What to watch before The Last of Us

Ash Walker • 10 Apr 2025 Guides

Feeling the need for some more post-apocalyptic drama?

There are a wealth of movies and TV shows out there that deal with zombies and apocalyptic scenarios, but none quite so perfectly as The Last of Us.

HBO’s critically acclaimed video game adaptation finally returns with a second season this April, and we’re so excited that we’re getting the (pity) party started early. We’ve been taking a look at movies that cover similar ground, or just have that Last of Us vibe.

Here are five films (and one TV show) to get you in the mood for Season 2.

Children of Men (2006)

Credit: Children of Men Official Trailer #1 (Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers, YouTube)

There are no fungus-infected zombies here, but Alfonso Cuarón’s moody apocalyptic drama perfectly captures the sad, soulful, hell-is-other-people vibe of The Last of Us.

Based on PD James’ dystopian novel, the film is set in the alarmingly close future of 2027, where humanity has been left completely infertile for over 20 years.

When an asylum seeker reveals she is pregnant - the only woman in the world carrying a child - it’s up to disillusioned bureaucrat Theo Faron (Clive Owen) to get her safely to the secretive research group who might be able to fashion a cure for the rest of humanity.

There are definite shades of Joel and Ellie in its plot, and while the world in this story hasn’t technically ended, it’s very much teetering on the brink. There’s also some clever commentary on totalitarianism and isolationism that is sadly more relevant than ever today.

A smart, gripping - if a little depressing - film, and a must-watch.

Children of Men is available to stream on Sky Cinema and NOW.

I Am Legend (2007)

Credit: I Am Legend (2007) Official Trailer #1 (Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers, YouTube)

While not a patch on Richard Matheson’s iconic original novel, this Will Smith-starring adaptation does present a pretty interesting world. Ravaged by a deadly virus, mankind has been all but wiped out and replaced by a race of monstrous, zombie-like mutants that only come out at night.

As virologist Robert Neville, Smith certainly has that Joel-like, world weary survivor vibe, as he wanders about a desolate, ruined Manhattan with his loyal dog Sam. Just don’t expect the same level of emotional drama or humanistic horror as The Last of Us.

Plus, in the theatrical version at least, there’s no hint of Matheson’s brilliant original ending, in which Neville realises that he has become a mythic monster to the now-majority population of mutant vampires. You know… a legend.

I Am Legend is available to stream on Sky Cinema and NOW.

A Quiet Place (2018)

Credit: A Quiet Place (2018) - Official Trailer (Paramount Pictures, YouTube)

Aesthetically, A Quiet Place is a dead ringer for The Last of Us - it’s all ruined, overgrown buildings, scavenging kids and bearded dads. It’s also got a heavy focus on family and some shocking, gut-wrenching moments, just like HBO’s series.

Here, the apocalypse has been brought about by an invasive alien species: huge, monstrous beasts that are totally blind, but make up for that with super-sensitive hearing. As a result, our heroes must live their lives in total silence.

It’s a great, hooky concept, and the movie does a lot of clever things to ratchet up the tension - that damn nail will have you yelling at the screen.

A fun, tense monster movie with a lot of heart.

A Quiet Place is available to stream on Sky Cinema and NOW, or All4.

The Road (2009)

Credit: The Road (2009) Official Trailer #1 (Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers, YouTube)

If there was ever a film more depressing, more harrowing than The Last of Us, it’s John Hillcoat’s nihilistic masterpiece, The Road. Based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel, this tells the story of an unnamed father and son (played by Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee) who are travelling through a ravaged, desolate America.

We never find out what happened to the world, but that’s not the point - this film is squarely focussed on the aftermath, and the darkest human responses to catastrophe.

According to The Road, there is nothing people won’t do to survive. And for that reason alone, it’s by far the most terrifying movie on this list.

The Road is available to stream on MUBI.

Station Eleven (2021)

Credit: STATION ELEVEN Trailer (2021) (ONE Media, YouTube)

Twenty years after the world was decimated by a flu pandemic, a group of survivors make their living as a troupe of travelling performers. This series takes a lot of cues from The Last of Us - particularly in its beautiful, natural environments - but has a much more hopeful tone.

While there is still threat in this post-apocalyptic world, mostly from other survivors, Station Eleven is more focussed on the preservation of humanity’s art and culture, and the efforts people go to in ensuring these things survive for future generations.

It’s a noble idea, and a brilliant, underseen gem of a series.

Station Eleven is available to rent on Prime Video.

28 Days Later (2002)

Credit: 28 DAYS LATER – Official Trailer (Sony Pictures Entertainment, YouTube)

Danny Boyle’s classic post-apocalyptic horror movie was a huge inspiration for The Last of Us. The game’s creators have cited 28 Days Later as an influence multiple times - particularly in its unflinching depiction of infection, survival and human cruelty, and in its emotional depth.

Both are, technically, zombie stories, although neither feature your traditional undead brain-eaters, opting instead for fast-spreading biological infections. In 28 Days Later, a group of animal rights activists storm a lab experimenting on chimps, and accidentally unleash a virus that fills the infected with an unrelenting, bloodthirsty rage.

The victims become monsters, fast-moving and brutal, and the virus quickly overtakes the entire population. But, just like in The Last of Us, it’s the surviving humans who are the real enemies here.

An absolutely brilliant film. If you haven’t seen it yet, get caught up now before the belated sequel - 28 Years Later - comes out this June!

28 Days Later is available to rent on Prime Video.

The Last of Us Season 2 premieres on Sky Atlantic on Monday 14th April, and will be released weekly. Don’t have Sky Atlantic yet? Check out our deals page for the latest package options.