Movies about Chernobyl: Essential Films
The Chernobyl disaster has inspired a small collection of feature films that explore the tragedy from different perspectives. These films range from personal dramas following liquidators and survivors to atmospheric horror set in the abandoned exclusion zone.
This watch list captures both the human cost of the disaster through intimate character studies, as well as the haunting legacy of Pripyat. Chernobyl: Zone of Exclusion provides a science fiction take on the Zone's mysteries as a theatrical continuation of a Russian TV series. Together, these films preserve the memory of one of history's worst nuclear disasters while exploring its ongoing cultural impact.
List not ranked (sorted by Release Date)
Land of Oblivion
A young couple's wedding in Chornobyl is disrupted when the nuclear power plant disaster begins to unfold in 1986.
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Chernobyl Diaries
A group of tourists hire an extreme tour guide to explore the abandoned city of Pripyat near Chernobyl, but their adventure turns into a nightmare when they become stranded and discover they're not alone in the deserted town.
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Chernobyl: Zone of Exclusion
A special interstate commission investigates illegal construction activities by the Global Kintech Corporation in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, but their efforts are disrupted when terrorists attack during a press conference.
Chernobyl: Abyss
A dramatization of the heroic efforts by hundreds of people who risked their lives to contain the catastrophic aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The film focuses on the brave individuals who worked to prevent an even larger disaster that could have made much of Europe uninhabitable.
Other Film Series
A Quiet Place
A post-apocalyptic horror series about survivors navigating a world where deadly creatures hunt by sound, forcing humanity to live in complete silence.
Chess
Films exploring the strategic depth and human drama of chess, from inspiring true stories to philosophical masterpieces.
David Lynch
Visionary surrealist filmmaker known for his exploration of dream logic, suburban darkness, and the mysteries lurking beneath everyday American life.
Unbreakable
M. Night Shyamalan's grounded superhero trilogy following ordinary people who discover extraordinary abilities, culminating in an unexpected crossover.
Voodoo
A curated collection of films exploring voodoo, hoodoo, and vodou practices through horror, thriller, and supernatural storytelling.
Whispering Corridors
A landmark anthology of South Korean horror films set in all-girls high schools, blending supernatural terror with sharp social commentary.