End of the World Movies \ Ten Best

Ten Best End of the World Movies of all Time

tv_end_logo_blue Here is a list of what I, The Editor and CEO, believe to be the TEN BEST 'End of the World' Movies made to date, at the time of this writing, which is September 2011. The criteria by which I determined which movies to place on the list is as follows:

End of the World content
Believability within the confines of the story or theory it is based on
Scientific probability
Entertainment value and critical rating
Quality of special effects
Interesting storyline and characters
Level of intelligent provocation

View TrailerMetropolis (1927)

In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences. With Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel and Gustav Fröhlich. Directed by Fritz Lang.

Restored version of director Fritz Lang's expressionistic silent classic created in 2010.

View TrailerDr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

An insane general starts a process to nuclear holocaust that a war room of politicians and generals frantically try to stop. With Peter Sellers, George C. Scott and Keenan Wynn. Black Comedy directed by Stanley Kubrick.

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Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Nearly 10 years have passed since Sarah Connor was targeted for termination by a cyborg from the future. Now her son, John, the future leader of the resistance, is the target for a newer, more deadly terminator. Directed by James Cameron. With Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong.

View TrailerPlanet of the Apes (1968)

Vintage 'End fo the World' Movie. An astronaut goes by time warp to a future planet ruled by smart apes who keep humans as slaves. With Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter and Maurice Evans. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner based on the 1963 French novel La planète des singes by Pierre Boulle.

View TrailerThe Day After Tomorrow (2004)

What the world would look like if the greenhouse effect and global warming continued at such levels that they resulted in worldwide catastrophe and disaster, including multiple hurricanes, tornadoes, tidal waves, floods and the beginning of the next Ice Age. Directed by Roland Emmerich. With Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emmy Rossum.

View TrailerKnowing (2009)

A teacher opens a time capsule that has been dug up at his son's elementary school and finds some chilling predictions -- some that have already occurred and others that are about to unfold. Directed by Alex Proyas. With Nicolas Cage, Chandler Canterbury, Rose Byrne.

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2012 (2009)

An epic sci-fi thriller following the prophecy stated by the ancient Mayan calendar, which says that the world will come to an end on December 21, 2012 and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors. With John Cusack and Amanda Peet. Directed by Roland Emmerich.

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12 Monkeys (1995)

Somber, postapocalyptic fantasy about a time traveler from 2035 who goes back to 1996 to investigate how a deadly virus will spread around the world. With Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, Madeleine Stowe and Christopher Plummer. Directed by Terry Gilliam inspired by the French short film La Jete (1962).

View TrailerIndependence Day (1996)

Blockbuster about an army of alien spaceships attacking Earth and the heroes who try to pulverize them. Spectacular, Oscar-winning special effects. Will Smith and Bill Pullman play a fighter pilot and the U.S. president, respectively. Roland Emmerich directed.

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The Matrix (1999)

A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against the controllers of it. Lana Wachowski. With Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss. Directed by Andy Wachowski.