While Japan certainly has the market cornered on animated post-apocalyptic films, this article includes a list of my favorite animated films from all over the world. This is certainly not a complete list, but it’s my ten favorite at the time of this writing.
#10 Wizards
Wizards Animation, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi | February 9, 1977 (United States) Summary: On a post-apocalyptic Earth, a wizard and his faire folk comrades fight an evil wizard who's using technology in his bid for conquest.
Countries: United StatesLanguages: English, German
Honestly, this movie is so crazy it should be #1 on my list, but I’m not currently on acid, so it goes down to #10. In the same year George Lucas was showing off Star Wars (1977), director Ralph Bakshi was showing off this masterpiece.
#9 Titan A.E.
Titan A.E. | June 16, 2000 (United States)
Director: Don Bluth, Gary GoldmanWriter: Hans Bauer, Randall McCormick, Ben EdlundStars: Matt Damon, Drew Barrymore, Bill Pullman
Summary: Countries: United StatesLanguages: English, Mandarin
The world didn’t end as predicted in the year 2000, but we did get this film as compensation. Titan A.E. never did get great ratings at the box office, but I thoroughly enjoyed it for what it was at the time.
#8 9
9 Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller | September 9, 2009 (United States)
Director: Shane AckerWriter: Pamela Pettler, Shane Acker, Ben GluckStars: Elijah Wood, Jennifer Connelly, Crispin Glover
Summary: A rag doll that awakens in a postapocalyptic future holds the key to humanity's salvation.Countries: United States, CanadaLanguages: English
A scary animated post-apocalyptic movie from Tim Burton? Yes, please! 9 has a great message and wonderful story, but the thing that stuck with me the most about this film is the unique imagery.
#7 Conan the Future Boy: The Big Giant Robot’s Resurrection
Conan the Future Boy: The Big Giant Robot's Resurrection Animation, Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi | March 11, 1984 (Japan)
Director: Hayao MiyazakiWriter: Alexander Key, Akira NakanoStars: Noriko Ohara, Mieko Nobusawa, Kazuyo Aoki
Summary: Countries: JapanLanguages: Japanese
This is Hayao Miyazaki’s second film on this list, but not his best (in my opinion). Still, the whole Conan the Future Boy series is an amazing story, and this film goes right along with all the rest.
#6 Fist of the North Star
Fist of the North Star Animation, Action, Drama, Fantasy | September 27, 1991 (United States)
Director: Toyoo AshidaWriter: Buronson, Tetsuo Hara, Susumu TakakuStars: Akira Kamiya, Yuriko Yamamoto, Kenji Utsumi
Summary: Countries: JapanLanguages: Japanese
Another classic 80s anime that shaped my childhood, Fist of the North Star features a great story and some of the best post-apocalyptic biker gangs outside of GI Joe’s Dreanoks.
#5 Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Animation, Adventure, Sci-Fi | November 25, 1987 (United States)
Director: Hayao MiyazakiWriter: Hayao Miyazaki, Cindy Davis, Donald H. HewittStars: Sumi Shimamoto, Mahito Tsujimura, Hisako Kyôda
Summary: Countries: JapanLanguages: Japanese
This 1984 film is such a classic Miyazaki masterpiece that I will just go ahead and say that it’s better than his most popular anime, Spirited Away. There, I said it. Ironically, my first exposure to Miyazaki was in the Heidi anime of the 70s, but I’m always a big fan.
#4 Attack on Titan: The Roar of Awakening
Attack on Titan: The Roar of Awakening | January 13, 2018 (Japan)
Director: Masashi KoizukaWriter: Hajime Isayama, Yasuko KobayashiStars: Yûki Kaji, Yui Ishikawa, Marina Inoue
Summary: Countries: JapanLanguages: Japanese
There are a handful of great Attack on Titan properties (including the series and the manga), but I believe that this full-length feature film from 2018 is the best for my list.
#3 When the Wind Blows
When the Wind Blows | March 11, 1988 (United States) Summary:
Countries: United KingdomLanguages: English
This 1986 film started life as a graphic novel, but the film was so much better, thanks in part to a soundtrack featuring David Bowie and Roger Waters.
#2 Akira
Akira | June 28, 1991 (United States)
Director: Katsuhiro ÔtomoWriter: Katsuhiro Ôtomo, Izô HashimotoStars: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama
Summary: A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath who can only be stopped by a teenager, his gang of biker friends and a gro... Read allCountries: JapanLanguages: Japanese
Akira made every kid in 1988 want to buy a fast motorcycle and save the world. Akira set the stage for anime’s wild popularity in the west and truly became a turning point for anime’s global acceptance.
#1 WALL-E
WALL·E Animation, Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi | June 27, 2008 (United States)
Director: Andrew StantonWriter: Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim ReardonStars: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin
Summary: Countries: United StatesLanguages: English, Hindi
While many of the films on this list are not really made for children, WALL-E is one of the greatest family movies of all time. It regularly tops lists for best sci-fi and best animated films and it has one helluva great message. WALL-E is one of the greatest films ever made, animated or not.
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