Why are audiences so fascinated with mass destruction on the big screen? While we never want to experience world-ending threats, city-wide destruction, and natural catastrophes in reality, that doesn’t keep us from wanting to see them in cinema. Disaster movies are some of the most profitable films in the entertainment world. They’re massive moneymakers, making up some of the highest-grossing movies of the last several decades. Audiences can’t seem to get enough of thrilling flicks as they sure couldn’t fail to entertain.
While disaster movies aren’t for everyone, and yes,there have been plenty of terrible ones recently. But, mostly, they are what they are: fun and endlessly enjoyable crowdpleasers that can be rewatched again and again. They may not always be the most perfect, but some are truly spectacular and deserve a watch. FromMichael Bay’sArmageddontoJames Cameron’sTitanic, here are ten iconic disaster movies that are must-watches for fans.
10’Armageddon' (1998)
Directed by Michael Bay
Starting off with a bang (actually more like multiple bangs) isArmageddon, the 1998 action disaster flick fromeveryone’s favorite explosives-happy director, Michael Bay. For huge explosions, a kick-ass soundtrack, and intense action, look no further than this wild adventure as it follows a team of misfit oil workers, led byBruce Willis’s Harry Stamper, as they journey into outer space to destroy a doomsday-sized asteroid on course to hit Earth.
Admittedly,Armageddonisn’t for everyone, especially for those who aren’t fans of Bay’s rather noticeable directing style. It gets obnoxiously loud, featuring way too many explosions and excessive action sequences. But if you’re looking for mindless entertainment, impressive visuals, and glorious destruction scenes, then this one is right for you.It’s an intense thrill ride that knows how dumb it is but doesn’t care and just wants to go boom and excite audiences for a couple of hours with its action and few likable performances.
Armageddon
9’Twister' (1996)
Directed by Jan de Bont
In this thrillingJan de Bont-directed 1996 disaster classic,Twisteris a prime example of whyno one should underestimate the awesome power of nature. Starring the lateBill Paxtonand Oscar-winnerHelen Hunt, it follows a storm-chasing couple and their team as they try to test out their latest weather detection system during a particularly violent tornado season.
Twisterreassures us all that we live on a fascinating and highly unpredictable planet.It’s a pulse-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thriller with so much intensity and jaw-dropping visuals. Sure, it suffers from a weak plot and a few scientific inaccuracies, but no one can argue that it’s not entertaining. The visuals still hold, and the likable main cast gives some of the most enjoyable performances in the disaster genre. It’s a must-watch for fans, especially for those who better enjoyed its surprisingly solid 2024 sequel,Twisters.
8’Greenland' (2020)
Directed by Ric Roman Waugh
Ric Roman Waugh’s 2020 disaster dramaGreenlandhas become a stellar standout of the genre in recent years. StarringGerard ButlerandMorena Baccarin, it sees the two as struggling parents who desperately try to save their young son by racing against time to reach a bunker in Greenland before a deadly comet strikes Earth.
While it has some impressive visuals and an epic final disaster sequence,this is more of a character-driven story about a struggling family forced to make difficult choices and face constant adversity on this journey for survival. It’san emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, and there are a few moments that can leave you teary-eyed. Though its premise doesn’t seem all that compelling,Greenlandis a surprisingly deep and emotional film that’s more than capable of keeping viewers' attention.
7’The Wave' (2015)
Directed by Roar Uthaug
2015’sThe Waveisone of the most compelling disaster films in recent years. Directed byRoar Uthaug, this Norwegian disaster drama is sure to leave audiences blown away as it tells the story of a geologist, Kristian (Kristoffer Joner), as he struggles to save his family and as many people as he can when a massive rock slide creates a monster-size tsunami that engulfs a mountain-based town.
With powerful direction, stellar writing, exceptional acting, and frighteningly realistic visuals,The Wavehas become an essential watch for disaster fans.It doesn’t fail at keeping audiences' attention as it thrills them with its intense destruction scenes and emotional performances.It’s a much more grounded disaster film, as it’s based on an actual tragedy and can happen again. It’s a gripping movie that’s sure to leave you stunned.
6’The Poseidon Adventure' (1972)
Directed by Ronald Neame
If there’s one film that perfectly sums up the disaster genrein its early infancy, it would beThe Poseidon Adventure, a 1972 thriller based on a novel of the same name by Paul Gallico. Featuring an all-star cast, including the lateGene Hackman,Ernest Borgnine,Shelley Winters, andRed Buttons, it follows a brave reverend as he leads a small band of survivors to the surface after their luxury cruise liner capsizes from a tidal wave.
The Poseidon Adventureis an absolute blast of entertainment, featuring stellar effects, amazing production designs, and glorious stunt work.It’s a nail-biting race against time story as it sees these frightened characters facing constant dangers on their nightmarish climb for survival.Sure, some of the acting is over-the-top, but the cast does phenomenal work flushing out their characters here, and it’s easy to root for their survival. It’struly heartbreaking to see some of them perish. Overall, this is a necessary watch for disaster fans, and it’s honestly one of the most recognizable of the genre.
The Poseidon Adventure
5’The Impossible' (2012)
Directed by J. A. Bayona
Based on a remarkable true story,The Impossibleis a 2012 disaster drama set during the devastating events of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. StarringNaomi WattsandEwan McGregor, it tells the incredible survival of the Bennet family, who, despite impossible odds, managed to find each other after being swept away during the tragedy.
This emotional and, at times, heartbreaking story is truly impactful and must be seen, even if disaster movies aren’t usually your thing.It’s an inspiring tale about love and determination as it follows this family’s struggles with reuniting with each other in the face of so much adversity.The direction is flawless, the effects are award-worthy, and the performances are enough to make anyone cry. Overall,The Impossiblecan have a profound effect on all who watch it.
The Impossible
4’The Day After Tomorrow' (2004)
Directed by Roland Emmerich
Widely consideredone of the most thrilling disaster movies ever made,The Day After Tomorrowis truly a beloved classic that’s only gotten more popular with age. Directed by the king of disasters,Roland Emmerich, it starsDennis Quaidas paleoclimatologist Jack Hall, who races to save as many lives as possible when climate change, caused by melting polar ice caps, creates a superstorm that plunges the Northern Hemisphere into a new ice age. But when his son is caught in the middle of the chaos in New York, Hall goes on a perilous rescue mission to bring him to safety.
Yeah, this is probably not the most scientifically accurate disaster movie, and there’s no denying its premise is highly absurd, but when there’s so much action and destruction happening on screen, it’s impossible not to enjoy.The Day After Tomorrowis a non-stop action thrill ride with so much action and glorious destruction that it can satisfy any fan of the disaster genre.
The Day After Tomorrow
The Day After Tomorrow examines the consequences of abrupt climate change as a series of extreme weather events ravage the planet. A climatologist must navigate the frozen landscape to save his son in New York, highlighting the urgency of addressing environmental challenges and the resilience of human bonds amidst adversity.
3'28 Days Later' (2003)
Directed by Danny Boyle
Taking the disaster and horror genres by storm in the early 2000s,Danny Boyle’s iconic zombie thriller28 Days Lateris a truly fascinating and frightening flick that fans of both genres should see. Starring Academy Award winnerCillian Murphy,Naomie Harris, andChristopher Eccleston, it follows a lone bicycle messenger as he awakens from a coma to find England ravaged by a deadly virus that turns infected into aggressive killers.
It’s a horrifying and bleak story that takes a look at how society could collapse at the start ofa viral outbreak.28 Days Lateris an anxiety-inducing film that’s sure to scare anyone and leave them worrying about the thought of a biological disaster occurring sometime in the future.
28 Days Later
2’Independence Day' (1996)
Roland Emmerichreturns, this time with arguably his greatest contribution to the disaster gerne,Independence Day, a 1996 action blockbuster smash hit that has gone on to become one of the most explosive and crowd-pleasing movies of the ’90s. StarringWill Smith,Bill Pullman, andJeff Goldblum, it follows the brave U.S. President Thomas Whitmore as he leads the last remnants of humanity against a technologically superior alien race.
If you’re a fan ofhuge city-wide destruction sequences, this film is one to go to.Independence Dayis an absolute delight and is impossible not to find entertaining. While it’s noticeably over-the-top and could be considered mindless fun, it definitely succeeds in giving an enjoyable movie-watching experience. Its action is marvelous, the characters are likable, and the visuals still look incredible today.It’s a thrilling popcorn flick that can be watched again and again, and it’ll still leave audiences pumping their fists in the air.
Independence Day
1’Titanic' (1997)
Directed by James Cameron
Finally, while there are so many iconic entries that are necessary to be watched by fans of the genre, 1997’sTitanicis the quintessential disaster movie. Directed by the legendary James Cameron, this incredible cinematic achievement is one that truly deserves to be seen. It’s a powerful tale of romance and drama, following two star-crossed lovers as they try to survive the fateful sinking of the infamous RMS Titanic after colliding with an iceberg on her main voyage.
Titanicisone of the greatest disaster movies of all time, and can be enjoyed by everyone.It’s a fascinating story with everything, from the stellar cast and excellent performances to the Oscar-winning visuals and Cameron’s brilliant directing, coming together to create a true masterpiece.It’s an unforgettable watch that only gets better and better with age.
