The end of the world doesn’t always happen with a bang; on television, it might be a disease, nuclear bomb, or environmental disaster. InSnowpiercer, the global extinction event is a manmade solution to the climate crisis that goes horribly awry. Returning this week for itssecond season(it has already been renewed by TNT for a third), the passengers of the perpetually moving locomotive are confronted by survivors aboard another train. Based on the 1982 French graphic novelLe Transperceneige(which was adapted by Bong Joon-ho in 2013), the inhabitable frozen wasteland provides the backdrop for a society in conflict.
Apocalyptic scenarios date back to the Bible, and the widespread destruction is often an allegory for something else. The decimation of a population can be caused by a sudden mass disappearance, reproductive issues, nuclear war, a virus, or another catastrophic event; the Atomic Age heavily influenced science fiction and the sprawling Cold War’s impact can be seen in a number of the entries below.
In recent years, the television apocalypse has taken many different forms, whether based on existing IPs or original material — representing escapism that suggests resilience in the face of adversity, the selections below include drama, horror, sci-fi, and even a sitcom dealing with the end of the world. This isn’t meant to be a list signifying what’s “best”, but rather how to get a baseline of television knowledge in the apocalypse genre. Maybe you will discover something new, or even want to revisit an old favorite.
Planet of the Apes (1974)
Based on the French novelLa Planète des singesbyPierre Boulle, thePlanet of the ApesTV adaptation went back to the origins of the 1968 movie. It might have been a case ofPlanet of the Apesfatigue, asRoddy McDowall’scrossover from the big to the small screen only lasted the original 14-episode order by CBS — five movies released in quick succession preceded it. The following decade, several of these episodes were spliced and edited to make five made-for-TV movies telling the story of two astronauts (a third died in the crash) who are caught in a time warp and end up on a version of Earth dominated by humanoid apes. Befriended by sympathetic ape Galen (McDowall), Colonel Alan Virdon (Ron Harper) and Major Peter J. Burke (James Naughton) must figure out how to survive this hostile environment and a world that is no longer recognizable. Episodes tackled issues including chemical warfare and the controversial use of Agent Orange in the Vietnam War, and “The Liberator” was rumored to have been pulled from the original scheduled datedue to the incendiary subject matter.
Logan’s Run (1977-1978)
Set in the 24th century, a nuclear war has wiped out much of the world’s population in the TV version of the dystopian movie of the same name. Survivors live in blissful ignorance until the age of 30 when they are killed in the Carousel extermination ceremony that promises reincarnation. Sandmen pursue those who escape the City of Domes including former Sandman Logan 5 (Gregory Harrison) and Jessica 6 (Heather Menzies) who flee in the pilot. Searching for a mythical place called the Sanctuary they are assisted by an android called REM (Donald Moffat)who comes from a city run by robots. Not only did production use footage from the 1976 movie, but the sleek Sandman silver turtleneck and black costume design were also utilized – talk about a sustainable production! Other standout futuristic developments include the hovercraft style vehicles that were the work of custom car manufacturerDean Jeffries(he also custom-designed the moon buggy fromDiamonds Are Forever). While the cars and Sandmen get to rock a futuristic design, Jessica’s flimsy pink ensemble is a retro barely-there mini-dress – neither practical nor camouflage-worthy against the desert terrain. This is another case of CBS canceling a series based on a movie after 14 episodes.
The Day of the Triffids (1981)
Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) is far from the first character to wake up in a hospital after an apocalyptic event, which has become a familiar science-fiction trope (see also,28 Days LaterandThe Stand). Adapted fromJohn Wyndham’s1951 novel, Bill Masen’s (John Duttine) fortuitous medical emergency meant he did not witness the meteorite shower that blinded most of the world’s population. Even before the Triffid plants begin to attack, society has broken down in the six-part co-production between the BBC and Australia’s ABC. UnlikeSteve Sekley’scheesy monster-focused ‘60s film version, the 1981 production is faithful to the novel and captures Cold War fears coupled with a philosophical exploration of what makes a civilization.
Impressive practical effects capture the menace of this scenario with visual effects designerSteve Drewettbasing his designon parasitic plants. This decade also marked a renewed increase in tensions between the Soviets and the US, which is reflected in the apocalyptic television mini-series and made-for-TV movies trend. Another loose adaptation was made by the BBC in 2009 starringDougray Scott,Eddie Izzard,Brian Cox, and real-life mother and daughterVanessa RedgraveandJoely Richardson, but the 1981 version is still the definitive telling of Wyndham’s cautionary tale.
The Old Men at the Zoo (1983)
Rather than nuclear war dominating the plot, the five-part BBC satirical drama based onAngus Wilson’s1961 novel follows Wilson’s foregrounding of zoo politics while danger lurks – in fact, the novel doesn’t even include the bombs. Set in 1970, after an ill giraffe kills a warden (hello,Zoo), the blame game begins between different departments. Taking the allegorical approach for the majority of the mini-series, the dangers posed by various animals and the actions taken (or not) by the arrogant men in charge are a clear nod to the precarious political situation – as well as mirroring the crumbling British Empire. The final episode shows the devastation after the bombs have hit and the broken society that resides within the ruins. This is a mostly forgotten mini-series, but its unusual pacing and structure set it apart from other atomic anxiety-laden projects from the period. InSusan Sontag’s“The Imagination of Disaster” she writes that “fantasy can do is to normalize what is psychologically unbearable, thereby inuring us to it.” She made this observation about science-fiction in the ‘50s and ‘60s, but the 1980s – includingThe Old Men at the Zoo– also tapped into this particular philosophy.
The Day After (1983)
Apocalyptic scenarios are not always allegorical and simply reflect the very real horror that could befall the planet if cooler heads do not prevail. One of the TV events of the decade, ABC’sThe Day Afterdrew an audience of100 million Americanson a Sunday night in 1983. Showcasing a potential “What If?” scenario, this two-hour movie depicts full-scale nuclear war and the devastating impact it would have.Nicholas Meyer’s film doesn’t hold back, emphasizing the horrifying death and injuries that would occurifall went to hell. By focusing on several families, it portrayed the human cost, and while the dialogue is incredibly cheesy (and performances are over the top) it offered a direct antiwar.President Reaganscreened the movie at Camp David and later told Meyer that this movie had an impact on him – in his diary at the timehe noted it had“left me greatly depressed.”The Americansportrayed this TV event in the Season 4 episode “The Days After,” tapping into the overwhelming dread of the period as tensions bubbled between the ideologically opposed nations. The image of an FBI Agent watching alongside deep-cover KGB operatives doesn’t go unnoticed and the FX series effectively wields pop culture from this period to emphasize the deep battle scars.
Threads (1984)
BBC Director-GeneralAlasdair MilnecommissionedThreadsafter he watched the controversial 1966 pseudo-documentaryWar Games. Peter Watkins’ fictional portrayal of nuclear war was meant to air on British television, but was pulled from the schedule after pressure from the government who believed it would have a significant negative impact on viewers. Coming after the ABC portrayal of full-scale nuclear war,Threadsalso focuses on one location after the US and USSR have launched their arsenal of atomic weapons. Rather than only showing the immediate aftermath, this TV movie reveals the extent of the devastation a decade later. Nearly 40 years after it first debuted, the critical consensus is still overwhelmingly positive andMick Jackson’sportrayal of a nuclear winter is a nightmare situation which is still hard-hitting. Praised for the “kitchen sink” realism in the dialogue and setting, this drama earned itself the accolade of “the night the country didn’t sleep” — and Ronald Reagan is also said to have screened this all-too-real look at nuclear annihilation.
The Stand (1994)
The CBS All AccessadaptationofStephen King’sbeloved 1978 novel is currently airing, which also wisely takes the mini-series approach after years of movie production woes. But for many, this version is iconic. King’s 1,100-page tome (stretching to 1,400 pages for the uncut edition) pits a battle of good versus evil in a world that has been ravaged by a weaponized virus — called Captain Trips — that has killed 99 percent of the population. A clash between a community led by the 108-year-old Mother Abigail (Ruby Dee)against the insidious Randall Flagg (Jamey Sheridan) sets the scene for the four-part version that is relatively faithful to King’s text.Gary Sinise,Molly Ringwald, andRob Lowestar in the Emmy-winning series.
Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
Whether it is a disease, an environmental disaster, or technology, the common thread connecting the apocalypse on television is humans. This is also the case inBattlestar Galacticaafter the Cylons evolved and rebelled against their inventors. In the distant future, civilization is now spread across planets in another star system known as the Twelve Colonies and what remains of the human race must try to find Earth to defeat the cybernetic race they created.Ronald D. Moore’supdated version of the 1978 series is a television sci-fi favorite which won over critics and fans alike during its four seasons on the air. Allusions to the War on Terror is another example of how genre holds a mirror up to current events — no matter how fantastical or futuristic the setting. SinceBSGwent off the air, there have been other efforts to explore this universe, and while spinoffCapricawas a prequel, which only ran for one season, andBattlestar Galactica: Blood & Chromewas also set before the TV series,Mr. Robotcreator Sam Esmailrecently teasedtheBattlestarseries he is working on for Peacock willnotbe a reboot.
Jericho (2006-2008)
Rebuilding after a catastrophic event is a common apocalyptic TV theme andJerichofollows this model. After the residents of Jericho, Kansas witness a nuclear event in Denver, Colorado, they must piece together what has happened and adapt to survive. In total 23 cities have been hit across the US, which has wiped out power and communication. This isolation puts an emphasis on the community response that explores leadership, how to make do with limited resources, and the inability to trust those in power. Drawing onThe Day After’ssmall-town setting, the political subtext had shifted from the Cold War to the War on Terror andGeorge W. Bush’ssecond term. Perhaps most famous for the fan campaign that saw CBS renew it for a second season (after it had been canceled), but there were not enough peanuts to substantially increase ratings and it was canceled for a second time in 2008.
Survivors (2008-2010)
Several entries on this list tick the virus scenario that wipes out the majority of the world’s population, followed by survivors struggling to restore a semblance of control — while also dealing with the trauma of the event. This short-lived potent BBC series is a re-engineered take onTerry Nation’s1975 series (and subsequent novelization) that saw a previously unknown form of influenza referred to as the “European Flu” have deadly and wide-reaching consequences.Adrian Hodges’series came at a time when bird flu and SARS were a fresh reminder of a potential global pandemic, which, when viewed through a 2020 lens, feels prescient rather than fantastical.
