Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi backdrop

Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi movies

After collapse: scarcity, rebuilt rules, hostile environments, and survival in the ruins of society.

The Survivalist

1. The Survivalist

Drama Science Fiction Thriller Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Survival Thriller
6.4
20151h 44min

Overview

In a time of starvation, a survivalist lives off a small plot of land hidden deep in forest. When two women seeking food and shelter discover his farm, he finds his existence threatened.

Themes

Trust and betrayal, Isolation vs community, Coercive bargaining, Forest shelter, Pregnancy under scarcity, Survival ethics under scarcity

Available on

Kanopy
Fandango At Home
Philo
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

These Final Hours

2. These Final Hours

Science Fiction Drama Thriller Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Psychological Drama
6.6
20141h 27min

Overview

What would you do on the last day on Earth? With the end of the world only hours away, the self-absorbed James heads to the ultimate party-to-end-all-parties. On his way there, he saves the life of a young girl named Rose who is searching desperately for her missing father. This simple act sets James on a path to redemption.

Themes

Group dynamics under stress, Survival under apocalypse, Crisis-driven decisions, Search for connection amid chaos, Moral ambiguity in emergencies, Illusion of safety

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

3. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Science Fiction Action Drama Thriller Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi
7.6
20142h 10min

Overview

A group of scientists in San Francisco struggle to stay alive in the aftermath of a plague that is wiping out humanity, while Caesar tries to maintain dominance over his community of intelligent apes.

Themes

Loyalty under threat, Intergroup conflict, Leadership under pressure, Trust and betrayal, Survival under collapse, Alliance and deception

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Bounty Killer

4. Bounty Killer

Action Science Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Epic Action
5.5
20131h 33min

Overview

It’s been 20 years since the corporations took over the world’s governments. Their thirst for power and profits led to the Corporate Wars, a fierce global battle that laid waste to society as we know it. Born from the ash, the Council of Nine rose as a new law and order for this dark age. To avenge the corporations’ reckless destruction, the Council issues death warrants for all white collar criminals. Their hunters—the bounty killer. From amateur savage to graceful assassin, the bounty killers now compete for body count, fame and a fat stack of cash. They’re ending the plague of corporate greed and providing the survivors of the apocalypse with retribution. These are the new heroes. This is the age of the BOUNTY KILLER.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Duty under coercion, Corporations as oppressors, Death warrants leverage, Post-apocalyptic future tension, Desert town resilience

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Apple TV
Amazon Prime Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Overview

Betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, Riddick fights for survival against alien predators and becomes more powerful and dangerous than ever before. Soon bounty hunters from throughout the galaxy descend on Riddick only to find themselves pawns in his greater scheme for revenge. With his enemies right where he wants them, Riddick unleashes a vicious attack of vengeance before returning to his home planet of Furya to save it from destruction.

Themes

Betrayal fuels revenge, Ambushes drive momentum, Pursuit creates leverage, Survival through adaptation, Hostile environment tests resilience

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Peacock Premium
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

World War Z

6. World War Z

Action Horror Science Fiction Thriller Zombie Horror
7.0
20131h 56min

Overview

Life for former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane and his family seems content. Suddenly, the world is plagued by a mysterious infection turning whole human populations into rampaging mindless zombies. After barely escaping the chaos, Lane is persuaded to go on a mission to investigate this disease. What follows is a perilous trek around the world where Lane must brave horrific dangers and long odds to find answers before human civilization falls.

Themes

Public health urgency, Fragile international cooperation, Mass movement and sheltering, Fear and resilience under threat, Ethical containment tensions, Multi-perspective investigation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Oblivion

7. Oblivion

Action Science Fiction Adventure Mystery Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi
7.0
20132h 4min

Overview

Jack Harper is one of the last few drone repairmen stationed on Earth. Part of a massive operation to extract vital resources after decades of war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs, Jack’s mission is nearly complete. His existence is brought crashing down when he rescues a beautiful stranger from a downed spacecraft. Her arrival triggers a chain of events that forces him to question everything he knows and puts the fate of humanity in his hands.

Themes

Isolation and belonging, Survival under surveillance, Memory erasure ethics, Human vs machine, Identity and autonomy, Postwar resource extraction

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Overview

A mysterious epidemic spreads across the planet. Humanity develops an irrational fear of open spaces that causes instant death. Soon, the world population is trapped inside buildings. As Barcelona descends into chaos, Marc sets off on a quest to find Julia, his missing girlfriend, without ever going outside.

Themes

Panic attack dynamics, Subway survival dynamics, Agoraphobia constraint, Pregnant life under crisis, Bear attack risk, Seeds scarcity

Available on

Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Death Race: Inferno

9. Death Race: Inferno

Action Science Fiction Thriller Vehicle-Driven Action Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi
5.4
20131h 44min

Overview

Carl Lucas / Frankenstein has won four of his races and needs to win one more to win his freedom. Before his final race, Lucas and his team, car and all, are transferred to another prison where they will compete in a Death Race in the desert. Also, at the same time, Ceaser runs into a marketer who wants to franchise the Death Race program.

Themes

Spectacle as control, Deception and disguise, Betrayal and manipulation, Survival within competition, Franchise driven exploitation, Power and obedience

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo

10. Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo

Animation Science Fiction Action Drama Anime
6.9
20121h 36min

Overview

Fourteen years after Third Impact, Shinji Ikari awakens to a world he does not remember. He hasn't aged. Much of Earth is laid in ruins, NERV has been dismantled, and people who he once protected have turned against him. Befriending the enigmatic Kaworu Nagisa, Shinji continues the fight against the angels and realizes the fighting is far from over, even when it could be against his former allies. The characters' struggles continue amidst the battles against the angels and each other, spiraling down to what could inevitably be the end of the world.

Themes

Identity under pressure, Father son conflict, Duty under collapse, Post apocalyptic resilience, Gay subtext, Deception about origins

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.