8 Post-Apocalyptic Movies That Make You Want to Stockpile Canned Food

1. The Road (2009)

If this movie doesn't make you want to stockpile cans of beans, I don't know what will. The film follows a man and his son as they traverse a bleak, desolate landscape trying to survive after an unspecified cataclysm. Their constant struggle to find food and avoid cannibals (who've probably run out of canned goods themselves) is the very epitome of post-apocalyptic horror. While you sit on your cozy couch watching this, you might find yourself eyeing that pantry with newfound respect. Be warned, after this film, you'll likely get a Costco membership just for the bulk canned goods.

2. Children of Men (2006)

This isn't just a movie; it's a chilling speculation of a future where humans have become infertile. The world has descended into anarchy, and the UK, now a police state, struggles against an uprising refugee crisis. We follow the journey of Theo Faron (Clive Owen), a cynic drawn into a desperate mission to transport a miraculously pregnant woman to safety. With society collapsing around them, food scarcity is only one of their many problems. But trust me, as you watch the characters' struggle for survival, your gaze may occasionally drift to your well-stocked pantry with a sigh of relief.

3. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

It's a wild, explosive ride through the desert – and we're not talking about your last family vacation. Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, our reluctant hero, Max, and his fire-breathing ally, Furiosa, are fighting against a tyrannical ruler for the basic necessities of life, like, you guessed it, food. So yeah, this will definitely inspire you to stash cans of peas for future turmoil. By the time the credits roll, you'll be online, bulk buying every type of canned food available. And who knows, you might just consider customizing your car with some post-apocalyptic armor, too.

4. 28 Days Later ( 2002)

Fast zombies are already a terrifying concept, but fast zombies when you're hungry? That's next-level nightmare fuel. After a mysterious virus decimates the UK's population, the survivors are left scavenging for food and desperately trying to avoid the infected. Watching the desperate hunt for sustenance in this film will make you regard your unexciting can of tomato soup as if it's a golden chalice. Your online shopping cart will overflow with canned goods faster than the film's sprinting zombies.

5. Snowpiercer ( 2013)

This Bong Joon-ho masterpiece takes place entirely on a train carrying the last remnants of humanity after a failed attempt to combat global warming freezes the Earth. Society on the train is strictly divided by class, with those in the tail living in squalor and starving while the front passengers live in luxury. The revolting food blocks served to tail-end passengers will make you appreciate even the most humble can of chickpeas. Beyond the food aspect, Snowpiercer's fascinating depiction of class struggles, rebellion, and survivalism will keep you on the edge of your seat.

6. The Book of Eli (2010)

This gritty tale of survival takes place 30 years after a nuclear apocalypse. Denzel Washington stars as Eli, a nomad who must traverse the devastated landscape to deliver a sacred book to a safe location. The sparse and desolate scenery, coupled with the intense action scenes, make for an impactful viewing. The emphasis on scarcity, especially food and water, underlines the desperate measures people take to survive. In comparison, that dusty can of beans in the back of your cupboard doesn't seem too bad now, does it?

7. WALL-E (2008)

A surprisingly poignant post-apocalyptic movie from Pixar, WALL-E gives us a bleak look at Earth after humanity's wastefulness renders it uninhabitable. The remaining humans live on a spaceship, having grown so lazy and dependent on technology that they can't even move without automated chairs. Watching WALL-E dine on a cockroach while cleaning up our mess might make you reconsider wasting food ever again. Plus, it'll make you ponder the importance of sustainable living to prevent our planet from becoming a gigantic wasteland.

8. A Quiet Place ( 2018)

Imagine a world where you can't make a sound, or else alien creatures will make you their dinner. Now, imagine trying to open a can of food in that silence. Tense, right? This film will not only make you want to stockpile canned food, but it will also make you invest in the quietest can opener money can buy. You might even go a step further and start a silent eating practice in your household.