25 Best Natural Disaster Movies Of All Time

The best natural disaster movies of all time captivate audiences with thrilling scenarios of survival against catastrophic events. They blend intense action sequences with emotional depth, exploring themes of human resilience, sacrifice, and unity in the face of adversity. These films leverage cutting-edge special effects to bring disasters to life, immersing viewers in the chaos and destruction – often contextualized through overarching environmental and social themes. Whether set in the past, present, or future, they showcase both the fragility of civilization and the strength of the human spirit.

During the deadliest fictional disasters in film, character development is key, as audiences root for the protagonists to overcome overwhelming odds. This is how films in the genre remain relatable amid seemingly impossible cataclysmic events brought to life by special effects and other movie magic. Indeed, the enduring appeal of natural disaster movies lies in their ability to tap into primal fears while offering hope and catharsis, reminding viewers of the unpredictability of life and the power of resilience in the face of calamity. While preferences vary, top-tier disaster movies share a common ability to grip audiences with tension and deliver a compelling narrative about the human condition.

25

Poseidon (2006)

Disaster Featured: Tsunami

Poseidon (2006) - Poster

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Poseidon

PG-13

Adventure

Action

Drama

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

4/10

Release Date

May 12, 2006

Runtime

98 Minutes

Director

Wolfgang Petersen

Writers

Mark Protosevich, Paul Gallico

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Kurt Russell In The Los Angeles Photo Call Of Apple TV+'s 'Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters'

    Kurt Russell

  • Headshot Of Richard Dreyfuss

    Richard Dreyfuss

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A remake of the 1972 classic The Poseidon Adventure, Poseidon wastes no time getting to the chaos. Within the first 20 minutes, a massive rogue wave capsizes a luxury cruise ship, flipping the massive vessel upside down. From there, it’s a race for survival as a handful of passengers, including Kurt Russell, Emmy Rossum, and Josh Lucas, try to escape the sinking wreckage. The disaster here is pure nautical nightmare, and the set design sells every claustrophobic, water-logged corridor. Director Wolfgang Petersen leans into the scale of destruction, delivering some impressive effects for the era. While it’s a straightforward survival story, the high production value and nonstop pacing make it a gripping ride.

24

Geostorm (2017)

Disaster Featured: Freak Weather Event

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Geostorm

PG-13

Sci-Fi

Action

Thriller

27

8.4/10

Release Date

October 20, 2017

Runtime

109minutes

Director

Dean Devlin, Danny Cannon

Writers

Dean Devlin, Paul Guyot

Cast

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  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Jim Sturgess

  • Headshot Of Gerard Butler

    Gerard Butler

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Geostorm goes all-in on the global disaster concept with a high-stakes, sci-fi twist. In a near future where satellites control Earth’s weather, things go haywire, unleashing catastrophic storms across the globe. Gerard Butler stars as the satellite designer tasked with fixing the system before a worldwide “geostorm” wipes out everything. Think tsunamis in Dubai, frozen streets in Afghanistan, and lightning storms that feel straight out of an apocalypse playbook. It’s loud, flashy, and embraces the genre’s chaos with no shame. The international scale and destruction variety make it a popcorn-friendly thrill ride, even if the science isn’t exactly watertight.

23

The Requin (2022)

Disaster Featured: Typhoon

01629917_poster_w780.jpg

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The Requin

R

Thriller

Horror

Release Date

January 28, 2022

Runtime

89 minutes

Writers

Le Van Kiet

Producers

Aaron B. Koontz, Cameron Burns, Ellen S. Wander, Ashleigh Snead

Cast

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  • Headshot OF Alicia Silverstone

    Alicia Silverstone

    Jaelyn

  • Headshot Of James Tupper

    James Tupper

    Kyle

  • Deirdre O'Connell

    Deirdre O’Connell

    Anne

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Danny Chung

    Fisherman

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Set almost entirely adrift on the open ocean, The Requin is a claustrophobic survival thriller that blends natural disaster with shark horror. The plot focuses on a couple on a romantic getaway in Vietnam, only for a brutal tropical storm to tear their overwater bungalow loose, sending them both out to sea. The disaster here is twofold: the raging storm and the lurking predators in the ocean’s depths. The Requin stands out for its unique setting and its eerie, isolated tone. The tension builds steadily as the sea turns from paradise to deathtrap, and the pacing is masterful.

22

The Devil at 4 O’Clock (1961)

Disaster Featured: Volcanic Eruption

01387379_poster_w780-1.jpg

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The Devil at 4 O’Clock

Approved

Adventure

Drama

Thriller

Release Date

October 18, 1961

Runtime

126 minutes

Director

Mervyn LeRoy

Writers

Liam O’Brien

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Frank Sinatra

    Frank Sinatra

    Harry

  • Spencer Tracy

    Spencer Tracy

    Father Matthew Doonan

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Kerwin Mathews

    Father Joseph Perreau

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Jean-Pierre Aumont

    Jacques

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The Devil at 4 O’Clock follows a group of convicts and a priest on the island of Talua, which is threatened by a volcanic eruption. The plot unfolds as they struggle to evacuate the nearby children’s leper colony before the cataclysm. Amid escalating danger, personal conflicts arise, testing the characters’ courage and morality. As the clock ticks toward disaster, they confront their pasts and find redemption through selflessness and sacrifice. Apart from its stark examination of morality in the face of impending doom, The Devil at 4 O’Clock is well-known today for how its special effects depicting a volcanic eruption still stand the test of time after 60 years.

21

Rubikon (2022)

Disaster Featured: Deadly Fog

Hannah Wagner (Julia Franz Richter), Gavin Abbott (George Blagden), and Dimitri Krylow (Mark Ivanir) look exasperated aboard the space station in Rubikon

There are very few disaster movies like Rubikon, a movie that takes the genre’s loyal viewers on a Twilight Zone-like ride. On the titular space station, three astronauts watch from a relatively safe distance as a lethal fog kills everyone on Earth. Apart from being possibly the last people alive, the astronauts are in the possession of a lifesaving oxygen-producing algae that could determine humanity’s future – if they don’t kill each other first. From the arising speculation regarding the origin of the deadly fog, to the interpersonal conflicts that arise between the last humans, Rubikon presents a unique low-budget, high-stakes take on the disaster film genre.

20

Armageddon (1998)

Disaster Featured: Giant Asteroid

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Armageddon

PG-13

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Thriller

21

9/10

Release Date

July 1, 1998

Runtime

151 minutes

Director

Michael Bay

Writers

Jonathan Hensleigh, J.J. Abrams, Tony Gilroy, Shane Salerno, Robert Roy Pool

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Bruce Willis In The Premiere of Motherless Brooklyn

    Bruce Willis

  • Headshot Of Billy Bob Thornton In The Netflix`s LA World Premiere Of `The Gray Man`.

    Billy Bob Thornton

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In Armageddon, a team of oil drillers recruited by NASA must prevent an asteroid the size of Texas from colliding with Earth. The roughneck crew undergoes rigorous training to become astronauts and embark on a daring mission to drill into the asteroid’s core and detonate a nuclear bomb, splitting it in two. As the countdown to doomsday ticks away, the characters confront their fears and grapple with the enormity of their task. Known for seamlessly combining world-ending stakes with romance and drama, Armageddon is a foundational film in the disaster genre. To this day, it remains one of the best movies by blockbuster director Michael Bay.

Collage of characters from Transformers, The Rock, and Bad Boys

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1

19

Greenland (2020)

Disaster Featured: Asteroid Strike

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Greenland

PG-13

Thriller

Sci-Fi

9.5/10

Release Date

July 29, 2020

Runtime

120minutes

Director

Ric Roman Waugh

Writers

Mitchell LaFortune, Chris Sparling, Ric Roman Waugh

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Morena Baccarin In The he National Board Of Review Annual Awards Gala

    Morena Baccarin

  • Headshot Of Gerard Butler

    Gerard Butler

Greenland is a 2020 thriller directed by Ric Roman Waugh and written by Chris Sparling. Starring     Gerard Butler, Scott Glenn, Morena Baccarin, and Roger Dale Floyd, the film focuses on one family as they fight to survive an “extinction-level” comet that is set to strike Earth.

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Greenland dials up the realism with a grounded take on a planet-ending disaster. What makes Greenland so effective is its focus on the human side of catastrophe, specifically through the lens of Gerard Butler’s John Garrity. Rather than wall-to-wall destruction, Greenland explores how society collapses in slow motion – panic, chaos, and desperation all feel terrifyingly real.

When the big hits do come – like a mid-air explosion or a firestorm sweeping a highway – they land hard.

Morena Baccarin delivers a strong performance alongside Butler, and the film’s pacing keeps tension high without relying solely on CGI spectacles. When the big hits do come – like a mid-air explosion or a firestorm sweeping a highway – they land hard. It’s bleak, intense, and one of the more sobering takes on an extinction-level event.

18

San Andreas (2015)

Disaster Featured: Earthquake

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San Andreas

PG-13

Thriller

Drama

Action

8/10

Release Date

May 29, 2015

Runtime

114minutes

Director

Brad Peyton

Writers

Chad Hayes, Carey Hayes, Carlton Cuse, Allan Loeb

Cast

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  • Headshot oF Carla Gugino

    Carla Gugino

  • Headshot Of Alexandra Daddario In The Vanity Fair Oscar Party

    Alexandra Daddario

Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as helicopter-rescue pilot Ray Gaines, the 2015 disaster movie San Andreas explores the catastrophic effects of a series of earthquakes caused by a shift in the real-life San Andreas Fault. Set in San Francisco, the film’s cast also includes Carla Gugino as Ray’s ex-wife Emma, Alexandra Daddario as their daughter Blake, Ioan Gruffudd as Emma’s boyfriend Daniel Riddick, and Paul Giamatti as seismologist Dr. Lawrence Hayes.

Budget

$110 million

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When a massive earthquake strikes California, a chief rescue pilot from the LA Fire Department must save his estranged wife and daughter amid the ensuing chaos. As the earthquake devastates Los Angeles and San Francisco, the pilot embarks on a perilous journey to reunite with his family, dodging crumbling buildings, bridges, and other hazards along the way. While the film has been criticized for its lackluster plot, even the harshest critics of San Andreas admit that the stunning visual effects are much more entertaining than most scientifically sound disaster films. Whereas the disaster genre typically depends on environmental themes, San Andreas is an unapologetic blockbuster that’s hinged on pure spectacle.

17

Don’t Look Up (2021)

Disaster Featured: Giant Comet

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Don’t Look Up

R

Comedy

Drama

Sci-Fi

ScreenRant logo

5/10

7.3/10

Release Date

December 10, 2021

Runtime

145 minutes

Director

Adam McKay

Writers

Adam McKay, David Sirota

Cast

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  • 77th Cannes Film Festival - Opening Ceremony Official Gala DinnerHeadshot Of Meryl Streep In The

    Meryl Streep

  • Headshot Of Tyler Perry

    Tyler Perry

Don’t Look Up follows two astronomers (Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence) desperately trying to warn humanity about an approaching comet that they believe could wipe out all life on Earth. When the President (Meryl Streep) and her son (Jonah Hill) ignore their warnings, they embark on a media tour to enlighten the public, earning the ire of the global populace who refuse to believe in the danger. Meanwhile, an eccentric billionaire (Mark Rylance) begins to fund an emergency colonization mission to take humanity out among the stars. 

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Astronomers discover a giant comet that will crash on Earth in just 6 months, and it’s big enough to cause the extinction of all known life. However, rather than inspiring either panic or preparation, both the public mostly ignores the astronomers’ warnings, and the US government even comes up with a slogan centered on denying the comet’s existence. Don’t Look Up uses the framework of a classic disaster movie in order to call attention to the general public’s growing distrust towards scientific experts. At the same time, the real meaning of Don’t Look Up is balanced by the movie’s jokes – expertly delivered by its ensemble cast of A-listers.

16

2012 (2009)

Disaster Featured: Biblical Flood

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2012

PG-13

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

ScreenRant logo

5/10

4.5/10

Release Date

October 10, 2009

Runtime

158minutes

Director

Roland Emmerich

Writers

Roland Emmerich, Harald Kloser

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Danny Glover

    Danny Glover

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    John Cusack

Roland Emmerich’s 2012 is a disaster movie inspired by the idea that the end of the Mayan calendar predicted the end of the world. Starring John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, and Woody Harrelson, the 2009 movie plays up the possible effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and polar shifts.

Budget

$200 million

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When a unique solar flare event causes the Earth’s core to heat up, the world braces for disaster by building 9 arks in the Himalayas in a bid to save humanity in 2012. While the arks are built through the collective efforts of 46 nations, tickets for admission are sold at €1 billion per person to raise additional funding.

2012 Movie John Cusack

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The ensemble cast of 2012 includes scientists, White House executives, Buddhist monks, and a conspiracy theorist who claims that world governments silence anyone who warns the public about the impending cataclysm. Despite its mixed reviews, 2012’s ambitiously encompassing narrative deftly tackles socioeconomic dynamics and class struggle amid global disasters.

15

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

Disaster Featured: New Ice Age

The Day after tomorrow

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The Day After Tomorrow

pg-13

Action

Adventure

Thriller

Sci-Fi

ScreenRant logo

5/10

12

8.1/10

Release Date

May 28, 2004

Runtime

124 Minutes

Director

Roland Emmerich

Writers

Roland Emmerich, Jeffrey Nachmanoff

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Dennis Quaid

    Dennis Quaid

    Jack Hall

  • Headshot Of Jake Gyllenhaal

    Jake Gyllenhaal

    Sam Hall

The Day After Tomorrow depicts the cataclysmic effects of global climate change as a series of extreme weather events unfold, leading to a sudden and severe ice age. The film follows a paleoclimatologist and his son’s struggle for survival amidst the rapidly descending chaos.

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The Day After Tomorrow centers on the sudden and catastrophic onset of a new ice age triggered by climate change. The plot follows a climatologist as he races against time to save his son and other survivors trapped in a frozen New York City. As extreme weather events ravage the planet, the climatologist and his team embark on a perilous journey to reunite with their loved ones, narrowly escaping deadly natural events and meeting other survivors during their quest. Through stunning visual effects and heart-pounding action sequences, the film urges viewers to consider the long-term consequences of environmental neglect and the importance of taking proactive measures to protect the planet.

14

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

Disaster Featured: Giant Asteroid

seeking a friend for the end of the world poster

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Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

pg-13

Romantic Comedy

ScreenRant logo

7/10

9/10

Release Date

June 22, 2012

Runtime

101minutes

Director

Lorene Scafaria

Writers

Lorene Scafaria

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Steve Carell In The premiere of Illumination's 'Despicable Me 4'

    Steve Carell

  • Headshot Of Keira Knightley

    Keira Knightley

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World follows two strangers, played by Steve Carell and Keira Knightley, who set out on a road trip to find a high school sweetheart before an oncoming asteroid brings forth the end of the world.

Budget

$10 million

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Starring one of the best friends-to-lovers movie couples ever, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World centers on two neighbors who grow intimately closer as a world-ending asteroid approaches Earth. With the 70-mile wide asteroid called Matilda drawing nearer, the pair embark on a road trip that turns into a journey of self-discovery for them both, eventually finding love in each other’s company. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World stands out from other comet or asteroid-based disaster movies by staging a genuinely heartwarming romantic comedy in the middle of the coming apocalypse, delivering both laughs and an unusually positive take on the genre.

13

Melancholia (2011)

Disaster Featured: Rogue Planet

Melancholia - Poster

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Melancholia

R

Sci-Fi

Drama

7/10

Release Date

November 11, 2011

Runtime

130 minutes

Director

Lars von Trier

Writers

Lars von Trier

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Kirsten Dunst

    Kirsten Dunst

    Justine

  • Headshot Of Charlotte Gainsbourg

    Charlotte Gainsbourg

    Claire

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As a rogue planet called Melancholia threatens to collide with Earth, two sisters grapple with personal crises. The plot of Melancholia unfolds in two acts, focusing first on one sister’s lavish wedding reception, which is overshadowed by her debilitating depression.

As Melancholia looms closer, tensions escalate within the family and her mental state deteriorates.

In the second act, the focus shifts to the other sister as she anxiously prepares for the planet’s impact while caring for her sibling, who has become resigned to the impending apocalypse. With the inevitable cataclysm allegorizing the sisters’ twin journeys, Melancholia is a cinematography-fueled character study that is both surreal and frighteningly relatable.

12

Dante’s Peak (1997)

Disaster Featured: Volcanic Eruption

Dante's Peak (1997) - Poster

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Dante’s Peak

PG-13

Action

Adventure

Thriller

Release Date

February 7, 1997

Runtime

108 Minutes

Director

Roger Donaldson

Writers

Leslie Bohem

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Pierce Brosnan

    Pierce Brosnan

    Harry Dalton

  • Headshot Of Linda Hamilton

    Linda Hamilton

    Rachel Wando

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Jamie Renée Smith

    Lauren Wando

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Jeremy Foley

    Graham Wando

Dante’s Peak is a disaster film directed by Roger Donaldson, where Pierce Brosnan stars as a volcanologist who discovers that the dormant volcano near a small Pacific Northwest town is about to erupt. Linda Hamilton co-stars as the town’s mayor. The film follows their efforts to save the townspeople and evacuate before the impending volcanic eruption.

Main Genre

Thriller

Character(s)

Harry Dalton, Rachel Wando, Lauren Wando, Graham Wando, Ruth, Paul Dreyfus, Greg, Terry Furlong

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A volcanologist visits the small town of Dante’s Peak to assess its dormant volcano’s activity. As signs of an impending eruption emerge, he warns the townsfolk, but his concerns are initially dismissed. As the volcano becomes increasingly active, a series of deadly eruptions and pyroclastic flows engulf the town. Amid the chaos, the volcanologist teams up with the town’s mayor to evacuate the residents and lead them to safety. The harrowing ordeal forever changes the perspectives of those living in Dante’s Peak. A formative ’90s disaster film, Dante’s Peak tackles the clash between scientific evidence and public denial, and the importance of disaster preparedness.

11

Sunshine (2007)

Disaster Featured: Death of the Sun

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Sunshine

R

Thriller

Sci-Fi

Release Date

July 27, 2007

Runtime

107 minutes

Director

Danny Boyle

Writers

Alex Garland

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Cillian Murphy In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

    Cillian Murphy

  • Headshot of Rose Byrne

    Rose Byrne

  • Headshot Of Michelle Yeoh In The Gold House Hosts 2024 Inaugural Gold Gala at The Music Center.

    Michelle Yeoh

  • Headshot OF Chris Evans

    Chris Evans

Sunshine, directed by Danny Boyle, follows a team of astronauts on a mission to reignite a dying sun with a massive nuclear bomb. Set in 2057, the film stars Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, and Michelle Yeoh, encapsulating their struggle against both physical and psychological challenges. As the crew ventures deeper into space, they confront unexpected dangers that threaten the mission and their survival.

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Also known as the 2007 Chris Evans sci-fi movie that bombed at the box office, Sunshine is about a team of astronauts racing to stop the Sun from dying and prevent Earth from permanently freezing over. As they journey through space in the near future of 2057, they face various obstacles and dilemmas, including technical failures, psychological stress, and ethical quandaries. The plot intensifies as the crew grapples with the consequences of their mission and the sacrifices required to save humanity from extinction. Through breathtaking visual effects and atmospheric tension, Sunshine captures the awe-inspiring grandeur of space and the fragility of life in the cosmos.

10

Contagion (2011)

Disaster Featured: Pandemic

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Contagion

PG-13

Drama

Documentary

Sci-Fi

Thriller

Release Date

September 8, 2011

Runtime

106 minutes

Director

Steven Soderbergh

Writers

Scott Z. Burns

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Gwyneth Paltrow In The Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024

    Gwyneth Paltrow

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Tien You Chui

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Josie Ho

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Daria Strokous

Directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishbrune, and Marion Cotillard, Contagion is a 2011 thriller that details the beginning of a global pandemic. After the death of patient zero, health professionals and government officials struggle to contain a deadly virus that spreads like wildfire.

Budget

$60 million

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Famous for making eerily accurate predictions about the 21st century pandemic around a decade before it happened, Contagion follows the rapid spread of a deadly virus across the globe and the efforts of medical professionals, government officials, and ordinary citizens to contain it. Using the backdrop of a deadly global disease, Contagion explores the interconnectedness of the modern world and the rapid dissemination of information and misinformation in the digital age. Apart from its chilling portrayal of the social upheaval and economic collapse that can arise in times of crisis, the film also raises questions about the ethical dilemmas surrounding public health responses, government transparency, and individual liberties.

9

The Perfect Storm (2000)

Disaster Featured: Combined Hurricane and Storms

The Perfect Storm

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The Perfect Storm

PG-13

Action

Adventure

Documentary

Drama

Thriller

Release Date

June 29, 2000

Runtime

129 minutes

Director

Wolfgang Petersen

Cast

  • Headshot Of George Clooney

    George Clooney

  • A photo of actor Mark Wahlberg at a screening of Arthur The King

    Mark Wahlberg

  • Headshot Of Diane Lane In The FX's 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans' For Your Consideration Event

    Diane Lane

  • Headshot Of John C. Reilly

    John C. Reilly

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Based on the true story of a commercial fishing vessel caught in a massive storm off the coast of New England in 1991, The Perfect Storm is a biographical drama that helped set the tone for disaster films at the turn of the century.

The crew ignores the worsening weather and faces the combined wrath of a hurricane and two different converging storm fronts.

As the crew of the fishing vessel heads out to sea in pursuit of a lucrative catch, they encounter worsening weather conditions fueled by the convergence of multiple meteorological phenomena. Aiming to bring their catch to land before it spoils due to broken ice machines, the crew ignores the worsening weather and faces the combined wrath of a hurricane and two different converging storm fronts.

8

Deepwater Horizon (2016)

Disaster Featured: Oil Rig Explosion

deepwater horizon poster

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Deepwater Horizon

PG-13

Drama

Action

Documentary

ScreenRant logo

7/10

Release Date

September 29, 2016

Runtime

107minutes

Director

Peter Berg

Writers

Matthew Michael Carnahan, J.C. Chandor, Matthew Sand

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Kurt Russell In The Los Angeles Photo Call Of Apple TV+'s 'Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters'

    Kurt Russell

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Ethan Suplee

Deepwater Horizon is a 2016 disaster film based on the BP oil spill. Directed by Peter Berg and based on a story by Matthew Sand, the film chronicles a mishandling of an oceanic drilling job that leads to a massive explosion and mass amounts of oil leaking into the ocean depths.

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One of the best disaster movies that bombed at the box office, Deepwater Horizon chronicles the true story of the single biggest petroleum industry oil spill of all time. The movie’s core strength lies in its realistic depiction of cataclysmic events. While this can be said of most great natural disaster films, Deepwater Horizon distinguishes itself through its overall approach, look, and feel. Instead of spectacle, the film focuses on the frightening power of nature, and humanity’s futile attempts to keep it in check. It may have failed commercially, but Deepwater Horizon was actually nominated for the awards for Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects at the 2017 Oscars.

7

Deep Impact (1998)

Disaster Featured: Giant Comet

deep impact poster

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Deep Impact

PG-13

Drama

Romance

Action

Sci-Fi

Thriller

8.5/10

Release Date

May 8, 1998

Runtime

120 minutes

Director

Mimi Leder

Writers

Michael Tolkin, Bruce Joel Rubin

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Téa Leoni

    Tea Leoni

  • Headshot Of Elijah Wood

    Elijah Wood

Deep Impact follows a group of astronauts and scientists who race to stop a massive comet from destroying all life on Earth. Téa Leoni stars as journalist Jenny Lerner alongside Elijah Wood as novice astronomer Leo Beiderman, Robert Duvall as Captain Spurgeon “Fish” Tanner, and Morgan Freeman as US President Tom Beck.

Main Genre

Sci-Fi

Budget

$75 million

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Deep Impact portrays humanity’s response to the imminent threat of a massive comet on a collision course with Earth. The plot follows various characters, including scientists, astronauts, and government officials, as they race against time to prevent the extinction-level event. After the joint global mission to destroy the comet only results in the celestial object being split in half, Deep Impact unravels a convoluted plot that highlights the sacrifices and collective action necessary to survive the end of the world. As Deep Impact shares many plot elements, overarching themes, and even a release year with Armageddon, the two highly influential disaster movies are often compared with one another.

6

Force Majeure (2014)

Disaster Featured: Avalanche

Force Majeure - Poster

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Force Majeure

R

Drama

Comedy

Release Date

August 15, 2014

Runtime

120 Minutes

Director

Ruben Östlund

Writers

Ruben Östlund

Cast

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    Johannes Kuhnke

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Lisa Loven Kongsli

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Clara Wettergren

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    Vincent Wettergren

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The little-known disaster film, Force Majeure, explores the aftermath of a near-disaster during a family ski vacation in the French Alps. The plot centers on a Swedish family whose dynamic is profoundly shaken when an avalanche threatens them during a meal at a resort. As the avalanche approaches, the father’s instinctual flight response leads him to abandon his wife and children, causing emotional turmoil and a crisis of trust within the family. A dark comedy that cleverly dismantles traditional notions of masculinity and family film tropes, Force Majeure is a singular disaster movie that pokes fun at the consequences of split-second decisions in moments of crisis.

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