Cosmic Catastrophes: 10 Films About Space Apocalypse

Description: This classic British film explores the aftermath of simultaneous nuclear tests by the US and USSR, which inadvertently shift the Earth's axis, leading to catastrophic climate changes.

Fact: The film was shot in black and white, but the ending was filmed twice, once in color and once in black and white, to reflect the uncertainty of the outcome.

Description: A team of roughneck oil drillers is sent into space to stop an asteroid from colliding with Earth, showcasing humanity's resilience and ingenuity in the face of cosmic disaster.

Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life NASA project to deflect asteroids. Also, it features one of the most expensive movie sets ever built for the space station scenes.

Description: When a comet is discovered on a collision course with Earth, the world must come together to try and save humanity from extinction, offering a more somber and realistic take on the apocalypse.

Fact: The film was released the same year as "Armageddon," leading to comparisons between the two. It also features a young Elijah Wood in one of his early roles.

Description: When the Earth's core stops spinning, a team of scientists and astronauts must drill to the center of the planet to restart it, preventing a global catastrophe.

Fact: The film's premise was inspired by a real scientific theory about the Earth's magnetic field. It also features a unique method of communication using music.

Description: A team of astronauts is sent to reignite the dying sun with a massive bomb, facing not only cosmic dangers but also the psychological toll of their mission.

Fact: The film was directed by Danny Boyle and features a score by John Murphy, known for its haunting track "Adagio in D Minor."

Description: Roland Emmerich's epic disaster film where the Earth's crust shifts, causing cataclysmic events, with humanity's survival hanging in the balance.

Fact: The film was criticized for its scientific inaccuracies but praised for its spectacular special effects. It also features a memorable scene with the destruction of the White House.

Description: With an asteroid set to destroy Earth, a man embarks on a road trip to find his high school sweetheart, offering a more personal and emotional take on the end of the world.

Fact: The film mixes comedy with drama, providing a unique perspective on how people might react to the end of the world. It also features a memorable soundtrack.

Description: Lars von Trier's film delves into the psychological effects of an impending planetary collision, focusing on the emotional and existential dread rather than the physical destruction.

Fact: The film features stunning visual effects, particularly in the depiction of the rogue planet Melancholia. It also won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Description: A time capsule from 1959 contains a list of disasters, leading to a race against time to prevent a solar flare from wiping out life on Earth, blending science fiction with biblical prophecy.

Fact: The film's ending was controversial, with some viewers feeling it was too bleak. It also features a cameo by the director, Alex Proyas.

Description: In this Chinese blockbuster, Earth is moved out of its orbit to avoid the sun's expansion, leading to a series of catastrophic events and a desperate struggle for survival.

Fact: It became one of the highest-grossing non-English language films of all time. The film's visual effects were praised for their scale and ambition.