Prepper Movies and TV Shows (Our Favorite 15)

Movies and TV shows about survival and prepping can teach you valuable skills while keeping you entertained.

From wilderness survival to post-apocalyptic scenarios, these shows offer a mix of practical knowledge and drama that might come in handy during tough times.

You can learn real survival techniques by watching the right prepper-focused entertainment, from building shelters to finding food in the wild.

Many of these shows feature actual survival experts and experienced preppers who share their knowledge.

Just remember to practice any new skills you pick up instead of staying glued to your screen.

1. Jericho (TV series)

Jericho aired from 2006 to 2008 on CBS, running for two action-packed seasons.

You can stream it today on Paramount+ or buy episodes on Amazon Prime Video.

The show follows life in a small Kansas town called Jericho after nuclear attacks hit major U.S. cities.

You'll see how the residents deal with limited resources, power outages, and threats from neighboring communities.

The main character Jake Green returns home to Jericho just before the attacks happen.

You'll watch him help lead the town through countless challenges as they try to figure out what caused the attacks and who survived.

The show mixes survival scenarios with government conspiracy plots.

You'll learn about practical things like food rationing, community organization, and local defense while following an exciting storyline.

Each episode shows realistic challenges that could happen after a major disaster.

You'll see the townspeople handle problems with food shortages, maintaining order, and dealing with desperate outsiders.

2. Southern Survival

Southern Survival premiered on Netflix in July 2020, and you can still watch Season 1's eight episodes there today.

The show follows the crew from BattlBox, a subscription-based survival gear company, as they put different outdoor and survival equipment through extreme tests.

You'll see them trying out everything from fire-resistant clothing to bulletproof backpacks.

Each episode focuses on specific survival scenarios like fire, water emergencies, or home security.

The team's hands-on testing methods are both entertaining and informative.

You'll learn what gear actually works and what might not be worth your money.

The BattlBox crew brings a fun Southern charm to their dangerous experiments.

They're not afraid to get dirty or take risks to show you how different survival tools perform in real-world situations.

You'll pick up practical tips about survival gear while watching the team's often wild and explosive testing methods.

Their down-to-earth approach makes complex survival concepts easy to understand.

3. The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead started in 2010 and ran until 2022, making it one of TV's longest-running apocalyptic series.

You can watch all seasons on Netflix and AMC+.

This show follows Rick Grimes and other survivors as they fight both zombies and hostile humans in a collapsed world.

The group moves between settlements, trying to build safe communities while dealing with constant threats.

You'll see realistic examples of survival skills like scavenging, building defenses, and growing food.

The show also explores how people might work together - or turn against each other - when society breaks down.

The survival lessons are practical and varied.

You'll learn about securing locations, organizing supply runs, and dealing with limited resources.

The characters face challenges with water, food, medicine, and shelter that many preppers think about.

Even after Rick's departure in season 9, the show continues to demonstrate important survival concepts.

Each season brings new threats and shows different approaches to staying alive in a dangerous world.

4. Into the Wild (2007 film)

This true survival story follows Christopher McCandless, a college graduate who gives up his comfortable life to live in the Alaskan wilderness.

After donating his savings to charity, he starts a journey across North America under the name "Alexander Supertramp."

You can watch this R-rated adventure drama on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+. The film runs for 148 minutes and was directed by Sean Penn.

The movie teaches important lessons about self-reliance and surviving with minimal resources.

You'll see the harsh realities of living off the land, including food gathering, shelter building, and dealing with extreme weather.

Keep in mind this isn't your typical "prepper" movie. Instead, it shows what happens when someone enters the wilderness without proper planning or survival skills. The story serves as both an inspiration and a warning.

The stunning cinematography captures Alaska's beautiful yet unforgiving landscape.

You'll feel like you're right there with McCandless as he faces the challenges of isolation and wilderness survival.

5. Alone in the Wilderness

This documentary follows Dick Proenneke, who built a log cabin by hand in the Alaskan wilderness in 1968. The film shows his remarkable journey through stunning footage he captured himself.

You can watch this classic on PBS or purchase it on Amazon Prime Video. The original aired in 2004, with several follow-up specials released in later years.

Dick films himself as he cuts down trees, builds his cabin, and creates tools from scratch. His narration brings you into his world as he explains each step of the building process.

The film shows how Dick lives off the land through all four seasons.

You'll see him fishing, gathering food, and dealing with the harsh Alaskan weather. His self-shot footage gives you a real sense of what true wilderness survival looks like.

Dick lived in his cabin for 30 years, proving that one person can thrive in the wilderness with the right skills and determination. His story has inspired many preppers and outdoor enthusiasts.

6. 28 Days Later (2002 movie)

You'll find this intense survival horror film showing what happens when a man wakes up alone in a London hospital. The world has changed completely due to a virus that turns people into rage-filled zombies.

The movie introduced fast-moving zombies to mainstream audiences, making it extra scary. These aren't your typical slow, shambling undead - they sprint after their victims with terrifying speed.

Cillian Murphy stars as Jim, who must team up with other survivors to stay alive in an empty, dangerous London.

The movie shows how fast society can break down when disaster strikes.

Release Date: October 31, 2002 Watch it on: HBO Max, DirecTV

This movie teaches you valuable lessons about staying alert and adapting quickly when everything goes wrong.

You'll see how the characters deal with food shortages, finding safe shelter, and avoiding both infected people and dangerous survivor groups.

The empty streets of London create an eerie backdrop that makes you think about what your own city might look like after a major disaster.

7. Zombieland (2009 movie)

Zombieland hit theaters in October 2009 and is now streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime. You'll love this comedy-horror blend that puts a fresh spin on the zombie genre.

The story follows a nervous college student, played by Jesse Eisenberg, who stays alive during a zombie outbreak by following his strict set of survival rules. These include basic tips like "cardio" and "double tap" when shooting zombies.

You'll see him team up with three other survivors: Woody Harrelson as the tough-guy Tallahassee, and Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin as sisters Wichita and Little Rock. Their cross-country journey is filled with zombie action and lots of laughs.

The movie also features one of the best surprise celebrity cameos ever. Bill Murray shows up as himself in a scene that you won't forget.

The rules for survival in this movie are pretty solid advice for any emergency situation. While it's mostly played for laughs, you might pick up some useful tips between the zombie kills and comedy.

8. Contagion (2011 film)

Released in 2011, Contagion is one of the most realistic pandemic movies you'll ever watch. You can stream it on Max and rent it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or Google Play.

The movie shows how a deadly virus spreads across the globe, causing panic and social breakdown.

You'll see empty streets, closed businesses, and people fighting over food and supplies - scenes that might feel familiar after recent events.

What makes this film special for preppers is its focus on real-world response systems.

You get to see how public health officials, scientists, and regular people react when faced with a rapidly spreading disease.

The film teaches valuable prepping lessons about storing food, having medical supplies ready, and the importance of social distancing during a pandemic.

You'll also learn why it's crucial to be prepared before everyone else starts panic buying.

Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Winslet lead a strong cast that brings this scary but believable scenario to life.

The movie doesn't rely on zombies or unrealistic plot twists - it sticks to showing how a real pandemic might play out.

9. The Book of Eli (2010 film)

This post-apocalyptic action film stars Denzel Washington as Eli, a lone warrior traveling across America 30 years after a devastating war. You can stream it on Netflix or rent it on Amazon Prime.

Eli carries a mysterious book that could save humanity. Gary Oldman plays the power-hungry villain who wants the book for himself, leading to intense conflicts throughout the story.

The movie shows great survival skills like finding water, dealing with bandits, and bartering with limited supplies.

You'll see practical examples of staying hidden, defending yourself, and keeping important items safe while traveling through dangerous areas.

The film also explores themes of faith and knowledge in a world where most books have been destroyed.

You'll notice how basic items we take for granted become valuable trading goods in this harsh future.

Watch for the clever ways Eli handles weapons and conserves resources. His character demonstrates important skills like staying aware of surroundings and choosing battles wisely.

Release Date: January 15, 2010 Runtime: 1h 58m Rated: R

10. Cast Away (2000 movie)

Cast Away follows a FedEx employee stranded on a remote island after his plane crashes in the South Pacific.

Tom Hanks plays Chuck Noland, who spends four years fighting to stay alive with very limited resources.

You'll watch Chuck's incredible journey of survival as he learns to make fire, find food, and build shelter. His only companion is Wilson - a volleyball he creates from a washed-up package.

The movie shows what happens to someone's mind and body when they're completely cut off from civilization.

You'll learn useful survival skills like coconut harvesting, spearfishing, and rope making.

You can stream Cast Away on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ for a rental fee. The film originally hit theaters on December 22, 2000.

This survival story doesn't sugar-coat the harsh realities of being stranded.

You'll see the real struggles with loneliness, the weather, injuries, and the daily fight to stay alive with basic tools.

11. The Road (2009 film)

The Road is one of the most realistic post-apocalyptic survival movies you'll find. It stars Viggo Mortensen as a father protecting his young son while they travel through a cold, gray America after an unnamed disaster.

The film shows raw survival situations that feel uncomfortably real. You'll see the daily struggles of finding food, avoiding dangerous people, and trying to keep hope alive in a world that's lost almost everything.

You can watch this grim but powerful movie on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+. The bleak atmosphere and intense performances make it a standout in the survival genre.

The father-son relationship drives the story forward as they push their cart south, hoping to find warmer weather.

You'll learn about the tough choices people might face when society breaks down.

The movie doesn't sugar-coat survival. It shows the harsh realities of scavenging, staying warm, and dealing with other survivors who might not have good intentions.

12. I Am Legend (2007 movie)

Released in theaters on December 14, 2007, this post-apocalyptic thriller stars Will Smith as Dr. Robert Neville. You can stream it on Max or rent it on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.

Dr. Neville lives alone in New York City with his dog after a virus wipes out most of humanity. The virus turns people into vampire-like mutants who only come out at night.

During the day, Neville searches for supplies and works on finding a cure in his basement lab. At night, he barricades himself inside his fortified home while the infected roam the streets.

You'll see lots of useful survival skills throughout the film.

Neville grows his own food, sets up elaborate security systems, and maintains a strict daily routine to stay alive.

The movie shows you how to handle isolation and keep your mental health in check during a crisis.

It also demonstrates the importance of having a well-stocked home and knowing how to be self-sufficient.

13. Survivorman (TV series)

Les Stroud created and stars in this raw survival series. It first aired in 2004 on The Science Channel and OLN (now Outdoor Life Network). You can now watch it on Amazon Prime Video and Discovery+.

Unlike other survival shows, Les films everything himself with no camera crew. He ventures alone into remote locations for 7 days at a time with minimal gear and equipment.

You get to watch him demonstrate real survival skills. He finds food, builds shelters, and makes fire in places like the Amazon jungle, African savanna, and Arctic tundra. He carries up to 50 pounds of camera gear to document his experience.

The show stands out because Les faces genuine survival situations without any behind-the-scenes help. He shows you practical techniques that could save your life in an emergency.

His knowledge comes from years of survival training and wilderness experience. He teaches you useful skills like finding edible plants, tracking animals, and getting rescued.

The series ran for 8 seasons, ending in 2015. Many consider it one of the most authentic survival shows ever made because Les actually lived through each challenge while filming himself.

14. Bear Grylls: Face the Wild

Bear Grylls: Face the Wild aired on Facebook Watch in March 2018. The show brings a unique twist to survival TV by featuring everyday fans instead of celebrities.

In each episode, Bear takes one of his biggest fans on a wilderness adventure. You'll watch as these regular people step way outside their comfort zones and tackle challenges they never thought possible.

The show follows ten different fans as they join Bear for one-on-one survival experiences. He teaches them essential outdoor skills while helping them push past their fears and limitations.

Each participant shares their personal story, making the show more relatable than typical survival programs. Bear guides them through tough terrain and teaches practical survival techniques along the way.

You can watch all episodes for free on Facebook Watch. The show offers a fresh take on the survival genre by focusing on regular people instead of Bear's usual celebrity guests.

15. Alone (TV show)

Alone is one of the most realistic survival shows you'll ever watch. It first aired in 2015 on the History Channel and continues to release new seasons.

Ten contestants get dropped off in remote wilderness locations around the world. They must survive completely by themselves while filming their own experience.

Each person can only bring 10 survival items with them. They face harsh weather, dangerous wildlife, and the mental challenge of being totally isolated from other humans.

The last person to stay out there wins $500,000. Most contestants tap out due to hunger, cold, or loneliness. No camera crews follow them - they document everything themselves.

You can watch all seasons of Alone on History Channel, Hulu, and Netflix. Many survival experts consider it the most authentic survival show on TV because contestants truly have to make it on their own.

The show takes place in different locations each season, including Vancouver Island, Patagonia, Mongolia, and the Arctic. Most seasons last between 60-100 days before a winner emerges.

Cultural Impact of Prepper Media

Prepper movies and TV shows have changed how people think about emergency preparation and survival skills since the 2008 financial crisis.

Influence on Viewers

Reality shows like "Doomsday Preppers" sparked public interest in emergency readiness. These shows made prepping feel more normal and less extreme.

The media spotlight helped create online prepping communities where people share tips and strategies. Many new preppers started their journey after watching these shows.

Movies like "World War Z" and TV series like "Revolution" got people thinking about different disaster scenarios. This led to more families starting their own emergency plans.

Survival Skills and Strategies

TV shows teach basic survival skills that viewers can use in real life. You'll learn about food storage, water filtration, and shelter building from watching these programs.

Many shows demonstrate practical skills like:

• Starting fires without matches
• Finding safe water sources
• Building basic shelters
• Growing your own food
• Creating emergency plans

Popular media has made survival knowledge more accessible. You can now learn valuable skills from your couch instead of taking expensive courses.

The entertainment value of these shows helps make important safety lessons stick in your mind. You're more likely to remember survival tips when they're presented in an engaging way.