Top 15 Best Natural Disaster Movies of All Time to Watch

Laelia Yang August 28, 2024 | 14:21

Along with well-known types of movies like horror and psychological films, disaster movies are also very popular with moviegoers because the plots are built in an interesting way and there are dramatic details in the stories. As a group, let's look at the ten best post-apocalyptic movies ever made!

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Top 15 Best Natural Disaster Movies of All Time to Watch

Top 15 Best End-of-the-World Movies of All Time

Natural disaster movies, apocalypse is considered to be the most popular topic in cinematic works. The best natural disaster movies bring epic scenes, dramatic but no less touching.

The natural scene that was destroyed in earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis or epidemics made the audience go through many emotions. In which, many films not only recreate the disaster scene but also convey humanistic meanings, praising brave examples and criticizing cruel social reality.

Let's take a look at the 10 best End-of-the-World movies from the Americas, Europe to Asia with KnowInsiders.com of all time!

1. 28 days later

28 days later

The 2007 movie "28 Days Later" is a good zombie movie that has inspired a number of other zombie movies. Three people who work to save animals decide to break into a secret medical research base to free chimpanzees who are being held there as test subjects.

A very scary fact that no one saw coming is that all of these animals carry a strange virus called Rage-Inducing, which can spread diseases through their blood and saliva. When they accidentally let out a chimpanzee that had the virus, the number of people who have gotten it has grown very quickly. When hungry zombies start attacking and eating people everywhere, the world of humans becomes more chaotic and dangerous than ever....

2. The Day After Tomorrow

The Day After Tomorrow

The Day After Tomorrow is a 2004 American climate disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich. During a perilous period, climatologist Jack Hall discovered that due to global warming, the polar ice caps are melting, which is reducing ocean temperatures. This caused massive climate change with tornadoes destroying Hollywood, tsunamis flooding Manhattan, and worst of all, Earth coming to an end in a second ice age.

It was too late for people to realize this, and when they tried to evacuate to the warmer south, for the northern half of the United States and Canada, it was already too cold to go outside. Now Jack must go on a dangerous journey to rescue his teenage son, Sam, but coldness is a powerful enemy.

3. San Andreas

San Andreas

The film tells the story that takes place in San Francisco, when seismologists are studying a mysterious fault line when a severe earthquake occurs and scientists are swept away.

Ray - a rescue pilot went to save people without knowing there would be a more terrible tsunami coming. Ray will have to do to survive and save his wife and children? Watch to see Ray's intelligence and bravery!

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4. Deep Impact

Deep Impact

Destruction Disaster is one of the best natural disaster movies that movie nerds should not miss. The film's content revolves around a prediction that giant meteors will fall to the earth and flatten it all. When this information was spread, scientists sent a team of astronauts into space to destroy the meteorite. However, they can only handle 1 array, the rest they cannot touch. As a result, where will the Earth go? Let's watch the movie and find out the answer!

5. 2012

2012

If you are a crazy fan of the series of films on the topic of disaster, the end of the world, 2012 - The Year of the Great Disaster is a movie you cannot ignore. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film still strongly bombed the worldwide box office.

This project is made based on the Maya prophecy - the oldest and most mysterious civilization in the world. The oracle says that in 2012, the earth and humans will in turn face disasters and lead to destruction. Although the content has not really exploded, but the techniques of 2012 really made the audience sitting in front of the screen to admire.

6. Armageddon

Armageddon

In 1998, NASA scientists discovered that a large meteorite was pulling small meteorites towards the Earth. This meteorite will most likely crash into Earth within the next 18 days, and all life will disappear.

Facing that critical situation, scientist Ronald Quincy (Jason Isaacs) proposed to insert a nuclear warhead into the core of the meteorite and detonate it from afar. Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis), a brilliant driller, is recruited to do the job.

NASA hires deep core drillers to destroy an asteroid the size of Texas while smaller asteroids destroy cities. There is also family tension between Stamper (Bruce Willis), the crew's leader, his daughter Grace (Liv Tyler), and her boyfriend A.J. (Ben Affleck). It's an everyday story that happens to be attached to a genre movie. Along with superstars and well-known character actors like Billy Bob Thornton, Steve Buscemi, Michael Clark Duncan, Owen Wilson, Will Patton, William Fichtner, Jason Isaacs, Keith David, and Peter Stormare, this is one of the best casts ever put together for a disaster movie. It reminds me of the star-studded movies like Airport (1970) and The Towering Inferno (1974) that started the genre. Plus, Aerosmith's classic power ballad "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" makes sure that Armageddon stays a classic summer blockbuster.

7. Independence Day

Independence Day

In the epic adventure film "Independence Day", strange phenomena appear around the world right around the US Independence Day. The sky was on fire as this extraordinary event unfolded, it became increasingly clear that a force of incredible magnitude had come to cripple the entire world communication system. Aliens have come to earth and their goal is to capture resources and destroy. In the face of the situation of humanity about to be destroyed, hope now belongs to brave air teams and talented scientists to fight the enemy's advanced weapons. Can humanity do anything to escape the genocide and protect the Earth? The movie that convinces viewers with the effects of the 90 movies will be the biggest regret if we ignore this fascinating apocalypse movie.

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8. War Of The Worlds

War Of The Worlds

In 2005, the movie "War of the Worlds" came out, starring handsome actor Tom Cruise and other big names in Hollywood. It is thought to be one of the best and most moving in the series. theme of doom. The movie is about an average guy named Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) who doesn't always take care of his family. One day, Ray had to watch two little kids while his ex-wife went on a business trip. That same day, an alien force with a hunger for blood attacked Earth.

People have the most advanced weapons, but they can't break the protective film on their mecha. When these aliens are looking for food, people have to be in a terrible situation. Normal, heartless people like Ray's father have learned to care for their families in this fight to stay alive. They are ready to become heroes when they have to fight invaders to protect their lives, those of their relatives and fellow citizens. The human spirit is shown in a deep and moving way in the tragic scene of the war. Because of this, Steven Spielberg's end-of-the-world hit "heated up" theaters in the summer of 2005.

9. World War Z

World War Z

People in World War Z become bloodthirsty zombies because of an unknown virus that is spreading very quickly around the world. In this movie, the zombies are not slow like in most zombie movies; instead, they move quickly and work together. Because of this trait, the zombies in World War Z quickly take over and control the armies of different countries. If the virus keeps spreading at its current rate, the world could end. Former UN worker Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) is asked to help scientists look into where the zombie disease came from and how to cure it.

10. The Impossible

The Impossible

At the beginning of the movie, Maria and Henry's family is having a happy holiday season. The white sand beaches and beautiful resorts are quickly replaced by rough water, cars, and floating wreckage. People crying and yelling at each other were drowned out by the strong waves, which made people feel moved. The movie Tsunami Disaster shows how cruel nature can be and how we can't always plan for it to happen.

11. Twisters (2024)

Lee Isaac Chung deviates from the legacy sequel path and causes a stir. The standalone sequel follows retired tornado chaser Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones) whose dreams of chemically disrupting tornadoes to save lives end tragically. Five years later, her former crewmate Javi (Anthony Ramos) asks her to test a military tornado-mapping system that calculates damage. When she meets Tyler Owens and his seemingly thrill-seeking and publicity-driven "Tornado Wranglers," she is pulled back into the storm's path to face her fears and pursue her dream of helping people. A classic summer blockbuster with compelling leads and a great supporting cast that captures the energy and thrill of original films. No superheroes. No invaders. No dinosaurs. Just regular people fighting deadly natural disasters with pseudo-science and charm. Twisters, while not breaking the summer blockbuster mold, offers a refreshing view without the typical fandom discourse (except for the missing kiss). The success of the film and its potential for sequels may usher in a new era of disaster films. Chase it if you must see it!

12. Twister (1996)

A list about Twists would be incomplete without the original Twist. After the success of Speed (1994), director Jan de Bont created another thrilling film that emphasized both the visuals and the chemistry between the actors. Bill Harding (Bill Paxton) and his soon-to-be ex-wife, Dr. Joe Harding (Helen Hunt), are brought together by fate to test Dorothy, an advanced tornado alert system, during a powerful tornado storm in Oklahoma. Featuring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Cary Elwes, Alan Ruck, and Jami Gertz, Twister embodies the spirit of filmmaking. A crew with a mission will sacrifice life and limb to create something meaningful, while the competition rushes a product for money. The film, written by Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin, prioritizes characters and relationships over storm chasing and weather. The tornados are the unifying force, and because we care about and can root for the characters, their devastation and threat are more impactful.

13. The Towering Inferno (1974)

A massive project requiring two studios. Before competing releases like Deep Impact and Armageddon, or Dante's Peak and Volcano, Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox focused on one project by combining resources and talent. Following their bidding war over two novels, The Tower by Richard Martin Stern and The Glass Inferno by Thomas N. Scortia and Frank M. Robinson, WB and Fox executives decided to produce The Towering Inferno with John Guillermin as director. Due to poor wiring and development shortcuts, the world's tallest skyscraper, The Glass Tower, catches fire during its dedication ceremony in the film. The Towering Inferno, starring Hollywood's top stars like Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, William Holden, and Fred Astaire, sets the bar for disaster movies.

The film is almost three hours long, but the fire doesn't start until an hour in. This pacing introduces the audience to its many characters and gives us direction in the building.

14. The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

“Hell, Upside Down,” reads Ronald Neame’s Poseidon Adventure poster. Unlike many taglines, that perfectly describes what's ahead. Reverend Scott (Gene Hackman), an unconventional preacher, leads a group of passengers out of a capsized cruise ship. A solid setup.

The Poseidon Adventure's themes, including divine intervention vs. self-motivation, human strength beyond physical limitations, and contesting God's wrath, keep it afloat. As Scott pushes the small group of survivors through flood water, raging fires, and the expertly crafted disorientation of an upside-down ocean liner, it becomes a battle against God, both Christian and mythological, with Poseidon serving as more than just the ship's name. Mike Rogo (Ernest Borgnine), an ex-cop, doubts Scott's leadership throughout and becomes the ship's devilish force as he insults and blames Scott in a burning background after a tragedy.

With a supporting cast of Shelley Winters, Jack Albertson, Roddy McDowall, Stella Stevens, and Red Buttons, The Poseidon Adventure offers not only survival perspectives but also significant faith tests.

15. The Wave (2015)

An avalanche from the Akerneset crevice collapse in More og Romsdal causes a tsunami in Stavanger in Roar Uthaug's Norwegian film. Activity in the crevice that severed the sensor wires worries geologist Kristian Eikjord (Kristoffer Joner), suggesting a rock shift. He advises his former boss to sound the evacuation alarms, fearing disaster. His boss declines due to the loss of tourist revenue but agrees to check the crevice.

Kristian's worst fears come true when an avalanche creates a huge wave. Kristian must cross floodwaters to reunite with his wife, Indun (Ane Dahl Torp), and children. Although most films on this list have blockbuster appeal, The Wave is a sobering story about the sacrifices made to save others and survive. The story of a father searching for his family is not new, but the strong performances and sense of building disaster make The Wave a thrilling thriller.

Conclusion

Do you think the top films above deserve to be the most classic movies in the theme of the apocalypse? Do you believe that one day in the future this terrifying event will happen on our planet? Please comment on this interesting topic below.