There are many things that set us aside from other species on this planet, but surely one of them has to be our preoccupation with our world’s demise. At the dawn of the 20th century the first filmmakers were already turning their minds to the end of all things. In 1916 Danish director August Blom released The End Of The World, a hugely successful pyrotechnic display focusing on imaginary earthquakes caused by the passage of Haley’s comet. Since then an easy 200 films have followed its trail of devastation, cataloguing even more ways in which life as we know it could come to an end. Hollywood has effectively replaced Nostradamus with its lurid predictions and spawned a whole new genre – the Apocalyptic Film.

However, like every successful subset, there are rules to follow. God has so imbued us with a sense of our own mortality – whatever medicine might promise – that we readily accept not only our end but also the likely end of all things. The most successful films follow a well-trodden path that further hints at our Creator’s design, and in the coming months eight releases will mark out every step of the way…

Forces beyond our control
Hollywood’s favourite foe for humanity is one that can’t be convinced to just pick another planet. This month Brad Pitt will face off against the Z-virus in World War Z – “Life as we know it will come to an end in 90 days!” – while Laurence Fishburne warms up against the next ice age in a remote underground station. And if anyone is left come July they’ll watch Pacific Rim battle gigantic dinosaurs from outer space. The common factor is an unreasoning, irresistible force or at the very least one that won’t be swayed by our arguments.

Widespread destruction
The cataclysm that falls is one that can’t be sidestepped. Last month Tom Cruise wandered the face of a world almost swept clean by aliens in Oblivion. Any safety discovered is always temporary. This month Wil and Jaden Smith discover that not an inch of our planet is unmutated in After Earth. If humanity’s in line for a cosmic judgement then there’s no use trying to hide under a rock. The best thing you can do is start looking for a new home.

Look – a way out!
That’s the good news – every apocalyptic film suggests there is a way through the apocalypse. For some films like Matt Damon’s Elysium this August, there’s the chance to renew a world devastated by the abuses of a wealthy elite. For others, like the extremely lewd but strangely insightful This Is The End it’s about making it through to the ‘new creation’. “There was a God after all – who would have thought?” asks Seth Rogan. “About 90% of the planet,” answers Jay Baruchel. Both discover the only way to survive God’s judgment is to stop serving themselves.

The sacrifice And what’s the key to every salvation offered above? The hero is always bridging the gap between total destruction and the beautiful escape, allowing others to cross over while he faces the wrath to come. Last month Spock and Captain Kirk took turns dying so that worlds could be saved in Into Darkness. Later this year Simon Pegg and Nick Frost will reunite for an epic pub-crawl in The World’s End and realise they’re humanity’s only hope for survival.
Settling down for the end of the world in the coming months? Tick off the following boxes – a judge that can’t be sweet-talked; a judgment that can’t be avoided; a promise that can be relied on; a saviour who’ll stand in your shoes to see you through.