Summary
- Post-apocalyptic action films like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and The Book of Eli are perfect pairings for Furiosa.
- Turbo Kid offers a fun, bloody, post-apocalyptic experience that complements Furiosa with its action and gore.
- Reign of Fire, Snowpiercer, Children of Men, and A Quiet Place provide unique, intense post-apocalyptic settings that contrast with Furiosa.
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There are plenty of great post-apocalyptic action films to pair with Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. The new spinoff in George Miller’s high-octane Mad Max franchise, Furiosa is getting rave early reviews, following in the footsteps of his dynamic 2015 blockbuster hit, Mad Max: Fury Road. Starting in 1979, the Mad Max movies have gotten more thrilling and suspenseful with every entry, and there are several action-packed films in a similar post-apocalyptic vein as Furiosa.
Most movies in this subgenre show a barren wasteland of what was once a functioning society, typically either from the grandiose mistakes of the human race or outside beings, like monsters, aliens, and even apes, shifting the balance and becoming the new top dogs of the planet. But humanity seldom goes down without a fight, whether it be against malicious entities or other humans trying to capitalize on a ruined world. All post-apocalypse films don’t necessarily fit well with Furiosa, but gripping, heart-pounding action flicks make for great back-to-back watches with the new Mad Max journey.
Related
Furiosa Cast & Character Guide
Once again returning to the post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max, Furiosa boasts a star-studded cast featuring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth.
10 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
What It Looked Like When The Apes Finally Took Over
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
PG-13
Sci-Fi
Action
Adventure
Thriller
The second film in the rebooted Planet of the Apes franchise and the sequel to 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes follows Caesar after he has established his own ape territory independent of humanity. After a pandemic drastically reduces the human population, the global power dynamic begins to shift in the apes’ favor. Andy Serkis reprises his role as Caesar, with Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, and Judy Greer all appearing in supporting roles.
Director Matt Reeves Release Date July 11, 2014 Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Rick Jaffa , Scott Burns , Amanda Silver , Mark Bomback Cast Keri Russell , Andy Serkis , Judy Greer , Gary Oldman , Kirk Acevedo , Jason Clarke Runtime 2h 11m
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The second film in the reboot of the franchise, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes hits the sweet post-apocalyptic spot right between when society was still put together in Rise of the Planet of the Apes and when humans were starting to repair it in War for the Planet of the Apes. In the film, humanity has been severely diminished by a deadly pandemic, and small groups are clinging to power as apes start taking over the world. Andy Serkis returns to his role as Caesar, but the film sports a whole new cast and stands on its own.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes meshes well with Furiosa and the Mad Max series because the story revels in the evils of humanity, even long after any kind of societal government has ceased. The movie one-ups its predecessor with nail-biting action and a wonderfully detestable villain, something that is prevalent in every Mad Max movie. In this film, Gary Oldman perfectly executes the villain role, per usual. Critics and audiences loved this movie as well, as it holds a 91% critics’ score and an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the second highest of the franchise.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the highest-grossing film in the franchise.
9 The Book of Eli (2010)
An Action-Packed Post-Apocalyptic Tale With An A-List Cast
The Book of Eli
pg-13
Action
Adventure
Where to Watch
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Written by Gary Whitta and directed by The Hughes Brothers, The Book of Eli is a neo-Western featuring Denzel Washington in the lead role. The 2010 release sees Washington take on the mantle of Eli, a man who travels a post-apocalyptic version of the United States and ends up attempting to stop a dangerous group of people from controlling the masses via a strange book.
Director Allen Hughes Release Date January 11, 2010 Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures , Sony , Columbia Pictures Writers Allen Hughes Cast Denzel Washington , Gary Oldman , Mila Kunis Runtime 118minutes
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The Book of Eli follows a drifter named Eli through a post-apocalyptic America as he outmaneuvers thieves and gangs to guard a sacred book and transport it to a protective area. Denzel Washington plays Eli, and again, Gary Oldman signs up as the film’s villain, a religious zealot named Carnegie attempting to restructure society to workshop him in the new world. Like Furiosa, the film takes place in a wasteland environment where even the smallest human necessities are valued like gold. The Book of Eli has plenty of guns, knife play, and great fight choreography as well.
The movie went hard in the action department, as Denzel Washington performed all his own fighting stunts. According to MTV, Washington was trained in hand-to-hand combat by Bruce Lee’s student, Danny Inosanto. The film was written by Rogue One: A Star WarsStory‘s Gary Whitta and has a plethora of great supporting actors, including Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson, Tom Waits, and Michael Gambon. While it wasn’t a well-reviewed movie, The Book of Eli recently had a prequel series announced and almost doubled its budget at the box office, hauling in $157 million.
8 Turbo Kid (2015)
A Fun, Bloody, Post-Apocalyptic Good Time
Turbo Kid
Not Rated
Action
Adventure
Comedy
Where to Watch
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In a post-apocalyptic future, THE KID, a young solitary scavenger obsessed with comic books must face his fears and become a reluctant hero when he meets a mysterious girl named APPLE. Despite their efforts to keep to themselves, ZEUS, the sadistic and self-proclaimed leader of the Wasteland, plagues THE KID and APPLE. Armed with little more than blind faith and an ancient turbocharged weapon, THE KID learns of justice and friendship and embarks on an incredible journey to rid the Wasteland of evil and save the girl of his dreams.
Director François Simard , Anouk Whissell , Yoann-Karl Whissell Release Date August 15, 2015 Writers François Simard , Anouk Whissell , Yoann-Karl Whissell Cast Munro Chambers , Laurence Leboeuf , Michael Ironside , Edwin Wright , Aaron Jeffery Runtime 93 Minutes Main Genre Action
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Directed by the trio of François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell, Turbo Kid is arguably the goriest and most fun post-apocalyptic action flick to pair with Furiosa. The story follows a youngster only known as “The Kid,” who teams up with his android friend to free the wasteland from a powerful warlord named Zeus. It’s filled to the brim with exploding heads and body parts, buckets of blood, and cool, action-figure-esque characters. There are a couple of great villains, too: Skeletron, a silent, skeleton-masked baddie who slings saw blades, and the main antagonist, played by the always-intense Michael Ironside.
Turbo Kid won a number of awards upon release, including Best International Film (Canada) at the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror Films, Best Canadian Feature at the Fantasia Film Festival, and Best International Film at the Saturn Awards. The directing trio would go on to direct Summer of 84, a huge hit on Shudder’s horror streaming service, and the film helped further the career of French-Canadian electronic band, Le Matos, who created the amazing, synth-heavy soundtrack. Like Furiosa, Turbo Kid is a critical darling, scoring 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
7 The Road (2009)
A Heartbreaking Story By Cormac McCarthy
The Road
R
Drama
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Based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel of the same name, The Road centers on a father and son who attempt to make it to the coast after a global apocalypse wipes out all plant and animal life on Earth. The Road was directed by John Hillcoat and stars Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee.
Director John Hillcoat Release Date November 25, 2009 Studio(s) Dimension Films Distributor(s) Dimension Films Writers Joe Penhall Cast Kodi Smit-McPhee , Guy Pearce , Viggo Mortensen , Robert Duvall , Charlize Theron Runtime 111 minutes
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Possibly the most dramatic and heartwrenching post-apocalyptic film out there, John Hillcoat’s The Road will appeal to viewers’ emotions after Furiosa appeals to their eyes. The film follows a father and son duo as they trek across the barren American wasteland in search of safety on the coast. The film sports an incredible cast led by Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee as “Man” and “Boy,” who are joined by Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, and Guy Pearce. The original story was written by Cormac McCarthy, one of America’s greatest novelists.
Viggo Mortensen’s dedication to his role in The Road was unwavering, with the actor starving himself to look malnourished. His devoted performance paid off, as Mortensen was nominated for Best Actor at the 2010 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films Awards and Best Actor at the Critics Choice Awards. Unfortunately, the intense and bleak film didn’t translate to box office success, but it did receive generally positive reviews, particularly regarding the performances.
6 Love and Monsters (2020)
A Surprising Academy Award Nominee
Love and Monsters
PG-13
Comedy
Adventure
Where to Watch
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The post-apocalyptic movie Love and Monsters follows a young man who sets out to find his girlfriend in a monster-infested world seven years after the apocalypse. Dylan O’Brien and Jessica Henwick star, with Michael Rooker, Dan Ewing, and and Ariana Greenblatt in supporting roles.
Director Michael Matthews Release Date October 16, 2020 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures , Netflix Writers Brian Duffield , Matthew Robinson Cast Ariana Greenblatt , Te Kohe Tuhaka , Damien Garvey , Melanie Zanetti , Miriama Smith , Jessica Henwick , Tasneem Roc , Dylan O’Brien , Ellen Hollman , Dan Ewing , Larry Cedar , Senie Priti , Michael Rooker , Amali Golden , Tandi Wright Runtime 108 minutes
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Love and Monsters is an underseen and underrated gem that popped up during the Fall months of 2020. The story follows the timid antagonist Joel, who makes his way through the “Monsterpocalypse,” in which the world has been taken over by mutated giant insects, reptiles, and other traditionally small creatures while what’s left of humanity takes shelter underground. Joel is played by Dylan O’Brien of Maze Runner fame, and he’s joined by a fun cast that includes Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist), Ariana Greenblatt (Barbie), and Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy).
Because of the film’s release during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, it managed to slip under the radar. Not all was lost, though, because Love and Monsters scored an Academy Award nomination for Best Achievement in Visual Effects, and writer Brian Duffield found some recent success by writing the screenplay of Hulu’s extremely popular alien home invasion film, No One Will Save You. While Love and Monsters may not be nearly as well-known as Furiosa, those willing to seek out little-seen gems will find it’s worth their while.
5 Reign of Fire (2002)
A Fiery 2000s Creature Feature
Reign of Fire
PG-13
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
Sci-Fi
Thriller
Where to Watch
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In present-day London, 12-year-old Quinn Abercromby witnesses the awakening of a hibernating dragon from a centuries-long slumber, the result of a construction dig supervised by his mother and an incident for which Quinn feels partially responsible. 20 years later, the adult Quinn (Christian Bale) is the fire chief of a refortified castle community, responsible for dousing the blazes lit by the dragon’s prodigious number of flame-spewing offspring, airborne juggernauts that have wreaked havoc across the globe, torching civilization and turning humans into an endangered species. Hope arrives in the form of Denton “Dragon Slayer” Van Zan (Matthew McConaughey), an American known to be the only man to ever kill one of the dragons, and Alex (Izabella Scorupco), a scientist/pilot who’s a member of Van Zan’s army, a zealous fighting force that includes a secret weapon: the Archangels, paratroopers using themselves as bait to attract and then dispatch the deadly beasts.
Director Rob Bowman Release Date July 12, 2002 Writers Gregg Chabot , Kevin Peterka , Matt Greenberg Cast Christian Bale , Matthew McConaughey , Izabella Scorupco , Gerard Butler , Scott Moutter , David Kennedy Runtime 102 Minutes Main Genre Action
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A post-apocalyptic thriller that comes close to matching Furiosa in terms of flames and explosions, Reign of Fire shifts the apocalypse setting to Europe, where an awakened brood of long-dormant dragons has scorched the Earth, laying waste to most of humanity and their food supply, outside of those in hiding. Christian Bale plays Quinn Abercromby, who was at Ground Zero of the dragon awakening as a child and leads the charge to fight for humans as an adult. Bale is joined by Matthew McConaughey and Gerard Butler in an eruptive fantasy flick that surprisingly only barely made back its budget.
Reign of Fire received mostly poor reviews, with many critics citing its glaring plot holes and lack of depth. However, the film should be seen as it was intended: a fun, summer blockbuster popcorn movie. The prospect of humans vs. dragons doesn’t need to be a profound, award-winning story; it just needs to have great visuals and a fantastical element of man versus mythical beast. Reign of Fire has both.
4 Snowpiercer (2013)
An Early Film From An Academy Award-Winning Director
Snowpiercer
R
Action
Drama
Sci-Fi
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Set in 2031, the entire world is frozen except for those aboard the Snowpiercer. For seventeen years, the world’s survivors are on a train hurtling around the globe creating their own economy and class system. Led by Curtis (Chris Evans), a group of lower-class citizens living in squalor at the back of the train are determined to get to the front of the train and spread the wealth around. Each section of the train holds new surprises for the group who have to battle their way through. A revolution is underway.
Director Bong Joon-ho Release Date July 11, 2014 Writers Bong Joon Ho , Jacques Lob , Benjamin Legrand , Jean-Marc Rochette Cast Chris Evans , Jamie Bell , Tilda Swinton , Ed Harris Runtime 126 Minutes
Moving from a desolate desert wasteland to a world frozen in ice, Bong Joon-ho’s Snowpiercer is an intense thriller and a message about classism. The film takes the audience aboard the Snowpiercer train, which never stops as it circulates the Earth with the last of humanity aboard, separated by social classes. When the lower class, led by Curtis (played by Chris Evans), decides to rise up, a bloody battle to level out social acceptance ensues throughout the train. Bong Joon-ho doesn’t always use Hollywood talent but includes Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris, John Hurt, and Octavia Spencer in the cast.
Like Furiosa, Snowpiercer is amazing in its setting, showing an entire world of class levels within the confines of a train. From aquariums to five-star restaurants, each train car is a visual treat and another addition to the brilliant storytelling. The movie had a great critical reception and is one of Bong Joon-ho’s highest-rated films on Rotten Tomatoes with a 94% critics score. Snowpiercer‘s popularity has picked up recently, as a four-season TNT TV series based on the film was created, starring Daveed Diggs, Jennifer Connelly, and Sean Bean.
Snowpiercer is based on a French graphic novel from 1982 titled Le Transperceneige created by Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette.
3 A Quiet Place (2018)
An Alien Invasion Film For The Ages
A Quiet Place
PG-13
Horror
Documentary
Family
Sci-Fi
Thriller
Where to Watch
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A Quiet Place takes place in a world ravaged by predatory alien beings with ultra-sensitive hearing. With humanity on the brink of extinction, the Abbott family has managed to carve out a delicate survival by living in total silence, but with a baby on the way, their tentative peace seems more fragile than ever. A Quiet Place stars John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe and is directed by Krasinski.
Director John Krasinski Release Date April 3, 2018 Studio(s) Platinum Dunes , Sunday Night Productions Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Bryan Woods , Scott Beck , John Krasinski Cast Emily Blunt , John Krasinski , Millie Simmonds , Noah Jupe , Cade Woodward , Leon Russom Runtime 90 Minutes
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John Kransinski’s directorial debut, A Quiet Place, was anything but quiet when it was released. The post-apocalyptic alien invasion film was a massive hit and crushed its $17 million budget by hauling in a whopping $341 million worldwide. The film starred Krasinski and his real-life wife and Academy Award-nominated actress, Emily Blunt, as they guide their family through a world where silence is key, and if it’s broken, vicious extraterrestrial monsters will hunt them and rip them apart. Few spoken words were uttered during the film, with the majority of its intensity coming from its necessary stillness.
A Quiet Place was also revered among critics, receiving a high 96% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie was so successful that it produced an almost-equally loved sequel and an upcoming spinoff. The seriousness and emotion of A Quiet Place offer a great dynamic switch-up when watching after Furiosa. Perhaps the highest praise for the film comes from Stephen King, who took to his X account and wrote: “A QUIET PLACE is an extraordinary piece of work. Terrific acting, but the main thing is the SILENCE, and how it makes the camera’s eye open wide in a way few movies manage.”
2 Children of Men (2006)
The Most Realistic End To Humanity
Children of Men
R
Action
Drama
Science Fiction
Where to Watch
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Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, Children of Men is a dystopian drama set in the year 2027, where infertility has left humanity facing the possibility of extinction. Clive Owen stars as former activist Theo Faron, with Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Caine, Charlie Hunnam, and Pam Ferris in supporting roles.
Director Alfonso Cuarón Release Date January 5, 2007 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures , DreamWorks Distribution Cast Julianne Moore , Clare-Hope Ashitey , Clive Owen , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Michael Caine Runtime 109 minutes
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Alfonso Cuarón’s (Gravity, Roma) 2006 film Children of Men is one of the most realistic and consequential films in this subgenre, and it offers a fascinating tonal shift after watching Furiosa. The film takes place in a world where women have been infertile for 18 years, and after finding out a woman has become inexplicably pregnant, an activist helps get her to a safe zone for scientific research. Clive Owen plays the film’s lead and is joined by Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Michael Caine.
Children of Men did well with critics, and the film was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing. The latter two make sense, as the film holds one continuous action shot throughout an extremely intense scene that belongs with some of the best movie camera work of all time. The film has a bit of a bummer ending in some ways, but it shows that small sacrifices must be made for the continuance of human survival.
Children of Men is based on a novel by English author P. D. James.
1 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
One Of The Greatest Action Movies Of All Time
Mad Max: Fury Road
R
Action
Adventure
Thriller
Fantasy
Where to Watch
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Mad Max: Fury Road is the fourth film in George Miller’s long-running sci-fi franchise, with Tom Hardy starring as Max Rockstansky, a vagabond who lives on the road in an apocalyptic wasteland. When Max comes across a cult group that keeps its people in fear and under control with a monopoly on water and other crucial supplies, he joins up with Imperator Furiosa, a warrior woman leading a rebellion against the cult’s leader, Immortan Joe.
Director George Miller Release Date May 14, 2015 Studio(s) Village Roadshow Pictures , RatPac-Dune Entertainment , Kennedy Miller Mitchell Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Cast Tom Hardy , Charlize Theron , Nicholas Hoult , Zoe Kravitz , Hugh Keays-Byrne , Riley Keough , Courtney Eaton , Abbey Lee , Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Runtime 120 Minutes
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Watching Mad Max: Fury Road after Furiosa is a no-brainer. It’s a sequel that still focuses on the Furiosa character. This time, she’s introduced to Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), and they try to escape the clutches of the evil Immortan Joe in a rip-roaring thriller through a desert wasteland. Though Anya Taylor-Joy plays Furiosa in the prequel, Charlize Theron gave her blessing for the acting change after playing the part. The film is revered for its blood-pumping action and visual effects, many of which had never been done before on film, especially in the explosive vehicle chases.
Mad Max: Fury Road was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, winning six in technical categories. The film had a massive budget of $150 million and absolutely smashed it with a $380 million return. Fury Road is often seen as one of the best action movies of all time, and even earned the #1 spot on Rolling Stone‘s list of the same. While it’s hard to say if Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga will reach those heights, the new movie’s release makes Fury Road even more worth watching.
Source: MTV, Stephen King/X, Rolling Stone