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I’m not sure if it’s because we all have a sick desire to watch the world burn or if it’s because watching Mother Nature fight back is as fascinating as it is terrifying, but few things can beat a good disaster flick. They’re just fun. Whether the world is ending because of arrogant scientists (when will they learn?) or if a group of buddies are forced to suffer a vacation from hell, disaster movies scratch our itch for widespread panic and unavoidable destruction.
Thankfully, Netflix knows that we have these disaster cravings, and they’ve risen to the occasion. From John Carpenter masterpieces to tornados filled with Great Whites, there are a lot of awesome movies on the streaming service that meticulously depict the destruction of Earth. Below, I’ve compiled 10 of the best. Get your binging supplies ready, prepare an apology letter to Captain Planet, and prepare for some majorly awesome destruction.
'Deep Impact'
There’s a comet heading for Earth, and the government — as usual in every disaster movie — is trying to cover it up. Thankfully, a crack reporter uncovers the truth, allowing veteran astronaut Fish (Robert Duvall) and his team to try to stop the collision. How do they go about doing that? By laying explosives on a comet hurtling through space, of course. And we thought President Morgan Freeman was supposed to be on our side.
'Alive'
If you’re afraid of freezing to death, then welcome to your worst nightmare. After their plane crashes in the Andes mountains, Uruguay’s rugby team is forced to come to terms with their new horrifying reality. Starring Ethan Hawke, Alive is essentially a character study about how different people crack under the slow inevitability of death. You better believe there’s a frostbite scene and at least one serious conversation about cannibalism.
'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'
If you prefer old school disaster flicks or if you think the destruction of humanity will at least partially be the ocean’s fault, then this one is for you. A brilliant scientist creates a nuclear submarine that creates some unintended and decidedly environmentally unfriendly consequences. Can this team of scientists save the Earth from the horror they inflicted on it? And can they keep their sanity in the process? This is why playing with nuclear anything is always a bad idea.
'Armageddon'
Another piece of deadly space debris is heading for the Earth, and Billy Bob Thornton knows just how to handle it. Gathering his top NASA recruits, the team travels into space to plant a nuclear bomb in the asteroid. Can they get there in time? Also starring Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, and Liv Tyler, this disaster film blends the perfect amount of high stakes and ‘90s action cheesiness to make a great weekend watch.
'Sharknado'
What’s more terrifying than a monstrous tornado? A huge, killer tornado filled with sharks that transforms LA into the worst aquarium ever. That’s right; Sharknado is on Netflix. Stream it immediately in all of its B-grade horror glory.
'The Perfect Storm'
Based on a true story, this movie that shows just how cruel the sea really is could be every Deadliest Catch member’s worst nightmare. On Halloween in 1991, three weather fronts fuse together to create the worst storm imaginable. Starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Diane Lane, bring this one up next time you want to see your dad’s fishing friends cringe.
'Escape from L.A.'
After a huge earthquake separates Los Angeles from the rest of the United States, the very rational president decides to exile every person who doesn’t share his hyper-conservative views to the new island. However, a wrench is thrown into his plan by his own lovesick daughter. Is it a thin parallel for how the liberal California feels attacked by the rest of the country? For sure. But it’s directed by John Carpenter, stars Kurt Russell, and is filled with an unhealthy amount of fire.
'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World'
Who said that disaster movies always have to be scary and dramatic? Starring Steve Carrell and Keira Knightly, this quirky rom com takes place during — you guessed it — the end of the world. When it’s announced that an asteroid is going to wipe out all life on Earth, a meek insurance salesman and his bold neighbor go on a journey to make the most of their last remaining days. This one puts all of your YOLO hashtags to shame.
'The Mummy'
OK, there’s a mild amount of cheating on this one. The Mummy is more of an action movie than a strict disaster flick, but there’s enough destruction and disaster to warrant a place on this list. Brendan Fraser stars as a treasure-seeking explorer in the 1920s. However, when his treasure hunt accidentally resurrects a 3,000-year-old Egyptian priest who is the definition of evil, things take a turn for the terrifying. Imhotep’s plagues are enough to qualify him as a disastrous force of nature.
'Where Was God?'
Out of all the selections on this list, this one is the most terrifying because it’s real. Where Was God? Is a documentary that chronicles life after a EF5 tornado hits Moore, Oklahoma. To put the level of this one tornado’s destruction into perspective, the magnitude of devastation was over eight times greater than the bomb that leveled Hiroshima. Featuring interviews from survivors and footage of the wreckage, this one will give you a newfound appreciation of nature. Also, it may discourage you from visiting Oklahoma.
[Stream Where Was God? on Netflix]
Photos: Everett Collection
