Movies as a Mirror of Society

Here’s a table listing post-apocalyptic and natural disaster-themed movies from 1900 to 2024, organized chronologically and compared to U.S. presidential terms during that time. For simplicity, I’ve included notable films from various subgenres like nuclear disaster, global warming, zombie apocalypses, etc.

Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909)

  • A Journey to the Center of the Earth Natural disaster (volcanic eruption)

Calvin Coolidge (1923–1929)

  • Metropolis Dystopian future, class divide, disaster

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933–1945)

  • The Last Man on Earth Post-apocalyptic, global plague

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961)

  • On the Beach Nuclear war aftermath

Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969)

  • Dr. Strangelove Nuclear war threat

Richard Nixon (1969–1974)

  • The Omega Man Post-apocalyptic, nuclear war

  • Soylent Green Overpopulation, environmental collapse

Gerald Ford (1974–1977)

  • The Andromeda Strain Biological disaster

Jimmy Carter (1977–1981)

  • The Road Warrior Post-apocalyptic, resource scarcity

Ronald Reagan (1981–1989)

  • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Alien visitation, humanity’s survival

  • WarGames Nuclear war threat, computer error

  • Threads Nuclear war aftermath

Bill Clinton (1993–2001)

  • Independence Day Alien invasion, global destruction

  • Armageddon Asteroid impact, global extinction

George W. Bush (2001–2009)

  • The Day After Tomorrow Global warming, natural disasters

  • Children of Men Global collapse, infertility crisis

  • I Am Legend Post-apocalyptic, virus outbreak

  • Wall-E Environmental collapse, future Earth

Barack Obama (2009–2017)

  • 2012 Natural disasters, global extinction

  • World War Z Zombie apocalypse

  • Interstellar Space exploration, Earth’s collapse

  • Mad Max: Fury Road Post-apocalyptic, resource war

Donald Trump (2017–2021)

  • The Disaster Artist Natural disaster, survival

  • Bird Box Post-apocalyptic, survival crisis

  • The Midnight Sky Post-apocalyptic, environmental collapse

  • Love and Monsters Post-apocalyptic, monster survival

Joe Biden (2021–present)

  • A Quiet Place Part II Post-apocalyptic, survival from alien creatures

  • Don’t Look Up Global catastrophe, climate crisis

  • The Last of Us (TV Series) Post-apocalyptic, fungal infection

  • Rebel Moon Post-apocalyptic, intergalactic conflict

This list includes a range of movies spanning from early silent films to modern blockbusters, all tied to post-apocalyptic or disaster scenarios. The themes range from natural disasters (volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts) to man-made catastrophes (nuclear war, environmental collapse), and societal breakdowns due to disease or resource scarcity.

ChatGBT Nov 8, 2024

Michael Wei