The apocalypse is supposed to be terrifying. The end of civilization, humanity’s extinction, and the complete collapse of society should be enough to give anyone nightmares. But what if the end of the world wasn’t particularly frightening? What if it was just incredibly inconvenient?
Imagine surviving the end of civilization only to discover that the Wi-Fi is gone, your favourite restaurants are closed, and there’s absolutely nobody left to complain to. Some fictional apocalypses are less about facing unimaginable horrors and more about enduring the world’s most irritating inconveniences.
Here are five apocalypses that might leave you wishing the world had just ended already.
1. The Zombie Apocalypse (The Walking Dead)
Zombies are terrifying, sure, but let’s be honest: the real nightmare would be living in a world where absolutely everything is covered in rotting corpses.
Imagine trying to find a supermarket that hasn’t been looted, a car that actually works, or a place to sleep without worrying about a zombie chewing through your front door. Even worse, you’d have to deal with the smell. A world filled with decomposing bodies would make the worst public restroom seem like a luxury hotel.
And let’s not forget the survivors. Between murderous gangs, ridiculous cults, and people who think they’re destined to rule the wasteland, you’d probably spend more time dealing with annoying humans than actual zombies.
At least zombies don’t complain about your cooking.
2. The Mushroom Apocalypse (The Last of Us)
Being eaten alive by infected mushroom people sounds horrifying. But imagine surviving the initial outbreak only to discover that the entire world has become an obstacle course of fungus.
In The Last of Us, the Cordyceps infection turns humans into aggressive monsters. Unfortunately, the infected aren’t the only problem. Abandoned cities are overgrown, buildings are collapsing, and finding a decent meal is practically a miracle.
You’d also have to worry about breathing in fungal spores in certain locations. Forget going outside for a relaxing walk. You’d need protective equipment just to explore your neighbourhood.
And if you somehow survived all that, you’d still have to deal with other survivors who think stealing your last can of beans is perfectly acceptable.
3. The Eternal Winter (Snowpiercer)
Imagine waking up one morning to discover that the entire planet has frozen over. No sunshine, no beaches, no summer holidays. Just endless snow and temperatures so cold that stepping outside means certain death.
That’s the world of Snowpiercer, where humanity’s last survivors live aboard a perpetually moving train.
Of course, living on a train sounds manageable until you realize that you’re trapped with the same people forever. There’s no escaping your annoying neighbors, no moving to another city, and absolutely no chance of enjoying a quiet weekend.
And depending on where you sit on the train, your life could be even worse. The wealthy enjoy luxurious accommodations while everyone else fights over scraps.
At least the train has a restaurant. Assuming you’re lucky enough to sit in the right carriage.