The best disaster films. End of the world movies [TOP10]

Posted On: April 25, 2024

The best disaster films in the history of cinema – TOP 10

““The skyscraper on fire” (The Imposing Hell, 1974) – dir. Irwin Allen, John Guillermin

We start our list of the best disaster films with Irwin Allen and John Guillermin’s “The Burning Skyscraper” from 1974. It is one of the biggest blockbusters of the 1970s, which shocked people with its scale of production and its big names in the casting. Viewed today, he is mainly pleased with the latter, because it is difficult to find another production in which Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, Richard Chamberlain, Robert Wagner and OJ Simpson would find themselves. “The Burning Skyscraper” received as many as 8 Academy Award nominations in 1975, winning three statuettes, including the Best Cinematography award.

““Armageddon” (1998) – dir. Michael Bay

One of the words we intuitively say when we talk about a great catastrophe is “Armageddon”, so a popular film with this title could not be missing from our list. The scene in which meteors fall in different parts of the globe and destroy everything they can find was and still is breathtaking. And while it’s true that the focus here is on saving the Earth rather than destroying it, there’s a lot of drama and interesting characters here. And that’s ultimately what’s most important about disaster cinema. The cast will not disappoint us either: Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Liv Tyler, Ben Affleck, Will Patton and Steve Buscemi.

““Birds” (The Birds, 1963) – dir. Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller “The Birds” is one of the most famous and ambiguous works of the master. Although it is not a strictly catastrophic film, since it only concerns a small seaside town attacked by aggressive birds, it left a big mark on cinema of this genre, being one of its milestones. Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor starred. Hitchcock’s “The Birds” won a Golden Globe in 1964.

““The Tragedy of Poseidon” (The Poseidon Adventure, 1972) – dir. Ronald Neame

Although almost half a century has passed since its premiere, the film “The Tragedy of Poseidon” about the disaster of a huge liner still makes an impression. Mainly thanks to the great drama, which makes the viewer feel great tension until the very end. “The Tragedy of Poseidon” has perfectly written characters, plenty of twists and turns, and wonderfully balanced pathos. An unrivaled classic.

“Earthquake” (Earthquake, 1974) – dir. Marc Robson

If Robert Altman made a disaster movie, it would look like this. Multiple storylines, different characters, completely different life problems and Los Angeles hit by an earthquake. A social drama with a disaster in the background, co-written by Mario Puzo.

““Judgment Day” (Deep Impact, 1998) – dir. Mimi Leder

“Doomsday” is a direct competitor to “Armageddon”, which, despite losing the duel and failing at the box office, remains an impressive spectacle. Plus, it has a really interesting and engaging plot that often avoids hackneyed clichés.

“Two days later” (The Day After, 2004) – dir. Roland Emmerich

Roland Emmerich may not be a master in the art of showing interpersonal relationships, but he knows how to take care of the visual side of his films. It’s simply impossible not to love the post-apocalyptic vision of a frozen United States. Especially since “The Day After” is somewhat complex viewing, because the culprit of all ills here is global warming.

““Titanic” (1997), dir. James Cameron

Apparently intimate, because the disaster concerns a single ship, but in reality extremely spectacular. James Cameron knows how to charm the audience and he proves it perfectly here. The special effects are at the highest level and the love story can bring tears to your eyes. And let more skyscrapers explode and continents sink, and the position of the “Titanic” – as the greatest catastrophic hit – will remain intact. Cameron’s work received as many as 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture of the Year.

“2012″ (2009) – dir. Roland Emmerich

The catastrophic work of Roland Emmerich returns to our list. This time, the film from the creators of “Independence Day” focuses on the Mayan prophecy, the calendar of which ended in 2012. At that time, it precisely indicated the date of the end of the world and talked about the phenomena that should accompany it . . Since then, astrologers have discovered ancient theories, numerologists have discovered patterns that confirm them, and geologists have concluded that Earth is long doomed. In the film “2012” we can admire many special effects that give this image.