Few things capture our collective imagination like end-of-the-world films. The first one I remember seeing was The Road Warrior. I was probably about nine at the time, and to this day, I still want a double-barreled sawed-off shotgun.
Epic Apocalypse Films
Since then, I’ve seen hundreds of apocalyptic films—some great, some less so. Sub-genres abound, from types of disaster to where the story fits on the timeline.
Want a story set a century after the world floods? Waterworld. Prefer nuclear war with giant insects? Try Damnation Alley.
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For our purposes here, we’re looking at four great apocalyptic films that include the lead-up to the disaster, as well as at least a peek at what lies beyond it.
The Day After (1983)
There’s a reason why we Gen X folks are the way we are. When we came of age in the 1980s, the Cold War was in full swing, and we lived under a constant threat of mutually assured destruction coming by means of nuclear war with the Soviet Union. It’s hard to take algebra seriously under those conditions. And once that nihilism sets in, it’s hard to shake.
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Synopsis: There are three main storylines. The Dalhberg family has a farm near Harrisonville, Missouri. The eldest daughter is getting married soon, and they’re preparing for a wedding rehearsal. As information comes out that missiles are on the way, the family takes shelter in the farmhouse’s basement. The dad has to physically drag the mom down there, as she’s frantic in her denial of the situation.
Dr. Russell Oakes is a respected Kansas City physician. On his way home during the first strikes, he rushes to a hospital to help with casualties.
Airman Billy McCoy is stationed at a missile silo in western Missouri. Once he launches, he tells his fellow airmen what’s happening, then leaves.
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The most Epic of Apocalypse Films?
The remainder of the film follows these various characters as they deal with death, destruction, radiation illness, and so much more in the days that follow the war. As the film ends, another disclaimer appears, indicating that the events portrayed were tame compared to what could truly be expected in the real world.
Why It Made the List: The Day After is historically relevant to the apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic movie genre. More than 100 million people tuned in for the original broadcast, and it was one of the highest-rated TV movies in history. There were disclaimers before the movie began, warning viewers about the brutal content to follow. Many local ABC affiliates set up 800 numbers viewers could call to speak with counselors. Watching it 40+ years later, it actually holds up pretty well.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Starring Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal (way before his Road House bouncing days), and Emmy Rossum (several years before she’d become known for Shameless), The Day After Tomorrow is based on a book by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber. The Coming Global Superstorm talked about climate change and the potentially devastating impact it could have on the planet. The movie gave their theories some substance beyond simply words on a page.
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Synopsis: Quaid plays Jack Hall, a paleoclimatologist. That’s the study of climates that predate the existence of instruments and recordkeeping, and I bet you didn’t even know that was a thing. He gives a presentation at a conference in New Delhi, discussing how climate change may trigger a new ice age. Soon after, his predictions proved correct.
Three massive superstorms form over Russia, Canada, and Europe. The eyes draw in supercooled air that flash-freezes everything inside. Jack and colleagues quickly create a timeline showing that climate change is imminent, likely within days or weeks.
As all this is happening, Jack’s son, Sam (Gyllenhaal), is in New York City competing in an academic decathlon with his friend, Laura (Rossum). The superstorm hitting North America causes torrential rains and flooding in the city, quickly stranding everyone. Sam and his friends take shelter at the New York Public Library. He’s able to reach his father using a payphone. Jack tells him about the approaching storm and the coming freeze and tells him to shelter in place until he can get there to rescue him.
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After the End
The city has flooded so much that a Russian tanker ship has drifted down the street and become lodged near the library. This proves fortunate, though. On their way to the library, Laura injured her leg, cutting it on some debris hidden below the floodwater. It quickly becomes infected, so Sam makes his way to the ship to retrieve any medicine or other first aid items that may be on board.
Jack and two colleagues have set out to rescue the kids, trekking on foot through Pennsylvania to New York City. One of them perishes after falling through a mall skylight. The other two survive by taking shelter in an abandoned store as the storm creeps overhead. Meanwhile, several people at the library decide to venture south on foot to find better conditions, despite Sam’s insistence that they stay put.
Those folks are later found frozen solid outside.
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Why It Made the List: The Day After Tomorrow is an eye-catching film, provided you don’t take it too seriously. The special effects are very well done, and the writing is decent enough to keep your attention. There are a few plot holes, but they’re easily overlooked if you squint past them. Overall, it’s an interesting look at what could happen at the beginning of a new ice age.
2012 (2009)
Remember when some claimed the Mayans predicted the world’s end in 2012? Whatever your view—Mandela effect and all—the idea sparked many apocalypse films and stories. 2012 is the most famous, with the largest budget.
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Synopsis: In 2009, geologist Adrian Helmsley visits astrophysicist Satnam Tsurutani in India, where he learns solar flares are destabilizing Earth’s core. Adrian rushes to warn the White House.
About a year later, it’s revealed that nearly 50 nations from around the world have teamed to build several massive arks in Tibet. The goal is to use the arks to preserve humanity, though of course it’s the rich and powerful who are deemed important enough to save first.
Flash forward to 2012, and we meet Jackson Curtis, played by John Cusack. He’s a science fiction writer who earns a living as a chauffeur for a Russian billionaire. He and his former wife, Kate (played by Amanda Peet), have two children, Noah and Lilly. Kate and the kids live with Kate’s boyfriend, a plastic surgeon and amateur pilot.
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Jackson takes the kids camping at Yellowstone National Park. While there, they find that Yellowstone Lake has all but disappeared. Attempting to explore the area, they’re caught by the U.S. Army. While being escorted out of the area, they meet Adrian, who is there with the Army to investigate what’s happening. It turns out Adrian has read Jackson’s novel, and this helps smooth things over.
Adventure Unfolds
Soon after, Jackson runs into a conspiracy theorist named Charlie Frost, played brilliantly by Woody Harrelson. He’s living in an RV near Yellowstone. Charlie explains to Jackson what’s going on, which is called earth crust displacement, and that the Mayans had predicted this would happen. He also talks about the arks being built to save people and claims to have a map showing their location.
Back from their trip, Jackson is tasked with driving Alec and Oleg, sons of the Russian billionaire, to the Santa Monica Airport. Along the way, the boys mention that everyone will die, but they’ll be saved because their dad bought tickets for a ship. Suspecting that Charlie Frost might have been on to something, rather than just on something, Jackson makes arrangements to get his family out of the area with a quickness. A massive earthquake hits the San Andreas Fault just as they are getting airborne in a rented plane.
They head to Yellowstone so Jackson can get the map to the arks from Charlie. He does so just ahead of the Yellowstone Caldera, letting loose. Upon learning that the arks are in the Himalayas, they realize their little Cessna isn’t going to get them there. They head to McCarran International Airport near Las Vegas to see if they can find a larger plane. There, they run into the Russian billionaire. They have a plane, but need a co-pilot. Jackson volunteers Kate’s boyfriend, and they’re off.
The End is Near
As they’re leaving, the Earth’s crust actually shifts, causing worldwide death and destruction. It wipes out entire cities and kills millions of people. Once they reach the Himalayas, they’re picked up briefly by Chinese police. They rescue only the Russian billionaire and his sons, as they are the only ones with tickets to the arks. Jackson, his family, and the billionaire’s girlfriend are all left behind.
Jackson and his family manage to sneak aboard the ark, though not easily and not without tragedy along the way.
While all of this is happening, there is a lot of political maneuvering onboard the American ark. The White House Chief of Staff has appointed himself the new Commander-in-Chief after the President was presumably killed during the crust displacement. As the new leader, he begins barking orders to close up the ark and set sail, despite there being hundreds of people still waiting to board. He’s eventually dissuaded through the efforts of Adrian, as well as the real President’s daughter, both of whom convince other world leaders of the right thing to do.
When the floodwaters finally begin to recede, the survivors find their world has been forever changed.
Why It Made the List: 2012 is incredibly well done. There are several heart-pounding scenes involving earthquakes, tsunamis, and more. The worldwide destruction is utterly devastating. Woody Harrelson steals every scene he’s in, which is always fun. And if we’re being honest, I’d watch Amanda Peet read a grocery list.
Greenland (2020)
There are very few apocalypse films in recent memory as anxiety-inducing as Greenland. If you’re looking for an apocalyptic film that’s going to keep your attention, this one is definitely for you. However, if you’re not one for emotional roller coasters, give this movie a pass.
Synopsis: Gerard Butler plays John Garrity, a structural engineer living and working in Atlanta, Georgia. He and his wife, Allison, played by Morena Baccarin, are estranged but remain friendly. They have one son, Nathan, and he’s diabetic. Many of their neighbors are coming over to watch the passing of a near-earth comet named Clarke. John receives an automated message from the Department of Homeland Security informing him that he and his family have been selected to attend an emergency shelter.
During the watch party, they see a comet fragment destroy Tampa, Florida. Immediately after this, John receives another notification from DHS, instructing him to take his family to Robins Air Force Base for evacuation. Instead of passing by Earth, Clarke is expected to impact in two days, causing an Extinction Level Event.
As they get closer to the base, traffic becomes so congested that they abandon their SUV and continue on foot. Once they arrive, they’re given wristbands that will allow them access to the evacuation planes. Then, they realize that Nathan’s insulin supplies were left in the vehicle, so John goes back for them. (Listen, I’m telling you right now, never split up. It never ends well.)
Mass Extinction
While Allison and Nathan are waiting for him to return, they find out that Nathan’s diabetes disqualifies them from the evacuation. John gets back to the base, but can’t find them. He boards one of the planes, having been assured by military personnel that his wife and son must be on board. When he can’t find them, he quickly deboards.
Several of the evacuation planes are then destroyed by angry mobs, who are upset that they aren’t among the chosen. Allison and Nathan managed to walk to their SUV. There, Allison leaves a note for John, indicating they’re going to her dad’s place in Kentucky. They then stop at a pharmacy to pick up insulin and other diabetic supplies. Leaving the pharmacy, they’re picked up by a couple who agree to take them as far as they can toward Kentucky. However, when they see the wristbands and realize what they mean, they decide to kidnap Nathan and pose as his parents to get on one of the planes. Allison is forced from the vehicle, and it speeds off, leaving her screaming on the side of the highway.
Apocalypse Film Explained
John is trying to make his way to Lexington and Allison’s father’s home. He hitches a ride on a truck that’s headed to Canada, planning on getting off in Kentucky along the way. During the ride, John learns that private planes are taking off from Osgoode, Ontario, and heading to Greenland, where the military is evacuating everyone. Seeing John’s wristband, another man attacks him, trying to steal it. The ensuing fight causes the truck to crash, and John kills his attacker.
The couple who stole Nathan end up at another Air Force base in the area. Nathan speaks up and tells the guards that these people aren’t his parents. They are arrested, and Nathan is secured in a tent with other lost children. Allison arrives on foot a bit later, and after some searching, she’s reunited with her son. They’re given some supplies and set up on a transport heading to the Lexington area.
John breaks into a home for food and water. With the power still on, he’s able to watch TV and learns they have about 24 hours before the largest impact from Clarke occurs. He finds the car keys in a drawer and takes the car, leaving a note saying he’ll return it if he survives. He reaches his father-in-law’s home. Dale, played by Scott Glenn, admonishes John for not being with Allison and Nathan. However, they arrive shortly thereafter, and the family is together again.
The Final Act
Learning that there is a bunker complex in Greenland that was built specifically for this sort of disaster, the Garrity family decides to make a run for it and try to make it there before the comet strikes. They had to go to Osgoode and manage to get a ride on the very last plane out.
Just after they reach Greenland, a comet fragment causes their plane to crash land. The passengers manage to find a military convoy headed to the bunkers and get a ride. The comet impacts just after they arrive.
Several months later, survivors are just beginning to resurface and see what fate awaits them.
Why This Apocalypse Film Made the List: While there are plenty of heroic situations in this film, the characters are never portrayed as being superhuman. They have faults, and they make bad decisions, which turn right around to bite them square in the ass. The special effects are on point, and the acting is quite believable. When Baccarin’s character loses her son to the kidnappers, you feel her anguish.
