Dig Bird Box Barcelona? Stream these superb post-apocalyptic thrillers on OTT now!

Post-apocalyptic thrillers offer a glimpse into a future that has been reshaped by global disasters, pandemics, or apocalyptic events. These films capture the struggles of survivors as they navigate hostile environments, battle external threats, and confront the dark underbelly of human nature. They also explore concepts of survival, resilience and in a few cases, the social hierarchy that becomes all the more pronounced n extreme circumstances.

Sussanne Bier's 2018 film Bird Box presented one such post-apocalyptic world which is suddenly found plagued by mysterious entities that drive people to commit suicide based on one very simple criteria - you see the entity, you die. Caught in this most bizarre and terrifying situation is a small group of survivors who, while blindfolded, must embark on a dangerous journey to find their safe haven. Bird Box, a Netflix original, won praise from critics and went on to be a hugely popular title on the streaming platform.

On the back of this success, Netflix is back with a new iteration named Bird Box Barcelona. As the title suggests, the new narrative is set entirely in the Spanish city as a new set of survivors wades through the menace that has now completely taken over the entire world. Bird Box Barcelona drops on Netflix on July 14.

Keeping this title in mind, we have put together a list of some of the best post-apocalyptic thrillers that are currently available on OTT. Through intense storytelling, these films examine the psychological, moral, and emotional complexities of characters thrust into extraordinary situations, providing a visceral and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

The Mist (2007)

Directed by Frank Darabont of The Shawshank Redemption fame and based on Stephen King's novella, this thrilling horror film tells the story of a small town enveloped by a mysterious mist, harbouring deadly creatures. As a group of people takes shelter in a supermarket, their own fears and desperation become just as threatening as the otherworldly creatures outside.

Where to watch: Netflix

A Quiet Place (2018)

This gripping post-apocalyptic horror thriller directed by John Krasinski stars Krasinski and Emily Blunt as parents trying to protect their family from deadly creatures that hunt by sound. With a near-silent world and constant tension, they must navigate a dangerous landscape where the slightest noise can mean death.

Where to watch: Netflix

It Comes at Night (2017)

Trey Edward Shults directs this post-apocalyptic psychological thriller follows a family, led by Joel Edgerton's Paul, living in isolation after a mysterious outbreak. When another family seeks refuge with them, paranoia and mistrust arise, testing the limits of trust and survival in a bleak and suspenseful atmosphere.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

12 Monkeys (1995)

Terry Gilliam at his flamboyant and audacious best, 12 Monkeys is a mind-bending post-apocalyptic thriller featuring Bruce Willis as a convict sent back in time to prevent a deadly virus outbreak that has decimated humanity. The film intertwines themes of time travel, identity, and fate, creating a complex narrative that keeps audiences guessing until the end. One of Brad Pitt's main rise-to-prominence roles which confirmed that he is a talented actor.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Snowpiercer (2013)

Bong Joon-ho's superb dystopian sci-fi thriller takes place in a frozen world where the remnants of humanity survive aboard a perpetually moving train. Starring Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Tilda Swilton and Ed Harris the film explores the stark class divide on the train as a group of lower-class passengers at the tail end-stage a revolution against the oppressive ruling elite.

Where to watch: MX Player

About the author: Chandragupta is part human brain, part generative AI. The former provides intellect while the latter does the heavy lifting of an artificial neural network. The name, if you haven’t already worked it out, is a backronym of ChatGPT.