You know what I enjoy after a long day of writing about the climate crisis, the cost of living crisis, and all the political crises crushing our Earth? Bingeing an apocalypse series. It’s just nice to know that things could get even worse, you know?
But which apocalypse series slap? Which is the best? Which ones should you gobble-gobble up this weekend? Let’s dive into the fire right now.
‘The Last of Us’
The Last of Us is about a guy named Joel road-tripping with a teenager named Ellie through the United States. Well, a United States that’s swamped with human-fungus hybrid zombies.
Now, Joel wants to get Ellie to some top-notch scientists. This is because Ellie isn’t like other girls. While other humans turn into people-fungus hybrids if they’re bitten by one, Ellie doesn’t. She just vibes. Could she be the cure that humanity has been waiting for?
Buckwild premise aside, this is a great series with even greater acting. Pedro Pascal plays gruff, apocalypse-worn Joel with such charismatic sincerity. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Isabella Ramsey does a flawless job of taking on the iconic role of 14-year-old Ellie.
What’s more, Nick Offerman stars in an episode and crushes it as a doomsday prepper. What else can you want from a series?
The Last of Us is available to stream right now on Binge.
‘Class of ‘07’
Warning: This section deals with the topics of anxiety and depression and may be triggering for some readers.
Okay, for the Class of ‘07, I’m not going to give you a plot breakdown. I’m not going to tell you the names of the characters. Instead, I’m going to describe one apocalypse-based scenario that this series deals with. And from that, you should know if you’ll want to binge the entire thing.
In Class of ‘07, a character gets stranded and doesn’t have their antidepressants on them. They then have to deal with the apocalypse tearing the planet apart while dealing with the uncomfortable feelings of being unmedicated.
For my money, this scenario is perfect. It’s the sort of deal that separates a mid apocalypse series from the best apocalypse series. And as someone who takes meds, I wonder about this hypothetical all the time, so it’s great to have it successfully explored in such a massive cultural moment.
Class of ‘07 is available to stream right now on Amazon Prime.
If this section brings up any issues for you or anyone you know, or you think you may be experiencing depression or need support with your mental health, please contact your GP or in Australia, contact Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), all of which provide trained counsellors you can talk with 24/7.
‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’
What’s more apocalyptic than standing on an alien ship, knowing that the Earth just blew up, and only having a towel to protect you? Because that’s what happens to Arthur Dent in the BBC’s Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
This series is an adaptation of the much beloved Douglas Adams’ sci-fi novel and it slays. It perfectly tightropes between comedy and despair, all while challenging the notion that humanity’s apocalypse would be the end of everything.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is streaming on BritBox.
‘Wastelander Panda: Exile’
Now, let’s discuss something that was made by some Aussies.
Wastelander Panda: Exile is a series about a bear named Isaac who kills a young girl and then is banished from his community. Issac is then forced to wander the apocalypse, trying to steal a replacement girl for his village.
If you like this premise, then you’ll like this piece of art. It’s funny, low-budget, and has a tonne of dark charm.
Luckily, Wastelander Panda is available right now to be streamed. And better yet, it’s all free on YouTube. Kirsty Stark, Wastelander Panda’s Producer, told The Latch that Crunchyroll Australia “quietly put it up several years back.”
If you want demolish this series, then a link to its eps is right here.
Related: Last of Us Filming Locations — Canmore, Calgary & More
Related: Class of ’07 Brings Much-Needed Diversity to Apocalypse Genre
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