Few genres shred our nerves quicker than doomsday films. The on-screen apocalypse — whether caused by Mother Nature, humans, aliens, or some other mysterious force — scares us like none other. The only upside is that the endings of disaster movies often signal the start of something new. These films not only entertain but also provide a stark reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.
“Part of what people love in these movies is that they give us a new perspective on our day-to-day lives; the ‘before times’ are never quite left behind, and it’s fascinating to see the remnants of our lives presented like a Roman ruin,” says author John Murphy. “Everyday detritus becomes rare treasures; familiar things get repurposed in wild, sometimes genius ways. It’s a way of stepping back and getting some distance, and remembering that humanity has been through tough times; we’ve seen the lights go out, and we came through all right.”
Although this may not always be the case in the following films, they offer thrilling narratives that explore the end of the world. Below is a list of 20 world-ending nail-biters, some with bright lights and some without, that you can stream or rent right now!