19 End of the world movies you just can’t miss

Apocalypse and dystopia have always fascinated filmmakers. Whether depicting a world that has barely survived a catastrophic event or one where people are ignorant of an obvious threat, this genre creates a unique level of excitement. For years, we've seen movies warning us about climate change and humanity's ignorance of it. Some of these movies are serious, while others blend in comic relief. All in all, whether it’s a major earthquake, a deadly virus, or sky-high tidal waves, these movies are a treat to watch on the big screen thanks to their special effects. So, here’s a list of end-of-the-world movies if you're in the mood for some apocalyptic drama.

1. Poseidon

A luxury cruise turns into a nightmare when a massive rogue wave capsizes the Poseidon, leaving passengers scrambling for survival. Among the chaos, we meet Dylan (Josh Lucas), a gambler turned reluctant leader, Robert (Kurt Russell), a heroic former mayor, and Maggie (Jacinda Barrett), a mom protecting her son. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen in 2006, the film sank critically but floated at the box office, earning over $180 million. It also starred Richard Dreyfuss and Emmy Rossum.

2. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Released in 2012 and directed by Lorene Scafaria, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a quirky take on doomsday. With an asteroid hurtling toward Earth, Dodge (Steve Carell), a lonely insurance salesman, teams up with Penny (Keira Knightley), his free-spirited neighbor, to fulfill his last wishes. Along the way, chaos meets comedy. The movie, made on a $10 million budget, charmed some while puzzling others with its bittersweet tone and unique vibe.

3. The Day After Tomorrow

Directed by Roland Emmerich and released in 2004, The Day After Tomorrow is a disaster epic with a chilly twist. The film stars Dennis Quaid as Jack Hall, a climatologist racing against time to save his son, Sam (Jake Gyllenhaal), after a series of extreme weather events plunge the planet into a new ice age. Tornadoes, floods, and frozen cities make for jaw-dropping visuals. With a $125 million budget, the film was a global box office hit despite its frosty reviews.

4. Deep Impact

Released in 1998 and directed by Mimi Leder, Deep Impact delivers an emotional spin on the classic disaster movie. The crisis? A massive comet is on a collision course with Earth, and reporter Jenny Lerner (Téa Leoni) uncovers the story while scientists and astronauts race to save humanity. Featuring Morgan Freeman as the President and Elijah Wood as a teen caught in the chaos, this $75 million film mixed drama with destruction, making waves at the box office.

5. Children of Men

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón and released in 2006, Children of Men is a gripping dystopian drama. Set in 2027, it stars Clive Owen as Theo, a disillusioned former activist who’s thrown into action when humanity faces extinction due to global infertility. The chaos intensifies when Theo must protect a miraculous pregnant woman. With stellar performances from Julianne Moore and Michael Caine, this $76 million film earned critical praise but struggled at the box office despite its breathtaking cinematography and powerful story.

6. Take Shelter

Released in 2011 and directed by Jeff Nichols, Take Shelter is a tense psychological drama. Curtis LaForche (Michael Shannon), a construction worker, starts having disturbing visions of an apocalyptic storm. As his paranoia grows, he builds a shelter, worrying his wife Samantha (Jessica Chastain) and straining their finances. Is he losing his mind or seeing the future? With a modest $5 million budget, the film's powerful performances and haunting atmosphere made it a critical darling, even if not a blockbuster hit.

7. Melancholia

In Melancholia, a rogue planet is on a collision course with Earth, setting the stage for existential drama. Justine (Kirsten Dunst), a deeply depressed bride, and her sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) grapple with their personal and cosmic doom. The film dives into their strained relationship as the end approaches. Directed by Lars von Trier and released in 2011, this visually stunning yet polarizing movie earned critical acclaim. With a $9.4 million budget, it saw modest box office success.

8. 12 Monkeys

Released in 1995 and directed by Terry Gilliam, 12 Monkeys is a trippy sci-fi thriller. In a post-apocalyptic future, James Cole (Bruce Willis), a prisoner, is sent back in time to stop a deadly virus that wiped out most of humanity. Along the way, he meets psychiatrist Dr. Railly (Madeleine Stowe) and the unhinged Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt). With a $29.5 million budget, the film was a box-office success and a cult favorite.

9. The Road

A bleak, post-apocalyptic world sets the stage for The Road, where a father (Viggo Mortensen) and his son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) journey through desolation, dodging ruthless survivors, searching for safety and hope. The father, once an ordinary man, is now solely focused on keeping his son alive. With raw emotion and stark visuals, the film tugs at heartstrings. Directed by John Hillcoat in 2009, it starred Charlize Theron, Viggo Mortensen, and Guy Pearce but, despite critical acclaim, struggled at the box office.

10. Noah

Released in 2014 and directed by Darren Aronofsky, Noah reimagines the biblical tale with epic flair. Noah (Russell Crowe), a devout man tasked by divine vision, prepares for an apocalyptic flood to cleanse the Earth, building an ark to save his family and innocent creatures. The crisis escalates with moral dilemmas and battles over survival. With Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, and Anthony Hopkins, the film had a massive $125 million budget and made waves at the box office.

11. The World’s End

Directed by Edgar Wright and released in 2013, The World’s End brings a group of childhood friends back together for a nostalgic pub crawl, only to discover their hometown has been taken over by robots. Gary King (Simon Pegg) leads the group as they battle the alien invasion while trying to complete the final leg of their drink-filled journey. With Nick Frost, Paddy Considine, and Martin Freeman, the film had a $20 million budget and enjoyed moderate box office success.

12. Contagion

Contagion (2011), directed by Steven Soderbergh, explores the rapid spread of a deadly virus and the global efforts to contain it. As the virus wreaks havoc, Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet), a CDC epidemiologist, works tirelessly to prevent a pandemic. The star-studded cast includes Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jude Law. With a $60 million budget, the film grossed over $135 million at the box office, capturing audiences with its gripping, realistic portrayal of a global health crisis.

13. Annihilation

Annihilation (2018), directed by Alex Garland, is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller. A strange phenomenon called "The Shimmer" is spreading, and biologist Lena (Natalie Portman) joins a team of scientists to investigate its mysterious effects on the environment. As they venture deeper, they encounter bizarre and dangerous transformations. With a $40 million budget, the film starred Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac, earning a strong following despite mixed box office performance.

14. The Core

The Core (2003), directed by Jon Amiel, is a disaster film with a scientific twist. When the Earth's core unexpectedly stops rotating, a group of experts led by Dr. Josh Keyes (Aaron Eckhart) must drill to the center of the Earth and kickstart it again. With a budget of $60 million, the cast includes Hilary Swank, Stanley Tucci, and DJ Qualls. Despite its entertaining concept, the movie earned mixed reviews but did okay at the box office.

15. Moonfall

In Moonfall (2022), directed by Roland Emmerich, the moon’s orbit is suddenly altered, sending it on a collision course with Earth. To prevent global disaster, astronaut Jo Fowler (Halle Berry), along with a ragtag team, must embark on a dangerous mission to stop the impending doom. With a budget of $140 million, the film featured Patrick Wilson and John Bradley. Despite its star power, the movie struggled at the box office and received mixed reviews.

16. Don’t look up

In Don't Look Up (2021), directed by Adam McKay, two astronomers, Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), discover a comet heading straight for Earth. They scramble to warn the world but face widespread indifference and media chaos. Featuring Jonah Hill as a snarky White House aide and Meryl Streep as a self-serving president, this dark comedy offers sharp social commentary with an all-star cast.

17. Geostorm

In Geostorm (2017), directed by Dean Devlin, a superstorm threatens to destroy the planet, and it's up to satellite designer Jake Lawson (Gerard Butler) to save the world. As a former space engineer, Jake has to figure out who’s behind sabotaging a weather-controlling satellite system. With a star-studded cast, including Jim Sturgess and Abbie Cornish, the movie has lots of action but didn't quite storm the box office as expected.

18. This Is the End

This Is the End (2013), directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, is a hilarious take on the apocalypse. The movie follows a group of celebrities, including James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, and Jay Baruchel, as they face the end of the world while holed up in Franco's house. The world collapses around them, and they must survive the chaos. Despite a modest budget of $32 million, it grossed over $126 million, proving that comedy and disaster make a winning combo.

19. 2012

2012 (2009), directed by Roland Emmerich, shows the catastrophic destruction of Earth when natural disasters threaten to wipe out humanity. Jackson Curtis, played by John Cusack, is a science fiction writer turned reluctant hero, racing to save his family. With breathtaking effects, the film grossed over $769 million, far surpassing its $200 million budget. Starring also are Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, and Danny Glover. It was a box office hit, despite critics' mixed reviews.