COLUMN: 7 Apocalypse Movies to Stream on Amazon Prime
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7 Apocalypse Movies to Stream on Amazon Prime
Introduction
The world as we know it is always changing, not always for the better. The rise of censorship, loss of freedoms, diminishing food supplies, etc.: the world is always facing a crisis. And many are beginning to feel like they should start preparing for an emergency—a potentially apocalyptic scenario.
Fortunately, Amazon Prime has tons of movies that focus on apocalyptic scenarios and how they might play out. Today, let’s go over seven of them. And don’t worry: if some of these movies are restricted based on the region you are located in, you can easily use a Firestick VPN to bypass any geo-restriction a certain movie has.
1. Carriers (2009)
Deadly viruses are the crux of many apocalypse movies, especially when it comes to Carriers. On the surface, the story seems nothing special—four friends heading to a beach, believing it a local sanctuary. However, after the four friends—Brian, Bobby, Danny, and Kate—are stopped by a man looking to get his daughter to the hospital, the movie begins focusing on interpersonal moral dilemmas more so than other movies of its kind.
Carriers ask the viewers to think about the decisions the characters make and their consequences of how far people should go to fight for survival in an apocalypse.
2. Doomsday Book
South Korea is responsible for some amazing apocalyptic movies, and Doomsday Book is no exception. Doomsday Book is an anthology film, though the plot of all three is intertwined through one apocalyptic society.
Doomsday Book separates itself with its unique storytelling and perspectives on society. For example, on story focuses on an “enlightened” android gaining sentience. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Doomsday Book is its commentary on compassion and high-tech, as well as its focus on what makes humans, humans.
3. Dredd (2012)
Dredd is a movie about the United States that has become little more than a dystopian wasteland, with Judges, armed cops that play the role of not only judge but also jury and executioner.
Dredd follows Dredd, a Judge, and his rookie partner, Cassandra, as they fight to stop the distribution of a drug called SLO-MO. What makes Dredd special is its unique take on an apocalypse, focusing more on sci-fi police and action than survival and scavenging.
What may look like nothing more than an action flick on the surface could be seen as a commentary on the dangers of cops playing judge, jury, and executioner.
4. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Hotel Rwanda is technically an apocalyptic movie, but not of the zombie/toxin/disease variety. Instead, Hotel Rwanda focuses on the Rwandan genocide and the chaos and apocalyptic scenes it put in motion back in 1994.
Hotel Rwanda follows Paul Rusesabagina and his wife, Tatiana, as they help safeguard refugees in the hotel they manage, the Milles Collines. The movie focuses on the struggles they and the refugees face, along with the cold-blooded nature of the Hutu militia hunting them.
Hotel Rwanda is one of the most terrifying apocalyptic movies out there, and that’s because it’s a depiction of what took place in 1994. Paul and Tatiana Rusesabagina’s volunteering to help refugees during the frantic period bring a message of hope to any viewer and shows that lending a helping hand is always better than doing nothing.
5. Sharkwater Extinction (2019)
Sharkwater Extinction follows the late Rob Stewart, a filmmaker, and conservationist who drowned during the filming of this documentary.
In Sharkwater Extinction, Rob Stewart travels the world to expose the illegal killing and trading of sharks. Many sharks are killed every year, and Rob Stewart shows the viewers why.
From Spain to Panama to West Africa, Rob Stewart stops at many countries along the way. While a bit heartbreaking, Sharkwater Extinction shows users how important conservation is and how important the ocean is to life itself.
6. The Crazies (2010)
The Crazies follows four protagonists. Sheriff David Dutton, his wife Judy, his deputy Russel, and Becca, his wife's secretary, fend off townsfolk that have become infected with a toxin that turns all of them into bloodthirsty psychopaths.
The 2010 movie is a remake of 1973 original, and the remake manages to build upon the original in several ways, from plot to sound design and vice versa. The remake also further builds upon the original’s theme of friendship and relationships during an apocalypse.
What makes The Crazies special is that the “apocalypse” is relegated to one neighborhood instead of the entire world, making the concept a lot more realistic and, as a result, more believable.
7. The Postman (1997)
Produced in 1997, The Postman follows a man who goes by “The Postman” and his journey to survive. After picking up a postman’s outfit and delivering it to a local settlement, he slowly becomes a symbol of hope, representing the past world to the settlers.
With big-name actors like Kevin Costner and Tom Petty, the movie did decently well, though critical reception was low. The Postman has become a cult classic, however, thanks to its strong themes on hope and struggle after a catastrophic war that leaves the world in disarray.
Conclusion
Amazon Prime offers a large library of shows and movies to its users. Maybe it’s not as extensive as Netflix’s catalog, but what is in Amazon’s catalog is quality. And fortunately, for those apocalypse lovers out there, there are plenty of apocalyptic movies to watch on Amazon Prime, from movie anthologies to the highest-rated films.
