Nuclear War Movies

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

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 American science fiction action film directed by James Cameron. It is the sequel to the 1984 film The Terminator and stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick and Edward Furlong. Set eleven years after the events of the first film, this installment follows Sarah Connor and her ten-year-old son John, who are pursued by a new, more advanced Terminator (the T-1000) sent back in time to kill John and prevent him from leading a future human resistance against the machines. In order to protect John, Sarah and a reprogrammed T-800 Terminator (Schwarzenegger) must reach John before the T-1000 does. Along their journey, they are aided by a cybernetic android, the T-X (Patrick). Terminator 2: Judgment Day is widely regarded as one of the greatest action films of all time, and is credited with redefining the genre. The film earned over $520 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 1991 and the highest-grossing film in the franchise. It also won four Academy Awards, including Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.

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 by Stanley Kubrick. The story follows deranged United States Air Force General Jack D. Ripper, who launches a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. The President of the United States and his advisers attempt to stop the attack, but they become embroiled in an absurd and outrageous debate over the validity of the threat. Meanwhile, an ex-Nazi scientist, Dr. Strangelove, offers solutions to help prevent global nuclear destruction. The film is a darkly comedic satire of Cold War fears of a nuclear conflict and mutually assured destruction. Its comedic elements contrast with the subject matter, making it a poignantly funny and thought-provoking look at the potential horrors of nuclear war.

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

Threads is a British television drama depicting the effects of a nuclear war on the city of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. The film follows the story of two families, the Kellys and the Becketts, and their struggles to survive the aftermath of a nuclear strike. The film follows the families in the years leading up to the strike and its aftermath, showing how their lives are changed forever. It also depicts the struggles of the survivors to find food and shelter and cope with the physical and mental trauma of the event. Threads paints a stark picture of the effects of nuclear war, showing how fragile and chaotic human life can become in the face of such destruction.

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

Planet of the Apes is a 1968 science fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, and Maurice Evans. The film follows an astronaut crew who crash-land on a planet in the distant future where humans are enslaved by intelligent apes. The astronauts must fight for their freedom and ultimately make a daring escape. Along the way, they uncover a shocking truth about the planet’s history and the future of mankind. The film was a critical and commercial success and spawned four sequels and a rebooted franchise. It remains a classic of sci-fi cinema.

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

Fail Safe is a 1964 Cold War drama directed by Sidney Lumet and based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler. The film stars Henry Fonda as the President of the United States and Walter Matthau as his advisor. When an error in the US's nuclear defense system causes a squadron of bombers to be sent to the Soviet Union, the President and his advisors must find a way to prevent a nuclear holocaust. The President orders the bombers to stand down and attempts to negotiate a solution with the Soviet Premier. However, after a failed attempt at diplomacy, the President is forced to make a difficult decision in order to prevent a nuclear war. The film explores the moral implications of nuclear warfare and the consequences of technological error.

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