Disaster moviesare a Hollywood staple, and there are a ton of classic examples of the blockbuster genre available on streaming. Big-budget disaster films seem to come and go in popularity depending on the decade, but they all share a few things in common. They are often larger-than-life and exaggerated, and they utilize every aspect of the art of film to deliver an experience that pushes the boundaries of cinema. Disaster films can dramatize real-life events from history, or they can dream up some nightmare scenario that plays on the fears of the audience.
Each new advancement in film technology has spurred a renewed interest in disaster films, and each successive generation pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Despite the spectacle and excitement, the real strength of the disaster film is the human element, andthe best examples of the genredelve deep into how people respond to local and even global disasters. Though they can often be quite simple from a storytelling perspective, disaster movies are quintessential cinema, and have a universal appeal that transcends cultures. While they might be designed for the big screen, disaster films are still exciting on streaming.
1970’sAirportisn’t just a great disaster film,it’s generally considered to be the precursor to the entire disaster movie boom of the 1970s. Adapting the Arthur Hailey novel of the same name, the movie plays on the very real fear of air disasters that began with the popularization of jet travel in the mid 20th century. Relying more on tension than action,Airportfeatures several interweaving storylines. As such, it employs a large ensemble of recognizable stars, from the lead roles to minor supporting parts.
1974
30%
1977
40%
1979
25%
Instead of having a contrived plot that leads to the imminent disaster,Airportgets into the granular details of how air travel works. While this could have been a boring proposition, each new detail is used to add to the suspense as everything begins to go wrong. At its heart, though,the sprawling disaster epic is more about the characters than the disaster itself, giving the conflict more stakes as tensions continue to mount.
Airportwas nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won Best Supporting Actress for Helen Hayes.
Though many disaster films are often about exploring what could happen,Deepwater Horizonis an example of a real event being dramatized for the screen. Based on the real-life disaster that gave the movie its name,Deepwater Horizonis a harrowing story about the dangers of oil rigs and the consequences of poor management. While it may not have the gigantic scope of other disaster films, the tension and suspense is unrelenting as the survivors are forced to face a deadly situation with very little hope of being rescued.
Typicallyknown for his action movie roles, Mark Wahlberg turns in one of his best performances as Mike Williams, and he’s joined by an ensemble that includes the likes of John Malkovich and Kurt Russell. Despite its positive critical reception,Deepwater Horizonwas something of a notorious box office bomb that lost upwards of $100 million (viaBox Office Mojo). Fortunately, the underrated disaster film has found new life on streaming platforms.
Disaster movies can be about natural phenomena, transportation crashes, and even industrial accidents, butIndependence Dayproved that an alien invasion could be just as effective. The 1996 Will Smith vehicle was helmed by disaster movie auteur Roland Emmerich, and imagined how the United States would respond to an imminent invasion by an alien force. The bulk of the movie’s action explores the chaos of the invasion, and how various characters struggle to survive against environmental obstacles.
While Emmerich’s films have a reputation for being overdone and poorly written,Independence Dayis the pinnacle of ’90s popcorn cinema
Like many disaster movies before,Independence Dayshows a smattering of characters from all walks of life, and it captures the global scope of the story. While Emmerich’s films have a reputation for being overdone and poorly written,Independence Dayis the pinnacle of ’90s popcorn cinema, and captures the fun of going to the movies.It also holds an important place in the pantheon of alien invasion films, and the scene where the aliens destroy the White House is an iconic part of Hollywood history.
Titanicis a unique specimen among disaster films because it spends the bulk of its running time being a romantic drama before taking a sharp turn in its final act.James Cameron’s blockbusteris based on the 1912 Titanic disaster, but dramatized many of the events on the boat for added flair. The romance between Jack and Rose captured the hearts of viewers in the late ’90s, andthe harrowing scenes of the ship’s demise are still some of the greatest moments in any disaster movie.
For a time,Titanicwas the highest-grossing movie of all time before being dethroned by another James Cameron film,Avatar.
One thing thatTitanicdoes well that many disaster movies struggle with is building stakes, andthe lengthy film gives the viewer plenty of characters to care about before thrusting them into danger. Too much action can be desensitizing, andTitanicallows for tension to build as the lives of the passengers are explored before they either survive or perish in the notorious maritime disaster. While the romance may overshadow the disaster elements, they can’t be ignored.
The disaster film has fallen out of favor somewhat in the 2020s, butGreenlandis a great modern example of the genre. Starring Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin,Greenlandis a refreshing take on the disaster formula by limiting its scale while still having global scope. The world-ending disaster at the heart of the story is experienced by a single family, and their journey personifies the persistence of humanity in the face of impossible odds.
Greenlandintentionally limits its scenes of destruction, and that makes every moment feel intense and important. The ticking clock element is also a nice added touch, and there is legitimate suspense as the characters race against time to get to safety. A sequel toGreenlandis currently in the works, and the main cast is returning to reprise their roles.
3Earthquake (1974)
Stream On Amazon Prime Video
Along withAirport,The Towering Inferno, andThe Poseidon Adventure, 1974’sEarthquakeis one of the crown jewels of the ’70s disaster movie boom. Charlton Heston stars in a uniquely Hollywood film that concerns a gigantic earthquake in the City of Angels, and the consequences of the disaster. While not as well-crafted as the aforementionedAirport, the visual effects inEarthquakeare top-notch, and the shots of the aftermath of the destruction are pure cinematic magic.
It may not have the same emotional resonance as other disaster flicks, butEarthquakeis certainly one of the quintessential examples of the genre.
The film utilizes an interweaving narrative where the adventures of several characters intersect with the titular disaster. It may not have the same emotional resonance as other disaster flicks, butEarthquakeis certainly one of the quintessential examples of the genre.
One of two volcano disaster films that premiered in 1997,Dante’s Peakis often overlooked in favor of the much more simply named,Volcano. Action icons Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton are on a mission to save a small town when a nearby volcano threatens to erupt and destroy everyone. Like many of its contemporaries,the bulk ofDante’s Peakis about setting up the stakes as the disaster looms in the last half of the movie.
While far from perfect,Dante’s Peakfeatures a ton of great visual effects, and the simple plot is supplemented by likable and compelling characters. Some of the movie’s action is a bit cheesy, butit hearkens back to an earlier era of disaster films. Neither volcano movie from 1997 fared particularly well at the box office, butVolcanojust barely edged outDante’s Peakin the critical department with a 49% score onRotten Tomatoescompared to a 30%.
Roland Emmerich hit his peak with 2004’sThe Day After Tomorrow,the first disaster movie to truly lean into the idea of climate catastrophe. Each era of disaster film encapsulates the anxieties of their time, andThe Day After Tomorrowpresents a pretty bleak outlook concerning the environment and the effects of global warming. However, it also finds a strong narrative thread, and delivers an exciting throughline that humanizes the massive scale of the film’s disaster.
As is the case with most disaster movies,The Day After Tomorrowis a showcase for cutting-edge CGI, and many of the action set pieces are impressive for 2004. While it hasn’t aged perfectly, the blockbuster epic is still a shining example of thedisaster moviegenre, and delivers all the thrills and chills that are expected from a Hollywood movie.
