Upamanyu Biswas
In post-apocalyptic settings, viewers are often treated to a bleak scenario where things have gone awfully wrong, with most of the world lying in tatters. There is a perverse joy that comes from diving into films that depict how life moves on after a harrowing annihilation event that wipes out civilization as we know it. For generations, these movies have inspired some of the most exciting and thrilling narratives, dripping with high-stakes scenarios about life and death. Therefore, if you enjoy watching such stories where hope and morality are secondary to survival in a stark and desolate world, here is a list of the best post-apocalyptic movies to watch on Hulu.
6. In the Lost Lands (2025)
Gray Alys is a woman carrying a prophecy, who hires a gun-wielding guide, Boyce, to protect her as she travels across the Lost Lands looking for a certain beast in Paul W. S. Anderson’s adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s eponymous short story. Set in a post-apocalyptic world that is the result of the Great War, the movie shows the experiences that the duo has during the adventure, including fighting goons and monsters. Starring Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista, ‘In the Lost Lands’ is saved by the actors whose charisma keeps the vibe alive. You can watch the action flick right here.
5. Mother/Android (2021)
Set in a future where AI robots are waging a war against humans, Mattson Tomlin’s ‘Mother/Android’ follows Georgia (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Sam (Algee Smith) as they try to find a safe haven so that Grace can give birth to their baby. The question is: Can they survive the perilous journey wherein their hunters are devoid of emotions? More to the eyes than to the mind, ‘Mother/Android’ is an entertaining movie that isn’t as emotionally powerful as expected but does manage to establish the urgency that the situation brings. You can watch it here.
4. Boy Kills World (2023)
‘Boy Kills World’ is an R-rated action comedy at the center of which is “Boy,” an orphan whose family was killed by Hilda, the deranged matriarch of a corrupt post-apocalyptic dynasty that left him voiceless and deaf. Since he lost it all, it became his mission to train himself and get revenge. He grows up to be a powerful and athletic man skilled in combat. On his journey of revenge, he is joined by two other guys who are part of the Resistance. However, Hilda is well-protected, and the trio will need a plan if they want to get to her. One way is to track down her enforcers and get intel out of them in any way. But that means revealing themselves to Hilda’s overwhelming forces and risking death. Boy will have to be deranged to do something like that, and he is. The action-packed movie stars Bill Skarsgård as Boy and Famke Janssen as Hilda, along with Michelle Dockery, Andrew Koji, Isaiah Mustafa, Sharlto Copley, and Jessica Rothe. You can watch it here.
3. Love and Monsters (2020)
‘Love and Monsters’ follows Joel (Dylan O’Brien), who is part of a group of survivors living in an underground bunker. The world is overrun with large-sized cold-blooded animals, an evolution caused by the chemicals of an asteroid. As Joel heads out to find his ladylove, Aimee (Jessica Henwick), who got separated from him during evacuation seven years ago, he faces all kinds of monsters, including toads, worms, centipedes, and leeches. All he has is some supplies and a dog he has befriended and named Boy, who gives him the courage to travel in the dangerous environment. Directed by Michael Matthews, ‘Love and Monsters’ is well-known for its visuals and entertaining plot. It can be streamed here.
2. Arcadian (2024)
Directed by Ben Brewer, ‘Arcadian’ is a thriller set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans, the few that are left, live under the constant fear of monstrous creatures that hunt them. In such a setting, we have a father and his two sons who live in an isolated farmhouse. Daily living conditions are tough, and the boys are still learning how to survive. However, when the creatures attack, they must work together with their father to stay alive. Gritty and dark in its presentation, ‘Arcadian’ offers an intriguing watch powered by the performances of Nicolas Cage, who plays the father, and Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins, who play the sons. You can watch ‘Arcadian’ here.
1. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Directed by Well Ball, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ is set generations after the events of ‘War for the Planet of the Apes.’ A movie that is known for its visual effects and a well-shaped narrative, it follows a young chimpanzee named Noa and his newfound human acquaintance, Mae (Freya Allan), who team up with a wise orangutan named Raka to bring down the villainous Proximus. Proximus is a bonobo who leads a clan of apes and propagates a manipulated version of the philosophy of Caesar (an ape and the protagonist of the previous movies of the franchise). How Noa and Mae evaluate their respective pasts to determine what the future has in store for them is what the movie is all about. Underscored by the impeccable voice-acting of Owen Teague as Noa, Kevin Durand as Proximus, and Peter Macon as Raka, ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ is a stunning bingeworthy flick. You can stream it here.
Read More: Best Post-Apocalyptic Movies on HBO Max
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