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We rank 18 post-apocalyptic sci-fi survivors from best to worst
If The Road and 2012 are right, the end of the world is inevitable. The good news is, there'll always be some badasses who can help us survive in the wasteland that follows.
Here's a ranking of the post-apocalyptic survivors, from the ones we'd want to hang with to the ones we wouldn't share a bunker with if the human race depended on it.
Check them out below!
- Robert Neville (Will Smith), I Am Legend:
He had the system down. There was a routine that kept him in shape, well stocked and home before dark. In this apocalypse, everyone but Neville died off, but we’d still want to spend whatever time we had left under his protection. Plus, anyone with abs like that deserves to be the last man standing.
- The Man (Viggo Mortensen), The Road:
The Man lived in an apocalypse that eliminated all animals and vegetation, so didn’t have the benefits of nourishment that Neville had. He was still pretty resourceful with what was left. For a guy that skinny, he still fended off the nefarious rogues well enough to keep his boy safe.
- Max (Mel Gibson), The Road Warrior:
In a future where violent gangs ruled, we’d want someone as tough as Max to protect us. The films didn’t focus on how he kept so spry and limber, but he probably had a stash of canned food somewhere. At the very least, he could drive so we’d always have a ride.
- The Mariner (Kevin Costner), Waterworld:
Sure, laugh at the gills or the lackluster box office, but if the world were flooded, it would be nice to have a fishman around. He can always dive down to the ruins to fish for supplies, and it’s revealed in the movie that he can breathe for two people at once.
- Eli (Denzel Washington), Book of Eli:
The movie’s not even out yet but it looks like Eli kicks some serious butt with those martial arts skills. If you’re a book, he’s your ultimate protector but it looks like he’ll keep some people safe, too.
- Robert Morgan (Vincent Price), The Last Man on Earth:
The first film version of I Am Legend cast Price as a less buff survivalist, but at least he kept his house locked up and knew where to look for food. When survivors did show up, he was the go to guy.
- WALL-E, WALL-E:
Technically, WALL-E is designed to clean up after there are no humans left, but a robot like WALL-E would certainly make things easier for survivors. Just send him out to gather supplies. He can go forever, but he’s also a little needy so he wouldn’t be the first choice to spend the rest of earth’s existence with.
- Shaun (Simon Pegg), Shaun of the Dead:
It’ll take a few hours for Shaun to really get going, but ultimately he’s reliable. Just be sure you like pubs and Queen music because those will be his go-to plans for holing up from the zombie hordes.
- Robert Neville (Charlton Heston),Omega Man:
The third and middle portrayal of I Am Legend is the sketchiest. Sure, Heston’s Neville can handle a gun. Just try to pry it from his cold dead hands, but he’s so reckless and self-centered, you might be better off just staying out of his way.
- Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Zombieland:
Let’s face it, Tallahassee would make a reluctant partner at best. He can fight off the zombie hordes but he’s just as likely to terrorize you along the way. Plus, his obsession with Twinkies neglects the sort of essentials for survival you’ll need after the apocalypse.
- Sam Hell (Roddy Piper), Hell Comes to Frogtown:
Maybe Sam can body slam the mutant frog men, but he’s the last fertile man alive. That’s the kind of competition you don’t need.
- Vic (Don Johnson), A Boy and his Dog:
Women especially would want to stay away from this one. The future of A Boy and his Dog is all about rape. We’ll also trust that respectable men wouldn’t want anything to do with that either. Even though Vic likes raping less than other violent gangs do, he doesn’t do a whole lot in the realm of survival either.
- Cole (Bruce Willis), 12 Monkeys:
Sure, you can put Cole in a Hazmat suit and send him to the viral surface of the earth, but he doesn’t work well with others. He makes a mess of the present, getting his years mixed up, and he can’t even figure out who the guy he saw get shot in the airport was. So Cole’s only making things worse.
- Denton Van Zan (Matthew McConaughey), Reign of Fire:
Denton comes in all tough with his plans to slay dragons, but all he brings is trouble. We were doing just fine holed up in a castle, thank you. Now we’ve got fire and violence and testosterone to deal with. Way to go, Denton.
- The Postman (Kevin Costner), The Postman:
I’m actually not jumping on the bandwagon hating on this movie. Just the sheer fact that this character is selfish, he’s not going to help you. Then you think he’s going to find some food or shelter and all he ends up doing is delivering the mail? A can of tuna would be a more immediate benefit.
- Harold Lauder, The Stand:
Now this guy is dangerous. He’ll live with the survivors and try to make nice but then try to blow everyone up when he doesn’t get his way. There’s always one in every in-fighting group, so make sure you stay away from this one.
- The army, 28 Days Later:
In a post-apocalyptic aftermath it’s tempting to want to side with the guys with guns. This army’s a little too overeager to repopulate the earth. I mean, it’s only been a month. Give the ladies a chance to mourn for humanity before you force them to breed!
- Narrator (James Lurie), History Channel’s Life After People:
What’s this guy going to do for you, just talk about the environment? Come on!
By Andrew at 12:51 PM ON 11/24/09
Ash from the Evil Dead service might be pretty handy for backup in a post apocalyptic world. His survival instincts include replacing his severed hand with a chainsaw and a sawed off shotgun with unlimited ammo!
By Kevin at 12:55 PM ON 11/24/09
One of the oldest: Ray Milland, Panic in the Year Zero. Just a guy trying to keep his family safe after the H-bombs go off. Originates several cliches.
By Meredith at 12:57 PM ON 11/24/09
There should be a television show in this list: the residents of "Jericho."
By Obi Window Washer at 1:07 PM ON 11/24/09
People put down "The Postman" but I rather liked it.
By Tempus13 at 1:18 PM ON 11/24/09
I can't beleive you put 'Hell Comes to Frogtown' in the same category as these other movies. Guess it just goes to show someone has a sense of humor.
By asfm at 1:25 PM ON 11/24/09
I really can't stand the voice of the Life After People narrator. Did he do The Universe too? It's the most completely inappropriate voice possible for a documentary.
By Closettrekkie at 1:35 PM ON 11/24/09
still have a soft spot for the omega man always a favourite of mine dispite heston,s political views agree with previous comment on Jericho good show just started repeats here on itv4 sky 120 mondays at 7pm great !
By Stopthemadness at 1:46 PM ON 11/24/09
I'm probably going to be in the minority here, but I really liked Waterworld and The Postman. Both had unique anti-heroes. I loved the scene in WW where Costner stands on the deck of the ship facing his enemies and drops the flare into the oil tank.
By wedge at 1:48 PM ON 11/24/09
what's with godzilla in the waterworld immage?
By Stopthemadness at 1:53 PM ON 11/24/09
Godzilla must be in one of the deleted scenes of Waterworld. Guess we need to wait for the directors cut. LOL
By marillion at 2:34 PM ON 11/24/09
count me in among those who really liked the Postman, and to a certain extent, Waterworld. Both were overblown both in length and budget, but were pretty good movies when you get right down to it.
And, yes, Kostner basically played the same character in both movies, the only difference being that in Waterworld, he shunned people and in the Postman he needed them so he could con his next meal.
By Mandy at 3:07 PM ON 11/24/09
Umm... Scifi Wire...
Robert Morgan
Robert Neville
and Robert Neville
Those are all the same character, just portrayed by different actors and different film adaptations of the same story though yes Will Smith was the best but I'll always have a place in my heart for Vincent Price.
By KatsuKaze at 3:25 PM ON 11/24/09
So if this is supposed to be a list from good to bad in keeping you alive, then why is Woodie Harrelson listed so low and Will Smith listed first? Will died and Woody lived on... And is it fair to list movies that haven't been released yet to the public?
By Mandy at 3:40 PM ON 11/24/09
In the alternate ending Will Smith lived. The alternate ending made more sense too. It felt like the theatrical ending was just there for the sake of things going explodey
By Jeff at 4:48 PM ON 11/24/09
You all forgot about Tank Girl! She had the hardware and the attitude.
By Walt at 6:25 PM ON 11/24/09
Tank Girl ruled!
By LG at 7:04 PM ON 11/24/09
Glad to see that they didn't forget The Omega Man. That is definitely my favorite of the four versions of the film. (The Last Man on Earth, The Omega Man, I Am Omega and I Am Legend) They also had the Mariner from Waterworld. I actually liked the movie.
By Ken Morrison at 7:12 PM ON 11/24/09
Waterworld was a very good movie that actually made more than it cost. I liked the Postman also. At the core of both movies is a story. Both movies have excellent supporting casts as well who bring much to the characters they play.
If you have the chance, read the books.
I also read The Road. I'm looking forward to that movie as well.
Besides, how many other post apocalyptic movies are you going to find with a character named "Baby Eater" in them?...
By greg at 8:42 PM ON 11/24/09
you definitely missed out Yorrick from Y: The Last Man.
thats one of the best bits of post apoclyptic fiction and he one of the best survivors
By MetalPause at 10:11 AM ON 11/25/09
I love Life After People! It is like The Weather Channel for sci-fi geeks. So... very... soothing.
By Hank Jekyll at 1:09 PM ON 11/25/09
Harold Lauder/Corin Nemec? The Stand? This pick has re-afirmed my faith in SyFy.
By Snarf at 1:32 PM ON 11/25/09
The Postman was about a con-artist and self-involved drifter who eventually wakes up to the larger world. As badly executed as it was, it did communicate a message about building communities and keeping people together in the face of anarchy.
That said, we have forgotten about Damnation Alley's Major Sam Denton (George Peppard). Who else to lead you across a radiation-devastated continent battling the hillbillies from Deliverance and huge mutated killer Madagascar hissing cockroaches?
By Carl at 1:39 PM ON 11/25/09
What about the 80's classic, The Day After, the made for TV movie about folks in Kansas City surviving WWIII. The Mushroom Clouds were fantastic!
By jbs780 at 10:44 PM ON 11/25/09
Damnation Alley...ah yes! Who could forget the killer coch roaches!
By rtavi at 10:16 AM ON 11/26/09
God people!-I am Legend Sucked! It completely missed the point of the book and like the Omega Man totally dropped the punchline at the end which was the whole reason for the title in the first place. Last Man on Earth was the closest yet to the book as bad as it was--Read the frakking book. Likewise go read The Postman-a great book that hollywood managed to only mangle 75%.
For major regurgitition though, consider the sticking of Asimov's I Robot title for on the other Will Smith Crapfest. Read the short story collection then get a copy of Harlan Ellison's excellent screenplay that will never see the light of day after this mess or Andre Norton's Beastmaster-another title steal.
By Mandy at 4:20 PM ON 11/26/09
rtavi, the theatrical version of I am Legend with Will Smith DID miss the point. The alternate ending version restores it. It's very different from theatrical release. Seek the version of the DVD with the alternate version built in. It's far superior and DOES follow the book. I don't know why the theatrical version didn't. It's like they're two different movies but with the same actor in the lead role.
By kkor3 at 11:13 AM ON 11/27/09
This format is horrible by the way... You can't read all of the text and when you "click to enlarge" you get a transparent overly of the picture with purple text you can hardly make out. Don't know if everyone gets this, but its annoying because I like the content.
By DragonFan at 10:44 PM ON 11/28/09
One of my post-apocolpytic favorites that is not on this list is "The Ultimate Warrior" with Yul Brenner. It's cheesy and has stiff acting, but it's a lot of fun. Who knew tomatos would be so sought after.
By Dawen at 7:04 PM ON 11/30/09
Where are the girls from Night of the Comet. The movie I most want to see remade with modern sensibilities!
By Roy at 9:04 PM ON 12/17/09
Has anyone seen "The Noah", a 1975 b&w post-apocalyptic film that was never released theatrically but now on DVD? The top in my list.
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Roy:
Has anyone seen "The Noah", a 1975 b&w post-apocalyptic film that was never released theatrically but now on DVD? ...More »