I'd like to watch something with the cozy post apocalyptic feel of Horizon Zero Dawn. Linked to some somber ambient soundtrack from the game to give you an idea. Which is to say, a movie whose focus isn't on us becoming pillaging, raping savages warring for food and shelter (which absolutely has its own place in my heart), but rather on exploration, adventure, love and hope.

Got anything for me? 😊

To honor the great actor that just left us (Tom Skerritt), perhaps something he starred in.

Although the one probably most fitting would be "Alien".

Has lots of the exploration, adventure and maybe even some hope (if you want to see the ending that way).
Not so sure about the "love" part. On the other hand, one of the stars is a cat!

The feeling is definitely somewhat post-apocalyptic, but also as non-cozy as it gets.

But for coziness, there also is "Picket Fences", so maybe a double-feature?

I haven't seen it myself yet, but I hear Station Eleven is about a traveling acting troupe 20 years or so after a pandemic-type apocalypse?

Maybe The Shannara Chronicles?

Instead being set in the far future of an apocalypse leading to robot animals, it's more of an apocalypse set in the far future leading to Lord of The Rings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIiymbl9ji8

If you like musicals, Hadestown hits on all of those themes using the Hades/Persephone & Orpheus/Euridice myths.

It's a world gone wrong and it's up to the mortals to set things right.

Not really cozy but here are some movies from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:American_post-apocalyptic_films that I would watch:

• I watched Bird box recently, it was good.
• AI by Steven Spielberg
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_(1988_film), it's been a while
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fist_of_the_North_Star_(1995_film), I have never seen that one, but it should be as awesome/awful as the cartoon
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan%27s_Run_(film), never saw that one but it seems fun

Came here to recommend Station Eleven as well. While not a movie it offers what OP is looking for.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fist_of_the_North_Star_(1995_film), I have never seen that one, but it should be as awesome/awful as the cartoon

I have watched it! ...and your description perfectly fits.

The idea and themes are good for that time. Just needs some polish to today's standards.

Logan’s Run is great. Also try THX1138.

How about Andrey Tarkovsky's Stalker? Fittingly called a masterpiece.

SF/Fantasy as horseshoe theory.

Also see: Adventure Time.

A river runs through it.

AI is such a good movie.

Station 11

I'm more of a shows person than movies and the first thing that came to mind was Silo, freaking loved it. Also Pluribus! :)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Badlands_(TV_series)

The book it's based on is pretty good as well.

And the show and the book are different enough that neither one really spoils the other.

Others have already mentioned Station Eleven. I'd like to add The Last Man on Earth. It's more of a comedy series, but still somewhat fits.

Maybe Scavengers Reign? It has light and dark elements and rather than post-apocalypse, it is stranded space farers on an alien world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scavengers_Reign

Might not be the best fit but the first thing I thought of was The Wild Robot from 2024. Charming story and absolutely gorgeous visuals.

Not sure if id call the movie cozy. However despite its age and the technology of the time, very little has invoked the "freedom"/"whole new world" feeling of the transition on the railcart when they enter the zone

I've never played Horizon, so I admittedly have no idea what OP means by the cozy part.

+1 for Scavenger's Reign. Peak animation, too.

Castle in the Sky and Nausicaa kinda have those vibes.

Star Trek Picard kinda has me feelin the feels.

I was going to say Napoleon Dynamite, but after reading your description, I’m going to say Napoleon Dynamite. When asked what time period it takes place in, the director said “Idaho,” which places it squarely in the post-apocalypse. Exploration? Yes. Adventure? Of course! Love and hope? Maybe. No spoilers.

Not exactly uplifting, but some of the best sci-fi I know