When the waters rise, so do the stakes. This curated list of 10 detective films set against the backdrop of devastating floods offers a unique blend of suspense, mystery, and the raw power of nature. Each film uses the flood not just as a setting but as a crucial element in the unfolding of its detective narrative, providing a thrilling experience for fans of both genres.

Deep Impact (1998)
Description: A comet strike leads to massive flooding, and amidst this global catastrophe, a journalist uncovers a government conspiracy, adding a detective element to the survival story.
Fact: The film was released the same year as "Armageddon," leading to comparisons between the two.


Hard Rain (1998)
Description: An armored car driver must navigate through a flooded town to deliver money, while a detective tries to solve a robbery amidst the chaos.
Fact: The film's title was changed from "The Flood" to "Hard Rain" to avoid confusion with another film.


The Perfect Storm (2000)
Description: This film follows the crew of a fishing boat caught in a massive storm, where the captain's decisions are akin to solving a life-or-death puzzle.
Fact: The film is based on a real event and the book by Sebastian Junger.


The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Description: Although more of a disaster film, it includes elements of detective work as characters must figure out how to survive and navigate through a world plunged into a new ice age after a catastrophic flood.
Fact: The film was one of the first to use extensive CGI to simulate weather events.


The Impossible (2012)
Description: While primarily a survival drama, the film includes elements of detective work as characters navigate through the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to find each other.
Fact: The film is based on the real-life experience of a Spanish family during the tsunami.


The Finest Hours (2016)
Description: While not strictly a detective film, this movie involves a Coast Guard rescue mission during a massive storm, where the crew must solve logistical and survival puzzles akin to detective work.
Fact: The film is based on a true story from 1952, showcasing one of the most daring rescues in Coast Guard history.


The Wave (2015)
Description: A geologist must solve the mystery of an impending tsunami in Norway, where the flood becomes the central element of the detective narrative.
Fact: The film is inspired by real events, specifically the 1934 Tafjord tsunami.


The Hurricane Heist (2018)
Description: A heist thriller set during a Category 5 hurricane, where a Treasury agent must solve the crime of a lifetime amidst the chaos of a hurricane-induced flood.
Fact: The film was shot in Bulgaria, where they built a massive set to simulate the hurricane's effects.


The Flood (2019)
Description: In this gripping thriller, a detective must solve a murder case while navigating through a city submerged by a catastrophic flood, revealing hidden secrets as the waters rise.
Fact: The film was shot in real-time during an actual flood event in Louisiana, adding authenticity to the scenes.


The Big Flood (1952)
Description: This classic film involves a detective story set during the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, where a detective must solve a crime amidst the chaos of the disaster.
Fact: The film was one of the first to use real footage from the actual flood to enhance its authenticity.
