14 Best Earthquake Movies of All-Time

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49%

43

6.1

Synopsis: Hey, ever imagined the ground beneath you just... not staying still? "San Andreas" takes you on a wild ride when the infamous San Andreas Fault decides to throw a seismic tantrum. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stars as a helicopter rescue pilot, navigating the chaos to save his family. From LA's skyscrapers to San Francisco's Golden Gate, it's a roller-coaster of suspense and action. What's Make it Special: Apart from The Rock's undeniable charisma? The jaw-dropping visual effects! It's like Mother Nature's fury meets Hollywood's magic. Plus, it gives a whole new meaning to "family bonding."

CAST

Dwayne Johnson

Alexandra Daddario

Carla Gugino

Ioan Gruffudd

Archie Panjabi

Paul Giamatti

Hugo Johnstone-Burt

Art Parkinson

Will Yun Lee

Kylie Minogue

Directed by Brad Peyton

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45%

56

5.9

Synopsis: Step back into the 70s, when bell-bottoms were in and LA was, well, falling apart. "Earthquake" throws us into the heart of Los Angeles as it faces the wrath of a massive quake. With a star-studded cast led by Charlton Heston, it's a tale of survival, heroism, and, of course, epic destruction. What's Make it Special: Nostalgia alert! This classic disaster flick was one of the pioneers of the genre. The Sensurround sound system used in theaters back then? It literally made audiences feel the quake. Talk about immersive cinema!

CAST

Charlton Heston

Ava Gardner

George Kennedy

Lorne Greene

Geneviève Bujold

Richard Roundtree

Marjoe Gortner

Barry Sullivan

Lloyd Nolan

Victoria Principal

Directed by Mark Robson

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40%

39

4.8

Synopsis: Ever had a vacation go completely sideways? "Aftershock" is set against the vibrant nightlife of Chile, where a group of travelers is out to have a blast. But when a devastating earthquake hits, their fun night turns into a nightmare of survival. It's gritty, it's intense, and it'll make you rethink those party plans. What's Make it Special: This isn't just your typical disaster movie. It's a raw, emotional journey that delves deep into human nature when faced with crisis. Plus, the setting in Chile's urban landscape adds a fresh twist to the genre.

CAST

Andrea Osvárt

Ariel Levy

Lorenza Izzo

Nicolás Martínez

Natasha Yarovenko

Selena Gomez

Ramón Llao

Ignacia Allamand

Marcial Tagle

Directed by Nicolás López

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40%

49

5.8

Synopsis: "Alright, folks, if you're looking for a roller-coaster ride of epic proportions, '2012' is your ticket. The Earth's core heats up, causing the planet's crust to destabilize. As the world crumbles around him, Jackson Curtis, played by the ever-charming John Cusack, races against time to save his family from the ultimate global catastrophe. From LA sinking to the Himalayas becoming the new beachfront, this movie's got it all!" What Makes It Special: "What sets '2012' apart? The jaw-dropping visual effects! It's like Mother Nature's throwing the biggest tantrum ever, and we get front row seats. Plus, the ensemble cast brings heart to the chaos."

CAST

John Cusack

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Amanda Peet

Oliver Platt

Thandiwe Newton

Tom McCarthy

George Segal

Danny Glover

Woody Harrelson

Liam James

Directed by Roland Emmerich

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48%

48

5.9

Synopsis: "Dive into 'Underwater' and you're plunged seven miles deep into the Mariana Trench with a crew facing their worst nightmare. After an earthquake devastates their subterranean laboratory, Norah (Kristen Stewart) and her team must navigate through dark, claustrophobic corridors with mysterious and deadly creatures tailing them. It's a race for survival where oxygen tanks aren't the only thing running out." What Makes It Special: "Beyond the edge-of-your-seat suspense, 'Underwater' shines because of its atmospheric tension. The eerie silence of the deep sea, combined with the unknown, makes it a refreshing take on the disaster genre."

CAST

Kristen Stewart

Vincent Cassel

Mamoudou Athie

T.J. Miller

John Gallagher Jr.

Jessica Henwick

Gunner Wright

Fiona Rene

Amanda Troop

Directed by William Eubank

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49%

55

5.5

Synopsis: "Imagine waking up to find a volcano in the heart of LA! 'Volcano' turns up the heat as Tommy Lee Jones plays Mike Roark, an emergency management director who's got more than traffic jams to worry about. When the La Brea Tar Pits start spewing lava, Roark teams up with seismologist Dr. Amy Barnes (Anne Heche) to divert the flow and save the city from becoming the next Pompeii." What Makes It Special: "Beyond the molten mayhem, 'Volcano' serves a side of social commentary, making us ponder unity in crisis. And let's be real, a volcano in downtown LA? That's Hollywood creativity at its fiery best!"

CAST

Tommy Lee Jones

Anne Heche

Gaby Hoffmann

Don Cheadle

Jacqueline Kim

Keith David

John Corbett

Michael Rispoli

John Carroll Lynch

Marcello Thedford

Directed by Mick Jackson

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85%

70

6.2

Synopsis: Remember that feeling when your chair jiggles and you're not sure if it's just your imagination? "The Quake" takes that feeling and amplifies it a hundredfold. Set in Oslo, this Norwegian thriller follows geologist Kristian Eikjord, who's convinced a massive earthquake is coming, even when no one believes him. And when the city starts shaking? It's a heart-stopping race against time. What Makes It Special: It's not just the jaw-dropping visuals that captivate; it's the raw, emotional depth. This film delves deep into themes of family, survival, and redemption, making it more than just a disaster movie.

CAST

Kristoffer Joner

Ane Dahl Torp

Jonas Hoff Oftebro

Edith Haagenrud-Sande

Kathrine Thorborg Johansen

Fredrik Skavlan

Stig R. Amdam

Catrin Sagen

Ingvild Haugstad

Ravdeep Singh Bajwa

Directed by John Andreas Andersen

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5.5

Synopsis: Surf's up, but not in the way you'd hope! "Tidal Wave" plunges us into the coastal city of Haeundae in South Korea, where residents are blissfully unaware of the monstrous tsunami heading their way. As waves crash and buildings topple, we follow a group of locals navigating love, loss, and survival. What Makes It Special: This isn't your typical disaster flick. "Tidal Wave" stands out with its perfect blend of humor, heart, and harrowing action. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that ensures you'll laugh, cry, and grip your seat.

CAST

Sol Kyung-gu

Ha Ji-won

Park Joong-hoon

Uhm Jung-hwa

Lee Min-ki

Kang Ye-won

Kim In-kwon

Song Jae-ho

Kim You-jung

Seong Byeong-sook

Directed by JK Youn

100%

7.9

Synopsis: In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, a director and his son hit the road, searching for the child actors of their previous film. "And Life Goes On" is a poignant journey through the Iranian countryside, where amidst the rubble, the human spirit shines bright. What Makes It Special: Directed by the legendary Abbas Kiarostami, this film is a masterclass in storytelling. It's not about the quake's destruction, but the resilience and hope that emerges after. Its seamless blend of fiction and reality offers a heartfelt reminder that even in the face of tragedy, life continues.

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54%

54

5.7

Synopsis: Welcome to 2013's Los Angeles, now an island prison after a massive earthquake. Enter Snake Plissken, our iconic anti-hero, tasked with a new mission: retrieve a doomsday device from the city's rebels. With a ticking clock, Snake navigates a dystopian LA filled with oddball characters and deadly traps. It's a wild ride from start to finish. What Makes It Special: John Carpenter's sequel to "Escape from New York" is a cult classic. It's not just the action-packed plot that grabs you; it's the satirical take on LA's culture and the return of Kurt Russell's iconic character, Snake. It's a nostalgic trip to '90s action cinema.

CAST

Kurt Russell

Stacy Keach

Steve Buscemi

A.J. Langer

Bruce Campbell

Pam Grier

Peter Fonda

Georges Corraface

Robert Carradine

Michelle Forbes

Directed by John Carpenter

5.9

Synopsis: Imagine LA, the city of dreams, facing its worst nightmare. Dr. Clare Winslow, a seismologist, predicts a catastrophic earthquake that could devastate Los Angeles. As she races against time to convince the city officials, tensions rise, and the ground begins to tremble. What Makes It Special: This TV movie stands out for its eerily realistic portrayal of a potential natural disaster in one of the world's most iconic cities. The character-driven narrative combined with the looming threat creates a tension-filled experience that resonates with viewers even today.

CAST

Joanna Kerns

Dan Lauria

Bonnie Bartlett

Lindsay Frost

Alan Autry

Joe Spano

Holly Fields

Brock Peters

Stephen Elliott

Robert Ginty

Directed by Larry Elikann

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6.6

Synopsis: Set in a small South Korean town, "Pandora" follows the aftermath of a catastrophic explosion at a nuclear power plant. As the disaster unfolds, Jae-Hyeok, a power plant worker, races against time to save his family and loved ones from the impending nuclear fallout. The government's response is mired in bureaucracy and inefficiency, leaving the local community to fend for themselves. As the town descends into chaos, the residents must make heart-wrenching decisions to ensure their survival. What Makes It Special: "Pandora" is a poignant disaster film that delves deep into the societal and political implications of nuclear energy mishaps. Beyond the gripping action sequences, it offers a scathing critique of governmental negligence and the lack of preparedness for such calamities.

CAST

Kim Nam-gil

Kim Joo-hyun

Kim Myung-min

Lee Kyung-young

Kim Young-ae

Jung Jin-young

Moon Jeong-hee

Bae Gang-Yoo

Kim Dae-myung

Yoo Seung-mok

Directed by Park Jung-woo

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86%

5.9

Synopsis: Dr. Stephen Sorenson has a plan to tap into the Earth's geothermal energy, believing it could be a limitless power source. But when his experiment goes awry, it results in a massive crack that threatens to split the Earth in two. As the crack grows and chaos ensues, it's a race against time to prevent global catastrophe. What Makes It Special: "Crack in the World" is a classic from the golden age of disaster films. Its charm lies in the blend of 1960s special effects and a gripping narrative. It's a nostalgic trip back to a time when sci-fi met disaster, making audiences ponder the consequences of playing with nature.

CAST

Dana Andrews

Janette Scott

Kieron Moore

Alexander Knox

Peter Damon

Sydna Scott

Gary Lasdun

John Karlsen

Alfred Brown

Mike Steen

Directed by Andrew Marton

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3.8

Synopsis: When a volcanic eruption and a series of earthquakes strike Los Angeles, the city is thrown into chaos. Amidst the fiery destruction, a washed-up reporter and his family must navigate the disasters to find safety. But with the city falling apart, their journey becomes a test of survival and determination. What Makes It Special: "Destruction: Los Angeles" takes the disaster genre and adds a personal touch. While the city's destruction is grand in scale, the film's heart lies in the family's journey amidst the chaos. It's a reminder that in the face of overwhelming odds, human spirit and family bonds can prevail.

CAST

Craig Sheffer

Cynthia Watros

Romeo Miller

Emmanuelle Vaugier

C.J. Valleroy

Rick Chambers

Liana Ramirez

Sydne Mikelle

Robert Giardina

Chip Bolcik

Directed by Tibor Takács