Top 10 Dystopian Movie Futures
#10 – “Metropolis” (1927)
Kicking off our list is a future where society is divided by a class system. In this German, silent-era classic, the year 2026 and the planners live a carefree, utopian existence above ground, while the workers slave away on machines below the earth’s surface. Seems like the 99 percent never catches a break…
#9 – “Idiocracy” (2006)
Hmmm, this movie hits kinda close to home: an average Joe is put in suspended animation. When he thaws, it's 500 years in the future and the population is full of morons – since dumb people do most of the reproducing. They elect a wrestler as president, and spray fitness drinks on their crops. We really wished this movie seemed more far-fetched…
#8 – “Surrogates” (2009)
It’s 2054 and technology is even more widespread than today. These technological advances have allowed people to plug into humanoid remote control androids so they can live a fantasy lifestyle, without fear of death or injury in the dangerous outside world. This is the ultimate example of people becoming products, and losing all sense of reality and true interaction. Think about that next time you’re on your smartphone at dinner…
#7 – “Minority Report” (2002)
Thinking of committing a crime? Don’t. It's 2054 again, but this time America is targeting pre-crime. This unique form of law enforcement works through a specialized police department that apprehends criminals based on the foreknowledge of three psychics, called “Precogs.” Since this legal system that judges you based on glimpses of things you haven’t even done yet, there’s lots of room for corruption. Some things never change.
#6 – “Blade Runner” (1982)
In this far-off dystopian future, genetically engineered organic robots fight for equality, while corporations control everything. Police are omnipresent, and use flying cars to watch over the population. As people lose all sense of empathy, the oppressed decide to take their chances by migrating to off-world colonies. Wait: did we say “far-off” future? We meant 2019.
#5 – “The Hunger Games” (2012)
If you want to survive what’s coming, better brush up on your archery skills. A battle to the death serves as punishment for the failed uprising of impoverished colonies. Each much select two children at random to participate in live combat, until only one remains. Hope is used as a tool of control, as the winning colony gets enough food to last a year. So, that’s something.
#4 – “Gattaca” (1997)
This “not-too-distant future” features a society where the increasing use of reproductive technologies has reached its full potential. That means nothing is left to chance, and every aspect of every child is chosen by its parents. Good genes and DNA mean a good social standing, and the finest specimens go on to achieve greatness, while the rest are doomed to menial lives. So pretty much like it is now.
#3 – “Fahrenheit 451” (1966)
Based on the dystopian novel by Ray Bradbury, this science-fiction masterpiece depicts a future without books and the possible effects of censorship. Firemen are given license to search anyone at anytime in order to burn all forms of literature. The government’s goal is to suppress dissenting ideas, and it prefers controllable and submissive forms of entertainment, like television. Hey, they don’t call it the boob tube for nothin’.
#2 – “Soylent Green” (1973)
If you’ve ever worried about a future filled with pollution, depleted resources, poverty, climate change and overpopulation, then block your ears for a sec. In the hellish future of this film, the government manages to keep the population fed thanks to a mysterious, processed food ration called “Soylent Green,” which is said to come from the depleted oceans. But really, it’s made from human remains.
#1 – “Logan’s Run” (1976)
Taking the top spot on our list is the dystopian future that goes one step further. By 2274, the human population has been sealed in a utopia. That utopia is run by a computer, and that computer is responsible for absolutely everything, including human reproduction. Each person is equipped with a colorful Lifeclock implanted in their hand. Why? Well, to conserve resources, anyone who reaches age thirty is killed to prevent overpopulation. Also, this film pretty much solidifies our fear of carousels.
Do you agree with our list? Which Dystopian Movie Future makes you the most nervous? For more entertaining Top 10s, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
