Disaster movies are one of the most unique kinds of films, so many different types of stories can be told around how humanity reacts to impending doom. The only thing linking disaster movies together is that there has to be a huge threat coming. The best disaster movies have an awesome combination of heart plus intense visuals that make you feel the scale of the disaster that is approaching. There is something incredibly uplifting about seeing the triumph of man against almost certain destruction.
While there are amazing disaster movies that make you feel the struggle of man vs. nature and root for humanity in the face of a colossal threat, there are also disaster movies that are downright terrible. Most horrible disaster movies fall into one of two traps. Either the characters are so unappealing that you have no reason to root for them, or the calamity that occurs is so unbelievable that it becomes absurd. There have been dozens of these movies made, and sometimes it’s easy to forget that there are actually disaster movies out there that don’t fall victim to the classic mistakes. Here are the best and worst disaster movies ever made.
Disaster: The Core
The Core is one of the movies where it’s not quite entertaining enough to get away with the ridiculous plot. Clearly hoping to copy the success of Armageddon, the movie follows a team of scientists that have to drill into the earth to set off nuclear explosions.
They are sent on this mission because, for some reason, the core of the earth has stopped spinning, which makes absolutely no sense. The movie could get away with the terrible science if it was anything more than another generic disaster film clearly copying Armageddon.
Good: Twister
Twister has a lot of good things going for it, and one of them is a great screenplay by Michael Crichton. The man behind such amazing ideas as Jurassic Park rarely disappoints, and this movie is no exception.
The movie is about storm chasers trying to get readings on massive tornadoes. It works so well as a disaster film because the story is actually engaging and the disaster at its heart is not completely over-the-top while being large-scale enough to inspire awe.
Disaster: Pompeii
While it’s sad to see Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington fail, Pompeii was most certainly a failure. The movie was just another generic swords and sandals film with no core drive.
It lacked any heart or reason to care for the characters, especially when it came to the writing. Even the disaster part of the movie with the giant volcano ended up being completely lackluster.
Good: The Perfect Storm
The Perfect Storm is one of the best films pitting man against nature. When three storms collide to create a superstorm, it is absolutely terrifying.
The movie gets you to feel the fear that the heroes must have felt while also making you believe that they can do the impossible and overcome it. The film is incredibly gripping and makes you feel a personal connection to the characters. George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg’s fantastic performances don’t hurt, either.
Disaster: 2012
2012 is a movie that cashed in on the then-current hysteria around the Mayan prediction of the world ending. Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t do much more than that. There was a viral marketing campaign leading up to the release that hoped to further capitalize on the Mayan “prophecy,” but ultimately the movie fell flat.
The various disasters in 2012 are too over the top. The film completely leaves behind any sense of being realistic in favor of flashy destruction. With no reason to care about the massive amounts of carnage, 2012 feels incredibly empty.
Good: The Impossible
The Impossible is about as close as you can get to a perfect disaster movie. The film excels because it takes a massive disaster and focuses on how one family survived.
By focusing on the family at the heart of the movie, you have a reason to care about everything that is happening around them. What makes the film even more engaging is that Ewan Mcgregor and Naomi Watts are not heroes, but just parents trying to get their kids to survive.
Disaster: Poseidon
Poseidon suffers from two major problems: none of the characters are likable and the disaster isn’t particularly impressive. Without those two essentials, the movie ends up falling flat.
Poseidon centers around a cruise ship that is sinking in a massive storm, but the visuals leave a lot to be desired. On top of that, none of the characters seem like real people. The result is a boring disaster movie that could’ve done a lot more.
Good: Titanic
Though at times Titanic can devolve into cheesiness, the movie succeeds because it gets you to care about the love story between Jack and Rose. The disaster is important, but the tighter focus on these two characters makes the film all the better.
Throughout the story, your heart is breaking because you know Jack and Rose are doomed. The memorable quotes and clash between the clashes add to a movie that actually has heart.
Disaster: The Day After Tomorrow
The Day After Tomorrow is a disaster movie focused on the consequences of climate change. While the premise is promising, the execution has the movie fall flat.
The catastrophic results of climate change become incredibly unrealistic, to the point of leading to another Ice Age in a very short time. The science of the movie becomes too distracting to look past. On top of that, the movie might make it seem like climate change is some over-the-top and ridiculous fear instead of a substantial threat.
Good: Contagion
Contagion follows a threat that is a lot less visually menacing, but no less deadly, another plague. The film follows how the world would start to collapse as a new epidemic travels across the globe.
Matt Damon is at the heart of the movie, as he lost his wife as one of the first victims of the plague. This disaster movie is especially terrifying as they struggle to find a way to fight back against something intangible.
