Greatest Disaster Movies of All Time

We’ve spent the last two years trying to find answers to all our questions regarding the deadly pandemic which brought our lives to a standstill. So, after going through all this, it seems a way better idea to sit back and watch fictional characters deal with major catastrophes, with some killer action, CGI, thrill, and more. Disaster movies not only explore the worst-case scenario in great detail but sometimes also offer hope that despite the nightmare you’re going through, it is going to be okay in the end. It takes you on a chilling journey with fictional characters that can be full of adventures, shocks, and surprises!

Here are our picks for some of the greatest disaster movies of all time –

Independence Day (1996)

Helmed by Roland Emmerich, this 1996 epic film sees a legendary Alien destruction attempt. In this film, a strange phenomenon surfaces around the globe, the skies ignite, and terror races through the world’s major cities as an alien race destroys cities of the world with their advanced weaponry.

It becomes increasingly clear that a force of incredible magnitude has arrived when these extraordinary events unfold. Its mission? Total annihilation over the Fourth of July weekend with the last hope to stop the destruction being – a geek, a pilot, the US President, and a group of ragtag survivors who unite by fate and unimaginable circumstances to save mankind from annihilation.

The space drama also went on to win an Oscar for Best Visual Effects for its technical achievements and represents a real moment in cinematic history! This film is written by Emmerich and Dean Devlin. Long lines and a sold-out crowd who went to see the most anticipated movie of 1996 was electrified.

‘Independence Day’ became the top-grossing film of 1996. It earned $817 million at the box office! The film that made Will Smith a global superstar also starred Jurassic Park’s Jeff Goldblum, The Sinner’s Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox, Gossip Girl’s Margaret Colin, Randy Quaid, and more!

Find ‘Independence Day’ on Streaming Platforms Here: Disney+ Hotstar | HBO Max | Amazon Prime Video | Hulu

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

‘The Day After Tomorrow’ sees a sudden worldwide storm that begins to plunge the entire planet into a new ice age. A paleoclimatologist Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid) undertakes a dangerous trek to New York City after a series of cataclysmic natural disasters to save his son, Sam Hall (Jake Gyllenhaal) from the disaster. This film with spectacular visuals has been directed by Roland Emmerich (who also directed ‘Independence Day’) and is based on the 1999 book The Coming Global Superstorm by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber.

The iconic 2004 film is one of the first of its kind and also won a BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects in 2005. Its cast also includes Shameless’ Emmy Rossum, Sisters’ Sela Ward, One Tree Hill’s Austin Nichols, Ian Holm, Ray Donovan’s Dash Mihok, Arjay Smith, Tamlyn Tomita, and more!

Find ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ on Streaming Platforms Here: HBO Max | Amazon Prime Video | Hulu

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War of the Worlds (2005)

In ‘War of the Worlds’ alien invasion threatens the future of humanity and the film follows dockworker Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) who struggles to build a positive relationship with his two children. Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin play the role of Ray’s kids – Rachel and Robbie. Ray’s ex-wife, Mary Ann (Miranda Otto), drops their kids off at Ferrier’s house. It seems as though it will be just another tension-filled weekend but when electromagnetic pulses of lightning strike the area, the strange event turns out to be the beginning of an alien invasion.

Ferrier must then protect his children as they seek refuge. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this 2005 movie which sees a catastrophic nightmare being depicted through the eyes of one American family fighting for survival, also features Tom Robbins, Ann Robinson, the ‘Stranger Things’ star David Harbour, and more! This gripping adaptation of ‘War of the Worlds’ of H.G. Wells’ classic novel offers thrilling scenes, a great cast, and impressive action!

Find ‘War of the Worlds’ on Netflix: HERE

Armageddon (1998)

An asteroid threatens to collide with Earth in Michael Bay’s ‘Armageddon’ making it the first asteroid-destroying-Earth type of film. NASA astronaut Dan Truman (Billy Bob Thornton) determines the only way to stop it is to drill into its surface and detonate a nuclear bomb which leads him to renowned driller Harry Stamper played by Bruce Willis. Stamper agrees to helm the dangerous space mission as long as he can bring along his own crew among whom is A.J. (Ben Affleck).

Stamper thinks A.J isn’t good enough for his daughter (Liv Tyler) until the mission proves otherwise. ‘Armageddon’, a fast-paced film with non-stop action also features Reservoir Dogs’ Steve Buscemi, William Patton, Michael Clarke Duncan, William Fichtner, Owen Wilson, and more! Its jaw-dropping shots and cinematography are outstanding!

Find ‘Armageddon’ on Disney+ Hotstar: HERE

Find ‘Armageddon’ on Hulu: HERE

Geostorm (2017)

Dean Devlin who also wrote ‘The Independent’ is the director of ‘Geostorm’, a movie set in a world where its leaders come together to create an intricate network of satellites to control the global climate and keep everyone safe. They do this after an unprecedented series of natural disasters threatened the planet. However, something has gone wrong with the system.

The system built to protect our planet is now the one attacking it. It then becomes a race against the clock to uncover the real threat before a global geostorm wipes out everything in this film starring Gerald Butler, Abbie Cornish, Jim Sturgess, Andy Garcia, Ed Harris, and more!

Find ‘Geostorm’ on streaming platforms HERE: Netflix | HBO Max | Amazon Prime Video | Peacock

2012 (2009)

From the director of ‘Independence Day’ and ‘The Day After Tomorrow’, Emmerick’s action-adventure apocalyptic film provides visual thrills and groundbreaking special effects. In this film, Earth’s billions of inhabitants are unaware that the planet has an expiration date while world leaders begin secret preparations for the survival of select members of society. These world leaders were warned by an American scientist (Chiwetel Ejiofor).

When the global cataclysm finally occurs, the rest of the people are left to fend for themselves. Among them is a failed writer Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), who tries to lead his family to safety as the world starts falling apart. The film also stars Venom’s Woody Harrelson, Amanda Pete, Beethoven’s Oliver Platt, Westworld’s Thandiwe Newton, Lethal Weapon’s Danny Glover, Liam James, Morgan Lily, and more!

As kids, the announcement of this movie must’ve shaken some of you to the core believing that the world was going to end in 2012!

Find ‘2012’ on Streaming Platforms HERE: Netflix | Apple TV | Amazon Prime Video

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