Summary
- Disaster movies like Independence Day set the stage for modern blockbusters, inspiring hits like Geostorm and Moonfall with epic stakes.
- Geostorm showcases humanity’s struggle to control nature, while Moonfall delves into artificial intelligence and the stakes of saving Earth.
- From World War Z to Pacific Rim, disaster movies explore themes of unity and sacrifice, echoing the message of hope in Independence Day.
Disaster movies that involve saving the world have become some of the biggest summer blockbuster hits and beloved popcorn movies for a reason, with 1996’s Independence Day being one of the most iconic. Telling the story of an alien invasion that must be warded off by humanity, Independence Day became the highest-grossing movie of the year and was a watershed moment for the Hollywood blockbuster (via BoxOfficeMojo).
Due to its now-legendary status in movie history, it is no wonder that many other disaster movies about saving the world share some similarities with Independence Day. As Twisters recently showed, the disaster movie genre is still going strong. From Earth’s mightiest heroes fighting the God of Mischief, a modern adaptation of an H.G Wells novel, some of these movies have become as, if not more, iconic as the 1996 classic. If you’re a fan of Independence Day, these are the movies for you.
Related Independence Day Cast & Where Are They Now
Independence Day was one of the most influential blockbusters of the 1990s thanks to its impressive cast of stars, many of whose careers skyrocketed.
10 Geostorm (2017)
What Happens When Humanity Tries To Master Nature
Geostorm PG-13 Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Geostorm is a sci-fi thriller starring Gerard Butler as satellite designer Jake Lawson who discovers a problem with an international satellite system developed to counter climate change. When the satellites malfunction, causing a dangerous and gigantic storm that threatens to obliterate the planet, Jake and a group of other officials must race to solve the problem before the storm swallows them whole.
Director Dean Devlin , Danny Cannon Cast Jim Sturgess , Gerard Butler , Daniel Wu , Abbie Cornish , Alexandra Maria Lara , Ed Harris , Andy Garcia Runtime 109minutes
In Geostorm, the human race has achieved the unthinkable – they can control the weather. Using a series of satellites and algorithms known as Dutch Boy, the international community can regulate the climate, but when the system starts to malfunction, it almost spells the end of the world. Cold snaps in Rio de Janeiro, fire whirls in Hong Kong, and massive hailstorms in Tokyo punctuate this action-packed disaster movie, as the protagonist, and architect of Dutch Boy, Jake Lawson (Gerard Butler) races against the clock to prevent a world-ending geostorm.
Massive in scale and stakes,
Geostorm
may not be the critic’s favorite disaster movie, but it certainly deserves a watch.
While Geostorm under-performed critically and commercially, it is a movie full of enough action, twists, and commentary on climate change to keep its audiences engaged. In a similar vein to Independence Day, Geostorm‘s true value comes from its highlighting of the true fragility of humanity when faced with catastrophe; only this time, the threat is not extraterrestrial. Massive in scale and stakes, Geostorm may not be the critic’s favorite disaster movie, but it certainly deserves a watch.
9 Moonfall (2022)
Emmerich Still Has It
Moonfall 
2.0 Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
In Moonfall, a mysterious force knocks the Moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurtling on a collision course with life as we know it. With mere weeks before impact and the world on the brink of annihilation, NASA executive and former astronaut Jo Fowler is convinced she has the key to saving us all – but only one astronaut from her past, Brian Harper and conspiracy theorist K.C. Houseman believe her. So these unlikely heroes will mount an impossible last-ditch mission into space, leaving behind everyone they love, only to discover that our Moon is not what we think it is.
Director Roland Emmerich Release Date February 4, 2022 Cast Kelly Yu , Halle Berry , Eme Ikwuakor , John Bradley , Donald Sutherland , carolina bartczak , Michael Pena , Patrick Wilson , Charlie Plummer Runtime 120 minutes
Roland Emmerich, the visionary director behind Independence Day, has been labeled by some as Hollywood’s own “Master of Disaster”, and given the quality of his latest movie, Moonfall, it is clear to see why (via Variety). Moonfall centers around the mission of two astronauts and a conspiracy theorist to investigate the moon after it suddenly leaves its orbit. It turns out that the moon is actually a synthetic Dyson sphere controlled by artificial intelligence and is on a collision course with Earth.
With a cast including Halle Berry, Donald Sutherland, and Patrick Wilson, Moonfall provides a compelling, and at times, emotional narrative full of large-scale spectacle. The hallmarks of an Emmerich disaster movie are as present here as they were in Independence Day, showcasing the importance of unity in the face of adversity. Cliché at times, but no less awesome to watch unfold, Moonfall blends action, suspense, and emotion, and is well worth a watch for any fans of Independence Day.
8 Sunshine (2007)
A Unique Concept
Sunshine Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Sunshine, directed by Danny Boyle, follows a team of astronauts on a mission to reignite a dying sun with a massive nuclear bomb. Set in 2057, the film stars Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, and Michelle Yeoh, encapsulating their struggle against both physical and psychological challenges. As the crew ventures deeper into space, they confront unexpected dangers that threaten the mission and their survival.
Director Danny Boyle Release Date July 27, 2007 Cast Cillian Murphy , Rose Byrne , Michelle Yeoh , Chris Evans , Cliff Curtis Runtime 107 minutes
It is 2057 and the sun is dying, spelling disaster for the human race. The solution that propels the plot of Sunshine? Sending a crack team of astronauts to the dying sun with a bomb to reignite it. Directed by the legendary Danny Boyle, Sunshine is more than just a typical disaster movie about saving the world, but also a psychological and richly thematic story about sacrifice and survival. This is buttressed by a star-studded cast including Cilian Murphy, Chris Evans, and Michelle Yeoh, all of whom have incredible chemistry and add a sense of human realism to a movie that is otherwise massive in scale.
Sunshine
is a must-watch, not just if you love
Independence Day
, not just if you love disaster movies, but if you love movies in general.
A message of unity and hope is central to what makes Sunshine such a good disaster movie, and makes it a worthy viewing companion to Independence Day. The characters must overcome their individual reservations and challenges for a common cause, making Sunshineone of the most unique and compelling disaster movies of the last twenty years. Sunshine is a must-watch, not just if you love Independence Day, not just if you love disaster movies, but if you love movies in general.
7 Armageddon (1998)
Emulating The Success Of Independence Day
Armageddon Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
In Michael Bay’s sci-fi action thriller Armageddon, a colossal asteroid is found barrelling toward Earth, guaranteed to wipe out all life. To stop it, NASA concocts a plan that involves drilling into its core to denote a nuclear bomb inside of it – and to make that happen; they’ll need the right crew. Led by the head of an oil drilling company, Harry Stamper, a group of blue-collar workers are given the crash course for Astronaut preparation as the crew races against time to save the planet.
Director Michael Bay Release Date July 1, 1998 Cast Bruce Willis , Billy Bob Thornton , Liv Tyler , Ben Affleck , Will Patton , Peter Stormare , Keith David , Steve Buscemi Runtime 151 minutes
Armageddon is a movie that followed closely in Independence Day‘s footsteps, releasing just two years later. When a Texas-sized asteroid is discovered to be on a world-ending collision course with Earth, the US government commissions a group of oil-drillers for a mission of the highest stakes. Led by Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis), the drillers must fly on a spaceship, land on the asteroid, drill an 800ft hole, and insert a hydrogen bomb that will detonate and blow the asteroid into two pieces, both of which will miss Earth. So, just another day in the office.
Besides the existential threat to humanity, a similarity that Armageddon shares with Independence Day is its portrayal of the importance of resilience against adversity. Everything that could go wrong on the mission, does go wrong, from a rogue storm to an exploding space station, yet the team, which slowly dwindles in numbers as time goes on, never gives up. Sacrifice and heroism are also on full display here, as the characters race against time, and the odds, to save the world.
6 World War Z (2013)
When The World Is On The Edge, Call Brad Pitt
World War Z 3.0 Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Based on the novel by Max Brooks, World War Z tells the story of a world ravaged by a zombie virus. Former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) braves the apocalypse in search of a cure. He is tasked with finding the point of origin of the virus in order to synthesize a vaccine, reluctantly doing so in exchange for his family’s safety. His search takes him around the world, where he witnesses all the devastation of the apocalypse.
Director Marc Foster Release Date June 21, 2013 Cast Brad Pitt , Daniella Kertesz , Mireille Enos , James Badge Dale Runtime 1h 56m
While the movie doesn’t focus on an extraterrestrial threat, World War Z is nevertheless a unique addition to the disaster genre. Starring Brad Pitt as former UN investigator Gerry Lane, World War Z tells the story of a zombie pandemic that threatens to wipe out humanity. Gerry’s mission to stop the zombies takes him across the world, from Newark, to South Korea, to Jerusalem, mimicking Independence Day‘s message about the importance of international community and cooperation when the world is faced with an existential threat.
World War Z‘s highlight is undeniably Pitt’s fantastic performance. The actor manages to convey a real sense of calm in the face of chaos, but is also unafraid to think and act quickly to save the world. As society collapses from within, World War Z‘s Gerry is a symbol of hope, strength, and the power of the human spirit, all of which underscore Independence Day‘s narrative as well.
5 The Avengers (2012)
The Inception Of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
The Avengers Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
The sixth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers is an action superhero film that sees the heroes assembled across the franchise face off with a deadly galactic threat. With the arrival of Thor’s brother, Loki, heroes such as Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, and Black Widow are brought together to stop him from unleashing an alien race upon earth.
Director Joss Whedon Release Date May 4, 2012 Cast Chris Hemsworth , Mark Ruffalo , Robert Downey Jr. , Scarlett Johansson , Samuel L. Jackson , Stellan Skarsgård , Clark Gregg , Paul Bettany , Cobie Smulders , Tom Hiddleston , Jeremy Renner , Gwyneth Paltrow , Chris Evans Runtime 143 Minutes Expand
When The Avengers first released, it had a massive task ahead of it. It would be the first time that the six Avengers of the original cast shared the screen together against a common threat, and would also have to provide a compelling narrative while also setting up future MCU projects. The rest, of course, is history. The story about Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, and Hawkeye banding together to stop Loki’s Chitauri from taking over the world has become one of cinema’s most endearing, and set the stage for the MCU to become the most dominant movie franchise in the world.
It’s parallels with Independence Day range from Earth having to ward off an alien invasion, to Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr) sacrifice essentially being a shot-for-shot remake of Russell’s (Randy Quaid) in the 1996 movie. Once more, collaboration is portrayed as the key to success when the world is ending, with the Avengers each having to overcome their superficial disagreements for the good of humanity. As iconic as it is influential, The Avengers serves as a reminder of a time when big-budget superhero team-ups were unheard of, and is one of the best disaster movies of the past fifteen years.
Related Deadpool Almost Faced The MCU’s Avengers In Scrapped Deadpool & Wolverine Scene
An early concept for Deadpool & Wolverine included a scene in which Deadpool faced off against all of the Avengers, according to the movie’s writers.
4 War Of The Worlds (2005)
A Movie In The Making Since The 19th Century
War of The Worlds (2005) 3.5 Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
As extraterrestrial invaders ravage Earth, divorced father Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) must protect his estranged children, Rachel and Robbie. Evading destruction and aliens, they encounter harrowing scenes of devastation in their desperate bid for survival. As the invaders’ weaknesses are revealed, Ray fights to reunite his family and find refuge amidst the crumbling world.
Director Steven Spielberg Release Date June 29, 2005 Cast Tom Cruise , Dakota Fanning , Miranda Otto , Tim Robbins , Justin Chatwin , Rick Gonzalez , Yul Vazquez , Lenny Venito Runtime 116 Minutes
A modern retelling of H.G Wells’ iconic 1898 novel, Steven Spielberg’s 2005 movie War of the Worlds has become a modern classic of disaster movies, occupying this status alongside Independence Day. With a premise as large as a world-ending invasion, War of the Worlds tells a surprisingly intimate story about dockworker Ray Ferrier’s (Tom Cruise) attempts to protect his family. Dark, personal, and unpredictable, War of the Worlds is a staple of what makes a disaster movie great.
The story of Ray and his family is full of raw, human emotion that anchors the narrative to a sense of true realism, making for a unique take on the genre.
Independence Day, for all its spectacle, fails to tell a truly up-close story about how individuals cope with world-ending events, and this is where War of the Worlds shines. The story of Ray and his family is full of raw, human emotion that anchors the narrative to a sense of true realism, making for a unique take on the genre. Balancing this intimate emotion with large-scale global destruction, War of the Worlds is more than worthy of living up to the disaster movie precedent set by Independence Day.
3 Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)
Groundhog Day With Aliens
Edge of Tomorrow 3.5 Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
Based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s novel All You Need is Kill, Edge of Tomorrow follows Major William Cage (Tom Cruise), who finds himself drafted into humanity’s ongoing war against a seemingly unstoppable race of hostile aliens called Mimics. Cage is killed in combat, but wakes in a time loop, reliving the same battle day after day. Gradually, he realizes that if he teams up with the decorated war hero Sergeant Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), he can exploit the time loop to defeat the Mimic army and save the human race.
Director Doug Liman Release Date June 6, 2014 Cast Emily Blunt , Tom Cruise Runtime 1h 53m
Edge of Tomorrow is a classic synthesis of disaster, sci-fi, and drama. Tom Cruise stars in Edge of Tomorrow as Major William Cage, a man with very little real combat experience who is forced into action against an alien species that has occupied much of Europe. What sets Edge of Tomorrow apart is its inclusion of a time loop – William is stuck dying in the same battle over and over again, forcing him to try and adapt to find the best way to defeat the aliens.
Both the aliens in Independence Day and Edge of Tomorrow are depicted as forces to be reckoned with, requiring massive sacrifices in both movies to defeat. The trial-and-error approach that dominates Edge of Tomorrow‘s narrative is akin to that found in Independence Day, if a lot more on the nose, and highlights humanity’s constant attempts to outmaneuver their extraterrestrial adversaries. Relentless in its pacing, and unforgiving in its action, Edge of Tomorrow will surely be looked back upon as one of the greatest and most unique disaster movies ever made.
2 Pacific Rim (2013)
Monsters Versus Machines
Pacific Rim 3.0
In a post-apocalyptic future, Earth battles a deadly race of alien monsters called the Kaiju, who have begun arriving on the planet through an interdimensional portal in the Pacific Ocean. In an attempt to combat the Kaiju, humanity has created Jaegers, giant robot suits powered by at least two pilots that can match their enemy for size and strength. When the Kaiju begin to become too strong, however, a washed-up Jaeger pilot must return to the program to participate in one final mission to save Earth for good.
Director Guillermo del Toro Release Date July 12, 2013 Cast Charlie Hunnam , Idris Elba , Charlie Day , Ron Perlman , Rinko Kikuchi , Clifton Collins Jr.
Guillermo del Toro’s sci-fi masterpiece Pacific Rim re-imagined the foundations of disaster movies when it was released. Set in a future where interdimensional creatures called kaiju emerge from a portal at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean and start attacking Earth, Pacific Rim tells the story of Raleigh (Charlie Hunnam) and Mako (Rinko Kikuchi) as they pilot a giant humanoid mecha known as Jaeger to defeat the monsters. Visually stunning, and an homage to kaiju and anime media, Pacific Rim is a disaster movie full of heart and courage.
The human spirit is clearly on display in Pacific Rim, showcased in the innovations that came with creating the Jaegers to fight the kaiju. There is also a sense of global unity similar to that found in Independence Day, with Jaeger pilots hailing from every corner of Earth. Combining these strong themes of determination with extraordinary special effects makes Pacific Rim one of the most rewatchable and enjoyable disaster movies of recent times.
Pacific Rim Movies In Order: How Netflix’s The Black Fits Into The Pacific Rim Timeline
Netflix’s animated series Pacific Rim: The Black is connected to the movie franchise, and here’s how it fits in the Pacific Rim timeline.
1 The World’s End (2013)
The story of a group of old school friends
The World’s End
The final installment of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, The World’s End chronicles the adventures of five friends, led by Simon Pegg’s Gary King, as they attempt to complete a legendary pub crawl in their British hometown. Upon arrival in the town, however, the group comes to realize that their home has become the target of an alien invasion. Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, and Eddie Marsan star alongside Pegg.
Director Edgar Wright Release Date August 23, 2013 Cast Nick Frost , Rosamund Pike , Martin Freeman , Simon Pegg Runtime 109minutes
Offering a refreshing comedic twist on the disaster movie genre, The World’s End is the third installment of Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy. It tells the story of a group of old school friends led by Gary King (Simon Pegg) reuniting to complete a pub crawl that they never finished when they were sixteen. During the pub crawl, they discover that the town has been taken over by alien robots whose goal is to try and perfect humanity by replacing every human.
The World’s End focuses heavily on the thematic elements of free will and individuality against the rigid conformity of the invading species. This exploration of freedom is also seen in Independence Day, with both movies using the ideal as a narrative tool around which their protagonists can rally. Hilarious, heartbreaking, and action-packed, The World’s End is a fitting, if unconventional, disaster movie to watch alongside Independence Day.
Sources: BoxOfficeMojo, Variety.