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. 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.
2. The Creator (2023)
Gareth Edwards’ epic sci-fi drama ‘The Creator’ is set in a world where artificial intelligence has taken over all aspects of humanity. With a war between humans and AI ongoing, we follow Joshua Taylor, who is tasked with locating a weapon developed by the chief architect of all AI technology. The weapon is believed to be so powerful that it can completely destroy human forces. When Joshua finds the weapon, he realizes the only way to defeat it is to protect it. But how long can he do that, considering almost every human he knows wants to destroy it as soon as possible? Is there any way to hide it? ‘The Creator’ stars John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney, and Ken Watanabe, and is known for its stunning visual effects that do a good job of highlighting the story. The movie can be streamed right here.
1. The Matrix (1999)
Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, ‘The Matrix’ is set in the aftermath of a war between humans and machines, which the machines won. It follows Thomas Anderson, alias Neo, a computer programmer whose belief that the whole world is a simulation becomes reality after he is recruited by a man named Morpheus. Neo is tasked with saving humanity that has been taken hostage within a simulated reality, i.e., the Matrix, by self-aware machines. The machines use humans as their energy source, while the latter’s minds live a “normal life” with no idea of the truth. The machines use Agents, computer programs disguised as government agents, to ensure no interference or trouble from inside or outside the Matrix. However, some humans escaped this fate after the war and live in reality, hiding from the machines. These include Morpheus and many others who went underground to plan a rebellion. They believe that Neo is the key to their salvation. The movie stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, and Carrie-Anne Moss. You can watch the film here.
Read More: Best Post-Apocalyptic Movies on HBO Max
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