sam, a young girl who is a scientist, feels that the planet can still be rescued. She broadcasts a message on a common frequency in order to attract the attention of the surviving humans, and that’s when Micah, who is also on his way to boarding the last spaceship to IO, comes up to her and introduces himself. While Micah will have to hurry to the ship, Sam will have to decide if she wants to stay or join the other humans on IO. This film is similar to ‘I Am Legend,’ with the exception that it does not have zombies. But, unfortunately, it isn’t as excellent as ‘I Am Legend,’ and in some ways, it wastes a great notion. Even so, it’s worth seeing once to get the full post-apocalyptic experience. The only thing it is missing is some plot-relevant material.
Snowpiercer (2013)
Bong Joon-ho, a world-renowned Korean filmmaker, is known for experimenting with his films. And the filmmaker skillfully imagines and explores a dismal universe with his first worldwide effort. The film’s most distinctive feature is that the world has been declared uninhabitable, and all of the people who are still alive have boarded a giant train. This massive train transports passengers all over the world during the year, and the entire film takes place within this train. Over time, the people inside has begun to notice divisions, which are also evident in our societies. The impoverished have been relegated to the back of the bus, where they reside in deplorable conditions. The front, on the other hand, is all about luxury. The plot revolves around one of the poor people’s leaders pushing his fellow citizens to rise up in revolt against the wealthy and capture control of the train. The film’s set designs are just as impressive as its societal commentary. One of the key topics of this film is how society is divided and how the powerful exploit the illusion of authority to subjugate the rich.
Spectral (2016)
The world is in danger from supernatural beings who are unseen to the human eye and will destroy anybody who stands in their way. The film follows a special-ops squad as they confront unknown beings that could be war ghosts or the result of a failed government armaments experiment. Spectral features excellent amazing effects, a compelling plot, and competent performances. It’s not a perfect film, but it’s good enough for a one-time viewing.
The Cloverfield Paradox (2018)
The Cloverfield Paradox is one of three Cloverfield films that explains the origins of the unusual animals shown in the films “Cloverfield” and “10 Cloverfield Lane.” It all begins with a group of scientists operating within a space station that is rotating around the Earth’s orbit. Their goal is to develop an energy source that can give the Earth with limitless energy. The experiment, however, goes horribly wrong and creates portals to an alternate reality, bringing the Earth closer to its doomsday.
The Girl With All the Gifts (2016)
In the not-too-distant future, humanity will be infected by a parasitic fungus that spreads through bodily fluids. Infected people transform into mindless zombies, and the only people who can save them are a small group of second-generation children who devour flesh but retain their ability to reason and justify. The story revolves around a scientist, a teacher, and two soldiers who are all trying to stay alive while being escorted by a remarkable girl named Melanie (Sennia Nanua). Gemma Arterton, Paddy Considine, and Glenn Close all star in the film. Colm McCarthy directs this post-apocalyptic horror thriller based on a book of the same name, ‘The Girl With All the Gifts.’
The Worthy (2016)
‘The Worthy’ is a decent film, especially given it comes from a place where cinema isn’t particularly popular. The film depicts how the majority of the world’s population is wiped out as deadly viruses pollute water sources. Only a few people survive because they live near a safe, pure water source that is later contaminated by people who don’t have the best of intentions. When the remaining humans struggle over the only water source that can keep them alive, it all devolves into a brutal survival game.
What Happened to Monday (2017)
Due to overpopulation, there is a stringent one-child policy in place in 2043, and all children except the firstborn are placed in cryosleep. To ensure this, each citizen wears an electronic bracelet. A mother died giving birth to seven identical septuplet sisters at a time like this. They were methodically educated to pose as a single identity while under their grandfather’s care, and communication was the key to that. If the government discovers more than one of them, they will be executed. When one of the sisters is jailed and her communication is cut off, all hell breaks loose. Is there a hope for life under such a strict rule?
