I love Christmas season. I love decorating. I love the occasional party. But I really love the ambiance in our living room after our kids have gone to bed. It’s beautiful and quiet. . . for a while. As a homeschooling mom, I’m oftentimes surrounded by kids. Sometimes, the most relaxing thing is to shoo them off to bed (which is much later than it used to be) and sit down with a good movie or show. And what better kind of show to sit down with and watch than an action/adventure show from which I can learn preparedness lessons.
On the other hand, since by Christmas break, we’ve usually watched through all our Christmas movies, having a stash of prepper movies or shows that my kids can watch too is a fun way for us to spend some time together. Besides, if I keep them occupied I avoid the dreaded “B” word – BORED.
So today, I’m going to give you a list of my favorite (yes, I’ve watched all of these) movies and shows that have a preparedness theme for both you and your kids. Some of the movies and shows will not be appropriate for kids, and some of them will.
All of these shows at one point or another were free on Netflix or Amazon Prime video. Unfortunately, not all of them are free today, but they are still among my favorite preparedness shows.
1.) Jericho (Paramount on Amazon Prime)
This is probably my FAVORITE preparedness show of all time. I can’t believe they only made two seasons of it, and of all the prepper-minded people I’ve spoken with on this topic Jericho is usually mentioned as being one of their favorites too.
The premise is that there has been a coordinated nuclear attack on most major cities in the United States. This one little town of Jericho, located just east of Denver, survives the attack. It’s about them surviving, and learning how to live in this new world while figuring out what and who caused the attack.
It’s got good acting, you’ll see many actors that you’ve seen in other shows. It’s got a great plotline with twists. It’s got action and intrigue. If you watch nothing else on this list purely for the entertainment value, you have to watch this show. As of the time I’m writing this, it is on Amazon Prime video – and free for those who subscribe to their Paramount channel.
2.) You Vs. Wild (Netflix)
Man vs. Wild (Amazon – Discovery Channel) is one of the survival shows that I’ve watched and enjoyed over the years. This show centers around Bear Grylls. Each episode, he is dropped off in a new place. You learn survival lessons for different environments from how he survives. I feel like I learn a lot from shows like this, but at the same time, it’s not likely that I’ll find myself on a glacier and have to survive.
HOWEVER, if you like the idea of something like that, but don’t want to pay for it, Netflix has You vs. Wild. Do you remember those choose your own adventure books? Well this is a choose your own adventure TV show! Bear sets up a scenario and you get to choose which option he should take and see if that would lead to your salvation or your demise. Cool concept!
I would definitely classify this as ‘family friendly.’
3.) Alone (Netflix)
I’ve watched the first several seasons of this show. The premise is that 10-11 people are dropped off on an island, and they must each stay within a certain area of the island. They are completely alone and must survive on their own with a certain amount of gear that is allowed for each person. The person to last the longest on their own wins the season.
This one (to the point that I have watched) is definitely suitable for families.
4.) Colony (Vudu)
So the premise of Colony is that there has been an alien invasion. Humans, to this point, have unsuccessfully fought against their captors. It’s not about survival, as we know it, but without resources, you do see a lot of barter, how people try to keep life looking as ‘normal as possible’, how kids deal with doing without. My guess is that the next season will have a more survival focus as what Netflix currently has up ended with some people trying to break out of the Los Angeles to the country outside of the walls that the aliens put up around and through cities.
If I were watching this with my family, I would watch it with a filter on for sexuality. There aren’t many scenes, but there is at least one that stands out in my mind that should be filtered out to be appropriate for kids (or at least my kids).
5.) The Book of Eli
Everything you could want in a movie – action, star-studded cast, great preparedness themes. It is a typical post-apocalyptic movie. One person against what feels like the world, but this person is capable, able to defend himself, prepared, and – of all things – he is in possession of the last Bible on earth. The Bible of course has been outlawed.
This movie has a lot of violence and a good deal of language – though the man with the last Bible never curses. But this is one that I would preview before you let your older kids watch it. If you have a language filter, it would definitely make it more appropriate for everyone.
6.) Lost in Space (Netflix)
Now, admittedly, I never watched the old Lost in Space made in 1965 other than an old tidbit here and there. This modern remake of Lost in Space, however, is a really good show.
Again, the earth is dying, and colonists are being sent to another world. In their convoy to this new world, “something” causes the ship that everyone is traveling on to malfunction and the individual ships that were docked with the main ship head to the ground of the nearest planet. There is a definite survival aspect to season 1, which is all that is currently on Netflix.
My kids have already watched this show, and while I haven’t sat there and pointed out all the survival aspects of the show, they’ve seen it. They’ve really LOVED this show and want to watch more as it comes out. Be aware, there are a few more curse words sprinkled here and there and one or two “f-bombs”.
7.) Falling Skies
I’m a SCIFI buff, and this show scratches several of my itches. You have aliens which have taken over the earth. You have several organized resistance cells that have to survive and who put up a fight and eventually overcome the aliens. There is a definite survival aspect to the show that you can glean from. At the same time, it keeps you riveted with its great story. I actually own all five seasons of this show on DVD. It’s a fun show.
This used to be free on Netflix, but it’s no longer there. If you want to catch it, you’ll need to watch it on Amazon. As to being family friendly. My kids have watched the entire show. There are a couple of times I might censor something, but I can’t think of a whole lot of censoring that I would have to do.
8.) Revolution
Again, another survival-based show that only went two seasons! That gets so frustrating! Something has created not an electromagnetic pulse, but more like an electromagnetic dampening field across the entire world. So besides having to survive, they are trying to figure out what is causing this dampening field and how to turn it off.
As far as the survival aspect, this is probably one of the most realistic shows when it comes to seeing how people deal with medical problems and other survival issues.
I would let my kids watch this. It’s been about two years since I’ve seen this, and I don’t remember too many objectionable things as a part of this.
9.) Alaska the Last Frontier
This will probably be the next show that I buy on DVD. I LOVED this show. It’s got both the survival aspect of living in Alaska as well as the homesteading aspect while living in a rugged country. This show follows the Kilcher clan which is separated into three different families. You see everything from driving cattle, to salmon fishing, to deciding what to do with an aggressive chicken, to laundry (or more specifically not doing laundry for months). This was free on Amazon for a long time, but now you have two options. If you are subscribed to Discovery+ or Max on Amazon you can watch it for free, or you can buy it.
I would definitely let my family watch this show.
10.) Dual Survival
This was my very first survival show that I ever found. Again, I found it on Netflix around 6-7 years ago. At that point, I didn’t even realize that there was a genre of shows dedicated to teaching you survival skills. It fascinated me to see how Cody Lundin and Dave Canterbury survived as they were dropped off in various dangerous climates with the bare-bones (sometimes nothing) equipment. You learn about edible plants, finding water, starting fires, how to survive in the desert climates, in wet climates, in tropical climates, in cold climates. You name it, and they probably did an episode on it. It’s a great ‘starter’ survival show.
This was free on Netflix for awhile, but now you have two options. If you are subscribed to Discovery+ or Max on Amazon you can watch it for free, or you can buy it.
It’s definitely suitable for families.
11.) Red Dawn 2012
I’ve seen both the old version and the new version of this movie. I definitely like the new version more, but the old version was quite a thing in its day. This is about how a group of kids survives when China has taken over the western United States. It’s got a great plot, wonderful acting, and suspense around every corner.
I would let my kids watch this movie. I mean it stars Thor and Peeta, I’m not sure I could keep them away if I wanted to. Bonus, it’s FREE for Amazon’s MGM+ channel subscribers.
12.) Cast Away
This is probably the quintessential survival movie. Amazing acting! Riveting plot. Heart-wrenching twists. Survival shows in all it’s frightening glory. You can rent or purchase it on Amazon.com
I would definitely let my kids watch this movie.
What About You?
What survival shows or movies would you recommend others see over their Christmas break? What are your favorites? Leave a comment below, and share with us all!
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The Walking Dead! The premise is a zombie apoloclypse, so you have to suspend your disbelief (but no different then aliens, right?). And it’s not a good show for little kids – zombies! But the premise is actually plausable – a quickly spreading disease with devestating effects that causes an apocolypse. We see characters forming communties, debating whether to join a group or go it alone, dealing with food/medicine/resource shortages, and human enemies. It also gets you thinking about your own resolve and how you’d deal with loss and finding happiness in an crisis.
Best thing I like is that when times are good, it’s tempting to think that it’d be easy to stand by your morals and convictions, even in a crisis. But Walking Dead really does a great job with some character’s whose identities and resolve have been challenged – a priest, a doctor, a sheriff, for exmaple – you find yourself in turmoil watching these characters, who took oaths to stand behind a set of convictions – seeing just how much they fight to adapt to the new situation while still holding onto to their core identity. It really makes you think, if you can get past the zombies.
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red dawn and jerico were very entertaining but if you want to learn something alone and dual survival rock.
Win the Wilderness: Alaska on Netflix – About a couple that have grown old and health concerns in deep Alaska and it’s time to move back to civilization and complete their life. There are 6 couples that compete to win the house and land. Season 2 will hopefully air soon.
I recommend “The Last Alaskans”, “Life Below Zero”, “Port Protection” and “Yukon Men” (also features some great Yukon women), . The programs are available on Discovery or Travel channels. Do a google search on the programs to see clips or more information on each program. “The Last Alaskans” is my favorite. It follows several families and individuals who have been off-grid for many years (over 30 years for some of the families). I consider it the most realistic for anyone who wants to see what off-grid living is really like in a wilderness area.
I picked up “Radioflash” in a bargain bin a few months ago — and felt it was an excellent portrayal of the breakdown of a post-EMP society. Single dad and his teen daughter lose power and think it’s just a little outage until they realize everyone is affected. The ripple effect of awareness begins to dawn on everyone, and the authorities react as you would expect them to: “Go back to your homes; we’re working on getting it fixed ASAP.” Dad and daughter remember Grandpa (the prepper) left a ham radio in the shed. (But wouldn’t the ham radio be toast, too?) Grandpa had gone to his bug-out location years ago because everyone thot he was a nut. But now, they reach Grandpa on the ham radio, and he tells them to leave now before the mass exodus out of the city begins. Dad and daughter rush around the house (no bug-out bags, of course) in a frenzy. Somehow, they knew to get water out of the toilet tank for their canteens. When the car runs out of gas, they walk miles and miles. Trials assail them, injuries happen, people prey on each other, etc. I felt it was an excellent example of how civilized society with break down almost immediately and how hard it will be to network with people you don’t already know to trust (like a MAG group). Worth the watch!