Nuclear Movies

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick
Rated R

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron. It is the sequel to The Terminator (1984) and the second installment in the Terminator franchise. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, and Edward Furlong. The film follows Sarah Connor (Hamilton) and her ten-year-old son John (Furlong) as they are pursued by a new, more advanced Terminator (Patrick) sent back in time to terminate John. Meanwhile, Sarah has been preparing John for his eventual confrontation with the Skynet artificial intelligence system that created the Terminators. To protect John, the human-friendly Terminator (Schwarzenegger) is also sent back in time. The movie follows the Terminators, Sarah and John as they race against time to stop the Judgment Day apocalypse and save mankind. The film features intense action sequences, as well as visual effects that were groundbreaking at the time. Terminator 2: Judgment Day was a huge critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1991 and the third-highest-grossing film of all time upon its release. It has since become a classic.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn
Rated PG

"Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" is a 1964 black comedy film directed, produced, and co-written by Stanley Kubrick. The film stars Peter Sellers and George C. Scott, and features Slim Pickens, James Earl Jones, Keenan Wynn, and Sterling Hayden. The film follows a delusional US Air Force General, Jack D. Ripper, who orders a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union, despite the President's orders to the contrary. The President enlists the help of the eccentric scientist, Dr. Strangelove, to find a way to stop the attack and prevent global nuclear devastation. The film is a darkly humorous examination of the Cold War, the threat of nuclear weapons, and the power of the military-industrial complex. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made and was nominated for 4 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Mick Jackson, starring Karen Meagher, Reece Dinsdale, David Brierly, Rita May
Rated TV-MA

Threads is a British made-for-television movie released in 1984, directed by Mick Jackson and produced by the BBC. It depicts the events leading up to and following a nuclear attack on the city of Sheffield, England. The story focuses on the lives of two families, the Kemps and the Becketts, and how their lives are drastically changed by the devastation caused by the attack. The movie shows the harsh realities of nuclear war, such as the destruction of the city, the breakdown of social systems, and the consequences of radiation poisoning. It also highlights the fears and anxieties of the survivors as they struggle to stay alive and rebuild their lives. The film was a critical success, earning multiple awards and was described by the New York Times as “a searing and devastatingly effective drama”.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans
Rated G

Planet of the Apes (1968) is a science fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, which tells the story of a group of astronauts who crash land on a strange planet ruled by apes. The astronauts are shocked to discover that the apes are not only intelligent, but also capable of speech, and that they have established a complex and hierarchical society. The humans soon discover they are considered second-class citizens by the apes, and must fight for their freedom from the oppressive regime. With the help of some sympathetic apes, the humans plan a daring escape from the planet and a thrilling battle for freedom ensues.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, Fritz Weaver, Dan O'Herlihy
Rated Approved

Fail Safe is a 1964 Cold War film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, and Dan O'Herlihy. Set in the midst of escalating tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, the film follows a group of military leaders trying to prevent a nuclear disaster. After a series of communication mishaps, a squadron of American bombers is accidentally sent to destroy Moscow, prompting President Muffley (Fonda) to try to negotiate with the Soviets for a way to avoid disaster. The film culminates in a tense climax as the Russians and Americans both prepare to launch their nuclear arsenals. Ultimately, President Muffley is able to find a solution and avert a nuclear holocaust.

From Tony Scott, starring Gene Hackman, Denzel Washington, Matt Craven, George Dzundza
Rated R

From Stanley Kramer, starring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, Anthony Perkins
Rated Approved

From Lynne Littman, starring Jane Alexander, William Devane, Rossie Harris, Roxana Zal
Rated PG

From John Mackenzie, starring Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan, Ned Beatty, Joanna Cassidy
Rated R

From L.Q. Jones, starring Don Johnson, Jason Robards, Susanne Benton, Tim McIntire
Rated R

From Phil Alden Robinson, starring Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Ian Mongrain, Russell Bobbitt
Rated PG-13

From Chris Gorak, starring Mary McCormack, Rory Cochrane, Tony Perez, Scotty Noyd Jr.
Rated R