If you loved the gripping dystopian drama Night Raiders (2021), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 similar movies and shows that capture its intense themes of survival, resistance, and futuristic oppression. Whether you're drawn to its Indigenous storytelling or its post-apocalyptic tension, these recommendations will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Children of Men (2006)
Description: Set in a dystopian future where humanity faces extinction, the story follows a man protecting a pregnant woman, highlighting themes of societal collapse, oppression, and the fight for survival.
Fact: The film features several long, uninterrupted takes, including a famous six-minute sequence shot inside a moving car. It was praised for its realistic and immersive depiction of a crumbling world.


The Road (2009)
Description: A post-apocalyptic survival story focusing on a father and son navigating a desolate world, emphasizing themes of hope, resilience, and the struggle to maintain humanity in dire circumstances.
Fact: The film is based on Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The bleak cinematography was achieved by shooting in real locations affected by natural disasters.


The Book of Eli (2010)
Description: A lone wanderer protects a sacred book in a desolate world, blending action with themes of faith, survival, and the preservation of knowledge in a lawless society.
Fact: The film's washed-out color palette was achieved by shooting entirely with infrared cameras. Denzel Washington trained extensively in martial arts for his role.


District 9 (2009)
Description: A sci-fi allegory about segregation and xenophobia, set in a world where aliens are confined to slums, exploring themes of discrimination, survival, and the search for belonging.
Fact: The film was made on a relatively low budget of $30 million but became a critical and commercial success. Its documentary-style filming adds to its gritty realism.


The Hunger Games (2012)
Description: A dystopian tale of a young woman forced to participate in a deadly game, highlighting themes of oppression, resistance, and the moral complexities of survival under a tyrannical regime.
Fact: The film's fictional language, 'Panem,' is derived from the Latin phrase 'Panem et Circenses,' meaning 'bread and circuses.' The arrow scene with the apple was done in one take.


Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Description: A high-octane chase through a desert wasteland, emphasizing survival, rebellion against tyranny, and the fight for freedom in a resource-scarce world.
Fact: Most of the stunts were performed practically, with minimal CGI. The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.


Snowpiercer (2013)
Description: A class struggle unfolds aboard a perpetually moving train in a frozen world, exploring themes of inequality, rebellion, and the harsh realities of survival in a confined dystopia.
Fact: The film is based on a French graphic novel called 'Le Transperceneige.' Director Bong Joon-ho incorporated elements of dark humor amidst the grim narrative.


The Maze Runner (2014)
Description: A group of teens trapped in a deadly maze must navigate its dangers while uncovering the truth about their confinement, exploring themes of survival, trust, and resistance.
Fact: The maze set was built practically in a Louisiana forest, spanning over 40 acres. The film's young cast underwent intense physical training to perform their own stunts.


The 100 (2014)
Description: A group of young survivors returns to a post-apocalyptic Earth, facing moral dilemmas, tribal conflicts, and the harsh realities of rebuilding society in a dangerous world.
Fact: The show is loosely based on a book series by Kass Morgan. It was initially marketed as a teen drama but evolved into a darker, more complex narrative.


The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
Description: A dystopian series depicting a totalitarian society where women are oppressed and stripped of their rights, focusing on resistance, survival, and the fight for freedom.
Fact: The show is based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel, which was inspired by real historical events. Its iconic red costumes have become a symbol of protest in women's rights movements.
