10 Movies To Watch If You Like The Fallout Games

While Fallout 76 may have disappointed both reviewers and fans, it does not diminish the significance of the Fallout series as a whole. The Fallout franchise provides a unique RPG experience that presents players with intriguing moral dilemmas, similar to other popular games such as BioShock and The Elder Scrolls.

Each game in the series follows a new protagonist as they venture out of their underground bunker into a radioactive wasteland set in a post-apocalyptic America with a classic 1950s aesthetic. While the video game Wasteland may have influenced these games, the Fallout series has also drawn inspiration from several movies, some of which are mentioned here.

Blade runner

The ethical dilemma surrounding robots in Blade Runner is echoed in the Fallout video games, despite their more retro than post-apocalyptic setting. In particular, Fallout 4 places Synths – or Androids, as they were called in Fallout 3 – at the forefront. The protagonist of Fallout 4 becomes embroiled in a conflict between two factions that is fueled by these cyborgs, which were created by the Institute.

Even the synthetic detective Nick Valentine evokes Blade Runner with his retro-noir style. Although film noir was more prevalent in 1940s movies, it remains a significant influence on early 1950s culture.

Mailman

Two post-apocalyptic movies starring Kevin Costner were popular in the late 1990s. However, while the first movie, Waterworld, has stood the test of time, the same cannot be said for the second one, The Postman. Fallout: New Vegas is also noteworthy for its portrayal of a courier caught between warring factions in a post-apocalyptic America.

Additionally, both The Postman and New Vegas feature a dam that plays a significant role. Furthermore, the Holnist gang in The Postman adheres to authoritarian principles similar to Caesar’s Legion in New Vegas.

Six-string samurai

The Fallout video games contain various allusions to popular culture, some more recognizable than others. In Fallout: New Vegas, for example, the game features a Samurai trophy from the movie Samurai Six Strings. While this reference may seem insignificant, it takes on greater significance when one considers the similarities between the two works in terms of story and setting. Both are set in an alternative America that has been ravaged by nuclear war but still retains elements of 1950s culture.

Furthermore, a central character in both works seeks to reach Las Vegas while avoiding gangs and cannibals.

Eli .’s book

Among the post-apocalyptic films released in the 2010s, The Book of Eli is rarely mentioned today and quickly fades from public memory. However, what caught the attention of many gamers at the time was that both the game screen and plot of the movie were identical to Condor 3.

This is primarily due to The Book of Eli’s pale color scheme, which resembles that of Fallout 3’s graphics. Additionally, both stories follow a man traveling through post-nuclear war America; however, they differ in their motives. The protagonist of Fallout 3 is searching for his father while the protagonist of The Book of Eli aims to deliver a book.

Surname! (1954)

It cannot be overstated that the Fallout games heavily incorporate imagery from the 1950s, particularly sci-fi movies like the 1954 classic “Them!” which is set during the Cold War. The film depicts a story of a giant ant that became mutated by atomic radiation and poses a threat to the American people.

While this concept may seem absurd today, it stems from serious concerns about how atomic energy will impact the environment. Beginning with Fallout 2, the series builds upon this idea by making giant ants natural enemies that player characters encounter in nuclear waste-filled areas.

Cursed alley

Aside from the giant ants, another mutant creature that appears in the game Fallout is the giant scorpion. These creatures, called Radscorpions, initially appeared in the first Fallout game, with several subspecies featuring in its sequel. However, Fallout is not the first work of fiction to depict giant scorpions existing in a post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland.

A relatively obscure 1970s film called Damnation Alley, based on a book by renowned science-fiction author Roger Zelazny, explores this concept. The plot revolves around a group of Air Force officers who traverse abandoned America searching for an elusive transmission source.

Fido

Shaun of the Dead’s success inspired other zombie comedies, such as Zombieland, which even received a sequel. However, some films like Fido did not receive the same level of recognition. Fido envisions a world in which zombies are domesticated but doesn’t specify when this takes place.

The film uses special necklaces to control zombies’ natural desire to consume human flesh- an idea similar to the bracelets in Disney Channel’s recent movie “Zombie.” In Fallout, ghouls resembling zombies play a major role and bear similarities to those in Fido. Moreover, both works share a 1950s aesthetic and depict events after a war.

Crazy Max 2: Street Fighter

If there is one movie to which a lot of people compare Fallout games, it is the Mad Max series. Starting with the 1979 film, these Australian post-apocalyptic movies are about a well-known villain wandering through a wasteland filled with gangs and cults. References to this series can also be found in the Fallout games; however, where the Fallout series may have its own style is in Mad Max 2: Road Warrior. For instance, in the first Fallout game, there is a dog similar to the one Max has in The Road Warrior that the player character can befriend. Furthermore, Max’s iconic costume and gun from that movie are obtainable items in the game.

A boy and his dog

While Mad Max may have popularized the post-apocalyptic genre in cinema, there were earlier films such as The Boy and His Dog. This movie is based on a novel by the popular science fiction author Harlan Ellison and tells a coming-of-age story set in the 1970s.

However, there’s a twist to this classic tale: It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where the dog has telepathic abilities. It’s easy to see how this influenced games such as Mad Max and Fallout. In fact, the dog in A Boy and His Dog is an optional companion nicknamed “Dogmeat” which is used as an insult by the main characters.

Radioactive dream

In the mid-1980s, the sci-fi movie Radioactive Dreams made its debut in cinemas and quickly became a cult favorite. What’s even more intriguing is how many aspects of this film are shared with the Fallout video game series. One similarity between the two is that both depict individuals who are stranded in fallout shelters and choose to venture into a radioactive wasteland filled with mutants and gangs. The film’s primary protagonists grew up during the 1950s, which is reflected in their love for mystery stories. Additionally, a minor character can be seen wearing a gadget resembling Pip-Boy.