But guess what! While we were scouting for some really good cinematic experiences to share with you, we chanced upon some gems which co-incidentally also had ‘end-of-the-world’ as their theme! And if the saying ‘films are a reflection of real life’ is to anything to go by, this is how the world is going to go down according to these 10 Hollywood movies:

1. 2012 (2009)

Directed by Roland Emmerich

If there’s one movie which actually made us stare at our final days on the planet in cold sweat, it’s got to be ‘2012’. Inspired by Graham Hancock’s bestselling book ‘Fingerprints of the Gods’ and heavily exploiting the paranoia around the Mayan prediction about the doomsday in 2012, the movie ‘2012’ exposed our darkest fears and brought them alive on the 60 mm screen.

Knitting some real natural disasters, geological calculations, earthquakes and global warming with the dread concept of doomsday, you wouldn’t find a movie with more breathtaking special effects which depict the earth shaking, oceans flooding, roads cracking and ultimately the whole world coming apart.

2. The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

Director: Roland Emmerich

Another marvel in the end-of-the-times genre, ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ deals with the concept of global warming and how it would ultimately lead us to ice age. Finding its inspiration in a real-life theory known as ‘The Coming Global Superstorm’, Roland Emmerich leads us to believe that the sea levels are rising and ocean currents and weather patterns are being disrupted. Not as much of a destruction fest as ‘2012’, the world doesn’t end in this movie but our wits definitely do!

3. Melancholia (2011)

Directed by Lars von Trier

In the first half of the film, Trier wouldn’t let you feel that it’s an apocalypse movie. Narrated on the backdrop of a wedding, family feuds and two sisters Clare and Justine, whose roles reverse during the film, Melancholia is a story of a family which lives in denial of the impending doom which is approaching in the form of a fiery rogue planet, set to collide with earth. However, it’s Kirsten Dunst’s movie all the way as she plays her character of a depressed bride with elan and yet emerges as the strongest character in the movie.

4. Take Shelter (2011)

Directed by Jeff Nichols

Have you ever had visions regarding something bad which is about to happen? If yes, did you believe them? This is what ‘Take Shelter’ is all about. Curtis’ dreams of coming catastrophic storms are getting stronger by the day and he ultimately decides to protect himself and his family from the natural disaster. The story form thereon is all about Curtis building an underground shelter to survive the catastrophe, losing his job and social acceptance in the process. But do his visions turn true? Does he survive the catastrophe? Watch the movie to find out.

5. These Final Hours (2013)

Directed by Zak Hilditch

What would you do with your final few hours if the world is going to end tomorrow? James (Nathan Philips) decides to party his way to the end in a haze of drink, drugs and high-octane sex. However, the plot changes rapidly when James rescues a little girl from her rapists on his way to the party. The situation acts as a wake-up call and brings him face-to-face to the stark reality which is- a rolling goblet of fire is peeling the life off earth and these are his final few hours alive!

6. WALL-E (2008)

Directed by Andrew Stanton

Andrew Stanton dared to attempt which was never attempted before and quite deserving won as Oscar for it too! WALL-E is an animated movie that depicts doomsday not by earthquakes, not by tsunamis and not by asteroid collisions but by waste mismanagement! Watch out for this Oscar-winning movie which shows how our planet has become a dumping ground ultimately forcing the human species to scout for other options in space to reside! Interesting right? Go figure yourself!

7. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

Directed by Lorene Scafaria

‘Seeking a Friend for the End of the World’ narrates another apocalyptic scenario albeit with a rom-com treatment. The story is an interesting mashup of emotions which run high when the world is set to end in 3 weeks and efforts to re-connect with loved ones for the last time. However, what is refreshing is that love erupts between S teve Carell and Keira Knightley, in this not-so-comfortable situation and wins everybody’s hearts!

This movie is not spine-chilling but its premise definitely is.

8. The Road (2009)

Directed by John Hillcoat

We have seen movies which warn us of the doomsday and show us the end. But ‘Road’ takes us through a journey which starts once the characters survive the catastrophic fall of the earth. The story thereon is about the efforts of the father-son duo to survive in this post-apocalyptic world and keep the human race alive. However, a bigger threat awaits them in the form of their very own fellow humans who have turned into savages, scavengers and worse!

9. Knowing (2009)

Directed by Alex Proyas

Easily one of Nicolas Cage’s best performances, ‘Knowing’ is about unconnected events of natural disasters which move towards a common goal i.e. mass destruction. Replete with amazing special effects and marvelous long shots, ‘Knowing’ is one of the better but forgotten movies in this genre. However, what takes the cake is the air-plane crash sequence in the movie which still remains the most memorable moment from the movie.

10. Deep Impact (1998)

Directed by Mimi Leder

The movie takes a systematic approach to the apocalypse madness and excels in it. An official announcement of an incoming asteroid, the secret preparations to deal with it and finally to help humanity survive when doom strikes, this is one of the tightest script in terms of treatment. Followed up with a fantastic cast, this doomsday movie was easily way ahead of its time.

And here’s the bonus addition!

11. San Andreas (2015)

Directed by Brad Peyton

The world’s at stake again and this time the foe is much bigger and mightier. San Andreas, USA has been hit by a monstrous earthquake and the earth has cracked open. Add to the whole situation, mind numbing special effects and Dwayne Johnson as the pilot of a rescue helicopter and you have got a blockbuster already. However, it’s just the trailer which has been out! To know the fate of the world, don’t forget to visit the multiplexes on 29th May!