Movies about apocalypses and the end of the world (as people know it) are a favorite genre of all horror and sci-fi fans. Sometimes a natural disaster is to blame for what happens, sometimes a pandemic erupts or people do the damage themselves. And other times, aliens enter the scene, and they're not friendly.

RELATED: Best Western Isekai MoviesWhatever the cause is, the end of the world has happened many times in movies, both old and new. Any fan of this genre, therefore, has a lot of options to choose from. Unsurprisingly though, some movies that work with this topic are better than others.

10 Planet Of The Apes (1968)

Planet of the Apes 1968

While Planet of the Apes isn't the end of the world for everyone, it's still the end for human society as we know it. The main hero, an astronaut played by Charlton Heston, travels to a planet populated by highly intelligent apes who control the human population there. However, not everything is at it seems.

The movie is an undeniable classic today, and for a good reason, since it's intelligent and full of surprises. It spawned multiple sequels, including the recent successful trilogy with Andy Serkis playing the leader of the apes, Caesar.

9 Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)

Matthew pointing at the camera and screaming at the end of Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Sometimes the end of the world doesn't have to happen with a bang. Sometimes it happens slowly but that doesn't make it any less frightening. In this movie, aliens invade the Earth and start replacing all humans with their identical copies, who, however, have no emotions.

The worst thing is that the heroes can't escape their fate since once they fall asleep, the invaders will get them. And everybody needs to sleep sooner or later... This movie is a remake of an older story from the 1950s but the 1970s version has both better actors (Donald Sutherland, Leonard Nimoy) as well as a more intense atmosphere.

8 12 Monkeys (1995)

12 Monkeys 1995

Terry Gilliam is no stranger to creating movies about societies in which something is terribly wrong. He brings this to a whole new level in 12 Monkeys. Bruce Willis travels back in time to make sure that his world doesn't get destroyed and to learn what happened. Unfortunately, some things can't be reversed.

The movie's plot is complex and it takes a while to understand what's going on. But once the viewers get the overall picture, they're in for a unique experience with great actors.

7 28 Days Later (2002)

28 Days Later man on bridge

Danny Boyle has directed multiple movies that play with the idea of the end of the world, such as the sci-fi movie Sunshine. However, the zombie story 28 Days Later came before that. Zombie movies are very popular, and in this one, only a group of heroes manages to survive. Their troubles are far from over, though, since humans can sometimes be just as dangerous as zombies, if not more.

RELATED: Best Korean Horror ShowsThe look at mostly abandoned London and brutal scenes are enough to make this movie a must-watch for all fans of zombies. And if somebody wants to go back to the classics, they should also check out George Romero's Night of the Living Dead from 1968.

6 Children Of Men (2006)

Clive Owen In Children of Men

Alfonso Cuarón directed many well-rated movies but Children of Men is one of his best. It takes place in a world where a pandemic caused infertility. When a pregnant woman appears, it's up to the main hero to protect her because it's the only hope for a better world.

The movie proves what many people already know - that in order to win, others sometimes have to lose. It's not only full of action scenes and stars great actors (such as Clive Owen in the leading role), but it can also make the audience think.

5 Contagion (2011)

Contagion isn't easy to watch, especially these days, since its events are similar to the COVID-19 pandemic to a certain degree. In this movie, a strange epidemic erupts and many people start dying. Scientists and doctors are trying to help, of course, but they might not be fast enough.

The movie has a star-studded cast but isn't afraid to kill its heroes which keeps the audience emotionally invested. It's also highly realistic in its portrayal of the epidemic and shows how it could look in real life.

4 The Cabin In The Woods (2012)

The Cabin in the Woods 2011

Unlike other movies that touch on the topic of the end of the world, The Cabin in the Woods only gets to it properly in its final part. That doesn't make it any less impressive. The movie is a clever story that turns the usual horror conventions and rules upside down. The less the audience knows about the story before watching the movie, the better.

RELATED: Best Horror Films With Multiple VillainsJoss Whedon helped pen the script and the movie has a great cast. Throughout the whole movie, the audience and the heroes alike believe that everything will be alright in the end, but this time, it might just be an illusion.

3 Snowpiercer (2013)

Snowpiercer

Based on a graphic novel, Snowpiercer worked with an original idea, so it's no wonder the movie also got a remake in the form of a TV show. However, it would be a mistake to overlook this movie. Its story is captivating and it has excellent performances from actors such as Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, and Jamie Bell.

The movie takes place in a frozen wasteland where the rest of humanity survives in a continuously moving train. The idea alone is enough to intrigue the audience but when combined with the story, the actors, as well as the overall atmosphere, Snowpiercer is an excellent sci-fi flick.

2 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy in the poster for Mad Max Fury Road

The world of this movie is no place for the weak. George Miller returned to his most popular franchise and created a modern, captivating, fast-paced piece. Tom Hardy shines as the titular Mad Max, even though he barely speaks in the movie. Charlize Theron drew a lot of attention to her part of Furiosa.

Other than the characters, the movie offers a view into a wasteland where water is rare and nobody knows if they're going to be alive tomorrow. The older movies in the series are good as well, especially the first one from 1979, but the more recent version is a must-watch for all fans of this genre.

1 A Quiet Place (2018)

Lee hushing his child Marcus in A Quiet Place

John Krasinski is best known for his acting roles but his directorial debut took the world by storm. A Quiet Place shows a world invaded by aliens who hunt and kill everyone who makes a strong sound. The Abbott family tries to survive with a baby on the way but they won't have it easy.

The movie not only works with an interesting premise but it's full of tension from start to finish. And all the actors give excellent performances, including Krasinski himself and his wife Emily Blunt, who also plays his character's onscreen wife.

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