Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief as we watch 2020 pass us in the rearview mirror. But get those eyes back on the road as 2021 and beyond look to be pretty incredible for the post-apocalyptic genre.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at all the upcoming post-apocalyptic movies that you don’t want to miss. This includes those with a definitive release date in 2021 and even ones that will most likely release in 2021. And of course, don’t forget to check out our regularly updated calendar that keeps track of all upcoming post-apocalyptic movies, TV shows, books, video games, and more!
New Post-Apocalyptic Movies Premiering in 2021 (or shortly thereafter)
Chaos Walking: March 5
Based on the best-selling sci-fi trilogy of the same name, Chaos Walking is finally coming to theaters this March, a solid two years after it was originally set to release in 2019. Its premise is simple: a woman-less planet gets an alien visitor (Daisy Ridley) who must endure a world where all men’s thoughts are on display. I have so many jokes, but let’s wait and see how this one plays out.
BIOS: April 16
Tom Hanks stars in this film about the last man on Earth who invents an android to keep him and his dog safe in their travels across the country.
A Quiet Place II: April 23
After the success of the first film in 2018, this sequel will continue the story of the Abbotts who travel outside of their comfort zone to face greater threats than those crazy super-hearing creatures. John Krasinski and Emily Blunt will reprise their roles with Krasinski set to direct.
The Forever Purge: July 9
This fifth and final installment in the Purge series takes one last look at the annual Purge event that allows all crime, including murder, to be legal for 12 hours. While not technically post-apocalyptic, it’s a scary look into what will most likely happen to society in the event of a global apocalypse.
Dune: October 1
Fans of the original 1965 novel (and even the 1984 film adaptation) rejoice as the latest interpretation of the Dune story will release this fall. This one is said to only cover the first half of the book while a sequel will get to the second half, but what we’ve seen of Dune so far is pretty amazing.
The Matrix 4: December 22
Despite swearing off a fourth film in the series after The Matrix Revolutions, the Wachowskis have brought the band back together after all. Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, Lambert Wilson and Daniel Bernhardt will all reprise their roles for this movie, although a solid plot has not been revealed yet.
Army of the Dead: 2021 (Netflix exclusive)
This one has been a long time coming, but soon after its 2021 release, there’s said to be a prequel film and an anime TV series as well. This movie stars Dave Bautista as a mercenary who leads a team to knock over a Vegas casino right in the middle of a zombie outbreak.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth: Premiere Date TBA
I learned more about “The Forest of Hands and Teeth” movie starring @Maisie_Williams while at #yallfest: https://t.co/yHmlXJktuX @YALLFest
— Jocelyn Rish (@JocelynRish) November 26, 2015
It’s been over 5 years since we last heard about the addition of Game of Thrones‘ Maisie Williams to the cast of this dystopian novel adaptation, but we still have high hopes that it will release soon. Billed as a mix between The Village and The Walking Dead, this film is highly anticipated on our list.
First in the Walking Dead trilogy: Premiere Date TBA
THE WALKING DEAD’s RICK GRIMES MOVIE Reported to Have “Hard” R Ratinghttps://t.co/49ARl9i7Ks pic.twitter.com/bEBakBcp5U
— ComicBook NOW! (@ComicBookNOW) January 4, 2021
The Walking Dead is a behemoth franchise that includes the original comic books, the wildly popular TV series, video and board games, novels, and even a few spin-off shows, but there’s official word of a movie trilogy in the works as well. The films will star Andrew Lincoln in his usual role as Rick Grimes, but these are said to tell Rick’s story after his surprise exit from the show in 2018.
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