Movies about earthquakes have always fascinated audiences by tapping into a primal fear – the uncontrollable force of nature that can reduce cities to rubble. The best natural disaster movies combine intimate personal stories with stunning visual effects, often featuring state-of-the-art CGI and practical effects that vividly depict the destruction. From cities being destroyed to characters struggling to survive, the best earthquake films usually highlight themes of resilience and survival. With the advancement of technology, filmmakers have pushed the boundaries of realism, creating stunning portrayals of natural disasters that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
What makes earthquake movies particularly gripping is their ability to portray the emotional impact of such disasters. Whether focusing on a family trying to survive, a city government’s response, or an individual caught in the chaos, these films emphasize the human experience beyond the damage. Well-executed disaster films are some of the best action films of all time and balance breathtaking visuals and character-driven stories, combining adrenaline-pumping moments with genuine personal stakes. From classic dramas to modern CGI spectacles, these earthquake movies have left a lasting impact on viewers.
10 Volcano (1997)
Starring Tommy Lee Jones And Anne Heche
When an earthquake strikes, a volcano forms and erupts unexpectedly in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, and disaster strikes the city’s iconic streets. Volcano revolves around emergency manager Mike Roark (Tommy Lee Jones), who and geologist Dr. Amy Barnes (Anne Heche) must find a way to stop the lava flow from completely eviscerating L.A. The film blends seismic activity with volcanic destruction as chaos unfolds, turning Los Angeles into a fiery disaster zone.
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Although Volcano is a more exaggerated portrayal of natural disasters, its fast-paced action sequences and tension make it an enjoyable film to watch. The film uses practical effects to create impressive scenes of the lava’s destruction, with shots of it engulfing city streets and iconic locations. While it leans more towards entertainment than realism, Volcano delivers an engaging disaster film that keeps audiences invested in the characters’ survival throughout.
9 Earthquake (1974)
Starring Charlton Heston And Ava Gardner
One of the original disaster films about earthquakes, the aptly named Earthquake, follows the lives of several residents of Los Angeles as a massive quake rocks the city. The film features Charlton Heston as Stewart Graff, an engineer who must navigate the devastation while dealing with his own personal issues. Earthquake, like Volcano, showcases the destruction of L.A. on a grand scale, with many incredibly shot sequences showing buildings collapsing and characters fighting to survive amidst the naturally created chaos.
Original Stock Footage: The film contains numerous scenes, particularly those depicting the destruction of Los Angeles, that have been reused in various other productions, including many of those produced by Universal Studios.
Earthquake is notable for several aspects, including its use of “Sensurround” technology, which simulates the sensation of tremors in theaters during its release. A fantastic technological feat at the time and the film’s own practical effects, combined with a solid cast, make it a genuine classic of the disaster genre. While some of the effects may feel dated today, the film’s ambition in depicting large-scale destruction places it firmly in the history of iconic disaster films. Its sweeping portrayal of a city’s devastation and the human cost involved keeps it relevant, even years later.
8 San Andreas (2015)
Starring Dwayne Johnson And Alexandra Daddario
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars in San Andreas as helicopter pilot Ray Gaines, who must rescue his estranged wife and daughter after a series of massive earthquakes devastate California. The earthquakes, along with causing the Hoover Dam to fail, are intense CGI sequences that showcase the destruction of iconic cities and landmarks. From collapsing skyscrapers to massive tsunamis, San Andreas (one of Dwayne Johnson’s best films) keeps the adrenaline pumping throughout its 114-minute runtime.
San Andreas
achieved a domestic gross of $155.2 million in the United States and Canada, and an international gross of $319.4 million in other territories, resulting in a global total of $475 million. This marked a significant milestone for Dwayne Johnson as it became his highest-grossing opening film in which he played the lead role, surpassing the $36 million debut of his film
The Scorpion King
in 2002.
While San Andreas doesn’t break new ground in terms of the plot and narrative devices, its visual effects show the earthquakes’ world-shattering power and the action sequences are top-notch, making it an exhilarating experience overall. Johnson’s charisma as the lead elevates the film to new heights, and the emotional subplot of a father trying to save his family adds heart to the otherwise chaotic storyline. The film is very entertaining and is perfect for those who enjoy high-octane disaster films.
7 The Quake (2018)
Starring Kristoffer Joner And Ane Dahl Torp
This Norwegian disaster movie, a continuation of The Wave, follows geologist Kristian Eikjord (played by Kristoffer Joner) as he warns about an upcoming earthquake that could devastate Oslo. When his worst fears come true, Kristian must rush against time to protect his family and try to survive the impending destruction. The Quake is a tense disaster film centered on its characters, balancing thrilling action with huge emotional stakes.
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Its realistic approach makes The Quake different from traditional Hollywood disaster films. The movie heavily focuses on the personal experiences of its characters, offering a more intimate look at survival in a turbulent situation. While the CGI is impressive, especially in depicting the earthquake’s aftermath, the human drama propels the story through. Its slower pace and emphasis on character development make it a standout in the disaster genre, ranking higher for its realistic portrayal and emotional tone.
6 2012 (2009)
Starring John Cusack And Chiwetel Ejiofor
Directed by Roland Emmerich, 2012 shows a series of global catastrophes, including earthquakes, signal the world’s end as predicted by several ‘scientific’ indicators. The film follows Jackson Curtis (portrayed by John Cusack) as he attempts to save his family from the apocalyptic destruction that destroys his surroundings. As earthquakes tear apart continents and cause massive tsunamis, 2012 intensifies the action, delivering some of the most intense disaster sequences ever seen on screen.
|
The 10 Best Earthquake Films On This List |
IMDb Rating: |
|---|---|
|
Volcano (1997) |
5.5/10 |
|
Earthquake (1974) |
5.9/10 |
|
San Andreas (2015) |
6.1/10 |
|
The Quake (2018) |
6.2/10 |
|
2012 (2009) |
5.8/10 |
|
Suzume (2022) |
7.6/10 |
|
Hereafter (2010) |
6.5/10 |
|
The Impossible (2012) |
7.6/10 |
|
And Life Goes On (1992) |
7.9/10 |
|
The Wind Rises (2013) |
7.8/10 |
2012 is an apocalyptic thriller and a thrilling earthquake movie. The scenes depicting global seismic destruction are truly awe-inspiring and look sensational even a decade later. Emmerich’s trademark over-the-top visual effects make this film a spectacle, with entire cities collapsing and massive tectonic shifts happening before the audience. The film’s plot, visual scale, and impressive CGI make it a must-watch for disaster film enthusiasts.
5 Suzume (2022)
Starring Nanoka Hara And Hokuto Matsumura
This Japanese animated film follows an orphaned high school girl, Suzume, who must close and lock mystical doors in abandoned places that are unleashing earthquakes and disasters across Japan. As earthquakes become a recurring threat in the film, Suzume must confront both supernatural and real-world dangers to protect herself and her loved ones. The film blends magical realism and fantastical elements with a heartfelt coming-of-age tale, with earthquakes playing a crucial role in its overall plot.
Suzume
intertwines personal growth with natural disasters, creating a poignant narrative that sucks the viewer into the story.
Suzume stands out for its exquisite and intricate animation and emotional storytelling. Unlike most disaster films, which focus on large-scale destruction, Suzume intertwines personal growth with natural disasters, creating a poignant narrative that sucks the viewer into the story. Its unique approach to the genre, combining fantasy elements with real-life fears in an animated style, makes it one of the more original earthquake-themed films on this list.
4 Hereafter (2010)
Starring Matt Damon And Cécile de France
Directed by Clint Eastwood, Hereafter follows three people whose lives are forever changed by near-death experiences. One of these stories features a French journalist, Marie (played by Cécile de France), who survives the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Her encounter with death drives her to explore the afterlife, connecting her story to those of the other characters and creating an engaging, interweaving narrative.
Hereafter
received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for its depiction of the natural disaster, but lost to
Inception
(2010).
Hereafter is less about the destruction caused by the earthquake and more about its emotional impact and the fallout for the characters. The film’s opening tsunami sequence is visually stunning, and Eastwood’s sensitive direction brings a sense of realism to the disaster, which is not present in some other disaster movies. The film’s philosophical exploration of life after death makes it a unique entry into the disaster genre, offering a more contemplative version of the typical disaster movie formula.
3 The Impossible (2012)
Starring Naomi Watts And Ewan McGregor
Based on the true story of María Belón and her family’s survival during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, The Impossible stars Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor as parents who are separated from their children when the disaster strikes in an actual nightmare scenario. The film vividly portrays the power of nature, with intense scenes of devastation as the family struggles to reunite. The narrative themes of loss, redemption, and hope are all explored.
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Like Hereafter, The Impossible excels in portraying both the physical and emotional toll of a natural disaster. The film’s use of practical effects to recreate the tsunami is nothing short of breathtaking, and the performances by Watts and McGregor add a deeply personal dimension to the overall plot. Its heart-wrenching narrative and realistic depiction of the disaster make it one of the best films about survival in the face of an earthquake-triggered event that causes such devastation.
2 And Life Goes On (1992)
Starring Farhad Kheradmand And Pouya Payvar
Abbas Kiarostami directed this Iranian film that delves into the consequences of the 1990 Manjil-Rudbar earthquake. The semi-fictional plot revolves around a filmmaker’s journey through the devastated area searching for two child actors from his previous movie (Where Is the Friend’s Home?). As he meets survivors and sees the reality of the disaster, the film transforms into a contemplation on life, survival, and the resilience of humanity through such incredible hardship.
Instead of concentrating on the immediate devastation, such as the damaged buildings and homes, Kiarostami emphasizes the quiet fortitude of the people who carry on with their lives despite the horrific conditions.
And Life Goes On is a touching and subtle film that stands out for its compassionate and thought-provoking approach to a natural disaster. Instead of concentrating on the immediate devastation, such as the damaged buildings and homes, Kiarostami emphasizes the quiet fortitude of the people who carry on with their lives despite the horrific conditions. The film’s philosophical undercurrents and introspective storyline make it one of the most thoughtful works on this list, capturing the essence of survival with elegance and sensitivity.
1 The Wind Rises (2013)
Starring Hideaki Anno And Miori Takimoto
Close
Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises recounts the tale of Jiro Horikoshi, the creator of Japan’s World War II fighter planes, and how the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake significantly impacted his life and career. The earthquake is a pivotal moment in the film, triggering a series of events that shape Jiro’s personal and professional journey throughout the film. Miyazaki employs the earthquake as a plot device and a symbol of the upheaval in Jiro’s life and Japan’s history in general.
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1
The Wind Rises is a masterful piece of animation, blending historical events with personal elements. The earthquake scenes are exquisitely animated, merging realism with Miyazaki’s poetic style. The portrayal of the Great Kanto Earthquake is especially striking, as it captures not only the physical destruction, but also the emotional turmoil it causes in Jiro’s life and the broader cultural shifts in Japan. This delicate balance of personal growth amid a national tragedy makes The Wind Rises a poignant and profoundly moving animation that positions it at the pinnacle of this list as the finest earthquake movie of all time.
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10/10 The Wind Rises PG-13WarRomance
This animated Japanese film is a fictionalized account of the life and work of engineer Jiro Horikoshi, who designed the aircrafts used by Japan during World War II.
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*Availability in US Director Hayao Miyazaki Release Date July 20, 2013 Writers Hayao Miyazaki Cast Hideaki Anno , Hidetoshi Nishijima , Masahiko Nishimura , Keiko Takeshita , Jun Kunimura Runtime 126 minutes