Anime, Movies

The Top 10 Animated Post-Apocalyptic Movies of All Time

Top Animated Movies

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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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) 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 all
Countries: 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) 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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    Shawn has been infatuated with the post-apocalyptic genre since he wore out his horribly American-dubbed VHS of the original Mad Max as a child. Shawn is the former Editor-in-Chief at Massively.com, creator of the Aftermath post-apocalyptic immersion event, and author of "AI For All," a guide to navigating this strange new world of artificial intelligence.
    He currently resides on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere with his wife and four children.

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