I want to clarify that most of the doomsday movies out there are a bunch of Hollywood BS. The heroes make ridiculous decisions that would get them killed in a true SHTF survival scenario. The writers gloss over the less-entertaining aspects of disasters.
Have you ever seen a doomsday movie where the characters had to crap in a bucket or wade through sewage?
No, because that doesn’t make for good entertainment.
With that said, there is some value to watching prepping movies. Aside from being entertaining, they are a good way to introduce the topic of disaster preparedness to your family or even your friends and neighbors.
Our Picks
- 28 Days Later - 2003
- The Road - 2009
- The War Game / Culloden - 1964
- The Mist - 2008
- The Postman - 1997
- Right At Your Door - 2007
- War of the Worlds - 2005
- The Colony - 2016
- Contagion - 2011
- The Day After Tomorrow - 2004
A bike messenger wakes up from a coma to discover that a virus called “Rage” has spread through London. He finds a group of survivors who band together for survival.
This isn’t your typical zombie virus movie, and it is really well-directed. There are also some good survival tips in it, like collecting rainwater
This might be the best movie for introducing the idea of Bugging Out to your family.
After the apocalypse, a father and his son travel to the sea to find safety.
There are important survival lessons here about how people can become savage in disasters, wilderness survival, and how to carry your gear.
Released in 1965, this doomsday movie is an oldie but really worth watching.
It is filmed in documentary style and shows the events leading up to and after a nuclear attack.
There are a lot of survival themes here, from mental preparedness to mass chaos to bugging out to the country.
Here’s a doomsday movie that doesn’t usually make it to other lists.
This supernatural horror movie written by Stephen King shows what happens when a mist takes over a town and residents have to be holed up in order to survive.
There is a really controversial ending that teaches you the importance of mental preparedness and keeping hope.
If you want to watch a doomsday movie that you can laugh at, then this is it (though I’m admittedly biased because I don’t like Kevin Costner).
In the movie, an apocalyptic event has sent the world back into the Dark Ages (EMP anyone?). Some survivors band together to form communities, and others form militias.
You’ll learn how stupid it is to travel when SHTF and bartering beats money.
In this 2010 movie, a dirty bomb goes off in Los Angeles. A man has to seal up his home – even though his wife isn’t home. When she comes back, they are forced to communicate through the barricade of tape and plastic shopping bags.
There are some obvious criticisms with the survival advice given in the film (which will make for a good discussion about what you should really do) but the mental preparedness message is good.
This movie is great entertainment and you might even be able to squeeze in a few survival lessons too!
When aliens invade the world to harvest human bodies, they use an EMP attack to destroy all electronics. Tom Cruise takes his family to bug out. Since he doesn’t have a plan, he has to figure things out on the way.
The lesson? Have your Bug Out Bag packed and plan for disasters!
This sci-fi horror movie is about a group of people who have to live in underground bunkers to survive the ice age induced by climate change.
The movie features cannibalism and some other survival extremes, which makes it a good movie for asking “how far would you go to survive?”
As far as doomsday movies go, this one is different from your standard “giant comet coming to crash into the earth” or “alien invasion” movie.
It shows how a virus can quickly turn into a mass pandemic and the importance of being able to hunker down and isolate yourself from the contagion.
Of course, the plot focuses on finding a vaccination for it, but it’s still a pretty good movie to watch to start a discussion about pandemic prepping.
Despite how unbelievable the scenario is (it is Hollywood after all), I actually liked this movie.
I particularly like that they included a homeless man in the movie and he is the most prepared for survival with all of the skills he learned on the street. Read Survival Skills Learned from the Homeless here.
Readers Picks
Here are some movie picks from our awesome readers. Leave your recommendation in the comments if you want to be featured.
- Red Dawn - 1984
- The Way Back - 2013
- All Is Lost - 2013
- The Survivalist - 2015
- Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America - 2006
- The Grey - 2011
- How I Live Now - 2013
- Goodbye World - 2013
- It Comes At Night - 2017
- Dante's Peak - 1997
- Mad Max Trilogy
- Bushwick - 2017
- Survivors - 2010
- After Armageddon - 2011
- The Ultimate Warrior - 1975
- Into the Forest
- Defiance - 2009
- Testament - 1983
- E.M.P. 333 Days - 2019
- The Reliant - 2019
- Soylent Green - 1973
From Rabid Reader:
What about “Red Dawn” showing the courage of youth?
From Daniel:
From 2010 based on the real history of Sławomir Rawicz, a Polish war prisoner.
Siberian gulag escapees travel 4,000 miles by foot to freedom in India. A lot of good information there.
From Kenshin:
About being stranded alone in the sea. Not a doomsday movie, but a lot of lessons there.
From Catinthehat:
Released 2015/16 BAFTA nominates offering. Gritty, bleak, and doesn’t pull any punches, very highly recommended by me.
From Reffitt:
The most realistic depiction of a pandemic I’ve ever seen.
It shows everything from the rich and powerful sequestering themselves, families in quarantine zones trying to survive, hospital workers saddled with the terrible choice of helping others or trying to protect themselves from the sickness, the mass graves that will result from so many dying, what may happen to the elderly and insulin-dependent.
From Bobby:
Great adventure and survival film about several guys who get stranded in the wilderness.
From Raptor:
Although in the UK, this is how FEMA will react to US citizens. Although this is justifiable in the same sense if you were asked to manage/feed that many citizens, but with preppers/survivalists they will not want to be treated this way.
From Raptor:
An example of knowing your constitutional rights, and many lessons on what not to do.
From Regularguy:
A fascinating look at how paranoia will set in after shtf. Some great prepper stuff too.
From M:
it really highlights how you should know specific threats to your area (some townspeople actually thought the volcano was extinct!), multiple ways out of dead area, and what you and your equipment are capable of. Plus, it’s just a fun watch as far as disaster movie go.
From welder dave
When Miller wrote the mad max flicks he got it about right as he said in the second one the citys will explode only those mobile enough and ruthless enough will survive.
From Stacy:
Another good one that actually is quite entertaining, but still shows a unique perspective with regards to SHTF, and the mental preparedness required to survive, is “Bushwick”. A convincing portrayal by Dave Bautista as a combat veteran with emotional scars, it's definitely worth the time.
From David:
Great series about survival. You can learn a few ideas here — BBC Survivors
From Nehemiah:
Lots of valuable lessons in this story about the gradual collapse of the electrical grid after a pandemic wipes out a critical number of the skilled people who are needed to keep it going.
From: Jackson Wells
Yeah it’s a good versus evil plot line, but many of the things that are happening around the characters are realistic possibilities.
From: TX Griff
Two sisters learn to survive on their own in their isolated home after a massive, wide-spread power outage that lasts for years. More mind-set techniques than actual prepping steps.
From Patty:
A movie based on true happiness and how difficult it really can be is Defiance with Daniel Craig. It really happened and survival was more than Hollywood.
From Krista G:
Survival of fallout after nukes hit coastline of California.
Families helping each other.
Some to their demise.
Tear jerker.
From Kammy:
Not entertaining at all, but very honest and educational about depicting the natural phases we go through in a disaster and the events we will all face. Fair warning: it’s after-school special type of low-budget film.
From LBG:
The Reliant has so many important points. Even, though a person has practice bugging out and are prepared to do so. Nothing can be more frustrating than people you are with not being prepared mentally. I have no words for what The Reliant means to me. But it’s a movie that will challenge you to think about what you are going to do if the Something Hits The Fan in your lifetime.
From stepgammi:
Very old movie from the ’70’s called ‘Soylent Green’ predicted much of what’s happening in the world today with more probable predictions to happen.
What doomsday movies would you add to the list, and what lessons can you learn from them?
Leave your comments below, and we will add them to the reader recommendations!
Can I be picky? Right At Your Door, the guy is at home having to seal the house while his girlfriend is caught up in the explosions while at work. Good film tho
Omega Man. The ultimate SHTF survival flic.
Threads (1983) Citizens of Sheffield England live their lives oblivious to impending nuclear hostilities – until days before they get nuked. Realistic aftermath, short and long term. The point driven home to me it’s that you’d better prepare to take care of yourself – don’t expect anybody else to be able to help you.
This BBC offering is a classic and a real eye opener of what reality will be after a nuclear strike and an EMP. Great recommendation!
So freaking true!
I am looking for a movie that I saw years ago.
A couple and their two children must leave their home..after several tribulations…they eventually stay at a community and the father dies of an infected cut on his hand from gardening. Thanks.
The movie is listed here, it’s called “After Armageddon”
Thanks. I’ve been trying to remember the name of this movie for weeks
Good spot! Have amended that.
I think I have seen most of these! And enjoyed them. 🙂
Yes – I’ve seen them too many times 🙂
2012 ,San andreas, wwz
Panic in year zero.
Love that movie, I still think it’s one of the best,
I am glad someone mentioned Panic in the Year Zero. It is also my favorite.
YES! One of my favorites. Ray Milland, Frankie Avalon, Jean Hagen. I keep that one on my DVR…
The Day After is a super good movie from 1983. Its about a nuclear event.
What about “Red Dawn” showing the courage of youth?
One of the most enlightening parts of the 1984 version of Red Dawn is how any military, government, invading army can obtain B(ATF)E form 4473 to locate/identify firearms owners. Gun registration without calling that.
The Way Back a 2010 based on the real history of Sławomir Rawicz a Polish war prisioner.
Siberian gulag escapees travel 4,000 miles by foot to freedom in India. A lot of good information there.
Not seen that one – thanks for the heads up
All is Lost. Its about stranded alone in the sea. Not a doomsday movie, but lot of lessom there
The Survivalist
Released 2015/16 BAFTA nominates offering
Gritty , bleak , doesn’t pull any punches, very highly recommended by me
Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America is the most realistic depiction of a pandemic I’ve ever seen. It shows everything from the rich and powerful sequestering themselves, families in quarantine zones trying to survive, hospital workers saddled with the terrible choice of helping others or trying to protect themselves from the sickness, the mass graves that will result from so many dying, what may happen to the elderly and insulin dependent. It’s the most realistic SHTF movie I’ve ever seen.
Definitely one of, if not the best prepper movie ever made…
The Kid in the movie drove me nuts. No way a kid born in that would be that stupid and naive and be so clueless.
THE MOVIE IS “THE ROAD”
“The Grey” with Liam Neeson.
Great adventure and survival film about several guys who get stranded in the wilderness.
I’ve watched all these movies….and they were All excellent….However, I would like to give My Review of one of them so that others (Who agree with me) don’t end up wasting two hours of their life they’ll never be able to get back.
The Survivalist: Ugh!! Oh Wow! BORING……..Made really No sense whatsoever…..slow…..and a HORRIBLE Ending as well. They didn’t explain anything in this movie. The viewer doesn’t know when or where it takes place. The viewer doesn’t know why he (and others) are in the woods surviving.
There were a few things that a prepper would see as he was doing right, but this is definitely NOT the movie to watch to learn about survival.
It was just so horrible on so many different levels.
Ha, ha – thanks for the review John. A lot of people love this one but its good to hear the different opinions of these movies.
Goodbye world,
What about I am Legend? Now that’s survival in a nutshell!
By the Dawn’s Early Light, starring Powers Booth, Rebecca De Mornay, James Earl Jones, and Martin Landau as the President of the USA.
“How I Live Now 2013” – Although in the UK, this is how FEMA will react to US citizens. Although this is justifiable in the same sense if you were asked to manage / feed that many citizens, but with preppers/survivalists they will not want to be treated this way.
“Goodbye World 2013” – An example of knowing your constitutional rights, and many lessons on what not to do.
Deep impact,
How about a good book, anyone read shatter and deep winter they are great and then there is lights out, its excellant.
We cover some survival fiction here – https://www.primalsurvivor.net/best-post-apocalyptic-books/
The Naked and Afraid tv series was highly acclaimed for having some of the most apt scenarios on survival, with only the barest necessities available to the cast.
IT COMES AT NIGHT
A fascinating look at how paranoia will set in after shtf. Some great prepper stuff too.
STAKELAND
Zombified vampires have taken over. Need I say more?
One of the best survival, prepardness movies I ever saw was “Panic in Year Zero”.
Dante’s Peak – it really highlights how you should know specific threats to your area (some townspeople actually thought the volcano was extinct!), multiple ways out of dead area, and what you and your equipment are capable of. Plus, it’s just a fun watch as far as disaster movie go.
World war Z was pretty good. Also Outbreak.
I wish they’d make a movie based on the One Second After books. The first book was the best, in my opinion. It talks about dealing with crime. Two kids were executed by firing squad for stealing morphine. Where to bury all the bodies. Government considering taking prepper’s rations and distributing them. People on life-saving medicine like insulin. It’s a treasure trove of information.
When Miller wrote the mad max flicks he got it about right as he said in the second one the citys will explode only those mobile enough and ruthless enough will survive You can see the part about a city being out of control by looking what Chicago’s south side that’s a lawless free for all area all inner citys will go first and it will not take a enemy attack to do it best to be far away from them to begin with !
A very recent movie is How It Ends, which is a Netflix original. It’s a combination of bug out and get to a (far away) loved one, the daughter and wife of the two main characters.
It avoids any alien, zombie, monster etc causes, and none of the characters even know exactly what happened, which seems a very realistic possibility to me.
There are some very good depictions of how people are likely to start behaving (the good and the bad), and some scenes that I think are accurate and educational. (Example – what to expect at a gas station when everyone is panicking)
There are some good examples of mistakes to be avoided too. Alot of good discussion points for kids.
Plus some pretty good acting from both main characters, portraying “I’ve been expecting this,” and “what the hell do I do?”
Ah, that was the name of the movie we just watched. Just posted a comment on it. What I struggled with on that movie was how quickly society broke down. Would people really be killing each other after 3 days? The thought that power might come back on after day 4 and you are suddenly charged with murder would stop such immediate killings..
I watched some movie recently where something happened on the west coast and the entire grid across the US went down. What I questioned is how quick society broke down in the movie. People were killing others inside 3 days?..
This is the part I struggle with in any plan, if the entire electrical grid goes down, how long before being out in the open is dangerous. Would grocery stores shutdown immediately? How long before someone raids the stores? Whilst getting some last minute supplies would be nice, I am not sure being anywhere near such a place would be healthy.
Blackula…
Another good one that actually is quite entertaining, but still shows a unique perspective with regards to SHTF, and the mental preparedness required to survive, is “Bushwick”. A convincing portrayal by Dave Bautista as a combat veteran with emotional scars, its definitely worth the time.
Here is a great series about survival. You can learn a few ideas here — BBC Survivors
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1258189/?ref_=tt_ov_inf&no_cache=11195
What about The Divide? Drabo. B-}
I just saw “the testament “ on Netflix/ Hulu/ HBO can’t remember which on Apple TV. It was about a mother and her three kids after a nuclear blast. Kevin Costner was in it , one of his first movies. Actually entertaining.
The Day. After 1983
Nuclear disaster on the us. Really opens your eyes to what you might encounter
Two recommendations: 1. A History Channel docudrama, “After Armageddon.” Lots of valuable lessons in this story about the gradual collapse of the electrical grid after a pandemic wipes out a critical number of the skilled people who are needed to keep it going.
2. An old “Twilight Zone” episode, “The Shelter,” about one prepared family who, at the apparent commencement of a nuclear attack, must deal with unprepared neighbors and friends who all want access to their shelter which was built to accommodate only one small household.
How about another oldie? Ultimate Warrior staring Yul Brenner, 1975.
Yeah it’s a good versus evil plot line, but many of the things that are happening around the characters are realistic possibilities.
2015’s “Into the Forest” starring Ellen Page (Juno) and Evan Rachel Wood. Two sisters learn to survive on their own in their isolated home after a massive, wide-spread power outage that lasts for years. Very low-key except for the rape scene… more mind-set techniques than actual prepping steps.
Would it be possible to create a “printer friendly” version of these movie recommendations? 40 sheets of paper is a bit much to leaf through while sitting in front of the TV, ya’ know? 🙂
Thats a great idea – we will get a printable done up. Watch this space.
Not a movie, but was a great, though brief, tv series, Jericho. I liked it a lot.
I loved that show! It was the first to show what might happen if there’s a disaster. My late husband Dana and I were in Baton Rouge, LA when Katrina and Rita hit , it took a week for the government to get there. You know who got there first with help? John Travolta and Oprah, that’s who!
I worked for a Fortune 500 company that had huge chem plants in the area during Katrina. They had boats in the water, pulling people off rooftops before the government knew what to do. It always amazes me that companies have plans and equipment committed to assist before the government is aware of what is going on.
Really liked that series and was disappointed when it was cancelled. It offered a lot to think about.
One of my favorites!
we watch Jericho series once a year
Tomorrow, When The War Began. A down under Red Dawn type of movie!
I loved the Postman and thought it was a great film. After the collapse of society, this is how it restarts. Establishing communications through postal routes through a pony express is a great idea.
One of the best prepper entertainment series is the Walking Dead. Mental, physical, supplies, prepping for more than survival. Its a great series.
Another good movie is How it ends made in 2018
The Trigger Effect 1996 is a good one to see what not to do.
This one was REALLY good about what NOT to do but seemed pretty realistic. Great plot twist at the end.
Red Dawn shows the courage of teens THEN. Today I doubt anything close would happen.
The Grey….supurb
Survivalist….sucked big time.
The Postman…excellent!
didn’t see most of the rest in the list
When I attended U.S. Marine Corps Survival School, in one class we saw and had discussions about the movie “The Edge”. Very good movie dealing with Wilderness Survival.
The stand by Stephen king .it was a made for tv miniseries, it follows survivors after a flu strain kills 90 % of the world.
“Into the Forest”. Modern day survival story that takes place in the Pacific Northwest. Two sisters must fight for survival after an apocalyptic blackout leaves them without gas, water, electricity or cellphones. Rationing food and gas, the sisters learn how procure food and water. Eventually they are confronted with the best and worst of mankind forcing them to make life or death decisions.
The Divide – 2011 didn’t make the cut?
The orginal post apocalypse film called “Five” by
Arch Oboler.
Threads 1984, UK Flick about a Nuclear Event covering pre panic, Attack immediate and mid to long term survival Of Ruth a pregnant 20 something Lass from Sheffield,
Shot in Documentary style similar to The War Game.
Probably boosted UK CND membership up several 1000% after it’s Airing
if you can find it, BBC;s, QED How to survive the Apocalypse whilst not a film is one to watch, I believe the Episode is on Youtube
The BBC movie “Threads”(1983) is one of the best fictional depictions of the aftermath of a nuclear strike I have ever seen. If you have not seen it, I strongly encourage you to do so. Also, the miniseries “Jericho” is also excellent. Many great ideas of what could actually occur.
The Divide – 2011 didn’t make the cut?
Has anyone made a movie of Lucifer’s Hammer? It is an exciting and realistic survival story that should be made into a movie if it hasn’t been already.
It looks like there is a movie!
This book scared me $hitless. It is responsible for me beginning to prep.
I bought Lucifer’s Hammer in hardcover when it was first published, and it too scared the snot outta me! I stayed up the entire night after I arrived at my destination reading and was just a tich curt the next day when I claimed the whole of my lunch hour sans clients so I could read more.
And yes, this is the book that got me on the road of prepping. When I got home, I handed it to my Dad and told him we needed to get our scat together sooner rather than later. He read it and agreed.
One of the best parts was what various individuals did to ensure, or at least increase, their survival chances that were scattered throughout the book. Fascinating! The nearly blind, overweight, diabetic scientist who’d never survive on his own, and what he did to make himself attractive to a Community of Choice, is still ingrained in my brain. 🙂
A movie based on true happiness and how difficult it really can be is Defiance with Daniel Craig. It really happened and survival was more than Hollywood.
Movie: Book of Eli, with Denzel Washington.
Movie: 10 cloverfield lane. John Goodman. Bottle gas mask
Defiance! It’s about a real life experience that everyone will learn from.
Movie: TESTAMENT 1983
Survival of fallout after nukes hit coastline of California.
Families helping eachother.
Some to their demise.
Tear jerker.
EMP 333 Days
Not entertaining at all, but very honest and educational about depicting the natural phases we go through in a disaster and the events we will all face. Fair warning: it’s after-school special type of low-budget film.
The book World War Z was much better than the movie. Why didn’t the Israeli’s have machine gun turrets on top of their wall? The odds on a Zombie outbreak are highly unlikely.
The STAND was about a virus that was created in a biological war lab. It was a great movie. but they made one serious mistake. The lab perimeter gate looked all wrong.
Lovely Brown Gyrl
THE RELIANT (2019) Netflix’s short Description:
When a town suffers an economic collapse, social unrest forces a family to seek refuge in the wilderness as bitter outlaws threaten their survival.
We take a lot for granted here in America and even in life itself. There is nothing that says that today will be the same as yesterday or tomorrow will be any different. We can continue to HOPE for the BEST and do our best to keep a strong mental, positive attitude, and be prepared for the unthinkable and unbelievable! I hope I’m not sounding negative but I’m just being as REAL as I feel everyday LIFE can be.
The Reliant is a movie that shows it like it is. Things that happened to the characters were unthinkable and unbelievable! In this day and age the atmosphere is thick with tension and mistrust! People are hanging on by a thread and living life on the edge. It’s just a matter of time before the added pressure causes someone else to break!
People go through life blaming others for their own mistakes! Never, taking responsibility for what they have done or the harm they have caused! Somehow, it’s never their fault!
The Reliant teaches the importance of preparedness. I know this isn’t going to be what most people want to hear. But many of us are preparing with loved ones or good friends. However, we really don’t believe anything will ever happen. When it does, the time it takes to get a person to listen and understand the individual that is bringing the warning that something very bad is happening we need to leave now! It will likely be at the front door and then it’s to late!
The Reliant has so many important points. Even, though a person has practice bugging out and are prepared to do so. Nothing can be more frustrating than people you are with not being prepared mentally. I have no words for what The Reliant means to me. But it’s a movie that will challenge you to think about what you are going to do if the Something Hits The Fan in your lifetime. You should come away with a clear idea of what to do if this happens. I don’t want to give away the movie but please take time and watch it!
Take Shelter is a really good movie too
Yes!
The Revenant. True story about Hugh Glass who in 1830s survived a grizzly bear attack, crawled back to civilization, then tracked dow
those who abandoned him.
Hey… Book of Eli?!
very old movie from the ’70’s called ‘Soylent Green’ predicted much of what’s happening in the world today with more probable predictions to happen.
Hi Folks. I saw what I would call a “docudrama” about a family that waited too long to leave the city after grid down. It was a father that was a nurse and his wife and son. It showed all the stupid mistakes they made along the way like he tries to trade his fancy watch for water and they gang just takes his watch and runs him off with a gun. They also get stuck on the desert and someone punches their gas tank for the fuel.
Any remember the name of it?
Radioflash 2019. Now Streaming on Prime
Movie reminds us that you can do all the prepping you want, but don’t forget about traveling to your prepper paradise. Unless you live there 24/7/365, you gotta get there. We all need itinerary A, B, C, and probably D and mode of transportation A, B, C, and D. As well as personal defense A, B, C, and D to take along the way. While the movie does not really cover these options, it sure makes you think about them. Got to slacking on my prepping. This one woke me up.
Good book from the 40 s. Earth abides
Dated to sure in many ways but very good. This is the granddaddy of prepper books what happens to world society and human kind after most everyone dies. Lots of practical issues it does and doesn’t answer but still entertaining and thoughtful.