If you're a fan of the classic disaster film 'Earthquake' (1974), you're likely drawn to its thrilling action, high-stakes drama, and jaw-dropping special effects. This article explores 10 similar movies and shows that capture the same intensity, from catastrophic natural disasters to heart-pounding survival stories. Whether you're looking for nostalgic throwbacks or modern takes on the genre, we've got you covered.

Airport (1970)
Description: A suspenseful drama about a snowbound airport and a bomb threat on a passenger plane, highlighting the tension and chaos of a potential disaster.
Fact: It was the first in a series of disaster films that became popular in the 1970s. The film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.


The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Description: A thrilling survival story set aboard an overturned ocean liner, focusing on a group of passengers trying to escape before time runs out.
Fact: The film was groundbreaking for its use of practical effects to simulate the ship's capsizing. It won two Academy Awards, including Best Original Song.


The Towering Inferno (1974)
Description: A disaster film centered around a catastrophic event in a high-rise building, showcasing human survival against overwhelming odds and the breakdown of infrastructure.
Fact: It was the first film to be co-produced by two major Hollywood studios, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography.


The Swarm (1978)
Description: A disaster film about a deadly swarm of killer bees attacking a small town, emphasizing the struggle of humans against an unstoppable natural force.
Fact: The film was one of the most expensive productions of its time, with a budget of around $21 million. Despite its high budget, it was a critical and commercial failure.


Twister (1996)
Description: An action-packed film about storm chasers tracking deadly tornadoes, capturing the raw power of nature and the human determination to understand it.
Fact: The film was one of the first to use groundbreaking CGI effects to depict tornadoes. It was a box office success, grossing over $494 million worldwide.


Dante's Peak (1997)
Description: A thrilling story about a volcanologist trying to save a small town from an impending volcanic eruption, highlighting the unpredictability of natural disasters.
Fact: The film's eruption scenes were inspired by real-life volcanic events, including the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. It was praised for its realistic depiction of volcanic activity.


Volcano (1997)
Description: A disaster movie depicting the sudden eruption of a volcano in Los Angeles, focusing on the city's frantic efforts to contain the disaster.
Fact: The film was released the same year as 'Dante's Peak,' leading to a mini-trend of volcano disaster movies. It features extensive use of practical effects for lava flows.


The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Description: A science fiction disaster film about catastrophic climate change leading to a new ice age, focusing on survival and global consequences.
Fact: The film's depiction of extreme weather events was based on scientific theories about abrupt climate change. It grossed over $544 million worldwide.


2012 (2009)
Description: A disaster epic about the end of the world predicted by the Mayan calendar, featuring global catastrophes and humanity's struggle to survive.
Fact: The film's special effects involved over 1,400 CGI shots, one of the highest for any movie at the time. It was one of the highest-grossing films of 2009, earning over $769 million worldwide.


San Andreas (2015)
Description: An action-packed disaster film about a massive earthquake along the San Andreas Fault, showcasing the destruction and human resilience in the face of disaster.
Fact: The film's earthquake sequences were created using advanced CGI and motion capture technology. It was a box office hit, earning over $474 million globally.
