The Walking Dead, one of the biggest post-apocalyptic dramas of all time is finally heading towards its finale, although not without a spin-off series starring Darryl already promised.
Apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic themes have been popular since the dawn of film, and the 2010s saw more of such movies than any other time period, including two surprise Tom Cruise features, and perhaps one of the best movies of the decade.
Bird Box (2018) 6.6/10
Starring Sandra Bullock, Bird Box is the non-linear story of a woman attempting to get two children to safety after the world is attacked by monsters that cause anyone who sees them to die by suicide.
While the film's main legacy may be the memes that it inspired, Bird Box has a lot to offer. The jumps forward and backward in time do a great job of pumping up the tension, and the acting draws you in. A surprise is the very solid ing acting of rapper Machine Gun Kelly, who brings an unexpected level of heart to his role.
The Book of Eli (2010) 6.8/10
A star-studded cast of Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, and Mila Kunis leads the action-packed story of Eli, (Washington), who has been told to get a mysterious book to the West coast.
Slick, flashy fighting sequences make up for a somewhat lackluster script and some strange shot compositions. But Oldman is clearly having a blast in his villainous role, which really lifts the movie in more ways than one. Two twists in the last quarter of the movie can indicate the film's inability to hold viewers' attention. But in The Book of Eli the twists are not only shocking but improve the movie overall.
World War Z (2013) 7/10
Based on a 2006 novel by Max Brooks, Brad Pitt and other scientists rush to find the cause of a devastating zombie outbreak.
The stunning visual of hordes of zombies forming an undead ladder to climb over a huge wall is one of the most memorable images from World War Z, but strong effects throughout help ground the movie for viewers. Fun, energetic chase scenes and well-edited fights help create the fast-paced atmosphere. The unexpected horror elements are not only strongly executed, but add an extra layer of tension.
Oblivion (2013) 7/10
After humanity has lost a war with aliens and retreated to the moon Titan, Tom Cruise is sent back to Earth to repair the drones that continue the fight, but things are not what they seem.
original 1984 neo-noir Blade Runner movie to the sweeping visuals that helped make 2001: A Space Odyssey a standout among not only science fiction but movies in general. A strong performance from Cruise and a twist that is hinted at just enough lift Oblivion to the next level.
Snowpiercer (2013) 7.1/10
An ensemble cast of Chris Evans, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris, and Octavia Spencer leads Snowpiercer, the story of a lower-class revolt on a train that travels the world after a disaster created another ice age.
Along with strong, heartfelt performances from the entire cast, and Tilda Swinton in particular, director Bong Joon-ho uses the lighting and the shifting floors of the train to add to the vibe of uneasiness. Despite being a bit repetitive at times Snowpiercer's fight scenes 100% deliver, and the film's larger themes of inequality and wealth are handled deftly.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) 7.4/10
The final movie in thePlanet of the Apes reboot trilogy, War of the Planet of the Apes follows Caesar and a violent group of humans as society crumbles around them.
Andy Serkis's performance as the chimpanzee Caesar was always destined to make or break this movie. And Serkis is nothing short of spellbinding. As well as the physicality that he is known for, he delivers his lines with a gravitas that could be fit for the stage. Along with great CGI throughout, the references to the original movies help tie in the entire saga.
A Quiet Place (2018) 7.5/10
Director and star John Krasinski faces down terrifying aliens that while blind, are hypersensitive to sound and have nearly wiped out all of humanity.
While more of a horror movie than a true apocalypse film, A Quiet Place uses some of the motifs of a post-apocalyptic world to add to the horror. The ransacked stores, with the food that makes a lot of noise conspicuously still on the shelves, create a disturbing vibe. A Quiet Place was rightfully lauded for not only using American Sign Language (ASL) but having deaf actors and consultants on set to make sure it was done realistically.
Train to Busan (2016) 7.6/10
A father and his young daughter attempt to reach the city of Busan as zombies slowly overtake their train in this Korean horror film.
Along with somewhat subtle class struggle commentary, Train to Busan also is a tear-jerker but manages to keep its zombie horror edge with more than a little body horror.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014) 7.9/10
A mysterious alien force has conquered continental Europe and looks poised to take over the planet. But William Cage (Tom Cruise) is infected with the aliens blood, giving him the ability to go back in time every time he dies.
One thing that makes the movie pop is the amount of fun Cruise is clearly having. Edge of Tomorrow has some comedy elements along with its exciting action sequences, and Cruise's charm helps marry those two aspects perfectly. Time travel can be tricky, often over or under-explained, and it can leave viewers confused about the plot. Edge of Tomorrow threads that needle perfectly, offering a strong explanation for Cage's time loops without giving too many details.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) 8.1/10
George Miller returned to the Mad Max franchise with this reboot, as Max (Tom Hardy) and Furiosa (Charlize Theron, in her best action role) attempt to escape from the evil despot Immortan Joe.
From the flamethrower guitar player to the aerial shots of the car chases, to the aesthetic of the War Boys, Mad Max: Fury Road wowed viewers and critics alike with its breathtaking visuals. Along with Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Cinematography, Mad Max: Fury Road took home Academy Awards for Editing, Visual Effects, and Production Design, among others. The film's heartfelt, grounded story is unusual for the Mad Max series and further explains why some consider Fury Road one of the best movies of the decade.
