Hollywood Focuses on Post-Apocalyptic Future

In one, the Earth's destruction fulfills an ancient prophesy. In another, mechanical dolls take over where humans left off. From serious to humorous, reality shows to documentaries, Hollywood is obsessed with the theme of a post-apocalyptic future, the Wall Street Journal reports. Some attribute the trend to escapism: “People are less concerned about their house being foreclosed when it’s being taken over by mutant appliances,” says one writer.

“For me, I feel like I live in an apocalyptic world with global warfare, a recession, and resource scarcity,” says another. In contrast to classics like War of the Worlds, this new crop of disaster films skips the disaster and focuses on the aftermath. But that doesn’t mean they’re all depressing. Says Zombieland's director, “Ours is fun times in the post apocalypse. Let’s look for Twinkies and shoot zombies!” (More apocalypse stories.)