10 Earthquake and Other Natural Disaster Movies That Tap into Our Fear of Catastrophes

The natural disaster film genre has been around since the emergence of blockbuster movies; however, it amassed its highest numbers in popularity in the '70s, the so-called "Golden Age" of disaster films.

Humans are no strangers to the sudden mayhem that can erupt from the earth's surface, oceans, and atmosphere, whether it's tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or tornadoes. It's why professions like storm chasing and seismology exist.

Because humans are aware of the sudden natural destruction that can occur on the planet, they've studied ways to predict disaster before it strikes. Lately, however, a more curious aspect of these phenomena is why audiences are drawn to watching them unravel onscreen.

Since disaster movies became a solid genre in the film world, critics and experts alike have investigated what enthralls viewers to watch the only world they've ever known turn to rubble and dust.

Despite how gutwrenching and heartbreaking witnessing the senseless deaths of millions can be, moviegoers will still see them to the end. One expert noted the catharsis that comes with humanity's survival against nature's wrath.

These films often center around a family trying to stick together or find one another amid, during, or in the aftermath of a devastating natural phenomenon. Sometimes, it's the sacrifice of one person who dies well after winning everyone's hearts for the greater good.

Such plots highlight celebrated human traits like perseverance, courage, and selflessness. But another component that lures audiences is the thrill of watching and knowing that these televised disasters could strike any moment.

And, perhaps for some viewers, that thrill is enough to keep them looking for more. Whichever side the reader lands on, the list curated below, from the best '70s earthquake disaster films to the more recent ones, caters to all.

'San Andreas' (2015)

A cascade of earthquakes hit Los Angeles and San Fransisco, California. Millions of people lose their lives as others scramble to survive. Amid the chaos, LA rescue-chopper pilot Raymond Gaines saves his estranged wife, Emma, atop a building that crumbles beneath her feet as she races to reach him.

Raymond's next mission, alongside Emma, is to journey across California to save their daughter, Blake. "San Andreas" was praised for its spectacular CGI scenes and storytelling. The film starred Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Carla Gugino, and Alexandra Daddario.

'Twister' (1996)

Jo and Bill Harding, advanced storm chasers, are another estranged couple headed toward divorce when they're forced to team up to build an advanced weather alert system that requires them to be at the center of turbulent tornadoes.

Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton led "Twister" as the said couple, alongside Cary Elwes, Jamie Gertz, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The action thriller received two Oscar nominations for Best Sound Design and Best Visual Effects.

'Concrete Utopia' (2023)

"Concrete Utopia" debuted toward the end of the summer of 2023, following the lives of Seoul citizens after a massive earthquake hit their city. The film starred Park Seo-joon, Park Bo-young, Lee Byung Hun, and Kim Sun-young.

Since its release, its current Rotten Tomatoes score sits at 100 percent, with glowing reviews. Audiences noted elements of dark comedy alongside gut-punching commentary on society and nimbyism. One wrote, "'Concrete Utopia' remains disturbingly and crushingly human."

'2012' (2009)

One of this generation's most famous disaster movies, anchored in one of the world's real-life ancient texts, "2012," springs from the Mayan prediction, per its calendar, that the world would end on December 21, 2012.

When this day arrives, science fiction writer Jackson Curtis ducks a series of global catastrophes, trying to keep his family together while racing to get them to an ark. John Cusack leads this blockbuster with Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

'The Poseidon Adventure' (1972)

Back to the golden age of natural disaster films, "The Poseidon Adventure" begins with a celebration on a luxury cruise at sea as passengers await the strike of midnight and the beginning of a new year.

However, what was initially a happy event turns into a struggle for survival when the ship is capsized by a tsunami triggered by an undersea earthquake. The action drama was adapted from the Paul Gallico novel of the same name.

'The Day After Tomorrow' (2004)

"The Day After Tomorrow" is another book-adapted project, sourced from 1999's "The Coming Global Superstorm." The film chronicles a catastrophic storm that sweeps the Northern Hemisphere, plunging it into a new Ice Age.

Alongside the devastation, "The Day After Tomorrow" follows paleoclimatologist and father Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid), who journeys across Washington, DC, to New York City to find his son (Jake Gyllenhaal) before it's too late.

'The Impossible' (2012)

María and Henry and their three sons, Lucas, Simon, and Thomas, are enjoying a family vacation in Thailand when a tsunami hits the country's shores. They are separated, with María and Lucas on one part of the island and Henry, Thomas, and Simon on another.

Based on the actual life events of a tsunami survivor and her family, "The Impossible" chronicles the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred in 2004 and how María Belon's family reunited amidst it all. The heart-wrenching drama starred Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, and Tom Holland.

'The Quake' (2018)

Moving from the US to Europe's Norway, "The Quake" sees the country's capital city, Oslo, under threat from a shattering earthquake measuring 8.5 on the Richter scale. The film follows this phenomenon through the eyes of geologist Kristian Eikjord and his family.

It's not the first time Kristian's had to survive a natural disaster, as "The Quake" is a sequel to 2015's tsunami-based action thriller, "The Wave." Kristoffer Joner portrays Kristian alongside his onscreen kids, Edith Haagenrud-Sande and Jonas Hoff Oftebro.

'Volcano' (1997)

Everything is peachy in downtown Los Angeles until a volcanic eruption disrupts order. Mike Roarke, the head of the LA County Office of Emergency Management, is faced with the daunting task of blocking the lava from flowing through the city.

With the help of his men and the expertise of seismologist Dr. Amy Barnes, he just might save the day. Longtime Hollywood star Tommy Lee Jones portrayed Mike alongside the late Anne Heche and Don Cheadle.

'Earthquake' (1974)

Once again, in 1970s Los Angeles, people were going about their business when an earthquake struck the city. As chaos ensues, "Earthquake" zooms in on individuals from varying walks of life attempting to survive.

For those reminiscent of earlier innovations in the disaster film genre, "Earthquake" is a guaranteed thrill. The decades-old movie starred Charleton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, and Lorne Greene.