Unofficial Sequels: Post Apocalypse

What is "unofficial sequels"? I enjoy when I am told a broader story, or when films are connecting in some way. Cross-overs, sequels, prequels - usually, I enjoy most of these different takes on the same story - or rather, to see stories from the "same universe/world".

Hence, I've created "unofficial sequels" lists that I share with my friends. This is a way of watching movies that have no connection, but where you can choose to watch them in a series, creating the "connection" yourself.

This list of "unofficial sequels" in the Post Apocalypse genre is compiled by me with my selective view, to present a bunch of films that can be viewed as stories told from the "same world" and in some ways even expand on questions, themes and storylines from the other films.

The list is presented in the (according to me) best order to view them - starting with George Miller's first MAD MAX film from 1979.

MAD MAX
George Miller, Australia, 1979.

This amazing film is one of the first real "the world is crumbling, but is not destroyed"-type of films. It is not a post apocalypse movie at all - but is a great prequel into the post-apocalypse that will follow. It is possible, in my opinion, to see ROBOCOP (1987) as a movie that takes place in the same time, but on another continent. In this list I have not included RoboCop, since that belongs to another of these lists.

Interceptor

Iconic scene from the beginning of MAD MAX.

CHERRY 2000
Steve De Jarnatt, USA, 1987.

A weird little gem of a movie, featuring Melanie Griffith as a hardcore post-apocalypse adventurer. The storyline revolves around Sam Treadwell's (David Andrews) attempts to find a replacement for his sex robot Cherry 2000.

Since the civilization is not completely destroyed, it works better as a more soft introduction to the post apoclaypse world than Mad Max 2 (The Road Warrior) does.

Melanie Griffith in CHERRY 2000 (1987)

A BOY AND HIS DOG
L.Q. Jones, USA, 1975.

OK - undoubtly the weirdest film in this list (including the italian ones below) with a crazy story about Vic (Don Johnson) wandering through the wasteland with his telepatic (!) dog. Extreme twists and turns just becomes surreal and bizarre towards the end. However, a great story to use as a step into the complete disaster post apocalypse that follows...

MAD MAX 2
George Miller, Australia, 1981.

Rockatansky is back in what was called The Road Warrior in the US. This might be the most famous of the Mad Max films, after the new Fury Road. It is also totally different from the first film, and has a somewhat simpler story, but more effective stunts.

As a film in this series of unofficial sequels, it works fine after Cherry 2000 and A Boy and His Dog, and as a good introduction to the Italian rip-offs that I've included below.

Some of the beginning action from MAD MAX 2 (1981) aka THE ROAD WARRIOR.

EXTERMINATORS OF THE YEAR 3000
(Original title: IL GIUSTIZIERE DELLA STRADA)
Giuliano Carnimeo, Italy, 1983.

EXTERMINATORS OF THE YEAR 3000 is - as is obvious above - extremely 'inspiried' by both of the MAD MAX movies.

WARRIORS OF THE WASTELAND
(Original title: I NUOVI BARBARI)
Enzo G. Castellari, Italy, 1983.

Enzo Castellari is probably more famous today for Quentin Tarantino's re-make of Castellari's INGLORIOUS BASTARDS (1978) (which features Swedish Bo Svenson in the lead). Enzo even has a cameo in Tarantino's version.

However, it is Warriors of the Wasteland that is his main post apocalypse epos - and it's actually not a bad film. It's interesting with some cool stunts, but with a standard storyline.

Here Fred Williamson stars as Nadir, along side Anna Kanakis as Alma.

Warriors works perfect as a transition to the last two Mad Max movies.

Heavily 'inspired' by the MAD MAX movies. Interestingly, Fred Williamson's character shoots exploding arrows - something that was incorporated more famously in RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II (1985).

MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME
George Miller & George Ogilvie, Australia, 1985.

The third Max movie is the installment with the least amount of car stunts and violence. It's a much more slow paced film, which might have been inspired by the terrifying mockumentary THREADS (1984) that was talked about at the time. I didn't include Threads in the list since it goes a bit too far from the rest of the films - but if you want to include it, then do so as movie number 2, between the first Mad Max and Cherry 2000.

Mad Max 3 is of course most famous for Tina Turner's role as Aunty Entity, the antagonist. A role where she really shines.

MAD MAX FURY ROAD
George Miller, Australia/USA, 2015.

So to end this list of post apocalypse mayhem, we of course end with Fury Road. It is fitting not only since it is the most action-packed in the list - but also the movie where the wasteland is dryer, more far gone and more lost than in any of the other films.

As far as post-apocalypse films go, there are some more interesting Italian films that might be added to this list, and some American as well. However, this list was done with a focus on films that are similar in theme and storytelling.

For instance, the ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981) movie could be included here - but that particular film has its own rip-offs and is based on some other themes, which makes it possible to actually create a completely different list of unofficial sequels for that film alone.

Hope you enjoed the list!