Dystopian Movies - Ranked
This is a very strange time in the world—a lot of questions being asked with no answers in sight. It almost makes it feel like we’re in the end times. This got us to thinking, what are some of the best dystopian movies? Movies that connote the feeling of the end of the world, whether it’s because of zombies, alien invasions, or even diseases. Before we get to our ranked list, we have a few movies that didn’t make the list because either we haven’t seen them or they didn’t rank as highly for us as the movies on the list.
Outbreak (1995), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), Children of Men (2006),
Dawn of the Dead (1985), Armageddon (1998)
15. 28 Days Later (2002)
Pestilence: Zombies
This is a horror zombie movie with some atmosphere. Director Danny Boyle delivers a dirty, gritty-looking film that places Cillian Murphy at the center of an outbreak in the U.K. Much like The Walking Dead, Cillian wakes from a coma in a London hospital with society already up in flames...and it’s only been 28 days. - Jess
14. The Hunger Games (2012)
Pestilence: Dystopian, totalitarian regime
Some of the biggest events in the world are inflicted by one of the worst plagues: Ourselves. That is the theme of The Hunger Games, the 2012 surprise megahit starring Jennifer Lawrence. People are forced to participate in an annual “game”—children fight to the death just for the enjoyment of elites. Sometimes humans are the worst. - Rico
13. War of the Worlds (2005)
Pestilence: Aliens
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise and then-child actor Dakota Fanning fire on all cylinders as they drive, run, hide, swim, and panic their way through an extraterrestrial invasion. These E.T.’s are not innocently eating Reese’s pieces and phoning home. - Jess
12. World War Z (2013)
Pestilence: Zombies
Zombies feature heavily on this list and with good reason. There is nothing quite as scary as something that looks human but is hunting you down to eat you. In the case of World War Z, not only are they on the hunt but they are terrifyingly fast. Upon initial release, the movie was received with lukewarm praise, but as for the actual scenario where everyone is becoming a zombie, it can create a skin-crawling sensation just to think about. - Rico
11. Independence Day (1996)
Pestilence: Aliens
If you are looking for a movie that shows what humans can do in the face of a world-ending event, look no further. Sure, the aliens destroy some of the most important cities in the world, but the humans fight back. Tell me you wouldn’t be ready to fight when President Thomas Whitmore (Bill Pullman) gives his famous Independence Day speech. - Rico
10. Zombieland (2009)
Pestilence: Zombies
More zombies! Yet this time it’s funny. The comedic approach to a global event (another one later on down the list) brings some much needed levity to a serious subject. It’s the little things that make Zombieland a joy to watch: the names of the characters (Tallahassee, Wichita, Little Rock, etc.), the list of things to do (Rule #2: Double Tap) or just the interactions between the characters. Come for the zombies, stay for the camaraderie. - Rico
9. I Am Legend (2007)
Pestilence: Zombies
When a cancer cure turns into a global nightmare, Will Smith is left alone in Manhattan fighting mutant, nocturnal humans not just physically but biologically. Can he single-handedly create a cure for...the cure? (God bless Samantha the German shepherd.) - Jess
8. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Pestilence: Aliens
I know that an alien invasion is bad enough but imagine having to relive the same day over and over again? That’s what Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) has to survive in Edge of Tomorrow, or also known as Live, Die, Repeat after the movie was released on home video. Cruise is the main star, but this movie is truly a vehicle for Emily Blunt, giving us an action star we didn’t know we needed. - Rico
7. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Pestilence: Zombies
Even more zombies! Seeing what different filmmakers do with a certain genre is interesting. Edgar Wright’s take on a man surviving a zombie apocalypse is a fun ride. The sight gags alone are worth the run-time (e.g., when Shaun is changing channels on his TV). Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are a great trio of talent that consistently puts in hilarious work. - Rico
6. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Pestilence: Dystopian, sentient apes
When talks of the greatest trilogies in movie history happen, one of the most criminally under-talked-about movies is the reboot of the Planet of the Apes series. While Rise of the Planet of the Apes started the reboot, it was Dawn of the Planet of the Apes that elevated the series from good to amazing. Humans were divided on how to handle not being at the top of the food chain for once and I don’t know what’s more terrifying. - Rico
5. Contagion (2011)
Pestilence: Disease
Considering what we’re up against today, this movie might be a tough watch. Soderbergh expertly ramps up the intensity, flipping between each individual’s struggle in this ensemble cast. With looting and violence breaking out in the U.S. and the death toll climbing into the millions, it’s an alarming look at widespread panic and, well, contagion. - Jess
4. The Terminator (1984)
Pestilence: AI, cyborg assassins
A demise of our own making. As a society, we currently are so reliant on technology that we joke that the machines will gain autonomy and revolt. We even refer to this ever growing fear as “Skynet,” the famous machine overlords from The Terminator series. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s performance as the titular character is stoic, relentless and terrifying. A machine that won’t stop until its objective is finished? No thank you. - Rico
3. Train to Busan (2016)
Pestilence: Zombies
This South Korean zombie outbreak movie creates an interesting scenario with a handful of train passengers fighting to stay alive on a moving locomotive. What’s unique here is that inside 118 minutes the filmmakers and actors manage to build characters that are just as compelling as the zombies, so by the end, you’re an emotional wreck. - Jess
2. Snowpiercer (2013)
Pestilence: Climate engineering, second Ice Age
Civilization is gone and all that is left is the train. And there’s no getting off this train. Chris Evans heads up a stacked cast and Bong Joon-ho directs this thrilling uphill battle of the have-nots versus the haves. What will happen once the poverty-stricken caboose-dwellers make it all the way to the front of the train? - Jess
A Quiet Place (2018)
Pestilence: Aliens
Surprised? Don’t be. Not many movies can make you aware of every single sound you make while watching it. Aliens is a theme that has been touched on by different movies on this list but what separates A Quiet Place is the focus on one family’s struggle to survive. They were ready to fight back, even when things did not look good for our main characters. If you’re not sold, watch Emily Blunt in the bathroom scene and tell me you don’t tense up. - Rico