10 movies like Apocalypse Z that you need to see

‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End’, directed by Carles Torrens, follows the exploits of a lawyer named Manel, whose life is turned upside down after the tragic death of his wife. Manel then falls back into a secluded lifestyle, with his cat Lúculo keeping him company. However, when a zombie virus breaks out across the country, the protagonist must dig deep within himself and find a way to survive the coming months and, hopefully, be reunited with his loved ones.

Originally titled ‘Apocalipsis Z 1. El Principio del Fin,” de Spanish thriller offers an exciting premise with all the hallmarks of a solid zombie movie, with a heavy dose action and drama to keep the story compelling at every turn. Adapted from the pages of Manel Loureiro’s novel of the same name, it explores themes of family, loss, to survive, and working against expectations. Therefore, if you are intrigued by the mix of post-apocalyptic story and survivors fighting a desperate battle, here is a list of movies similar to ‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End’ that you should watch.

10. Dead Weight (2012)

‘Dead Weight’ centers on a man named Charlie (Joe Belknap), who must survive in the rugged Wisconsin countryside after a virus outbreak leads to the collapse of civilization. The main character must then make his way through the wilderness, hoping to find his girlfriend Samantha at the end of his harrowing journey. The post-apocalyptic drama Written and directed by Adam Bartlett and John Pata, it is very similar to the psychological trials explored in ‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End.’ In the case of the Joe Belknap starrer, however, the focus and attention is mainly on the grounded survival story, which also addresses the desolation of the world surrounding the protagonist.

9. Extinction (2015)

In ‘Extinction’ two survivors, Jack and Patrick, have to do their job in a zombie infested world while caring for a young girl named Lu. Miguel Ángel Vivas’ direction takes a more introspective approach to the genre, allowing the drama to dictate the tension and suspense of the monster-driven series. horror. It is based on the novel ‘Y pese a todo’ by Juan de Dios Garduño and is characterized by an oppressive environment that goes hand in hand with the central premise. In that respect, there are similarities with ‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End’ as both films embrace their survival story and never shy away from the excitement and dangers of a world gone wild.

8. Here Alone (2016)

The post-apocalyptic film ‘Here Alone’ delves into a bleak reality in which a zombie virus has wreaked havoc across the world. Directed by Rod Blackhurst, the film follows a young woman named Ann, who lives an isolated life after the zombie outbreak. Her peaceful existence is tested when resources begin to dwindle, forcing her to embark on a new journey in search of more food and opportunity beyond her forest home.

In a similar vein to ‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End’, ‘Here Alone’ presents a lone survivor story, in which the protagonist wages a desperate battle against unnatural monsters as the entire society collapses around her. It allows for a more exploratory story, as both films delve into the heroics and challenges an individual faces when the rules of civilization no longer exist. It also explores the fears of infection and how hopeless the struggle can seem when fighting a war alone.

7. The Night Eats the World (2018)

Originally titled ‘La nuit a dévoré le monde’, ‘The Night Eats the World’ is a French post-apocalyptic drama about a musician named Sam, who witnesses the outbreak of a zombie apocalypse after he wakes up one morning. Terrified by the situation outside, the lonely musician decides to stay within the safety of the four walls of his apartment and tries to wait for the monsters to leave him alone. However, his chances of survival begin to deteriorate as he realizes that help is not coming.

The French film, supervised by Dominique Rocher, is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Pit Agarmen. It shares parallels with ‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End’, as in both films the slow aftermath of a zombie outbreak stalks an unwitting protagonist who must find the determination within himself to escape his desperate situation. It presents a more relatable premise as the central character grows in competence as he overcomes more challenges in his new grim environment.

6. Cargo (2017)

Directed by Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke from a script prepared by the latter, ‘Cargo‘ tells the moving story of one father and daughter duo, Andy and Rosie, who have to survive in the harsh post-apocalyptic Australia where a zombie virus has taken over. After being bitten by a zombie, Andy must ensure that his daughter survives before the infection takes over his body. It portrays a grippingly drawn drama that shares its emotional depth with ‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End.’ In some ways, the film delves even deeper into the themes of sacrifice and family, showing how monumental these bonds can become when desperate circumstances require unprecedented risk and courage.

5. #Alive (2020)

In the Korean action horror#Alive,‘ viewers are dropped into a post-apocalyptic environment where reclusive video gamer Joon-woo is faced with the challenge of surviving a zombie outbreak while trapped in his apartment. As the world outside crumbles and destroys itself, the protagonist must find a way to get help and escape his bleak situation. However, when Joon-woo learns about the existence of another survivor, he must recalibrate his thinking and help her however he can.

Like ‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End’, the story in ‘#Alive’ revolves around an average citizen who must find the courage and determination to adapt to a world infested with monsters. Cho Il-hyung’s direction, originally titled ‘Saraitda’, combines action and horror films in a perfect alchemical mix that results in a satisfying film that hits all the bases. While both films stick to their genre conventions, they prove to be a strength rather than a hindrance.

4. A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)

‘A quiet place: day one‘ chronicles the early years of the alien apocalypse synonymous with ‘The Quiet Place’ franchise. It has a similar premise to ‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End’ as the central character, Sam, is a struggling, reclusive individual who only cares about one thing: her cat, Frodo. After the alien invasion, Sam must reflect on her personal problems while making sure she does everything she can to survive. The two films may feature different types of threats: zombies in one and sound-sensitive aliens in the other. At the heart of Michael Sarnoski’s direction, however, is a compelling story full of tension and daring, which focuses on how an individual manages to climb out of his personal misery to face the threat of a world that is slowly trying to save him alive to eat.

3. REC (2007)

The Spanish horror-thriller ‘REC’ follows a TV reporter named Ángela Vidal and her cameraman, who get stuck in an apartment building due to a quarantine situation. When a virus breaks out, she must deal with the challenges of surviving against the aggressive behavior of the infected individuals while capturing their brutal nature. Although the film, directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, is a found-footage-like narrative, it shares many reference elements with ‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End’, especially in its immersive quality. It is considered one of the most touted horror films, mainly due to its commitment to a tight story with several twists, which shock and captivate viewers in equal measure.

2. Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Based on the 1978 film of the same name by George A. Romero, ‘Dawn of the dead‘ is a post-apocalyptic drama that follows a group of survivors who must take refuge in a shopping mall to escape the hordes of flesh-eating zombies outside. Zack Snyder directs the remake, combining visceral action sequences with the stylish flair that is the hallmark of all his productions. In many ways, it serves the classic zombie action-survival formula, which is also present in ‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End.’ Both films are incredibly terrifying in their portrayal of the zombies and how unrelenting they can be when chasing people, which also adds to the nail-biting scenarios.

1. Train to Busan (2016)

‘Train to Busan‘ revolves around yet another father-daughter story against a zombie epidemic. The film is told through the eyes of Seok-woo, a workaholic fund manager who is estranged from his family. After a zombie outbreak occurs while on a train ride with his daughter, the protagonist must do what he can to protect her from the monsters that pursue them, while also reconnecting with her.

Originally titled ‘Busanhaeng’, Yeon Sang-ho’s directorial features a gripping survival story that combines emotional drama with a horror story to bring the best of both worlds. As such, there are certain parallels to ‘Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End’, especially in the way both films take the time to deal with their heavier subject matter amid all the chaotic and heartbreaking action sequences. It presents an ideal mix of deep-rooted zombies on the hunt with central characters facing their own inner conflict.