Ah, end-of-the-world romances. Nothing like fending off zombies and/or aliens and/or any variation of “infected” humans with the one you love, eh? Who would you want as a partner in post-apocalyptic crime? Your current squeeze? A sexy stranger? Your best friend? Your pet? Went it comes to films with catastrophic settings, the protagonist never seems to be without a trusty, lovable confidante — someone to make a terrible situation a teensy bit better. After the jump, we’ve gathered eight of the greatest couples from post-apocalyptic films. Check ’em out, and hit the comments to let us know who you’d want as your trusty sidekick.
WALL-E and EVE, WALL-E (2008)
For poor, primitive WALL-E, it’s love at first sight. But EVE is a super-advanced robot who initially thinks she’s too good for him, before falling for his considerable charms and setting into motion an adventure of the most touching variety. If post-apocalyptic animated robot cleaners can make you cry, you know they’re doing something right.
Jim and Selena, 28 Days Later (2002)
Folks, be careful out there. If medical research on chimpanzees goes awry, like in 28 Days Later, a zombie apocalypse could happen at any moment. Therefore, we should all occasionally google Cillian Murphy’s and Naomie Harris’s whereabouts, just in case we need to surround ourselves with people who have had realistic film experiences with battling zombies.
Tallahassee and Twinkies, Zombieland (2009)
No one loves each other as much as Tallahassee and Twinkies love each other. While other zombie apocalypse survivors are desperately searching for their families, his #1 priority is processed snack cakes. Fun fact: Woody Harrelson is a vegan, so the Twinkies in the film were faux versions made with cornmeal.
Mariner and Helen, Waterworld (1995)
In Waterworld, Kevin Costner, or “Mariner,” finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world where the Earth is mostly underwater, which proves to be a pretty undesirable living situation, if you ask us. Mariner takes it upon himself to help Helen get to dry land, and at one point, he even breathes for her while they’re stuck underwater. If totally wasn’t an excuse for them to kiss, or anything…
Robert and Samantha, I Am Legend (2007)
After losing his wife and daughter in the midst of a terrifying epidemic, virologist Robert Neville is New York’s sole healthy human survivor. But he’s not alone — he’s got his German Shepherd, Samantha, to keep him company. This post-apocalyptic duo, like WALL-E and EVE, brings a tear to our eye. Here at Flavorpill, we love us some pups.
Robert and Lisa, The Omega Man (1971)
The Omega Man is about a scientist who injects himself with an experimental vaccine and becomes immune to the bizarre plague that is destroying the nation. At one point, he is saved from being burned at the stake in Dodger Stadium by a seemingly evil post-apocalyptic albino mutant. Perfect couple, eh? The Omega Man is based on the same novel as I Am Legend, hence why both protagonists are named Robert Neville. Other than that, as you might have guessed, the films are very, very different.
Kyle and Sarah, Terminator (1984)
Okay, one of them is from 2029 and the other is from 1984, but this couple somehow survives the wrath of a post-apocalyptic robotic Arnold Schwarzenegger, so they’re cool by us. For those unfamiliar, James Cameron’s The Terminator follows a cyborg assassin as he goes back in time to kill Sarah, the soon-to-be mother of the future leader of the human resistance movement against the machines. By destroying Sarah, Schwarzenegger’s character can destroy future of the human race. Kyle, on the other hand, is a fighter in the human resistance who goes back in time to save Sarah from the Terminator. Got it? Good.
Shaun and Ed, Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Last but not least, we have Shaun and his best friend, Ed, who don’t find out that zombies have overtaken their town until the monsters have their house surrounded. These two would do anything for each other, and are therefore a totally perfect comedic couple to be thrown in any post-apocalyptic situation.