Movies About Natural Disasters

From J.A. Bayona, starring Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Oaklee Pendergast
Rated PG-13

The Impossible is a drama/disaster film set in Thailand in 2004, directed by J.A. Bayona. The film tells the story of a family of five—Maria, Henry, and their three sons—who are vacationing in Thailand during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The family is separated during the disaster and must struggle to reunite and survive. Maria and her eldest son Lucas are the primary characters in the film, and their journey to be reunited is the main focus. Along the way, they experience the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma of the disaster, along with the kindness of strangers and aid workers who help them along the way. The film ultimately shows the power of resilience and family as the family is reunited and come out of the disaster stronger than ever.

From James Cameron, starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester
Rated PG-13

The Abyss is a 1989 science fiction film directed by James Cameron. It stars Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as a team of deep-sea divers who must descend into the depths of the ocean to save a submarine crew that inadvertently ventured into an alien underwater world. Along the way, they discover a mysterious life form that could be humanity's best hope for survival. With the help of this aquatic species, they battle an escalating nuclear conflict, and ultimately prevent the destruction of the world. The film is notable for its groundbreaking special effects, as well as its exploration of themes of friendship, trust, and sacrifice.

From Danny Boyle, starring Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans, Cliff Curtis
Rated R

From Benh Zeitlin, starring Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, Levy Easterly, Lowell Landes
Rated PG-13

From Baltasar Kormákur, starring Jason Clarke, Ang Phula Sherpa, Thomas M. Wright, Martin Henderson
Rated PG-13

From Ronald Neame, starring Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Shelley Winters, Red Buttons
Rated PG

From John Guillermin, starring Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, William Holden, Faye Dunaway
Rated PG

From Peter Weir, starring Richard Chamberlain, Olivia Hamnett, David Gulpilil, Frederick Parslow
Rated PG

From Ron Howard, starring Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro, Donald Sutherland
Rated R

From Lorene Scafaria, starring Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Melanie Lynskey, Patton Oswalt
Rated R

From Wolfgang Petersen, starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, Diane Lane
Rated PG-13

From Roland Emmerich, starring Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emmy Rossum, Dash Mihok
Rated PG-13

From Jan de Bont, starring Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Cary Elwes, Jami Gertz
Rated PG-13

From Mimi Leder, starring Robert Duvall, Téa Leoni, Elijah Wood, Morgan Freeman
Rated PG-13

From Brad Peyton, starring Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario, Colton Haynes
Rated PG-13

From Mark Robson, starring Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Greene
Rated PG

From John Erick Dowdle, starring Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Columbus Short, Jay Hernandez
Rated R

From Martin Campbell, starring Scott Glenn, Chris O'Donnell, Bill Paxton, Robin Tunney
Rated PG-13

From Rob Cohen, starring Sylvester Stallone, Amy Brenneman, Viggo Mortensen, Dan Hedaya
Rated PG-13

From Mikael Salomon, starring Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater, Randy Quaid, Minnie Driver
Rated R

From Roland Emmerich, starring John Cusack, Thandiwe Newton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet
Rated PG-13

From Steven Quale, starring Richard Armitage, Sarah Wayne Callies, Matt Walsh, Max Deacon
Rated PG-13

From Wolfgang Petersen, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Kurt Russell, Emmy Rossum, Josh Lucas
Rated PG-13

From Paul W.S. Anderson, starring Kit Harington, Emily Browning, Kiefer Sutherland, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Rated PG-13

From Jon Amiel, starring Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Delroy Lindo, Bruce Greenwood
Rated PG-13