Movies and TV series about saving the world

The 54 best titles about saving the world, ranked by the iRank Score — our composite of IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic and TMDb. Every page includes cast, where to watch and similar recommendations.

Avatar: The Last Airbender
iRank88
2005 · Michael Dante DiMartino
SeriesAction & AdventureAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy
In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
iRank86
1981 · Steven Spielberg
MovieActionAdventure
When Dr. Indiana Jones – the tweed-suited professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist – is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself up agai
My Hero Academia
iRank86
2016 · Koichi Kakimoto
SeriesAction & AdventureAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy
After he saves a bully from a Villain, a normal student is granted a superpower that allows him to attend a high school training academy for Heroes.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
iRank86
2011 · David Yates
MovieAdventureFantasy
Harry, Ron and Hermione continue their quest to vanquish the evil Voldemort once and for all. Just as things begin to look hopeless for the young wizards, Harry discovers a trio of magical objects tha
The Rising of the Shield Hero
iRank85
2019 · Shuzo Kasahara
SeriesAction & AdventureAnimationDrama
Iwatani Naofumi, a run-of-the-mill otaku, finds a book in the library that summons him to another world. He is tasked with joining the sword, spear, and bow as one of the Four Cardinal Heroes and figh
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
iRank84
1984 · Hayao Miyazaki
MovieAdventureAnimationFantasy
After a global war, the seaside kingdom known as the Valley of the Wind remains one of the last strongholds on Earth untouched by a poisonous jungle and the powerful insects that guard it. Led by the
The Terminator
iRank83
1984 · James Cameron
MovieActionScience FictionThriller
In the post-apocalyptic future, reigning tyrannical supercomputers teleport a cyborg assassin known as the "Terminator" back to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead insurgen
The Matrix
iRank83
1999 · Lana Wachowski
MovieActionScience Fiction
Set in the 22nd century, The Matrix tells the story of a computer hacker who joins a group of underground insurgents fighting the vast and powerful computers who now rule the earth.
Akira
iRank81
1988 · Katsuhiro Otomo
MovieActionAnimationScience Fiction
A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath that only two teenagers and a group of psychics can stop.
Superman
iRank79
1978 · Richard Donner
MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction
Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to take over th
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
iRank79
1989 · Steven Spielberg
MovieActionAdventure
In 1938, an art collector appeals to eminent archaeologist Dr. Indiana Jones to embark on a search for the Holy Grail. Indy learns that a medieval historian has vanished while searching for it, and th
Zombieland
iRank78
2009 · Ruben Fleischer
MovieComedyHorror
Columbus has made a habit of running from what scares him. Tallahassee doesn't have fears. If he did, he'd kick their ever-living ass. In a world overrun by zombies, these two are perfectly evolved su
Avatar the Last Airbender
iRank78
2024 · Dan Lin
SeriesAction & AdventureDramaFamily
A young boy known as the Avatar must master the four elemental powers to save a world at war — and fight a ruthless enemy bent on stopping him.
Zatoichi
iRank77
2003 · Takeshi Kitano
MovieAdventureDramaAction
Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople
Bugonia
iRank77
2025 · Yorgos Lanthimos
MovieComedyScience FictionThriller
Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.
Superman II
iRank76
1980 · Richard Lester
MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction
Three Kryptonian criminals led by General Zod team up with Lex Luthor to conquer Earth, forcing a depowered Superman to regain his strength and stop them.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
iRank75
1986 · Leonard Nimoy
MovieAdventureScience Fiction
When a huge alien probe enters the galaxy and begins to vaporize Earth's oceans, Kirk and his crew must travel back in time in order to bring back whales and save the planet.
Contagion
iRank73
2011 · Steven Soderbergh
MovieDramaScience FictionThriller
As an epidemic of a lethal airborne virus - that kills within days - rapidly grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
iRank72
2005 · Andrew Adamson
MovieAdventureFamilyFantasy
Siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter step through a magical wardrobe and find the land of Narnia. There, they discover a charming, once peaceful kingdom that has been plunged into eternal winter by
Avengers: Age of Ultron
iRank72
2015 · Joss Whedon
MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction
When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villa
Zack Snyder's Justice League
iRank72
2021 · Zack Snyder
MovieActionAdventureFantasy
Determined to ensure Superman's ultimate sacrifice was not in vain, Bruce Wayne aligns forces with Diana Prince with plans to recruit a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching thre
Sunshine
iRank71
2007 · Danny Boyle
MovieScience FictionThriller
Fifty years into the future, the sun is dying, and Earth is threatened by arctic temperatures. A team of astronauts is sent to revive the Sun — but the mission fails. Seven years later, a new team is
Megamind
iRank71
2010 · Tom McGrath
MovieActionAnimationComedy
After Megamind, a highly intelligent alien supervillain, defeats his long-time nemesis Metro Man, Megamind creates a new hero to fight, but must act to save the city when his "creation" becomes an eve
The Matrix Reloaded
iRank70
2003 · Lilly Wachowski
MovieAdventureActionThriller
The Resistance builds in numbers as humans are freed from the Matrix and brought to the city of Zion. Neo discovers his superpowers, including the ability to see the code inside the Matrix. With machi
The Fifth Element
iRank70
1997 · Luc Besson
MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction
In 2257, a taxi driver is unintentionally given the task of saving a young girl who is part of the key that will ensure the survival of humanity.
I Am Legend
iRank70
2007 · Francis Lawrence
MovieDramaScience FictionThriller
Robert Neville is a scientist who was unable to stop the spread of the terrible virus that was incurable and man-made. Immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City a
The Fantastic 4: First Steps
iRank68
2025 · Matt Shakman
MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction
Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel's First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth
Meet the Robinsons
iRank67
2007 · Stephen J. Anderson
MovieAdventureAnimationComedy
Lewis, a brilliant young inventor, is keen on creating a time machine to find his mother, who abandoned him in an orphanage. Things take a turn when he meets Wilbur Robinson and his family.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
iRank66
2008 · Steven Spielberg
MovieActionAdventure
Set during the Cold War, the Soviets—led by sword-wielding Irina Spalko—are in search of a crystal skull which has supernatural powers related to a mystical Lost City of Gold. Indy is coerced to head
Superman Returns
iRank66
2006 · Bryan Singer
MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction
Superman returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
iRank65
2003 · Jonathan Mostow
MovieActionScience FictionThriller
It's been 10 years since John Connor saved Earth from Judgment Day, and he's now living under the radar, steering clear of using anything Skynet can trace. That is, until he encounters T-X, a robotic
Man of Steel
iRank63
2013 · Zack Snyder
MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction
A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerg
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
iRank61
1999 · Jay Roach
MovieAdventureComedyCrime
When diabolical genius Dr. Evil travels back in time to steal superspy Austin Powers's ‘mojo,’ Austin must return to the swingin' '60s himself - with the help of American agent, Felicity Shagwell - to
Mars Attacks!
iRank60
1996 · Tim Burton
MovieComedyFantasyScience Fiction
A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale recei
Austin Powers in Goldmember
iRank60
2002 · Jay Roach
MovieComedyCrime
The world's most shagadelic spy continues his fight against Dr. Evil. This time, the diabolical doctor and his clone, Mini-Me, team up with a new foe—'70s kingpin Goldmember. While pursuing the team o
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
iRank59
2017 · Matthew Vaughn
MovieActionAdventureComedy
When an attack on the Kingsman headquarters takes place and a new villain rises, Eggsy and Merlin are forced to work together with the American agency known as the Statesman to save the world.
Mortal Kombat
iRank57
2021 · Simon McQuoid
MovieActionAdventureFantasy
Washed-up MMA fighter Cole Young, unaware of his heritage, and hunted by Emperor Shang Tsung's best warrior, Sub-Zero, seeks out and trains with Earth's greatest champions as he prepares to stand agai
Eternals
iRank57
2021 · Chloé Zhao
MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction
The Eternals are a team of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. When an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows, they are forced to reunite against
The Day After Tomorrow
iRank56
2004 · Roland Emmerich
MovieAdventureScience FictionThriller
After paleoclimatologist Jack Hall is largely ignored by UN officials when presenting his environmental concerns about the beginning of a new Ice Age, his research proves true when a superstorm develo
Armageddon
iRank56
1998 · Michael Bay
MovieActionScience FictionAdventure
When an asteroid threatens to collide with Earth, NASA honcho Dan Truman determines the only way to stop it is to drill into its surface and detonate a nuclear bomb. This leads him to renowned driller
Mortal Kombat
iRank55
1995 · Paul W. S. Anderson
MovieActionFantasy
For nine generations an evil sorcerer has been victorious in hand-to-hand battle against his mortal enemies. If he wins a tenth Mortal Kombat tournament, desolation and evil will reign over the multiv
The Matrix Revolutions
iRank54
2003 · Lilly Wachowski
MovieAdventureActionThriller
The human city of Zion defends itself against the massive invasion of the machines as Neo fights to end the war at another front while also opposing the rogue Agent Smith.
Men in Black II
iRank53
2002 · Barry Sonnenfeld
MovieActionComedyScience Fiction
Kay and Jay reunite to provide our best, last and only line of defense against a sinister seductress who levels the toughest challenge yet to the MIB's untarnished mission statement – protecting Earth
Terminator Salvation
iRank53
2009 · McG
MovieActionScience FictionThriller
All grown up in post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor must lead the resistance of humans against the increasingly dominating militaristic robots. But when Marcus Wright appears, his existence confuses th
Pacific Rim: Uprising
iRank51
2018 · Steven S. DeKnight
MovieActionAdventureFantasy
It has been ten years since The Battle of the Breach and the oceans are still, but restless. Vindicated by the victory at the Breach, the Jaeger program has evolved into the most powerful global defen
The Core
iRank50
2003 · Jon Amiel
MovieAdventureScience FictionThriller
Geophysicist Dr. Josh Keyes discovers that an unknown force has caused the earth's inner core to stop rotating. With the planet's magnetic field rapidly deteriorating, our atmosphere literally starts
Heart of Stone
iRank49
2023 · Tom Harper
MovieActionCrimeThriller
An intelligence operative for a shadowy global peacekeeping agency races to stop a hacker from stealing its most valuable — and dangerous — weapon.
Battle: Los Angeles
iRank48
2011 · Jonathan Liebesman
MovieActionScience Fiction
When once distant UFOs become a terrifying threat and an alien invasion force begins attacking Earths major costal and riverside cities, a U.S Marine staff sergeant and his team are sent into battle o
Terminator Genisys
iRank48
2015 · Alan Taylor
MovieActionScience FictionThriller
The year is 2029. John Connor, leader of the resistance continues the war against the machines. At the Los Angeles offensive, John's fears of the unknown future begin to emerge when TECOM spies reveal
AVP: Alien vs. Predator
iRank42
2004 · Paul W. S. Anderson
MovieActionAdventureHorror
When scientists discover something near Antarctica that appears to be a buried Pyramid, they send a research team out to investigate. Little do they know that they are about to step into a hunting gro
Masters of the Universe
iRank42
1987 · Gary Goddard
MovieActionAdventureFantasy
When the evil Skeletor finds a mysterious power called the Cosmic Key, he becomes nearly invincible, seizing Castle Grayskull and the surrounding city. The Sorceress is now Skeletor's prisoner and he
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
iRank42
2003 · Stephen Norrington
MovieActionFantasyScience Fiction
To prevent a world war from breaking out, famous characters from Victorian literature band together to do battle against a cunning villain.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
iRank30
1987 · Sidney J. Furie
MovieActionAdventureScience Fiction
With global superpowers engaged in an increasingly hostile arms race, Superman leads a crusade to rid the world of nuclear weapons. But Lex Luthor, recently sprung from jail, is declaring war on the M
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
iRank24
1997 · John R. Leonetti
MovieActionFantasyScience Fiction
A group of heroic warriors has only six days to save the planet in "Mortal Kombat Annihilation." To succeed they must survive the most spectacular series of challenges any human, or god, has ever enco