12 Earthquake Movies That Will Shake You to Your Core!

Movies have long drawn inspiration from real-life natural disasters, and this trend continues as we confront increasingly frequent calamities. Subjects like floods, tsunamis, wildfires, and others remain compelling, given their recurrence in our times. In films, it’s not uncommon to see multiple interconnected disasters depicted rather than just a single event.

Earthquake-themed films are among the thrilling subjects that keep audiences hooked, as protagonists navigate through perilous situations. Filled with excitement and adventure, these movies will have you on the brink of your seat, refusing to change the channel. Here is a list of the 12 best earthquake movies ever made.

San Andreas (2015)

In simple terms, having Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, in a leading role in a movie means we’re guaranteed a thrilling two-hour journey packed with action and adventure. San Andreas refers to a town located in California where its inhabitants face an earthquake so powerful that it is swiftly labeled as the largest earthquake ever recorded.

In this scenario, pilot Ray Gaines, who specializes in rescue missions by helicopter, finds himself on a personal mission when he learns that his daughter is missing in San Francisco. His ex-wife Emma, due to unforeseen circumstances, reaches out to him for assistance. Together, they embark on an action-packed journey aimed at locating their shared child. The story unfolds as both Ray and Emma grapple with their past differences while navigating through the heart-pounding thrills of their adventure, all in the name of saving the one they cherish most deeply. This tale combines pulse-racing action sequences with deep emotional drama, illustrating the lengths these former partners must go to for the sake of family unity and love.

The Impossible (2012)

This poignant film, inspired by real-life occurrences, narrates the tale of an ordinary family – Maria, Henry, and their three children – who venture to Thailand for a Christmas getaway. Their trip initially appears idyllic, boasting a coastal villa complete with a pool to maximize relaxation. However, their tranquility is abruptly shattered as they find themselves right in the midst of one of history’s most devastating disasters. This film, hailed as one of the top disaster movies from the past decade, showcases exceptional direction and outstanding performances by Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor. A fascinating detail is that it marked Tom Holland’s cinematic debut – now well-known for his role as Spiderman.

A catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami strike the resort where Maria and Henry are vacationing, leaving them no chance to either flee or find shelter. Tragically, they become separated from each other, with one child apiece. The heart-wrenching struggle for reunification begins at this point. This film is deeply moving, and you’ll likely shed tears as you reflect on its historical basis, knowing that many people have endured similar hardships in real life.

The Quake (2018)

In the sequel to “The Wave,” which depicts a massive tsunami striking Norway three years ago, where Kristian Eikjord was hailed as a hero in Geiranger after the disaster, we find him divorced from his wife and estranged from his family. A string of peculiar occurrences will eventually convince Kristian that an enormous earthquake is imminent in Oslo.

As Kristian was trying to evacuate his wife from a potential disaster, an earthquake struck and devastated most of the capital. With another one anticipated, Kristian and his family had little time left before they needed to abandon their building. In their desperate bid for survival, they sought shelter within the city, but failed to make it outside. Miraculously, they emerged unscathed from the ordeal.

Pandora (2016)

In this movie, South Koreans deliver a thrilling tale of disaster, focusing on an earthquake that devastated a small Korean town and triggered explosions at a local nuclear power plant. For quite some time, Pyung-Sub has been employed there, so he’s not taken aback by the current state of the power plant. He had previously observed its condition before the earthquake, but his warnings to the government fell on deaf ears.

Just as with many natural disasters, people began to panic and events quickly became chaotic. In an effort to prevent a repeat of a nuclear catastrophe, Pyung-Suv and his colleagues made their way back to the nuclear power plant.

Earthquake (2016)

This story is a Russian-Armenian drama that focuses on the tragic Spitak earthquake that occurred on December 7th, 1988. Two individuals from distinctly different walks of life join forces to tackle the aftermath of this shocking catastrophe.

In order to aid and rescue those who have survived the massive earthquake, 50-year-old Konstantin Berezhnoy from Russia and 28-year-old Robert Melkonyan from Armenia must collaborate.

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Teamwork is essential between 50-year-old Russian Konstantin Berezhnoy and 28-year-old Armenian Robert Melkonyan to assist and rescue those who made it through the big earthquake.

And Life Goes On (1992)

This film is an Iranian production, based on real events, and filmed in a documentary-like manner. Following the devastating earthquake in Guilan, Iran during the 1990s that claimed more than 30,000 lives, director Kiarostami embarks on a journey to locate the actors from his earlier movie, “Where Is the Friend’s Home?”, which was also filmed in the same region.

The film follows his trip across a nation ravaged by an earthquake, aiming to examine its aftermath. Accompanied by his son, they encounter several detours before ultimately discovering a village where one of his films was previously shot. Upon arrival, they’re guided by survivors who managed to make it through, allowing him to interact with them and gain a newfound respect for their courage in carrying on with life after such a devastating event.

S.O.S. Tidal Wave (1939)

Tidal waves typically occur subsequent to an earthquake, making them a suitable addition to this list. On the other hand, the intriguing angle on political corruption in New York City unfolds through the narrative of journalist Jeff Shannon who initially intended to expose all the truth. However, his decision changed when his family faced threats.

Today marks the election, yet some power-wielding figures aim to deter citizens from voting by broadcasting the film “Deluge” across news channels, creating an illusion that a devastating flood has struck their city. However, not every individual may be swayed by what appears on TV.

Escape from L.A. (1996)

This movie is the follow-up to its widely praised predecessor, Escape from New York, and we always look forward to more escapades starring Snake Plissken. In the year 2013, the story unfolds in Los Angeles, transformed into a cursed island after a massive earthquake struck the city in 2000. The U.S. president harbors a secret plan for his metropolis, but his daughter thwarts his schemes.

In a different turn of events, instead of stealing the remote control to her father’s powerful weapon and escaping to Los Angeles Island to give it to a Peruvian rebel, Snake Plissken is presented with a chance for pardon by going to the island and retrieving the remote.

Underwater (2020)

Although the film didn’t receive numerous critical praises, it offers a unique take on earthquakes by setting the story in the future and approaching the topic from a fresh angle. The perspective has been altered to offer something new. It loosely incorporates elements from Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos as it includes some of its villains.

A gigantic, unforeseen earthquake strikes a submerged drilling facility at the deepest part of the Mariana Trench, isolating a band of researchers from human civilization. Their challenge now is to navigate their way to another station, but this won’t be simple as they’ll face numerous obstacles in their journey across the ocean. Challenges include scarcity of oxygen, immense water pressure, pitch-black depths, and potentially hazardous marine life.

Earthquake (1974)

Initially, this film about earthquakes, which later gained cult status with stars like Ava Gardner and Charlton Heston from Hollywood’s elite, might appear somewhat ordinary to us today. However, during its release, it was a massive success. The narrative unfolds around a group of individuals whose personal issues pale in comparison when a devastating earthquake strikes Los Angeles, reducing the city to rubble.

In a twist of events, construction engineer Stuart Graff, his envious spouse Remy, Denise Marshal – the woman involved in an affair with him, Remy’s father Sam, corrupt policemen Lew Slade, Jodi (a grocery store manager with questionable morals), and several other characters will find themselves in a common predicament. This unfolds as a struggle for survival following a natural event that serves as a stark reminder to them all.

Tidal Wave (2009)

Despite South Korean cinema typically excelling in thrillers and dramas, they chose to tackle a new subject for a change, producing the first disaster movie in their cinematic history. While it didn’t receive as many favorable reviews as their usual genres, it’s still a captivating film worth watching.

Professor Kim, a marine geologist, notices seismic activities beneath the East Sea resembling those preceding the mega-earthquake in the Indian Ocean that triggered a catastrophic tsunami. He warns that residents of Busan have just 10 minutes to evacuate, as a significant earthquake is imminent, followed by an enormous tidal wave.

Fear and panic ensue among a large number of people as they come to terms with the impending disaster and understand that there’s no opportunity to escape. The city experiences a monumental calamity, leaving all those affected deeply saddened by the aftermath.

Volcano (1997)

Some movies may not have initially been well-received by critics upon their release, yet they eventually gained a devoted following and are now considered cult classics. One such film is the 1997 production starring Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche as the leading actors, with Don Cheadle in a supporting role. Despite not being a movie about an earthquake itself, it deals with its aftermath, making it an essential addition to the list.

Despite an earthquake in downtown Los Angeles causing minimal damage, Mike Roark feels compelled to go to work to assist with the situation. Beneath the surface, however, something seems amiss. Seismologist May Barnes suspects a volcano could be developing underground, but she lacks sufficient proof to prompt Mike’s investigation.

As a second earthquake inflicts further destruction, there follows an unexpected volcanic eruption, with molten lava flowing along Los Angeles’ main thoroughfares, leaving devastation in its wake. However, this is not the full extent of the disaster, as Barnes comprehends that a larger eruption is yet to come.

2025-05-20 17:53