Your Guide to the Apocalypse: A Collection of New Disaster Movies and Survival Series

Post-apocalyptic pictures – films and series – have become the social mirror of the modern world, especially in recent years. They allow us to safely experience emergency situations and our own fears, explore our primal instincts, and recognize the value not only of our own lives.

Despite many considering disaster movies a low-grade genre, some films do manage to break out of the "B-movie" category, critiquing modern society, the overly rapid development of technology, and rampant consumerism. We have compiled a selection of films, series, and TV shows about the impending end of the world, natural cataclysms, and deadly epidemics that have not yet become mainstream.

Top 3 Films: Witches, Zombies, and Our Parents

1. "In the Lost Lands"

A film by British director Paul Anderson, a known master of the fantasy and action genres. In this 2025 picture, the action takes place in a new world. The civilization familiar to us has long since fallen. Now, chaos reigns on Earth, and monsters roam. One of the most powerful witches of the new world, Gray Alice (played by Milla Jovovich, who frequently appears in Anderson's films and is also the director's wife), is forced to venture into those very Lost Lands, filled with mysteries and, of course, dangers. She is carrying out a secret mission for the Queen, who asked Alice to find the source of an ancient power. She is aided in this by the wanderer Boyce (former wrestler, now actor Dave Bautista). Together, they battle terrifying creatures from another world, but the heroes' time is limited – they must succeed before the full moon.

Interestingly, the film is based on a short story of the same name by American writer George R.R. Martin, author of the popular series "A Song of Ice and Fire," later adapted under the title "Game of Thrones." His book "Fire & Blood" was adapted for the screen as "House of the Dragon" and likewise became beloved by viewers. However, critics rated Anderson's film based on the writer's story poorly. On IMDb, the rating for "In the Lost Lands" is 4.7 out of 10. Viewers note the project's ambition and scale, marvel at its visual component and special effects, but criticize it for a weak plot, sluggish pacing, and an almost complete lack of character development.

2. "Outside"

A film from Netflix's Philippines division, shot by local director Carlo Ledesma at the end of 2024. Filming also took place in the Philippines. In the horror's plot, a family with two children flees a city that is being rapidly overrun by zombies. But finding themselves alone on an entire farm, the heroes realize that the threat, in fact, does not come from the risen dead at all. Even against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse, family members continue to work through their personal problems.

Thus, Ledesma's work transforms from a disaster film into a genuine family drama, where, despite the horrors occurring in the external world, the internal frameworks and values of the heroes crumble even more swiftly. Unfortunately, hints at social issues did not bring the expected results; over five thousand IMDb visitors rated the film just slightly above 5.1.

3. "28 Years Later"

The highest-rated film in our selection on IMDb is the post-apocalyptic film by Danny Boyle (director of "Trainspotting"). This is the third part of the saga – the first film, "28 Days Later," was released in 2002, the second, "28 Weeks Later," in 2007.

The action takes place in the UK, where a virus that turns people into zombies has been raging for almost 30 years. In the saga's continuation, the plot revolves around hunter Jamie and his 12-year-old son Spike, who are searching for a doctor for their dying wife and mother. They have to travel to the "Big Land," where survivors remain, but there is also something wrong with them. Who is more dangerous – the survivors or the zombies – is unclear…

Top 3 Series: Toxicity as the New Epidemic, Social Satire, and a Continuation of the "Alien" Saga

1. "Pluribus"

This is a project by the creator of "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul," and also a producer and screenwriter of the hit "The X-Files" for nostalgia lovers. In the new series, the action takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A new virus of extraterrestrial origin has leaked from a secret laboratory into the city. But it does not turn people into zombies; on the contrary – the new humanity is categorically against violence and wars, nation-states have disappeared as a concept, and all inhabitants of the planet are now tolerant and patient. They do not lie, do not hurt each other, and are always ready to help, although it's unlikely to be needed since no one causes harm.

The main heroine, Carol, the only one in her city and one of the few on the entire planet, is immune to this virus. She is determined to restore everything as it was. For it turned out that Carol, with her quarrelsome character, sarcastic and willful, is the complete opposite of the formed positive collective consciousness.

Thus, one of the key ideas of the series is to allow oneself to be oneself and experience even negative feelings, especially against the backdrop of pervasive toxic positivity. There are many additional food for thought in the series – the responsibility of corporations and tech giants, and our future in a world where human values have been replaced by artificial intelligence. The series' rating on IMDb is impressive – 8 out of 10.

2. "The Eternaut"

An Argentine series created specifically for Netflix, based on the comic of the same name by Héctor Germán Oesterheld. These comics were sometimes banned due to sharp social issues, sometimes returned to sale, and even had new parts released.

In the height of summer in Buenos Aires, snow suddenly falls. Everyone caught in it died. The survivors are engulfed in chaos. But not the main hero – Juan Salvo, a veteran of the Falklands War and an engineer, who teams up with others remaining in the city and sets out to find his daughter. Along the way, it becomes clear that the anomalous snowfall was caused by an alien invasion. The city is seized by giant mutant beetles. Viewers and IMDb users rated the project 7.3 out of 10.

3. "Alien: Earth"

This is a new installment in the media franchise about the confrontation with extraterrestrial lifeforms, directed by Noah Hawley. And among the executive producers is none other than Ridley Scott.

The action takes place in 2120. The planet has been divided among the largest corporations, and one of them is searching for samples of extraterrestrial life. Scientists, meanwhile, are experimenting and trying to transfer human consciousness into synthetic bodies. They succeed, and six terminally ill children are saved in this way, endowed with unlimited physical capabilities. A team of these children is sent to the crash site of a research ship where the alien beings that destroyed the crew are located. The children will come face to face with a threat to the entire planet. Despite the convoluted plot and several narrative lines, viewers, on the contrary, liked this, and the series was rated 7.3 points on IMDb.

It has become even more noticeable how, in the 19th century, science fiction depicted a future in which science and progress lead our society to prosperity. Industrialization was glorified then; science and technology were seen as the solution to social problems and a guarantee of humanity's well-being. In our century, such plots are becoming increasingly rare, acquiring new relevance. More and more science fiction pictures criticize modern science and technology, which cause political instability in the world, climate threats, and a sense of uncertainty. The expectation of a bright future has been replaced by the fear of its arrival.