What happens when the Earth gets blown up? Some popular sci-fi movies have tried to depict the end of planet earth. Unsurprisingly, some viewers enjoy seeing the chaos and disaster that follows Earth’s destruction. Little wonder the sci-fi industry is booming and racks in a lot of money at the box office. Movies about the end of planet Earth have continuously thrilled viewers since A Trip to the Moon in 1902. Today, this genre remains one of the most enjoyed genres of movies across the world.
Movies like Armageddon and Independence Day and morerecently produced sci-fi movies prove there’s a place for films of this kind. While some films use psychological images and nuances to describe the Earth’s state when destroyed, others contain graphics and downright explosive scenes. Here are six movies where the Earth goes kaboom!
6 The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Everyman Pictures
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was adapted from a book with the same title created in 1992. The film puts the comedy in disaster and makes light of something that should have been sad. The scene where the Aliens blow up Earth is shocking, especially discovering the reason Earth had to be blown up was to allow the aliens proper passage to their planet. One man survives the disaster, though, and it’s Arthur Dent with the help of his friend, an alien writer who looks human. It’s easy to forget this is a disaster movie, because of the comedic relief. What these characters do is not as important as what they say and how they say it, says Roger Ebert.
5 End of the World (1977)
Not to be mistaken for the movie with the same name released in 2018, this version makes our list because it’s much more remarkable. End of the World is a film created by Charles Band, creator of the Fists of Furry, Petrified and many others. The End of the World revolves around Prof Andrew, a NASA programmer, who is determined to find the source of irregularities in the space signal. Ultimately, he discovers that aliens have disguised themselves as priests and nuns, using the convent as a perfect hideout, all while working on an escape plan to leave Earth before destruction. They believe the Earth is ravaged with diseases and poses a threat to the galaxy at large and must be destroyed. In the end, Earth gets blown up to pieces.
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4 Knowing (2009)
Summit Entertainment
Nicholas Cage plays John Koestler, an unregarded hero who tries to stop Earth from impending solar flare. Knowing covers the story of an MIT professor who unearths a time capsule full of coded messages about the future but also about the End of the world. All attempts to convince people to believe his predictions is ignored. Towards the end, aliens become allies in this film and help rescue some humans to another planet for a fresh start as Earth becomes obsolete. Watch the mayhem and fear in the faces of those left behind including John Koestler as they all accept their final fate. Knowing is directed and co-produced by Alex Proyas director best known for directing the movie I, Robot.
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3 When Worlds Collide (1951)
Paramount Studios
This George Pal’s science fiction was one of the earliest movies to try to paint the end of the world. When Worlds Collide laid the basis and birth ideas for more similar sci-fi movies like The day after tomorrow. The title gives a literal description of the plot; it’s about the Bellus star that collides with Earth. Although forty-five people manage to escape Earth, it’s not a pretty sight when the star finally collides with Earth. However, it’s a good thing there’s a backup planet (Zyra) where survivors can live happily after. With the advancement of CGI being new, film producers made do with what was available then and created a masterpiece. When Worlds Collide is based on a novel of the same name written by Phillip Wylie and Edwin Balmer.
2 Deep Impact (1998)
Paramount Pictures/ Dreamworks Pictures
In Deep Impact, a comet discovered to be on a collision course with Earth is what causes the mega explosion seen on screen. The casting was all shades perfect with Hollywood top actors like Morgan Freeman, Robert Duvall, and Tea Leoni amongst others. The film has been likened several times to Armageddon, as both were released in the same summer of 1998. However, what stands out in this film, aside from being executively produced by Steven Spielberg, is its profound message. Hollywood Reporter had this to say about the film: “Rubin and Michael Tolkin sagely created a human tale about the perilous grasp we have on life.”
1 Titan A.E. (2000)
Dolby
The Drej alien race is the reason for Earth’s explosion in this film. The aliens have succeeded in turning Earth to dust and hope completely wipe humanity out. Lost in space, Cale (Matt Damon), a human teenager, with the help of his friends, must find the Ice Planet, where the Titan, the key to creating a new planet, is located. Titan A.E. makes this list as it was ahead of its time, shot to depict the 31st century with quite impressive 3D effects, which wasn’t common in the year 2000.
