On May 23, 2024, the long-awaited post-apocalyptic action film Furiosa: Mad Max. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, a prequel to the 2015 film Mad Max: Fury Road. This film tells the story of the strong-willed warrior Furiosa, one of the most interesting action movie characters.

If you’re in the mood for more apocalypse, and you’ve seen the old Mad Maxes many times, we’re offering a small selection of films whose devastated universes have at least as many problems as our tumultuous present. This time, we focused on films set in the aftermath of a nuclear or environmental disaster.

A Boy and His Dog (1975)

In the year 2024, we may be at the beginning of the Third World War, but in the realities of the movie A Boy and His Dog, the Fourth World War began and ended very quickly in the same year 2024. As the title suggests, a guy named Vic and his dog Blood are traveling through the ruins of the world. They are not just master and animal, they are partners and help each other in everything. Blood warns Vic about danger and looks for girls for him, while the boy feeds and protects his furry friend. It is easier for them to do this than usual for representatives of two different species because they have a telepathic connection. Throughout the movie, you will hear a lot of sarcastic and harsh dialogues between these two.

The world around them is extremely cruel. Killing for survival is the norm. There is a burned wasteland, gangs of marauders, mutants and underground cities with survivors whose technological development corresponds to the 50s of the XX century… Doesn’t it remind you of anything? Yes, this movie is one of the sources that inspired the creators of Fallout. The movie itself is based on the novel of the same name by Harlan Ellison. However, the famous science fiction writer was extremely dissatisfied with the result and spoke very harshly about the film, although he himself took part in writing the script for it. By the way, the main human role here was played by a very young Don Johnson (Miami Vice, Nash Bridges).

The Day After (1983)

More realistic than most of the films in this selection, it is a frightening film. The Day After begins in the United States during the escalating conflict between NATO and the USSR. Alarming signals from TVs and newspapers indicate that a catastrophe will soon occur. You can feel it in the air. However, people live their lives. Here, farmers are preparing for the wedding of their eldest daughter, and there is a student going home for the holidays. There are several main characters here, and we are shown the main events through the prism of their perception.

Then what happens is that the USSR launches nuclear missiles. And this event is shown in a dramatic and realistic way. However, there are films that are even more frightening in this context, such as the Japanese animated film Barefoot Gene about the bombing of Hiroshima.

“The Next Day reveals very well how human psychology works in emergency situations and warns of what can happen. By the way, an interesting fact: 4 years after the premiere, during the times of glasnost and perestroika, the film was broadcast on Soviet television.

The Book of Eli (2010)

This film is better known to contemporary audiences than the others mentioned above. However, more than 14 years have passed since its premiere. So we decided to remind you about The Book of Eli and include it in the thematic collection.

We are looking at another world after a nuclear war. The land has been turned into a scorched desert, and the past is only a reminder of itself in isolated ruins. Thirty years after the disaster, the stern and unspoken Eli is on his way to the West Coast of the United States. The post-apocalyptic society is cruel and uneducated. This is not surprising: everything is for the sake of survival, because resources, especially water, are very scarce. Few people here know how to read, but there is a mysterious book that gives power over the world. Eli tries to take it to a place where it cannot be reached by scoundrels and villains. And, as you know, there are a lot of them in this world, the majority, I might say.

The movie is hardly a drama. First of all, it is an action movie, but it is filled with religious thoughts and hints. Some people may find it annoying, while others, on the contrary, will be happy with this mix. The film was based on a not very well-known comic book, but the cast is stellar. Eli is played by Oscar-winning Denzel Washington, the antagonist is played by no less Oscar-winning Gary Oldman, and there is also an almost Ukrainian Mila Kunis.

Hokuto no Ken (1983-88)

In the 1990s, nuclear war devastated the Earth. The oceans dried up, the soil was depleted, and almost all living things died out. But humanity miraculously survived. The times of fear have come, where cruelty is the main rule. Biker raider gangs with tattooed “zetas” on their foreheads rob civilians. Southern Cross soldiers are trying to turn everyone into slaves and establish their own order.

The last free martial arts school, the North Star, and its hope is the muscular and straightforward Kenshiro, a mystical martial arts master. He is the last refuge of honor and justice in this cruel world.

In short, everything Mad Max fans love, but in an anime style and with more pathos. Deserts, bikers, epic heroes, lots of battles. If you like anime in general, Hokuto no Ken can keep you busy for a long time: more than 109 episodes of the cartoon have been released. There is also the original source material – the manga, a 1995 American movie (with a very low rating, and for good reason, to be honest), an updated anime series, and many different games on old consoles. And there is also a rather interesting game on PlayStation 4 and 5 Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise.

You might like the game if you’re into this universe and the Yakuza games. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise has the same developers and principles, but the world is more open and there is a greater focus on combat.

When the Wind Blows (1986)

When the Wind Blows is an animated film with very cute artwork, which makes it hard to tell that it’s about serious and very sad things.

The plot revolves around an old British couple, Jim and Hilda, who live in a small rural house. When news of an imminent nuclear strike reaches their peaceful home, Jim and Hilda try to prepare for survival, armed only with government pamphlets and their own invincible naivety. Later, they are shown trying to survive in the post-disaster environment.

This animated series, unlike most other works in the genre, does not focus on dynamic events or fight scenes, but rather raises questions about human vulnerability, domestic tragedy, and the inability of ordinary people to respond adequately to global threats.

Nine (2009)

Another animated film in the selection, this time a full-length one.

In this mysterious world, humanity has disappeared, but its creations – small creatures made of fabric with numbers from 1 to 9 – continue to fight for survival. They embark on a dangerous journey to uncover the secret of their creation and save the world from the dark forces that pursue them.

Nine fascinates with its unique atmosphere and visual style, combining gloomy landscapes of a destroyed world with lively animation. This story, full of mysticism and adventure, reflects the struggle for existence and meaning in a world that seems to be dead. The film is deep and emotional, raising important questions about technology and its impact on human nature and essence.

Turbo Kid (2014)

An upbeat thrash action movie from the obvious fans of Mad Max. The story takes place in 1997 after a global crisis. Now all the survivors are competing for the main resource – drinking water. The protagonist meets a girl somewhere in the wasteland and falls in love with her, but she is kidnapped by people of local authority. This authority has a very valuable device that can squeeze water out of people. So now the boy has to save at least the girl.

This film was made for little money, but with love for the work, so its picture is pleasing, as is the atmosphere of old action movies. However, it should be understood that Turbo Kid, like all trashy action movies, contains a lot of blood, meat and brains.

By the way, some time ago, a metroidvania game of the same name was released based on the movie and received positive reviews from players and critics.

Six-String Samurai (1997)

Six-String Samurai is a movie where post-apocalypse meets rock and roll, and the Westland desert turns into a stage for musical battles. The protagonist is a guitar-wielding samurai who wanders across devastated America in search of Lost Vegas, once known as Las Vegas, where he dreams of becoming the new King: after the death of the great King Elvis, who once ruled there, a variety of musicians from all over devastated America are on their way to the legendary city. And, of course, they do not disdain to use their skills not only in music, but also in the ability to fight for the throne, reducing the number of competitors with both weapons and complex musical chords. The protagonist, Buddy, is not just a contender, but a real superhero with a mega-cult electric guitar and a samurai sword, which he wields as well as the strings of his instrument.

Good old rock ‘n’ roll is mixed with sword fights, and the film’s aesthetics resemble comic books filtered through the prism of psychedelics. This movie is a real find for fans of Fallout New Vegas and rock ‘n’ roll fans.

28 Days Later (2002)

With the release of 28 Days Later by Danny Boyle, the post-apocalyptic genre has gained a new lease on life. The film begins with the awakening of Jim, who finds himself in a comatose London, deserted by people. A virus that causes uncontrollable rage has spread across the country, turning people into aggressive and fast zombies. Jim meets another group of survivalists, and together they try to find a safe place. The atmosphere of post-apocalyptic Britain, hopelessness and fear have become the hallmark of the movie. The movie also has a very cool soundtrack by John Murphy. You probably know the main song of In a House, in a Heartbeat very well.

28 Days Later got a sequel, 28 Weeks Later, which, although it did not repeat the success of its predecessor, found its audience. And now the fans are looking forward to the release of the third film – 28 Years Later.

The Dead Don’t Die (2019)

A comedic arthouse film where zombies come out of their graves as slowly as the plot unfolds on the screen. It must be said that the film did not become the pinnacle of director Jim Jarmusch’s work, but it undoubtedly found its fans.

The inhabitants of a small town are faced with the resurrection of the dead. The police (Bill Murray and Adam Driver) fight the slow-moving zombies as if they were most concerned not with the end of the world but with the poor choice of coffee at the local cafe. “The Dead Don’t Die” is memorable for its unique combination of black humor and philosophical reflections on life, death, and all sorts of everyday inconveniences of the post-apocalyptic world.

The Road (2009)

The Road is based on the cult novel by Cormac McCarthy. In the story, an unknown cataclysm destroys civilization, leaving only ruins. The survivors face global famine and cannibalism, as there is not enough food for everyone. In this gloomy setting, the main characters, a father and son, travel to the ocean, hoping to find salvation there.

This movie is not an action movie. It is a deep drama that shows the post-apocalyptic world in a consistent and thorough manner. It demonstrates how people turn into monsters in the absence of civilization and sustainable morality. “The Road focuses on human emotions and relationships in a world where every day is a struggle for survival.

Sunshine (2007)

Another Danny Boyle film in our selection. Only if 28 Days Later was about the consequences of an epidemic, then in Hell, our sun is the one that stands in the way of civilization.

The sun is gradually fading, and the Earth is on the verge of eternal winter. A group of astronauts embarks on a mission on the Icarus II spacecraft to reignite the Sun with a powerful nuclear bomb. On the way to their goal, the crew faces technical problems, internal conflicts, and threats from the first failed mission, Icarus I. This movie is a heroic story about heroic people, filmed with great attention to detail.

Children of Men (2006)

Alfonso Cuarón’s post-apocalyptic parable immerses the viewer in a world devastated by mass infertility. Humanity faces the prospect of its own extinction as new generations have stopped being born. The UK, turned into a paramilitary camp, becomes an arena of mass unrest and anarchy.

The protagonist, Theo, finds himself embroiled in a dangerous mission to rescue a mysterious refugee who holds a secret that could save humanity. Their journey through the ruins and chaos of the modern world reveals not only the horrors of reality, but also the hope for the future. The film radiates a deep philosophical subtext, making us think about the meaning of life and the possibility of revival in times of crisis.

Not “Mad Max” only: famous and not so famous post-apocalyptic films