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Track best, post-apocalyptic, and movies as the shoot moves so small overages show up before they turn into end-of-week surprises.
We're ranking these films based on their overall contribution to the post-apocalyptic canon. The degree to which the end-of-the-world scenario actively shapes the plot matters, as does the individual strength of the storytelling, filmmaking, and apocalyptic world-building.
It helps to distinguish post-apocalyptic films from dystopian ones, as the two are sometimes grouped together. A dystopian movie presents an undesirable society that, while terrible, still functions to some degree. Post-apocalyptic films, by contrast, feature little semblance of a functioning society.
With that distinction in place, here is a focused look at the movies that define the genre, from sound-driven horror to memory-loss epidemics and frozen wastelands.
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A Quiet Place and 10 Cloverfield Lane
A Quiet Place stands out through its unique creature mechanics and strict world rules. It remains the only apocalyptic movie where all danger is driven by sound, a compelling hook executed exceptionally well on a technical level, even if the narrative side invites some debate.
There are notable plot holes, and much of the conflict feels resolvable if the protagonists had been slightly more cautious. The PG-13 rating also leaves the film feeling sanitized and somewhat toothless, issues the sequel may attempt to address.
10 Cloverfield Lane offers a different experience, serving as the only post-apocalyptic entry on this list where you question throughout the first watch whether the setting is actually post-apocalyptic at all.
Embers
Embers is a smaller post-apocalyptic film that toured the festival circuit without a full theatrical release, yet it separates itself from bigger productions with a dynamite premise and a wholly unique cause of the apocalypse.
In Embers, the end comes via a neurological epidemic that causes frequent, total memory loss. The concept is essentially asking what would happen if everyone in the world tried to live life the way Guy Pierce's character does in Memento, simultaneously.
Unfortunately, the film doesn't always fully live up to its incredible setup. The vignette structure means some sections are far less engrossing than others, but the unique premise makes it still worth a watch.
This is the End and The Book of Eli
If you prefer comedy in your post-apocalyptic films, This is the End fits the bill. It is a little less "post" apocalyptic and more "rapturous," leaning into the apocalypse as it happens rather than its aftermath. The comedy gets great mileage out of the conceit and stays funny throughout.
Edgar Wright's The World's End shares a similar release year and title structure, and it may be the higher-quality film, but the apocalypse appears only in a few quick moments at the very end. Because it does not quite qualify as a post-apocalyptic movie, This is the End takes the spot instead.
The Book of Eli brings a cool-as-hell Denzel Washington and a fun villain performance from Gary Oldman, slightly elevating it above a run-of-the-mill wasteland story. However, the world looks great yet feels somewhat familiar, and the threats the protagonist faces can come across as a palatable, stock-standard version of post-apocalyptic tropes.
Planet of the Apes and The Terminator
We may not get to see too much of the apocalyptic world in The Terminator due to the time-travel storyline, but what we do see of the end-times exteriors is a frozen landscape fully slipped from the clutches of mankind.
When it comes to Planet of the Apes, there are plenty of options. Few consider Tim Burton's 2001 remake one of his best, and the '70s sequels are largely subpar, but the contemporary trilogy with groundbreaking VFX and the original classic are each worthy picks.
We've gone with the 1968 film, whose grand scope, strong acting, plotting, and iconic ending stand the test of time. The Terminator remains an excellent action and sci-fi thriller, where the post-apocalyptic future looms as the threat of what happens if the heroes fail—or what might be inevitable depending on which sequel logic you follow.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between post-apocalyptic and dystopian movies?
Dystopian films showcase an undesirable society that is still functioning to at least a moderate degree, whereas post-apocalyptic films depict a world with little semblance of any functioning society after a catastrophic event.
Why isn't The World's End included as a post-apocalyptic movie?
Although The World's End is a highly regarded film, the apocalypse occurs only in a few quick moments at the very end. This is the End earns the spot because it uses the apocalyptic conceit more extensively throughout the story.
Is A Quiet Place effective as both horror and post-apocalyptic cinema?
A Quiet Place is technically exceptional, with a sound-driven threat that creates a compelling hook. While some viewers find plot holes and a PG-13 sanitization that weakens the stakes, its unique creature rules and world-building make it a standout entry in the genre.
What makes Embers different from other post-apocalyptic films?
Embers focuses on a neurological epidemic that causes total memory loss, creating a world where humanity struggles to function collectively. Its festival-circuit background and vignette structure give it a distinct flavor compared to larger theatrical releases.