If you loved the high-stakes disaster spectacle of '2012' (2009), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 gripping movies and shows that deliver the same adrenaline-pumping action, apocalyptic tension, and jaw-dropping visuals. Whether you're a fan of global catastrophes or survival thrillers, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Dante's Peak (1997)
Description: A volcanologist tries to warn a town about an impending eruption, leading to a fight for survival against nature's fury.
Fact: The movie's eruption scenes were based on real volcanic events for accuracy. It features one of the first uses of CGI to depict volcanic ash clouds.


Volcano (1997)
Description: A volcano erupts in Los Angeles, forcing the city to deal with lava flows and ash clouds, blending urban disaster with survival tactics.
Fact: The film was released the same year as another volcano disaster movie, creating a unique double feature. It uses practical effects to create its lava scenes.


Armageddon (1998)
Description: A team of oil drillers is sent to space to stop an asteroid from hitting Earth, mixing action, humor, and high-stakes survival.
Fact: The film's asteroid was designed to be scientifically accurate in terms of size and impact effects. It features one of the most expensive movie budgets of its time.


Deep Impact (1998)
Description: Focuses on humanity's efforts to prevent a comet from colliding with Earth, combining personal drama with large-scale disaster scenarios.
Fact: The film was released the same year as another asteroid-impact movie, leading to a friendly competition. It emphasizes the emotional and societal impacts of an impending disaster.


The Core (2003)
Description: A group of scientists embark on a mission to the Earth's core to restart its rotation and prevent global catastrophe, blending science fiction with disaster themes.
Fact: The movie's premise is based on the scientifically disputed idea that the Earth's core could stop rotating. It uses a mix of practical effects and CGI for its underground scenes.


The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Description: This film explores catastrophic climate change leading to global disasters, focusing on survival against extreme weather events.
Fact: The movie's depiction of a sudden ice age was inspired by the theory of abrupt climate change. It used a mix of practical effects and CGI to create its dramatic weather scenes.


Geostorm (2017)
Description: A high-tech thriller where climate-controlling satellites malfunction, causing extreme weather disasters worldwide, blending science fiction with disaster elements.
Fact: The movie was originally set to be released in 2016 but underwent extensive reshoots. It explores the concept of geoengineering gone wrong.


San Andreas (2015)
Description: Centers around a massive earthquake along the San Andreas Fault, showcasing human resilience and the race against time to save loved ones.
Fact: The film's earthquake sequences were based on real seismic data to enhance realism. It features one of the largest practical sets ever built for a disaster movie.


Moonfall (2022)
Description: A sci-fi disaster film where the Moon is knocked out of orbit, threatening life on Earth, combining space adventure with apocalyptic scenarios.
Fact: The film's concept was inspired by the hypothetical scenario of the Moon's orbit being disrupted. It features extensive visual effects to depict the Moon's descent toward Earth.


Greenland (2020)
Description: Follows a family's desperate journey to survive as a comet approaches Earth, focusing on personal survival amidst global chaos.
Fact: The movie was praised for its realistic portrayal of societal collapse during a disaster. It avoids typical disaster movie tropes by focusing on grounded human drama.
