Disaster films are sometimes hard to come by due to their rarity in cinema, and oftentimes, disaster films tend to share similarities. Most times, disaster films are based on natural disasters like tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, among others.
However, other times, disaster films with unique premises rise to the top, and although these films tend to bend the rules of reality, they are always entertaining to watch and keep people on the edge of their seats. Within the last decade, there have been some really special disaster films that are genre standouts.
'Train to Busan' (2016) — Zombie Infection
One Korean disaster film that picked up popularity after its release is Train to Busan. Although it’s a zombie film, Train to Busan successfully recreates the premise of a typical disaster film: a sudden pandemic that infects a portion of Korea and it grows increasingly disastrous as the infection boards the train and quickly spreads. A man, Seok-Woo (Gong Yoo), is determined to protect his daughter and get her to safety.
Train to Busan is one of the best disaster movies of the last decade. It introduces major likable characters while simultaneously maintaining a feeling of devastation as the characters lose everything they cherish.
'The Tower' (2012) — Tower Collapse
Another popular Korean disaster film is The Tower. The Tower follows several lead characters and their stories as they navigate multiple disasters in Sky Towers, two massive residential towers that begin to crumble and fall after an accident involving a helicopter: this accident leads to explosions and fires along the towers.
This film plays on the horror of being trapped in a building as its structure collapses. It’s heart-wrenching in that it tells the stories of multiple characters while developing meaningful connections with the audience, so when a character is lost, the audience feels it too.
'The Wave' (2015) — A Large Tidal Wave
The Wave, or Bølgen, is a Norwegian disaster film, but this one focuses on a giant wave that overcomes a small town. Kristian (Kristoffer Joner), a geologist is preparing to move with his family. During his last day on the job, he discovers something peculiar about the mountain sensors. Following this, while his wife is finishing up her job, a realization hits Kristian, and he attempts to warn his coworkers of the potential dangers.
Despite these warnings, disaster ensues through the form of a tidal wave that devastates the town. Kristian is then left to rescue his family and survive. This film explores the impact and traumatic aftermath of the tidal wave.
'The Quake' (2018) — A Huge Earthquake
Following The Wave is its sequel, The Quake, which follows the same family that survived its predecessor. However, The Quake begins on a much more somber note. The father and lead, Kristian, is back, but he is incredibly traumatized. In The Quake, Kristian is stuck in another catastrophe caused by a massive earthquake, and like in the first film, Kristian goes to rescue his family, this time from a falling building.
Unlike the first film, this one feels more disastrous for the family as opposed for the entirety of the town. This is because The Quake has a much more heart-wrenching end, but sometimes disaster films need to show real-world stakes.
'The Tunnel' (2019) — Explosions in a Tunnel
The Tunnel is another Norwegian film, taking place during Christmastime and inside a tunnel. As a father and daughter fight over past grief, the daughter leaves and goes on a bus heading to Oslo. While the bus passes through a tunnel, another vehicle— a tow truck—crashes along one side of the tunnel, causing massive damage. This leads to a large explosion in the tunnel, which traps everyone inside.
The Tunnel proves itself to be a unique take on the disaster film genre, providing its audience with new terrors and anxieties about a tunnel that they would have never had before. It evokes fresh ideas on how a disaster could occur.
'Gravity' (2013) — Trapped in Space
Although Gravity occurs in space, it still deals with a large disaster involving a space shuttle. Despite the warning, space debris damages the space shuttle, and many of the crew are found dead upon the main characters' return to the shuttle. This leaves the story with two astronauts who are stranded in space, with more debris coming their way, and they must try and survive while returning to Earth.
Gravity is a slow-paced disaster movie that relishes in the terror of outer space, and it evokes the anxieties of being secluded in the final frontier. It focuses on the loneliness and hopelessness one feels in a world they are not accustomed to.
'Geostorm' (2017) — Uncontrollable Catastrophes
Geostorm is another interesting take on the disaster film genre. It explores the possibility of controlling catastrophes. In this film, catastrophic natural disasters have led to the creation of Dutch Boy, which is essentially a climate-controlling satellite. However, these satellites begin malfunctioning and cause man-made natural disasters which serve to be catastrophic, and it’s up to the architect to discover why.
The climate-controlling satellites are probably the most interesting part of this film and are the reason why it’s one of the better disaster films. It introduces the idea of these natural disasters are now controlled by humanity, and thus, when these disasters go out of control, they are far more catastrophic than naturally occurring ones.
'Into the Storm' (2014) — Recorded Tragedy
Into the Storm is a disaster film told through a documentary-type lens. It follows multiple characters, which include storm-chasers, students, and a principal, all of whom are all recording either for storm-chasing purposes or school interviews.
Throughout the film, tornados are constantly appearing, threatening the main cast of characters and placing them in danger. Its documentary style is what makes it a rather interesting disaster film, as it puts the audience in the shoes of the characters.
'The Impossible' (2012) — Tragedy Based on a True Story
While most disaster movies are fictional and based on hypothetical scenarios, The Impossible is based on a true story surrounding a family who went on vacation. Unlike most disaster films, The Impossible starts immediately with the disaster: a giant tsunami hits the resort where the family is. While they are relaxing, a giant wave arrives, and everything succumbs to water. In this movie, it’s a matter of survival for this family.
Most disaster movies barely hold an ounce of realism, as they are typically dramatized to seem more disastrous. However, rather than focusing on the disaster itself, The Impossible focuses on the reunion of the family and the trauma they experienced.
'A Quiet Place' (2018) — A Horrific Disaster
In A Quiet Place, the disaster that occurs is the invasion of alien creatures that attack and hunt by sound. In this film, a family of four struggles to survive, living in complete silence. Any noise attracts the creatures, and during a birth, the family must work together to distract the creatures from attacking the mother.
Most might disagree that A Quiet Place is a disaster and is instead a horror film. However, it can also be argued that A Quiet Place is a disaster film, as society has completely broken down due to this phenomenon, and it focuses on the survival of the family.