The Apocalypse Film. Society is breaking down, the earth as we know it will be destroyed and people will always find a way to party before the end. Apocalypse films have their own various subgenres but we have created separate lists for those. Technically any Zombie film is an Apocalypse Film but we have our own list of films about Zombies. And Post-Apocalypse films are also their own subgenre separate from the Pre-Apocalypse. Post-Apocalypse films generally deal with the world and civilized society already decimated.
Mad Max is a great example of this film subgenre differentiation where the initial Mad Max (1979) film shows the world descending into chaos and is a hybrid Apocalypse and Post-Apocalypse film. However, the remaining Mad Max movies – The Road Warrior (1981), Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) – are all set years after the actual apocalyptic event (and events in the first Mad Max movie).
We have over 140 films in our list of Apocalypse Films with many lesser known and little seen films. You can view the full list here. For the list of Top Apocalypse Films You Haven’t Seen, we decided to show a variety of different subgenre Apocalypse films (and 2 films do deal with Zombies but focuses more on the Apocalyptical event descending on society).
For the films that didn’t make the cut the honorable mentions include: Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970), No Blade of Grass (1970), The Prophecy (1995), Right At Your Door (2006) and How It Ends (2018). How It Ends, while a very good film, didn’t make the Top 10 list specifically for…how it ends.
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Apocalypse Films You Haven’t Seen and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
#10
Take Shelter
Plot: Man starts having visions of the apocalypse…is he crazy or not?
KBZ’s Take: More of a psychological thriller film, the audience is always left guessing if Curtis (Michael Shannon) is delusional or not. Also has Twilight Zone vibes as the film does a great job of showing the townspeople slowly turning against Curtis and his family (Jessica Chastain, Tova Stewart). Worth watching if only to see the ending.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3EYlTZV
#9
#Alive
Plot: Man is trapped in his apartment complex while the Zombie Apocalypse starts.
KBZ’s Take: Just when you think you’ve seen it all in Zombie Apocalypse films, #Alive comes along and somehow avoids most of the usual Zombie film tropes. While the beginning of the film can be a bit slow, it does a great job of asking, “What would you actually do if you were isolated for a few weeks during the Zombie Apocalypse?” One answer is that you’ll never look at drones the same way again. Note: even if you are averse to subtitles, this is the version to watch and not the horrible US remake called Alone (2020).
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/81240831
#8
On the Beach
Plot: American nuclear sub crew deals with angry Australians as they wait for nuclear war fallout to arrive.
KBZ’s Take: Remake of the 1959 film and we personally like this version better. It’s directed by Russell Mulcahy (of Highlander (1987) fame), is a more modernized take on the novel its based on, and the film focuses much more on establishing backstories for the characters which helps play into the suspenseful moments of the story. Plus, it has Armand Assante, Bryan Brown and Rachel World. Enough said.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3FkkKxh
Plot: Pregnant woman starts having visions of the biblical Apocalypse after a strange man moves in…
KBZ’s Take: The best of the religious Apocalypse films that flooded the cinema in the late 80’s and 90’s. We’re a huge fan of actor Jürgen Prochnow and he plays the role of the mysterious stranger to perfection. The film does struggle a bit to get its footing, but the last 20 minutes are a wild ride.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3B2iM2c
Plot: Mysterious cult decides it’s the end of the world and every subway passenger must die.
KBZ’s Take: Have you ever been on the subway late at night and wondered what would happen if other passengers just went crazy? Well, here’s your answer. End of the Line is more of a horror film than sci-fi film, but it does portray a situation where a human driven apocalyptic event can often be scarier than a natural driven one.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VN15M6
#5
Miracle Mile
Plot: Man receives wrong phone call with information that nuclear missiles have just been launched.
KBZ’s Take: Details the 24 hours before nuclear missiles are about to hit LA. While the premise is a bit implausible and dated, knowing annihilation is coming soon and the chain reaction it causes are what drives the film. Very good (but depressing) film with surprising heart.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VLU5Pg
#4
I Am a Hero
Plot: A lowly manga artist’s assistant witnesses the beginning of a Zombie Apocalypse.
KBZ’s Take: When we are often asked to recommend a horror or zombie film that someone has likely not seen, I Am a Hero is always our #1 recommendation. Based on the Japanese manga series of the same name, this film is a straight up adrenaline rush. While it doesn’t add much to the zombie subgenre, where it shines is with its direction, story and characters. A definite must-see but be warned: this film has A LOT of gore.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VtpCWA
Plot: The world population suddenly develops agoraphobia (fear of going outside) that causes instant death.
KBZ’s Take: This film from Spain is one of the best and most inventive sci-fi and apocalypse films out there. It also helps shed light on an actual phobia people experience – fear of open spaces or going outside. The film really revs up once our agoraphobia infected hero sets out to find his missing girlfriend.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3OWiMpW
Plot: A mysterious pandemic sweeps the world where people start losing each sense…one at a time.
KBZ’s Take: This is really 1B on our list as it’s one of the best films people have not seen – not just in the sci-fi apocalypse subgenre but also in the romantic thriller subgenre. Ewan McGregor and Eva Green shine as the two leads who fall in love while the mysterious pandemic takes hold. Sense of smell is the first to go followed by the sense of taste. What follows is an apocalyptic event detailing what would happen to humans if we were to lose all of our sensory perceptions.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3H8fdv4
Plot: Man saves the life of a young girl as a worldwide apocalyptical event approaches.
KBZ’s Take: This film is not only #1 on our list of Top Apocalypse Films You’ve Never Seen but it will also make our Top 10 list of any films you might not have seen yet. This Australian sci-fi thriller is just an amazing story of one man’s redemption as a “wave of fire” engulfs the globe which will wipe out all humankind. It’s hard to classify into one genre or subgenre as it has it all – Sci-fi, suspense, action, comedy, drama and more. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND this film and bet you will be raving about it like we did after viewing.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XPd912
