My Top 10 Favorite “End Of The World” Movies

With my favorite movie of 2009 coming out on DVD this week (The Road), I thought I’d celebrate by listing my favorite films in my favorite genre…the apocalypse. There is a long line of films that have explored the idea of the end of days, but only a few actually pull it off. “The Road” is one of the grittiest of the bunch and should look great on DVD! Here’s my Top 10 Favorite “End Of The World” movies…

1. 28 Days Later (2002)
Quite possibly one of the most under-rated films of all-time? I think because it came across as a typical “zombie” movie, this remarkable film directed by Danny Boyle didn’t get the audience it deserved. Then Boyle won an Oscar for “Slumdog Millionaire” in what was an obvious make-good by the Academy for THIS movie (just kidding. “Slumdog” WAS a pretty good flick). Cillian Murphy is awesome as the confused Jim, who wakes from a coma to find everyone (or almost everyone) gone or dead. Scary premise that turns into a morality tale at the end.

2. The Road (2009)
This adaptation of a novel by Cormac McCarthy is true to it’s roots. Although a few things are added (Charlize Theron’s role was enhanced to give her some deserved screen time), the overall bleakness of the film and the amazing job by Viggo Mortenson make this a must see for ANY film buff.

3. Night of the Comet (1984)
My camp classic of this genre! Zombies + cheesy soundtrack + chicks in cheerleading outfits = 80’s goodness!  Who said the apocalypse had to be boring?

4. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Although more of a horror film, it still touches on the premise that the end of the world could be near! It paved the way for so many other films in this genre that it HAS to be included!

5. Dawn Of The Dead (2004)
A remake that I feel is better than the original. Set mostly in a local mall, the only living people left in a small town are forced to take a look at themselves and decide what they should do to conserve their species…and not get eaten in the process. Lots of great scares in this one!

6. The Last Man On Earth (1964)
Vincent Price carries this film as the lone scientist left to face a world filled only with vampires. Based on the novel “I Am Legend” by Richard Matheson, this movie is 100 times better than Will Smith’s version done a few years ago.

7. Children Of Men (2006)
What if women couldn’t conceive? What would happen? Interesting premise and Clive Owen in his most memorable role.

8. Last Night (1998)
What would you do if you KNEW that the end of the world was near? This little film explores that concept and does so with remarkable accuracy. A film that never really delves into the end of the world, but just focuses on human nature.

9. Independence Day (1996)
Will Smith and his buddies (including Harry Connick Jr in a great role as his best friend) take on the nasty aliens who are set to take over the world. And who doesn’t remember the vision of the White House getting blown to smithereens by the alien laser? One of the greatest teasers of all time!

10. War Of The Worlds (2005)
It’s a crying shame that the ending of this movie sucked so much because otherwise I was completely entertained. Spielberg does a great job of setting it all up and the scene where the aliens rise out of the ground might be one of the coolest moments in ANY of his movies. But the ending DOES suck…big time.

Some other flicks you might enjoy that I really liked that involve…THE END OF  THE WORLD!!!!
The Quiet Earth (1985)
Dawn Of The Dead (1978)
Resident Evil (2002)
28 Weeks Later (2007)
2012 (2010)
Mad Max (1979)
Zombieland (2009)
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Deep Impact (1998)
Pontypool (2009)
9 (2009)
Wall-E (2008)
Shaun Of The Dead (2004)
Ever Since the World Ended (2001)