10 Action-Adventure Movies To Watch If You Love I Am Legend

The post-apocalyptic thriller I Am Legend may not have been universally acclaimed by critics, but its success at the box office definitely proved it to be a worthy film. Though it diverged from the novel – particularly with its ending – it was still a huge success and was noted for being a pretty great dystopian movie.

Moreover, Will Smith’s performance was particularly praised, while his relationship with his dog, Sam, is definitely one of the most touching and heartbreaking. Luckily, there are similar movies to I Am Legend that fans can enjoy if they feel like this movie wasn’t quite enough.

10 The Book Of Eli (2010)

Also set in a post-apocalyptic world, The Book of Eli takes on more of a neo-western approach to its storyline, making it stand out from the crowd of similar dystopian and post-apocalyptic flicks. Starring Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, and Mila Kunis among others, it was a box office success.

The story follows a man named Eli, who is traveling in a post-apocalyptic world trying to survive. Eli has also been tasked by a mysterious voice to deliver his copy of a certain book to a safe location in the west of the United States.

9 World War Z (2013)

Starring Brad Pitt in the lead role, World War Z features zombies, much like the ones in I Am Legend, though they don’t possess any vampiric qualities. Though it was both praised and criticized, it was a success at the box office, nonetheless.

Based on the novel of the same name, it follows a man named Gerry Lane who is an ex-UN investigator. As the zombie pandemic breaks out, he is tasked with gathering clues to solve the problem and find the source of the virus.

8 Snowpiercer (2013)

Bong Joon-ho’s Snowpiercer was the director’s English-language debut, which translated into more acclaim for the director on the international scene. The dystopian setting was explained with an unusual premise, which led to critics praising the movie.

Based on a French graphic novel, the story takes place in a world where climate change has made Earth uninhabitable and frozen its surface. The only surviving humans live on a train that is constantly in motion to avoid freezing, but the inequality on the train leads to a rebellion.

7 The Road (2009)

Though not the most well-known film in its genre, The Road was a moderate commercial success, but it received positive reviews from critics. Starring Viggo Mortensen in the lead role, it is also set in a post-apocalyptic world where people try to survive, at all cost.

Based on the novel of the same name, it follows a father and his son traveling towards the sea as they try to survive and defend themselves.

6 Train To Busan (2016)

One of the most recent releases in the zombie genre, the South Korean action horror movie Train to Busan was a massive international success and broke records, as it became the first Korean film of 2016 that got an audience of over 10 million theatergoers.

The story is set in South Korea and follows a group of different characters who bond and try to survive together as a zombie epidemic breaks out … all while traveling on a train heading to Busan.

5 Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)

Starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt in the lead roles, Edge of Tomorrow, also known as Live. Die. Repeat, is not a dystopian or post-apocalyptic movie per se, but it does concern an alien invasion that could potentially destroy the planet and all of its inhabitants.

Based on a Japanese novel, it depicts a world where most of Europe has been invaded by aliens. The main character finds himself stuck in a loop as he participates in a landing operation against the invaders, even though he has no combat experience.

4 Children Of Men (2006)

Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men is often named as one of the best sci-fi movies of the 21st century – and it really proves itself to be so. Set in a dystopian future, it features innovative single-shot action sequences and explores such themes as faith, hope, and redemption.

Adapted from the novel of the same name, it is set in 2027 in the United Kingdom where most people are infertile, which has led to society being on the brink of collapse. The main character is a civil servant trying to help a pregnant refugee escape to safety.

3 District 9 (2009)

Neill Blomkamp’s directorial debut, District 9 instantly proved that the director had a lot to offer to the sci-fi genre. Though made on a modest budget, the movie was a critical and commercial success, as it explored such topics as xenophobia and social segregation.

Adapted from Blomkamp’s short film, it takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa, which – in this alternate timeline – was invaded by aliens in 1982. Now, the insectoid aliens have to live together with humans.

2 Mad Max Franchise (1979 – 2015)

Rejuvenated by the recent Mad Max: Fury Road that starred Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, the Mad Max franchise remains some of the best examples of Australian cinema. Also set in a dystopian future, it was a huge success and helped kickstart director George Miller’s and actor Mel Gibson’s careers.

All four films are set in a dystopian future in which humans fight for essential resources and try to survive, with the protagonist, Mad Max, getting into trouble along the way.

1 The Matrix Trilogy (1999 – 2003)

Starring Keanu Reeves in the title role, The Matrix was a huge hit back in the 90s, so it was inevitable that two more movies would be made (with even more being made now). With its stunning cinematography and action sequences, it went on to revolutionize the sci-fi genre.

The story follows a computer programmer named Thomas Anderson, who secretly operates as a hacker under the alias of Neo. To his surprise, he finds out that the world he lives in isn’t real but is actually a simulation called the Matrix and is controlled by machines using human bodies for energy. After he is taken out of the Matrix, he joins the resistance.

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