15 Movies like 'The Day after Tomorrow' with Thrilling Action and Emotional Punch

There are many exciting disaster movies like "The Day After Tomorrow" that will leave you on the edge of your seat. These movies have enabled viewers to witness the most devastating events that could occur in their world, all from the security of the other side of a screen.

"The Day After Tomorrow" captured viewers' attention with its gripping storyline and outstanding performance from the cast. This 2004 sci-fi and action film explores the dangers of climate change through its narrative of extreme weather occurrences causing a new ice age.

For many years, people have loved disaster movies for different reasons. Some of these movies have allowed viewers to process their fears and anxieties about real-life catastrophes by experiencing them indirectly in a controlled environment.

These films' intense action and suspense offer an adrenaline rush, keeping viewers glued to their screens. Additionally, viewers love rooting for heroes who overcome hardships, inspiring hope and a sense of triumph in the face of disaster.

The best disaster movies have also offered the possibility of temporarily closing the gap without viewers experiencing any consequences. So, if you liked "The Day After Tomorrow," there are a bunch of disaster movies you'll find thrilling and entertaining.

'Geostorm'

Like "The Day After Tomorrow," this 2017 sci-fi film's plot is driven by climate change. When a network of satellites intended to regulate the global climate turns hostile and starts destroying Earth, the responsibility falls on the satellite's creator to uncover the real threat before a catastrophic worldwide Geostorm destroys the planet.

Gerard Butler takes on the role of Jake Lawson, the satellite designer, who must not only prevent the impending disaster but also safeguard his daughter from the massive Geostorm generated by his malfunctioning climate-control satellites.

'Armageddon'

This acclaimed film centers around a team of oil drillers going into space to save Earth from doom. The storyline focuses on Earth's impending destruction from an asteroid the size of Texas.

Much like "The Day After Tomorrow," its essence lies in the sacrifices people are willing to make for the sake of their loved ones. This 1998 sci-fi film received four Oscar nominations and stars Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, and Liv Tyler.

'Pompeii'

This adventure drama film's storyline focuses on Milo (Kit Harington), a slave-turned-invincible gladiator racing against time to save his true love, Cassia, played by Emily Browning.

Cassia, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, has been unwillingly engaged-set to be married to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts, Milo must desperately struggle to rescue his beloved as Pompeii crumbles into chaos.

'Knowing'

"Knowing" is one of the movies like "The Day After Tomorrow," which falls under the best disaster movies. This sci-fi mystery film stars Nicolas Cage, a widowed astrophysicist who comes across strange numbers foretelling a series of catastrophic natural events.

He quickly enters a race against time to unravel the mystery, all while grappling with concern for his son, who begins to hear voices and is visited by a mysterious, silent stranger who shows him a vision of fire and destruction.

'Only the Brave'

This 2017 action drama film based on a true story of the Granite Mountain focuses on elite firefighters who put everything on the line to safeguard a town from a monumental wildfire.

Unlike typical disaster movies that span only a few days or hours in the characters' lives, this epic narrative revolves around a group of Arizona's elite firefighters who strategically set controlled fires to battle and confine wildfires. It unfolds over several years, providing an emotionally gripping experience and granting viewers an intimate look into the firefighting profession.

'2012'

This sci-fi adventure film centers around Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), a frustrated writer who struggles to keep his family alive when a series of global catastrophes threatens to destroy humanity.

While "The Day After Tomorrow" focuses on climate change, "2012," which stars Thandiwe Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor, centers around a man's effort to save his family.

'The Perfect Storm'

This disaster movie centers around commercial fishermen who got caught in an intense storm pattern that puts them in a life-threatening situation. This true-life drama film is enriched with masterful foreshadowing and anticipation.

It skillfully weaves intricate descriptions of the fishing boats, their equipment, and the ever-changing weather conditions, compellingly comparing them with the thrilling sea adventure at its core.

'Contagion'

This 2011 thriller drama movie centers around healthcare workers, government officials, and ordinary people during a pandemic as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention works to find a cure.

The film doesn't focus much on character development, but it surprises viewers emotionally, gradually building a heartfelt connection that sneaks up on you. The movie stars Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Kate Winslet.

'The Wave'

"The Wave" is a disaster film grounded in the real-life geological fact that the Åkneset mountain pass in Norway's Geiranger fjord will eventually collapse, triggering a devastating tsunami towering over 80 meters in height.

The movie centers around a geologist caught in the middle of it as he tries to race against time to save lives, including his family, from the impending disaster.

'Independence Day'

In this Oscar-award-winning film, communications systems globally are sent into chaos by a strange atmospheric interference. Soon, the military, headed by Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith), discovers that several massive objects are colliding with Earth.

Initially, the military thought the objects were meteors, only to discover that it was a gigantic spacecraft piloted by a mysterious alien species. As humans try to fight the superior technology, their best weapon becomes the will to survive.

'Deep Impact'

"Deep Impact," one of the best disaster movies, centers around a teenage astronomer and his teacher discovering an object amongst the stars at night, not knowing it's a comet on a direct collision course with Earth.

Following the tragic demise of the teacher in a car accident while attempting to share his discoveries, the President announces the comet's existence. He reassures the public and emphasizes that there's no cause for alarm, as NASA has initiated the "Messiah" space mission set to destroy the object before it gets close to Earth.

'Twister'

This adventure thriller film centers around Bill and Jo Harding, skilled storm chasers on the edge of a divorce. Bill is trying to get Jo to sign divorce papers so that he can move on and marry his girlfriend, Melissa.

However, they both find themselves compelled to unite to develop an advanced weather alert system. To achieve this, Jo (Helen Hunt) and Bill (Bill Paxton) venture into the path of incredibly violent tornadoes, risking their lives to save others.

'San Andreas'

This adventure thriller film plot focuses on the biggest earthquake in history striking San Andreas, California, and causing loss of lives and destruction of property.

In the aftermath, Ray Gaines, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, a rescue-chopper pilot for the Los Angeles Fire Department, embarks on a dangerous journey with his ex-wife to rescue their daughter, Blake (Alexandra Daddario).

'War Of The Worlds'

"War Of The Worlds" follows the narrative of Ray Ferrier, portrayed by Tom Cruise, a divorced dockworker and somewhat imperfect father. During a rare weekend visit, his ex-wife and her new husband leave their teenage son Robbie and young daughter Rachel with him.

However, an unusual and powerful lightning storm abruptly descends, triggering an extraordinary battle for the future of humanity. Ray must race against time to save his family in this exciting sci-fi adventure film.

'Don't Look Up'

This acclaimed movie stars Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), an astronomy grad student, and her professor, Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio), who discover a comet orbiting within the solar system.

The main problem is that the comet is on a direct collision course with Earth. The two astronomers embark on a giant media tour to warn humankind of an approaching comet that will destroy Earth.