Top 10 Doomsday Movies

Well, looks like we survived yet another “would be” apocalypse marking the end of the Ancient Mayan Calender on December 21, 2012, which rumored to mark the end of the world. We’re all still here, so we can be happy about that, and on that note, we can mark off the top ten doomsday movies for you to enjoy while we appreciate just another day. After all, who doesn’t enjoy the epicness of another end of the world flick? So here is the top 10 doomsday/apocalypse movies in my opinion.

10.) 28 Days Later (2002)

Let’s kick the list off with (you bet!) a zombie film. 28 Days Later focuses on the release of a highly contagious virus into society, essentially turning everybody into zombies, and following four survivors that have to cope with this new life without civilization, while all the while trying to stay alive. Known as one of the better zombie movies of all time, I’m not even entirely that big of a fan, but a movie like this deserves a spot on the list.

9.) Zombieland (2009)

Yes sir, another zombie film. This one is a comedy however, and starring Woody Harrelson and some well known co-stars, it’s a very funny movie. I enjoyed this movie a lot. It focuses on four survivors of the zombie apocalypse taking a road trip to find zombie free areas with some pit-stops along the way, it’s a unique movie, and fun! It shows a lighter side to the whole end of the world thing.

8.) 2012 (2009)

Quite suitable, just what everybody was nervous about simply two days ago, this movie is another disaster movie that shows the worst of the worst of what could have happened this week. Regardless, this was one of the larger movies in the box office, and pretty anticipated. The film follows John Cusack and the impending climate change that occurs in 2012 and flips planet Earth upside down essentially, leading to global climate change phenomena, and threatening human life as we know it. I enjoyed the movie; it’s the apocalypse respondent from the human element, on a grand scale.

7.) The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

The Day After Tomorrow takes the end of the world theme, similar to 2012, in relation to climate change. Featuring Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhaal, the movie depicts catastrophic global cooling events that lead to the worlds next ice age. It’s a very good movie, and an interesting watch. It can make you think about our impact of the environment, and keep you entertained at the same time.

6.) Doomsday (2008)

Definitely not one of the more popular disaster films, didn’t get great reviews, and doesn’t necessarily fit within the category, but I really enjoy this movie. This British film focuses on a futuristic London society, where a deadly virus has broke out and quarantined. The government then sends a team in to search for a cure, but find more than they can bargain for. I think the movie is unique, an entertaining view, and even showcases some good action which movies like these lack. I believe it’s worth a view, and is even a bit underrated.

5.) I Am Legend (2007)

This one features Will Smith as a scientist in a post-apocalyptic New York City where a man-made virus made to cure cancer goes awry. He is immune to the virus, and is searching for a cure to the virus while defending himself from the mutants that now run the city at night. The film features an excellent storyline that will suck you in.

4.) Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

I love this movie. Definitely one of my favorite movies, it’s another comedic view on the zombie apocalypse. Shaun Of The Dead features Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as two friends that have to deal with personal issues in their lives such as ex girlfriends and family hijinks, while also having to deal with that zombie outbreak going on. It’s a very funny film and I highly recommend it.

3.) Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

As a remake of George A. Romero’s original 1978 Dawn Of The Dead, I personally prefer the 2004 re-make better. The film is based around that same zombie apocalypse, focusing on a group of human survivors seeking shelter at a mall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I enjoy this movie, because it’s a great classic zombie flick, but I also enjoy the remake more simply because it’s more modern and relatable. Not that a zombie apocalypse is relatable by any means, I enjoy this one better regardless.

2.) Armageddon (1998)

Armageddon is another view to the end of the world movie, by following Bruce Willis and other familiar faces as a group of blue collar, deep-core drillers sent to space by NASA to stop a large asteroid on a collision course with Earth. It’s a great movie, did great at the box office, and certainly deserves the number two spot on this list.

1.) Independence Day (1996)

Independence Day has to take the cake. Another Will Smith end of the world movie in a role that he plays so well, Independence Day has managed to find success as one of the best movies out there. If you haven’t seen it, it focuses on an alien invasion of Earth, and follows many different lives to show mankind’s efforts to stay alive and defeat these aliens that have threatened their planet. It’s simply a great movie, and anybody that hasn’t seen it really has to.

Honorable mention for the future: This Is the End (2013)

I recently saw the trailer for this film, set to release in 2013, featuring seemingly all of the funniest actors that are available today, and throwing them into one film about the end of the world. The actors are portraying themselves in an apocalypse setting, and it looks like one of the funniest movies I’ll ever see. I can’t wait for it to come out, but it already deserves an honorable mention on this list. Parents beware, the trailer is very explicit.

So I’m happy to live another day, and I’m glad the December 21, 2012 turned out to be just another day. However, it’s times like these that you get to appreciate some of the big end-of-the world films out there, and agree with my list or not, movies like this are hard not to love.