The 5th Wave is an apocalypse movie, or as we in 2020 like to call – reality TV. With its existential threats and moral trials, here’s the Old Testament retold in vivid CGI. If disaster movies like the 5th wave appeal to you right now, then you’re in the right place!
Directed by J Blakeson and starring Chloë Grace Moretz and Nick Robinson, the 5th Wave depicts a doomsday scenario where the earth is under threat from a malevolent alien race.
Gluttons for punishment, suffering is creatively inflicted via five successive waves of disasters, including earthquakes, disease, and Moretz’s acting. In this article, we list 10 other end-of-days movies like the 5th wave. The evening news doesn’t count 😉.
Top 10 Apocalyptic Movies Like The 5th Wave
1. The Host (2013)
The Host depicts a world where the human race has been colonized by parasitic aliens known as ‘Souls’. The central character, now in hiding, battles to save her body from a similar fate.
Adapted from the 2008 novel of the same name by Stephenie Meyer, and featuring a strong central performance by Saoirse Ronan, this film can accurately be described as an extraterrestrial Twilight.
Another entry in the ‘Young Adult Dystopia’ genre, The Host joins our list of movies like the 5th wave.
2. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
What if it’s safer outside than in? That is the central premise of this nail-biting film, where Michelle, the victim of a car accident, wakes up in the basement of a man with the dubious claim that he’s just saved her from a chemical attack, leaving the outside world uninhabitable.
While the first installment of the Cloverfield franchise had everyone reaching for the motion sickness bucket, Dan Trachtenberg’s film discards the ‘found footage’ approach in favor of a third-person view.
Featuring excellent performances by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, and John Gallagher Jr, the apocalyptic subject matter helps it join our list of movies like the 5th wave.
3. Hunger Games (2012)
Becoming something of a byword for anarchy and lawlessness, the Hunger Games really hit the cultural consciousness when it released in 2012, and has since become a highly successful series.
Creating a post-apocalyptic future where a boy and a girl from each district are annually chosen to compete in a televised fight to the death, the film features a kick-ass central performance from Jennifer Lawrence, as well as some unique and creative directing from Gary Ross.
With its strong female lead forging ahead in a dystopian universe, this is perfect for those who appreciate movies similar to The 5th wave.
4. Divergent (2014)
In a post-apocalyptic world where humans are grouped into orderly, harmonious units, it takes an outsider to realize that all is not as it seems.
Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) plays the lead role in this high octane movie, as her ‘divergent’ status leads her to uncover a secret plot that threatens to unravel this apparently peaceful society.
Combining drama, suspense, and a similarly apocalyptic world as seen in movies like the 5th wave, this is one to add to the ‘up next’ queue.
5. Mortal Instruments – City of Bones (2013)
With elements of fantasy and romance, the first installment of Mortal Instruments follows teenager Clary Fray’s journey into ‘Downworld’ – an alternative realm populated with demons, vampires, and other creatures – as she attempts to rescue her mother from evil forces,
The film was based on the Young Adult series of the same name by Cassandra Clare. With a huge cult following, the film draws us deep down into this supernatural universe, and features a star-studded cast of heartthrobs including Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Robert Sheehan.
Movies like the 5th wave utilize a romance narrative amid challenging circumstances. The Mortal Instruments series is highly recommended for audiences who love this formula.
6. The Giver (2014)
Like many other films in this genre, The Giver owes its high concept plot to its literary roots. In a colorless world where all forms of emotion have been removed, it falls to 16-year-old Jonas to bear the burden of memory and bring back everything that makes us human.
Directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Jeff Bridges, Brenton Thwaites, and the immortal Meryl Streep, the film has been accused of not being entirely faithful to the original, but is still an entertaining, vividly rendered watch.
In its imaginative depiction of a post-apocalyptic society, The Giver has earned its spot on our list of movies like the 5th wave.
7. The Road (2009)
Based on the famous work by Cormac McCarthy, The Road follows a man and his son attempting to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. They battle violent scavengers and other evils as they travel down “the road.” But is their destination any safer?
Directed by John Hillcoat and written by Joe Penhall, the film features some bleak cinematography that masterfully conjures a sense of desolation and hopelessness.
Movies like the 5th wave show how the strength of a relationship can overcome whatever existential crises can threaten society. Add this classic to the list.
8. Sunshine (2007)
In this end-of-days thriller, the primary antagonist is the sun. In this terrifying scenario, the sun is dying, and a group of scientists embark on a space mission to try and re-ignite it with a bomb. What could go wrong, right?
Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, this is a beautiful yet deeply unnerving film. Lashings of yellow and red make up the colour palette, and some strong central performances from Cillian Murphy and Chris Evans give it an air of chilling realism.
Another film, another potential apocalypse. This joins our collection of movies like the 5th wave.
9. The Book of Eli (2010
Take your typical lone ranger figure and transport them far into a post-apocalyptic future and you have The Book of Eli. Ordered to deliver his copy of a mysterious book to a safe location, this film follows his perilous journey along the way.
With an outstanding lineup featuring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, and Mila Kunis, this film draws expertly on the Western genre to deliver a hugely compelling watch.
In terms of style and substance, The Book of Eli closely matches movies like the 5th wave, which make up the apocalyptic thriller genre.
10. Children of Men (2006)
After a global pandemic (gulp), the world is suffering from a widespread infertility crisis. But when one woman falls pregnant, she must be safely transported to a team of scientists working on a top-secret cure.
This suspenseful thriller features sequence after sequence of edge-of-the-seat action, as the miracle of childbirth, is celebrated amid a grim, industrial dystopia. Co-written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, this film was a huge hit when it was released, and currently holds a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Another film dealing with an existential crisis, this makes up the final position in our list of movies like the 5th wave.