Post-apocalypse movies have been a popular genre for decades, largely thanks to that ‘Mad Max’ movie that came out in 1979, a movie that defined the genre. These films depict what the world would be like after a catastrophic event, and how humanity survives or perishes in the aftermath. They often employ a distinct visual style, the gritty wastelands standard established by the ‘Mad Max’ trilogy, characterized by a distinctive visual style that immerses viewers in a world of desolation and survival. Barren and desolate landscapes, such as parched deserts or urban ruins, dominate the scenery, often rendered in muted, dusty tones.
Crumbling infrastructure, overgrown cities, and rusted remnants of civilization emphasize the collapse of order. Characters rely on improvised technology, such as patched-together vehicles and scavenged tools, reflecting their resourcefulness. The bleak aesthetic is further enhanced by desaturated colour palettes, with greys, browns, and washed-out blues creating a sombre mood, occasionally contrasted by striking bursts of colour. Practical, weathered costumes—layered and patched to suit the harsh conditions—complete the look, reinforcing themes of scarcity and survival. This cohesive design language vividly portrays a world stripped of its former glory, emphasizing humanity’s struggle to endure.
The earliest post-apocalypse movie is thought to be the 1924 film called “The Last Man on Earth” which portrayed a plague that killed off most of the world’s population, including the protagonist’s wife and child. This movie reflects the post-World War I fears, which included nuclear war or disease epidemics.
The 1950s saw the emergence of science fiction with outrageous concepts, including imagery of a nuclear mushroom cloud on the horizon. Many of these films expressed anxiety over the real threat of a nuclear attack, which was highly probable during the Cold War era.
In the 1980s, the post-apocalyptic genre shifted towards action movies. This is seen in movies such as “Escape from New York” (1981), “The Terminator” (1984), and “Robocop” (1987). These movies were less concerned with the causes of the apocalypse, and more preoccupied with the survival of the protagonists and their triumph over the villains.
Since the 1990s, the genre has further diversified, adopting storytelling styles ranging from comedy to horror. The best examples include Waterworld (1995), The Postman (1997) and “12 Monkeys” (1995). These films have different plotlines, premises, and characterizations, but all within the post-apocalyptic framework.
In recent years, there has been a surge in the popularity of post-apocalyptic movies – “28 Days Later” (2002), “The Road” (2009) – and TV shows. This may be attributed to rising global awareness of the threats to humanity’s existence. Some recent examples include “The Walking Dead” (2010) TV series, which covers the life of a small community living in a world overrun by zombies; “The Book of Eli” (2010): where Denzel Washington plays a lone warrior protecting a sacred book in a post-apocalyptic world, exploring themes of faith, hope, and the enduring power of the written word; and “Snowpiercer” (2013) which portrays the last survivors of a ruined world living in a perpetually moving train.
Post-apocalyptic movies and television shows offer a glimpse into what the world could look like if there were a catastrophic event. They can be scary, thought-provoking, humorous, or uplifting. The best films and TV shows in the genre often provide insight into human nature, and show our uncanny ability to adapt and survive even in the face of the most unimaginable challenges.
Some of the most obscure post-apocalyptic movies include “On the Beach” (1959), which portrays the aftermath of a nuclear war and its fallout effects, leaving only a few survivors on earth; “The Quiet Earth” (1985), where a scientist awakens to find that he is the only human left on earth due to a failed scientific experiment; and the German film “Hell” (2011) which depicts a post-apocalyptic world where the survivors are fighting for resources and the only source of water is guarded by a powerful gang of bullies who control it.
The Genre
The post-apocalyptic genre, a subgenre of science fiction, paints a grim picture of a world ravaged by catastrophe. Whether it’s nuclear war, pandemics, environmental collapse, or alien invasion, these stories explore the human condition in the face of unimaginable destruction. They delve into themes of survival, resilience, the fragility of civilization, and portrayals of power dynamics—examining who holds power and how it shapes the struggle for control in a shattered world. These narratives challenge us to confront our greatest fears and ponder our potential futures.
These stories typically unfold in a world that has been devastated by catastrophic events. These might include nuclear war, global pandemics, environmental disasters, or even alien invasions. The remnants of civilization often provide the backdrop for these tales, where abandoned cities, barren landscapes, and makeshift shelters dominate the scenery.
Survival: Characters must navigate harsh conditions, cope with scarcity of resources, and face constant threats to their existence.
Hope and Despair: These narratives often grapple with the loss of civilization and explore the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a desolate world.
Human Nature: The genre examines how people behave in extreme circumstances, exploring themes of cooperation, conflict, and societal breakdown.
Rebuilding: Some stories focus on the possibility of rebuilding civilization from the ashes, while others highlight the enduring human spirit amidst adversity.
Post-apocalyptic tales often serve as cautionary stories, reflecting our anxieties about the future and imagining what might happen if our world were to collapse.
Potential Apocalypse Scenarios
Nuclear War: A large-scale nuclear exchange could result in widespread radiation, nuclear winter, and the collapse of societal structures.
Supervolcanic Eruption: The eruption of a massive volcano could cause global cooling by blocking sunlight, leading to crop failures and famine.
Asteroid Impact: A significant asteroid collision could trigger tsunamis and block sunlight with debris, resulting in an “impact winter.”
Global Pandemic: A highly contagious and deadly disease could overwhelm healthcare systems, causing societal breakdown and economic collapse.
Climate Change: Unchecked climate change could lead to extreme weather, rising sea levels, mass displacement, and ecological collapse.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Catastrophe: Uncontrolled AI development could result in unintended consequences, such as autonomous weapons or existential threats from superintelligent AI.
Solar Flare: A massive solar flare could disrupt global communication and power grids, leading to widespread chaos.
A Trope Universe of its Own
The post-apocalyptic genre thrives on familiar tropes, even though filmmakers consistently attempt to reinvent these archetypes, exploring them with fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to create compelling and thought-provoking narratives. Yet, these tropes are arguably fundamental to the post-apocalyptic genre, forming the core elements that define and distinguish it from other cinematic subgenres.
The Lone Wanderer: A solitary protagonist, often hardened by their experiences, journeys through the desolate landscape. Examples include Max Rockatansky (Mad Max), Eli (The Book of Eli), and the Mariner (Waterworld).
The Search for Hope: Characters often seek a mythical place of refuge, a lost civilization, or a cure for the apocalypse. This provides a driving force for their journey.
The Breakdown of Society: Law and order have collapsed, leading to the rise of gangs, warlords, and other factions vying for power and resources.
The Struggle for Survival: Characters constantly face threats to their existence, including hunger, thirst, radiation, mutated creatures, and hostile encounters with other survivors.
The Human Condition: Post-apocalyptic films often explore the darker aspects of human nature, such as greed, violence, and the struggle to maintain morality in a desperate world.
Literary Roots of Post-Apocalyptic Fiction
The roots of post-apocalyptic fiction trace back to Mary Shelley’s 1826 novel The Last Man, which depicted humanity’s decline due to a devastating plague. This pioneering work laid the groundwork for other classics, most having been made into films:
- John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids (1951): A world blinded by a meteor shower and overrun by carnivorous plants.
- Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend (1954): A lone human confronts a world of vampires, exploring isolation and resilience.
- Stephen King’s The Stand (1978): An epic battle between good and evil after a plague decimates humanity.
- Cormac McCarthy’s The Road (2006): A haunting tale of a father and son’s journey through a desolate, ash-covered world.
Celluloid Wastelands
The following is a list of films that have brought these visions to life, offering audiences the closest experience to living in a post-apocalyptic world.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
A desolate, irradiated Earth explored in the iconic franchise. The sequel to “Planet of the Apes, the plot centres around the mission to rescue George Taylor, the protagonist of the first film. Brent, after his crew’s ship crashes on the same planet ruled by intelligent apes, discovers an underground city inhabited by a cult of mutated humans who survived a nuclear holocaust. These humans are telepathic and worship a doomsday device.
Brent becomes caught in a conflict between the apes and the humans. He learns that the apes are planning to attack the humans, and he must decide how to intervene. The film culminates in a shocking and unexpected climax where the doomsday device is accidentally triggered, destroying both the apes and the humans, and leaving the planet desolate.
“Beneath the Planet of the Apes” explores themes of human nature, prejudice, and the destructive potential of humanity. It’s a darker and more cynical film than its predecessor, with a bleak and unsettling ending.
The Omega Man (1971)
This is Charlton Heston’s portrayal of humanity’s last stand against a plague after a biological weapon unleashed during a global war has wiped out most of humanity. Sole survivor, Dr. Robert Neville, a scientist, is the only known survivor in Los Angeles, immune to the deadly virus.
Neville lives a solitary existence, hunting for food and supplies while evading a group of mutated, nocturnal survivors known as “The Family.” These creatures are sensitive to light and blame Neville and science for their condition. Neville constantly battles to defend himself against the Family, using his scientific knowledge and ingenuity to survive. He also searches for other survivors, hoping to find others who may be immune.
The film explores the psychological impact of isolation and the struggle to maintain hope and sanity in a desolate and hostile world. It’s based on the novel ‘I Am Legend’ by Richard Matheson, ‘The Omega Man‘ is a classic post-apocalyptic film that explores themes of survival, loneliness, and the dangers of scientific advancement.
Damnation Alley (1977)
Set around a perilous journey across a radioactive wasteland in a heavily modified vehicle, this post-apocalyptic action film is set in a world devastated by nuclear war. The Earth’s axis has been tilted, causing extreme weather conditions and unleashing mutated creatures. A group of survivors, including a hardened biker and a military officer, embark on a perilous journey across a desolate and irradiated landscape in heavily armoured vehicles. They face a series of dangers, including mutated insects, freakish weather patterns, and other hostile survivors, as they strive to reach a rumoured surviving community.
Mad Max (1979 – 1985)
This trilogy is a series of Australian action films that depict a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by oil shortages and societal collapse. A gritty vision of a world driven to lawlessness by oil shortages. The films follow the journey of Max Rockatansky, a former police officer turned vigilante, as he navigates this lawless and desolate landscape.
Mad Max (1979): Introduces Max as a motorcycle cop who witnesses the brutal murder of his family and descends into a vengeful pursuit of the biker gang responsible.
Mad Max 2 (1981) / The Road Warrior: A more refined and iconic entry, showcasing Max as a lone wanderer encountering a group of survivors who need his help to defend themselves against a violent warlord.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985): Max finds himself in a bizarre, enclosed society ruled by a tyrannical figure known as “The Blaster.” He must overcome challenges and ultimately escape this oppressive environment.
The Mad Max trilogy is renowned for its gritty realism, stunning visuals, and iconic imagery, including iconic vehicles like the Interceptor and the pursuit vehicles. It has become a cultural touchstone, influencing countless films and video games.
Steel Dawn (1987)
Another action film set in a world ravaged by a nuclear war and heavily influenced by the ‘Mad Max’ films, as another lone warrior defends a settlement in a barren, post-apocalyptic landscape.
The Nomad, a lone warrior, skilled in swordsmanship, wanders the desolate desert seeking revenge for his mentor’s death. He arrives at Meridian, a small settlement struggling to survive and under threat from Damnil, a ruthless land baron who seeks to control the region’s water supply. Nomad becomes involved in the conflict, defending the settlers against Damnil and his gang. After forming a bond with Kasha, a widow who runs the farm, and her son, Jux, the film culminates in a series of intense action sequences as Nomad battles Damnil and his men to protect the settlement.
Steel Dawn is essentially a post-apocalyptic Western, drawing parallels to classic Westerns with its themes of good versus evil, the struggle for survival, and a lone hero defending the innocent.
Survivor (1987)
The premise is about an astronaut returning to Earth after a space mission to find that a nuclear war has devastated the planet. He embarks on a journey across the wasteland in search of survivors and a rumoured underground city. Known as “The Survivor,” he encounters various dangers and challenges as he traverses the desolate landscape.
He faces mutated creatures, hostile factions, and the harsh realities of a post-nuclear world. Along the way, he encounters a woman who may hold the key to finding the underground city. it is a classic example of the post-apocalyptic genre, exploring themes of survival, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of devastation.
Waterworld (1995)
A visually stunning ripoff and reinvention of the ‘Mad Max’ films, where instead of a desert backdrop we have a flooded Earth due to polar ice caps melting. The story follows “The Mariner,” a lone drifter who has adapted to the watery environment by developing gills and webbed feet. He encounters a woman and her young ward, Enola, who are fleeing from a ruthless pirate gang known as “The Smokers.”
The Smokers believe Enola possesses a tattoo that reveals the location of the mythical “Dryland,” the last remaining piece of land on Earth. The Mariner reluctantly agrees to help them escape, leading to a series of thrilling sea chases and encounters with other survivors in this unique and visually stunning post-apocalyptic world.
The Book of Eli (2010)
Set 30 years after a nuclear war has ravaged the Earth, this movie follows Eli, a lone warrior who travels across the desolate American landscape. Eli carries a sacred book that holds the secrets to humanity’s salvation, making him a target for those who seek to control its power.
Eli encounters Carnegie, a ruthless warlord who believes the book contains valuable information that can be used to manipulate and control people. A fierce battle ensues as Eli fights to protect the book and ensure its safe delivery to its intended destination.
The film explores themes of faith, hope, and the enduring power of knowledge in a world ravaged by destruction.
Humanity’s Dark Side
These literary and cinematic works challenge us to contemplate the fragility of our civilization and the resilience of the human spirit. They also bring out the worst in humanity, showcasing greed, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to for survival or power. These stories serve as a mirror to our anxieties about the future and as cautionary tales, urging us to consider the consequences of our actions. Ultimately, post-apocalyptic stories are not just about the end of the world but about the enduring hope for a better tomorrow.
The post-apocalyptic genre has come a long way since the first films in the 1920s. Today, the genre has diversified into new storytelling models, including romantic comedies, action, horror, and thriller movies. As humanity becomes more aware of the threats to our existence, post-apocalyptic movies will certainly continue to reflect our collective fears and concerns.
