What Would You Do if World War 3 Broke Out Tomorrow?

World War Three has started to feel like a chilling possibility in recent years. Many of us have gone to bed recently wondering whether tomorrow will be a normal day, or the day that everything changes.

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the United States striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, and Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine have all added to a growing sense that the world is edging closer and closer to all-out war.

Add to that, political tension, economic strain, and talk of defence spending cuts in the UK, the idea of a global war seem less like fiction and more like something that could genuinely happen.

So, what would you do if World War 3 broke out tomorrow?

Threads: The film that shocked Britain

As fears about World War 3 resurface, it’s hard not to think back to apocalyptic films or TV shows we watched as kids. Back in 1984, the BBC released Threads, a haunting apocalyptic drama set in Sheffield. The film follows the lives of two families over 13 years as a war between the United States and the Soviet Union causes a nuclear winter.

What made Threads so terrifying was its realism. With a modest budget and no Hollywood gloss, it showed the slow breakdown of society, the physical effects of radiation, and the bleak aftermath in a way that felt disturbingly possible. It wasn’t about heroes or soldiers, it followed families and neighbours whose lives literally disintegrated overnight.

For many who watched it, Threads stayed with them for many years, and 40 years later the production company behind the hit TV show Adolescence have announced they plan to remake the show as a TV series.

Could we ever be ready?

Most of us feel more in control by having a plan and being prepared. Guidance on dealing with a nuclear attack from the Government and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) includes finding appropriate (ideally underground) shelter, prepping an emergency supply kit, and staying indoors for as long as possible.

There’s no doubt that following these instructions will boost your chances of surviving the explosion, but what happens after that?

The film Threads shows how fragile this illusion of safety really is. After the initial blast, the survivors faced starvation, radiation sickness, contaminated water, and a total collapse of order. Surviving the explosion was one thing, but surviving the aftermath was another.

How real is the threat of World War 3 today?

This year, NATO’s secretary general Mark Rutte warned that without a major increase in defence spending, people in Britain might “need to learn Russian.” Meanwhile, UK officials have quietly advised that the country must be better prepared for the possibility of being attacked on home soil.

The language may sound dramatic, but with the global balance of power shifting and nuclear-armed nations trading threats, it’s not surprising that more Brits are starting to ask: would we even stand a chance?

Conclusion

Many people take the view that instant death is a better option than living through the terror and aftermath of a nuclear war. Others argue that if there’s even a small chance to rebuild, to protect loved ones, or to carry on, then it’s worth trying.

Perhaps that’s the heart of the question. If the unthinkable happened tomorrow, would you hunker down and fight to live another day, or step outside and face the flash? Threads suggested that survival might not be the blessing we imagine, but the discussion it started 40 years ago feels more relevant than ever.