By Bama Bull, a contributor to SurvivalCache.com
Here is a list of nine movies and one TV show that, in my humble opinion, are a good portrayal of what life could be like in the future in a TEOTWAWKI (The End of the World as We Know it) situation. I have not included any of the reality-based shows – such as “Man vs. Wild; The Colony, Dual Survival; or Man, Woman, Wild” – on this list. These are all good shows in their own right – offering many great survival lessons, techniques and tips. However, they don’t have the budgets and resources to create futuristic TEOTWAWKI environments or provide a deeper look at the darker side of the human condition.
As a disclaimer up front, there are several films that involve aliens and zombies – which I will admit are probably not very likely scenarios leading to the end of the world. However, it is not the cause of the apocalypse that is important; but how people act and react to what is happening to them in the situations they encounter. This is what provides the “food for thought” and lets you think about what or how you might do it differently.
Each film or show contains the title, year of release, run time, audience rating code, lead actors, a synopsis of the plot, and some key highlights to look for when watching. They are not ranked in any particular order. And yes, a good many have zombies! So smile and enjoy.
1. The Road (2009) 111 min, R
Stars: Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron and Robert Duvall
A good film adaptation from the novel by Cormac McCarthy.
Plot: A global trigger event leaves the world burned, cold, covered in ash and lacking of any edible plants or animal life. A man and 
his young son travel carefully on back roads from a northern state, through the Appalachian mountains, in an attempt to flee the coming winter and head to the southern coast. They work to survive by any means possible. The film portrays a darker side of man-kind, which resorts to cannibalism to survive. (Available on Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Take care when traveling roads and contact with other people.
* How to haul your survival supplies over long distances.
* Starvation is a long, slow process.
* “Keeping the fire,” and are you one of the “good guys?”
2. The Book of Eli (2010) 118 min, R
Stars: Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis and Gary Oldman
Plot: A post-apocalyptic tale of a “lone wolf” on a personal quest to get a rare book to the west coast. Washington walks across an 
America depleted of resources, but still full of groups of dangerous and desperate people. (Available on Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Benefits of carrying both firearms and low-tech weapons.
* How to barter for what you need.
* You have to be prepared to kill bad people or they will kill you.
* Your faith can sustain you and help guide your actions.
3. The Day After Tomorrow (2004) 124 min, PG-13
Stars: Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal and Emmy Rossum
Plot: The world experiences climatic change resulting in a new ice-age and a paleo-climatologist (Quaid) must travel from 
Washington, D.C., across a frozen east coast, to rescue his son and friends holding out in a New York City library against sub- freezing temperatures. (Available on Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Survival against the cold takes planning and good gear.
* Big urban cities make escape very difficult.
* You have to consider and plan for bad weather conditions.
* Listen to Dad, sometimes he knows what he’s talking about!
4. The War of the Worlds (2005) 116 min, PG-13
Stars: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Tim Robbins
Plot: The Earth is invaded by returning aliens looking to harvest humans. The invasion starts with electro-magnetic (EMP) attacks to 
disrupt all electronic devices and knock out electrical power and communications. Cruise, a dock worker, with his two kids bug out of urban Newark, New Jersey, and try to reach their in-law’s home in urban Boston. With no plan or supplies, Cruise has to improvise along the way. (Available at Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Importance of having basic bug-out gear and supplies on hand.
* Crowds are dangerous and can get you killed.
* Stock up on food and water at first opportunity; get a backpack.
* Don’t lose your weapon – you may need it for the crazy guy.
5. Zombieland (2009) 88 min, R
Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Woody Harrelson
Plot: After a zombie apocalypse occurs, a surviving college student (Eisenberg) tries to get home to his family in Ohio. To increase 
his survival chances, he creates a set of rules. During his travels he be-friends a tough guy on a hunt to find some Twinkies, and a pair of con-artist sisters heading to a California amusement park for one last good time. (Available @ Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* It’s good to have a set of basic survival rules – you’ll live longer.
* People will trick you, take your stuff, and leave you stranded.
* Don’t scare people if you don’t want to get shot.
* It is good to remember “Rule 32” when you can.
6. Dawn of the Dead (2004) 101 min, R
Stars: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames and Mekhi Phifer
Plot: A group of survivors takes refuge in a shopping mall during a zombie apocalypse. More survivors arrive and they learn that if
they want to stay alive, they need to stick together against the undead. For being unprepared and without a plan, they learn to make do with what they find in the mall and food court. (Available @ Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Malls can be a good refuge if you can secure the doors.
* You need to determine who you can and cannot trust.
* Have a break-out plan and a destination.
* Every group will have a**holes you’ll have to deal with.
7. I Am Legend (2007) 101 min, PG-13
Stars: Will Smith, Alice Braga and Charlie Tahan
Plot: It is several years after a new anti-cancer vaccine mutates into a killer plague which transforms the infected into monsters and 
kills most of humanity. Smith is a lone military research doctor struggling to survive in New York City while working valiantly to find a cure for humanity. (Available at Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* A dog can be a good survival companion.
* If your defenses are good, you don’t need to sleep in a hard tub.
* Plan to be home or off the road before dark.
* Be careful when scavenging and entering buildings.
8. 28 Days Later (2002) 113 min, R
Stars: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston and Alex Palmer
Plot: A bicycle messenger injured in an accident awakens from a coma in a London hospital four weeks after a mysterious, incurable 
virus spreads throughout England. Wearing only a gown, he first struggles to find help and learn what happened. He links up with a handful of survivors, who then flee the city to find sanctuary in country side. (Available @ Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* Light and noise discipline is a must at night.
* Buckets on the roof help to collect rain water.
* Short cuts may be worst than taking the long way around.
* Be wary of government troops.
9. The Walking Dead (2010) TV Series – Season 1, Mature
Stars: Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal and Laurie Holden
Plot: Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Grimes (Lincoln) awakens from a coma in an abandoned hospital in rural Georgia to discover a real TEOTWAWKI nightmare situation (a very similar start to the movie “28 Days Later”). He embarks to find his wife and son; then ends up helping to lead a group of survivors in a world overrun by the walking dead. While zombies are a minor problem, it’s the problem of dealing with the living that presents challenges. (Available @ Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* People will fight over resources.
* Be prepared to defend your campsite.
* There is strength in numbers and provides for a division of labor.
* You can supplement your food stores with local fish and game.
10. The Postman (1997) 177 min, R
Stars: Kevin Costner, Will Patton and Olivia Williams
Plot: In the year 2013, America is all but destroyed after a war that decimates most of the population and the government. People struggle to survive against starvation and rogue groups of armed men. Costner, a drifter, is forced to join a rogue militia, but escapes at his first chance. He finds an old postal jeep with a postal uniform and mailbag, and starts conning people with old letters that the government has reorganized and order is being reestablished. (Available @ Amazon – Click Here)
Highlights:
* People who band together have a better chance at survival.
* Teach basic survival skills early, others may need them.
* It is hard to argue with the people who have the guns.
* Americans know “freedom is never free” – it’s earned the hard way.
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Good article! I'm looking forward to seeing some of these I haven't seen before and rewatching some others.
Zombieland in particular is my favorite because it shows that even in the worst of times, things can be pretty funny. Also, humor might be one thing we need the most at the worst of times.
Zombieland – "Don’t scare people if you don’t want to get shot." LOL
Just had that incident here last night, drunk kid mistook his girlfriends neighbors house for hers and was trying to wake her up by knocking on the window, guy in the house shot 5 rounds through the window thinking the kid was breaking in, kids gonna live but will have 2 bullets left in him. No warning, just fired. Don't forget when planning for self defense, if you get too worked up and on edge you may over react in a situation and do something you don't want to do, like shoot your own kids while their getting a midnight snack, seen that happen waaay too often. Control your trigger finger.
…so someone was actually able to sit through the Postman?
mumble, mumble , I actually liked it, mumble, mumble.
You need to read the book that Kevin Costner butchered to make the movie. The author is David Brin.
I got a little way through it. It was not as bad as waterworld which was shutoff real quick
LOL! I didn't think Waterworld was too bad. Of course, I paid $2.99 for The Postman while Waterworld was a freebie. That could be it.
I liked both this and water world, both had their highs and lows as well as being entertaining.
Zombieland also had some other good hints for survival.
Rule #1 Cardio: Survival on foot is gonna take some personal stamina.
Rule #2 Double Tap: If you have to shoot, make it count.
Rule#3 Beware of bathrooms: Take this to mean, "Realize when you are vulnerable".
Rule#7 Travel lite: Get your gear down to essentials.
Rule #8 Get a kickass partner: Have some people with you whom you can trust.
Rule #22: When in doubt, know your way out: Have an escape plan.
and rule # 32: Enjoy the little things: . . . or else you will go crazy.
Great post! Love the comments guys! Enjoy what you can… Appreciate what you have.
Rule #1 is exactly right. If you ever have to E&E (escape and evade) your heart rate will get elevated a bit.
Double tap is one of the stupidest ideas and will get you laughed at when you say it seriously. It's a waste of ammo, which isn't free or easy to come by.
Well its not stupid seeing as how you should shoot someone as many times as it takes till they go down. Its called a non standing response and unless the world ended where you live ammo is still pretty easy to come by here where I live.
What about "Jeremiah Johnson" (even though I can't stand R. Redford), "Red Dawn," and "A Cry In the Wild?" That last one, based on Gary Paulsen's "Hatchet," should be required viewing for all children, especially the children of preppers.
What about Cast Away w Tom Hanks? Mr. Wilson…
Hey Doc! I watched Jeremiah Johnson as a young boy. (I do like R. Redford though) It was a fantastic movie and I will occasionally watch it again from time to time. It gives one an appreciation for the little things and what one can do if one sets their mind to it. Of course training (Will Greer) doesn't hurt either. Thanks for the reminder!!!
William, you're welcome. You are so right about training. Some of my best was at the hands of a Marine Corps staff sergeant who really knew his stuff. Granted, we had some good gear and were divided into ten-man teams who worked together for a common goal (always a good idea). But I remember most having spent a few relatively comfortable days in a "field expedient" shelter during the dead of winter in Wisconsin. What a great experience. As to the movies, my wife suggested "Never Cry Wolf" based on a Farley Mowatt book of the same title. Of course, the young man in that movie made it through on dumb luck more than on training. Probably not the best thing to depend on when thrown to the wolves. By the way, does anyone know the proper wine to serve with field mice?
for field mice doc try a good whiskey it kills the taste buds.
I have not seen "The Road". These other films, apart from demonstrating the disolution of society in extream crisis, generally show good ways to get yourself killed. The people in most of these stories are fit, martial arts experts, law enforcement types who have access to a script. Most of us are middle aged, nearsighted, overweight people who have no or limited experience with violence.
The absolute best end of the world movie is "Panic in the Year Zero" starring Ray Miland and Paul Anka. If you have not seen it do so. The others are all posers.
The people in those stories survived because they were in a good shape, had advantages like being in law enforcement, or were simply smarter than others. Your average suburban soccer mom or “middle aged, nearsighed, overweight” person with “no or limited experience with violence” is probably not going to make it very long without a great deal of luck.
I haven’t seen “Panic in the Year Zero,” can you tell us a little more about it?
"The others are all posers", yea ok, the movie you suggest is pure hollywood garbage.
"Most of us are middle aged, nearsighted, overweight people who have no or limited experience with violence".
If you really believe a SHTF scenario is in our near future, why not spend a few hours a week on a tread mill and in some training?
There is no reason, in this day in age, why anyone should be in want of training or know how. What ever you might be comfortable with as a matter of personal beliefs. Gun training, hand to hand, or if your not violent by nature…just some primitive living skills training?
At least a treadmill and a Weight Watchers membership?!?!?
I'll be honest with ya. I will be DISSAPOINTED if any of my fellow preppers are out lasted by the corner office executive douche-bag who planned for nothing, but is in shape simply because he made it out to the racquet ball court daily.
got this on netflix after reading your post. even the wife watched it. great movie. valuable lessons.
my post was on the movie panic in year zero. Methan P 's oist—–bones sorry i wasn't clear on that
The Road is a VERY depressing movie – anyone with any brains at all will NEVER want to be in survival situation after watching this film!
Carriers is another good one. A good example of what not to do. I believe in more of a pandemic distruction then other.
Mad Max (whole trilogy)
1:gasoline is precious
2:guns beat bows
3:like I Am Legend, dogs make good companions
4:bug-out and survival vehicles
5:use old football pads for body armor (haha)
I really need to stop visiting this website. this bullshit makes the front page? please.
I agree this is useless.
You guys should do an article on the worst survival sites on the net – here is my pick for number 1 – "Off The Grid News" http://www.offthegridnews.com – if you make the mistake (like I did) and sign up for their newsletter – you get 10 email spams a week with stuff you have to buy before the world ends next week. So lame…..
So what do you suggest jack ass?
"I Am Legend" is a remake of "Omega Man" starring Charlton Heston.
and omega man is actually a remake of the original " I am legend" book by Richard Matheson, which i suggest as good reading material
And before The Omega Man was "The Last Man on Earth" starring Vincent Price. Based on the same book and superior to I Am Legend, IMO.
The hit series Jericho was great, though short-lived.
Got the DVD for the series. Saw the alternate ending for if it had been extended. Not bad. There were some good things there. A few that were of a "really???" but in general not too bad. I liked it.
Your all wet , and failed to mention the best movie ever on the subject of post – SHTF get yourself a copy of , A boy and his Dog, Don Johnson, Vic ,and his trusty companion [dog] Blood . there is no equal even has a little sex thrown in.
I was once taught that the most basic form of security is two guys back to back covering each other. Most film characters fail this most basic principle: Find a buddy, stay together at all times, cover each other always, and always be aware of your environment.
Part of "The road" was filmed about 2 miles from my house, gives a creepy close vibe and the thought that I may be using those local resources just the same.
Another good TV series even though you have to fight around the two main actors "Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner" is called Jeremiah http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290966/
The movie is long enough to give a good depiction of what living after a society breakdown may be like and short of the dead parents problem could show a very real scenario.
Check your six.
The thing that bugged me about 'The Road' was the size of their fires. Having a 'Beach Blanket Bingo' sized bonfire is the wrong thing to do if you're trying to maintain a low profile.
Other than that, the movie was well done… and depressing.
I absouletly agree that the road is very depressing. I thouhgt that the first time I watched it and have found myself flipping thru the channels and coming up on it twice and still watching it. Really makes you think of the suicide angle of things if it would really get as bad as The Road..
Despite the walking dead and aliens the list is a pretty good one. I really liked THE ROAD. The one lesson that they did not learn in it though was to stay in a safe hidden shelter with food and real beds for as long as possible to recover your strength and health before heading back out inot the wilds.
One favorite of mine which is only slightly off topoc is ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK. For what it’s worth the living conditions in the city could be as bad or worse than what could happen in a SHTF scenario. There will be a total change from rule of law to a strongest leads (bullies) weakest. Electricity, cars, and rule of enforcable law is the only thing keeping most people from clubbing their neighbors over head for the last can of SPAM.
Thanks for reading my ramblings
O
"Despite the walking dead"? Lemme guess: you're a fan of the comic books.
You are arguably going to want armor in a post-apocalyptic setting. One way to get it would be to make yourself some sort of leather or heavy canvas tunic like garment to cover your chest and abdomen. This becomes the "base" of the armor. Then you go find yourself some vehicle tires (preferably steel belted radials or perhaps aramid fiber variants) and a pair of bolt cutters or some such thing. Cut the tires such that the steel/fiber belt is still pretty much intact with some of the sidewall left along one side of the tire. Sew the tires to the tunic using the remnant of the sidewall as the attachment (with the remnant on top) such that the belts overlap, starting near the bottom of the tunic and working your way to the top. The bottoms of the belts will be left loose so you will have some flexibility. You will have some vulnerability to a thrusting attack coming from beneath you, but such attacks are unlikely. This armor should provide you reasonable protection against standard cutting and thrusting attacks as well as some ballistic protection against small caliber weapons. Should be relatively quick and easy to make for the level of protection it provides.
I thought the list was pretty good , I watched the road twice , I couldn’t believe though , that a person would be stupid enough to go on the road with one revolver and no long arm , anyway when you find a underground bomb shelter why abandon it ? Few of these characters had a true bug out bag . The road was depressing though , humor you would need for sure.
the list is good; the high points taken from them equally as good; "The Road" was indeed depressing but considering the setting, it would be difficult – if not ludicrous – to present a "sunshine and roses" scenario; i watched most of the movie but read the book over 2 evenings, totally immersed; kids are resilient as well as pliable – be very cautious what you teach yours while they're young as they're our future
I think is just goes to show how unprepared 95% of the people will be when shtf!!
actually, recent studies and polls show that at least Americans, 51% are preparing and are there now since the Village idiot took office for fear if he gets re-elected, we will lose our country. That in itself has fueled more preppers like us and can you believe more than half are either prepared or working on it… all because of 1 idiot…errr man. (politics aside, that is amazing that can happen from one person amongst millions.)
Another great show worth mentioning is "Survivors". It was a BBC series that ran for two seasons (you can see both on Netflix) It makes a very strong point for sticking together in groups, There is also an interesting subplot of seemingly good people turning bad.
Based on the comments maybe a good follow-up to this would be a "10 Worst Movie Survival Lessons." It cetainly would bring up good discussion in the "comments" section.
great movie choices ive seen all of them andi enjoyed them.i have used these as a stepping stone to engage my young children to discuss what to do in a survival situation.perhaps this would make a good topic in the future.i would love to get some helpfull tips as to preparing my kids for the future.
As far as TV survival, JERICHO wins hands down. It was short-lived (season and 1/2), but was a great example of what to do or not do.
Castaway. Shows how even without supplies or "survival knowledge" the human spirit can endure and survive
As like mainded individuals, we are all drawn to and find these filmed productions entertaining, at best. Each have merit and provide thought provoking fantasy in us all. As for myself, I enjoyed every one I've seen. Man/ woman wild, Man vs wild, Dual survival, Jerico, Les Stroud and his antics, Woody in Zombieland, even the book of Eli and the road. I've yet to see anything other than how to build a shelter from a crashed aircraft, build a fire with steel wool and a 9 volt battery, oh and can't forget that backpack we find with duct tape and maybe a flintlock and some black powder! I'd rather watch these hokey programs any day over what networks purvey as prime time crap or televised arena sports. Great article Bama, keep'em coming!
One other thing, remember it was only a movie, and it was scripted that way. Lol
I really enjoyed 'the Road'. What I took from the last scene is preparedness; the book goes into more detail. After the boys father dies, the father of the trailing family asks him where his sleeping bags, amunition, etc. is; he was taken aback at the lack of preparedness of the man and boy. The family was well fed, well clothed and well armed, so much so they had a dog. Preparedness, that is the key.
You may add "The Grey", but I stopped counting survival mistakes after 20 minutes of the movie.
Contagion was pretty good too, showed how if you could shelter in place for 6 months to a year you could've avoided the issue.
I think the best thing theese movies teach us is that just because its called the wasteland, doesn't mean you should let it go to waste my freinds!
Here's one you missed….. "PHASE 7". English subtitled…… If you have NETFLIX!!!! Watch IT!
I agree watch jericho on Netflix about nuclear attack / terrorism….
R you kidding me?? You left out the most realistic of all,Red Dawn!!!
Three words: "Children of Men".
*spoiler alert*
Finished watching The Road a couple of nights ago.
I thought it was pretty good, and really depressing.
My thoughts on a few of the other comments above.
I agree about the size of the fires. You don't want to give away your location. However, two things to consider. First, there don't seem to be that many survivors, but that's not really an acceptable excuse because the risk of very dangerous others outweighs it. Second, there are random fires burning all over the place. Forest fires, fires burning in barrels in an "urban" setting, etc. So your campfire wouldn't necessarily stand out on its own. Still, caution would be wiser. Dakota fire hole when/where possible, or at least build a backstop to reflect heat and limit the amount of light escaping.
When you consider the amount of gear they didn't have, recall that they had a shopping cart in the beginning but they had to ditch it when the armed gang came along in their truck. The gang then discovered the cart and raided its contents after unsuccessfully searching for them in the woods. The same might apply to a rifle. They were never shown to have one, but a handgun would be easier to keep on your person should you have to make a flight to safety. I think it's hard to nitpick about their level of preparedness. The boy was born after the apocalyptic event and lived in their home (at least so it seemed) until his current age (between 8 – 10 years old?). That in itself would have required a great deal of preparedness. Would your stash last you that long? If you can't buy more ammo, sooner or later you'll be down to your last two shots. Eventually, the situation became so dire with seemingly no means to replenish that they struck out and headed South. Because the Earth was cooling and it would be warmer, at least, near the equator, I suppose.
The entire time they were in the bunker they found I was thinking nothing but "Get the f**k outta there!" I understand your point about staying in a secure place with food and recharging, however, I did not view it as a truly secure place. It was close to the main house which stood out in the open and would attract other people looking for resources. The bunker, other than being in the ground, was not concealed. The first night he dragged a mattress over the hatch in the rain, which would have covered the drag tracks, but any time after that would leave obvious marks in the mud or dry ground as well as all of their footprints going in and out, repeatedly. As far as we could see, the bunker had but one way in… read one way out. If someone, and especially someone hostile, discovered the bunker with you in it, you're as trapped as the people in the basement of the other house. You might be able to sneak away while whomever found you was mesmerized by the amount of food, etc., but that's a huge gamble. After an initial meal, I would have moved some food to another nearby hiding spot, in a stand of trees or something. Then I would have loaded my bags/backpack to be ready to run on a moment's notice. Only then might I have been able to comfortably relax, maybe for a night a two. I think he made the right choice to bail on the location when he did. I just think he should have gotten prepped to do so before the risk became imminent. (I also wonder if the dog they heard barking – they did hear one, right? – was the same dog as the "Veteran/Guy Pearce" had when they came up on the beach? I sorta assume it was. Was that also the same boy he thought he saw outside the house Viggo grew up in?)
I think that covers the previous comments. Obviously, it struck certain chords with you when you watched it, as it did for me.
I would at least mention Lord of the Flies, A Cry in the Wild, Castaway, The Edge, and Alive.
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