(DML Top 20 Lists - Action Disaster Films ranked)

Honorable Mention

Daylight (1996), Director: Rob Cohen, rated PG-13

No air. No escape. No time.

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Amy Brenneman, Viggo Mortensen, Dan Hedaya, Jay O. Sanders, Karen Young, Claire Bloom, Renoly Santiago

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"You know what, I don't know anything. But, we're not going to make it another hour unless I shut this thing down." – Kit Latura

Why watch this? This mini-disaster film is large on action as the noble Stallone works to save people trapped in a flooded tunnel under the Hudson.

Plot Summary: An explosion collapses both ends of an underwater vehicular tunnel, trapping a diverse group of survivors inside. A disgraced former rescue chief, Kit Latura, is the best option to find a way to navigate the treacherous, damaged tunnel to lead the survivors to safety. They must face rising water, collapsing structures, and a dwindling air supply, all while attempting to find a way out.

Dad's Preview: This is straight-forward, vintage Stallone, as the lone specialist, selflessly willing to to risk his life on a long-shot to save the trapped survivors. Time is running out as the water is rising. I simply love Stallone saving people - there, I said it - it's like therapy for me. Look for a young Viggo Mortenson as the cocky climbing-expert, who is too smart for his own good.

Davis Entertainment; Universal Pictures

#20 Top

Airport 1975 (1974), Director: Jack Smight, rated PG for scary scenes

"Something hit us... The crew is dead... Help us, please, please help us!"

Starring: Charlton Heston, Karen Black, George Kennedy, Gloria Swanson, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Sid Caesar, Linda Blair, Dana Andrews, Myrna Loy

DML Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ - above average

"No, not much...there's just a hole where the pilots usually sit." - Joe Patroni, when asked to visually assess the airplane's damage

Why watch this? Chuck Heston simply adds legitimacy that makes these disaster movies believable.

Plot Summary: A Boeing 747 suffers a mid-air collision, incapacitating the cockpit crew. A flight attendant must take control of the aircraft, guided by a pilot on the ground. There, however, is no way to land the plane, unless they can somehow get a pilot through the cockpit's gaping hole.

Dad's Preview: This is the best of the "Airport" films. Why? They put Charlton Heston and George Kennedy on the mission! As is the case with disaster films, there are usually two sub-plots at play: the fixing of the problem, and the interactions of the innocent folks involved in something they would rather bypass. The latter can get a little silly. This film, however, genuinely feels more realistic. There are also some thrilling sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

William Frye; Universal Pictures

#19 Top

Don't Look Up (2021), Director: Adam McKay, rated R for language, nudity, drug use

Based on Truly Possible Events.

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Tyler Perry, Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, Kid Cudi, Melanie Lynskey

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Look I'm just like all of you. I hope to God, I hope to... God that this president knows what she's doing. I hope she's got us all taken care of, but the truth is... I think, this whole administration, has completely. Lost. Their f'ing mind!" - Dr. Randall Mindy

Why watch this? Sci-fi satire at its nastiest. A comet comes. A government ignores.

Plot Summary: Two astronomers discover a massive comet on a direct collision course with Earth and must embark on a media tour to warn a distracted humanity of the impending apocalypse. Despite presenting undeniable evidence to the President and the public, their urgent findings are met with indifference, political apathy, and sensationalist media cycles. As the comet approaches, the duo struggles against a culture that prefers to ignore the truth rather than take action to save themselves.

Dad's Preview: On my second watch, I enjoyed this disaster film a lot more. Perhaps the first viewing was too disturbing... which, damn, this movie is that. I am now able to appreciate the dark humor that exists in many scenes: the power-hungry, manipulative President; the fake, quasi-femme-fatale News Anchor; the brilliant tech mogul who secretly knows he's is full of crap. As the threat of the comet heightens, the various characters drop the charades and become who they really are. However, the human race, as it unfortunately always does, ignores the truth and is responsible for its own destruction. There is a great cast here, all giving wonderful performances, but still, in the end, it leaves me disturbed.

Hyperobject Industries, Bluegrass Films;
Netflix

#18 Top

Flight (2012), Director: Robert Zemeckis, Rated R for drug use, language, intense action

Some miracles are not what they seem.

Starring: Denzel Washington, Nadine Velazquez, Don Cheadle, John Goodman, Carter Cabassa, Adam C. Edwards, Tamara Tunie, Kelly Reilly

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Hey, don't tell me how to lie about my drinking, okay? I know how to lie about my drinking. I've been lying about my drinking my whole life." - Whip Whitaker

Why watch this? Captain Whitaker is a complex man, with both demons and heroics within him.

Plot Summary: An airline pilot miraculously crash-lands a malfunctioning plane, saving most of the passengers onboard. He's hailed a hero, but an investigation into the incident reveals troubling information about his conduct during the flight. This leads to a personal battle with addiction and the potential repercussions of his actions that could cost him everything.

Dad's Preview: Denzel portrays an alcoholic airline pilot, Whip Whitaker, who miraculously crash-lands his plane after a mechanical failure, saving nearly everyone on board. As investigators uncover unsavory things about his life, his heroism is called into question. Denzel's performance is one of his best, and the crash scenes are harrowing to watch. Once again Don Cheadle, as calm and cool as can be, lends his considerable talents as Whip's honest attorney.

Parkes+, MacDonald Image Nation,
ImageMovers; Paramount Pictures

#17 Top

The Stand (1994), Director: Mick Garris, Not rated (Dad's guess PG-13)

The end of the world is just the beginning.

Starring: Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Jamey Sheridan, Laura San Giacomo, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Miguel Ferrer, Adam Storke, Ray Walston, Rob Lowe, Bill Fagerbakke, Matt Frewer, Corin Nemec, Ed Harris

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"The man in the desert is Flagg, and I think he's crucifying anyone who gets in his way." – Sue Redman

Why watch this? ... it's a very interesting, and scary, post-apocalyptic epic.

Plot Summary: Following a devastating global plague that wipes out most of humanity, the remaining survivors begin experiencing psychic visions. These dreams guide them to one of two opposing figures: the benevolent Mother Abagail or the malevolent Randall Flagg. As these two factions gather in their respective locations, an inevitable confrontation looms, forcing a final showdown between good and evil for the future of the human race.

Dad's Preview: Adapting Stephen King's beloved novel was no small task. This limited-series (as opposed to the 2022 effort) succeeds on many levels, though it's not perfect. A government-created super-flu escapes containment and wipes out humanity. Those immune are left to survive in a decaying landscape of the dead. Half are drawn to an old, black lady singing hymns. The rest to the dark man (King's personification of evil is often "the walking dude") in Vegas. Early on, we are illuminated to the fact that is the battle of good vs. evil, and we wonder, "Can common folks ever overcome the devil's work? The actors are superb, as is its bluesy soundtrack. The vibe is creepy, but there are nice moments, too. It's worth your time despite and under-achieving ending (All it needed was better special effects back in 1994).

Laurel Ent., DawnField Ent., Greengrass
Prod.; ABC

#16 Top

Twister (1996), Director: Jan de Bont, Rated PG-13

Don't breathe. Don't Look Back. The Dark Side of Nature.

Starring: Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Cary Elwes, Jami Gertz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Lois Smith, Alan Ruck, Sean Whalen, Scott Thomson, Todd Field

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"I gotta go Julia, we got cows." – Melissa

Why watch this? Tornados. This film gives quite an education on nature's most unpredictable phenomenon.

Plot Summary: Dr. Jo Harding, haunted by a childhood tragedy involving a tornado, leads a team of storm chasers hoping to deploy a revolutionary sensor array called "Dorothy" into the heart of a powerful twister. Her estranged husband, Bill, a former storm chaser himself, reluctantly joins the team to ensure Dorothy's successful deployment, as a record-breaking storm system sweeps across Texas and Oklahoma.

Dad's Preview: Tornados hit Texas quite often, and I know first-hand, they can be devastating. I weathered one up close... and that was enough for a lifetime. This film follows a group of highly intellectual and intuitive "storm chasers" during a weather event causing several tornados in rural Kansas. They encounter three very different tornados. It's a lot of excitement as the chasers pursue the funnels, only to narrowly escape. The squabbling and chemistry between Paxton and Hunt is very engaging, as their personal past keeps bubbling out. You can't miss a young Philip Seymour Hoffman in his dorky red ballcap.

Universal Pictures, Amblin Ent.;
Warner Bros.

#15 Top

The Towering Inferno (1974), Director: John Guillermin, rated PG

One Tiny Spark Becomes a Night of Blazing Suspense

Starring: Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, Susan Blakely, Richard Chamberlain, Jennifer Jones, O. J. Simpson, Robert Vaughn, Robert Wagner

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Now you know there's no sure way for us to fight a fire in anything over the 7th floor. But you guys just keep building them as high as you can." - Chief O'Hallorhan

Why watch this? This is a harrowing flick, chock full of both terrible and heroic moments.

Plot Summary: Set in San Francisco, the film depicts a catastrophic fire erupting in the world's tallest skyscraper during its grand opening celebration. The architect and a fire chief lead efforts to rescue the trapped partygoers, facing immense challenges as the blaze intensifies. The disaster is ultimately attributed to cost-cutting measures by the building's contractor, highlighting themes of corporate greed and heroism in the face of peril.

Dad's Preview: 70's disaster films usually featured current hot actors. This film is no exception, built on three megastars in Paul Newman, Faye Dunaway and Steve McQueen. Then you backfill the large supporting cast with aging stars (many of whom will courageously succumb one at a time for dramatic effect). Here a skyscraper is burning. As the flames grow and move upward, the situation gets more and more grim. There are some thrilling sequences as firemen battle the blaze, and a daring rescue takes place. The ever cool Steve McQueen steals the film as the stern, determined Fire Chief O'Hallorhan.

Warner Bros., Irwin Allen Productions;
20th Century Fox

#14 Top

Sully (2016), Director: Clint Eastwood, rated PG-13

The untold story behind the miracle on the Hudson

Starring: Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, Valerie Mahaffey, Delphi Harrington, Mike O'Malley, Jamey Sheridan, Anna Gunn

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"This was dual engine loss at 2800 feet followed by immediate water landing with 155 souls on board. No one has ever trained for an incident like that. No one." - Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger

Why watch this? Often heroism goes unnoticed when it's ordinary people doing their jobs.

Plot Summary: After birds destroy his plane's engines shortly after takeoff, pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger makes a difficult decision to perform an emergency water landing on the Hudson River. The successful maneuver saves all 155 passengers and crew, making Sully a hero in the public's eyes. However, an investigation follows, scrutinizing his actions and potentially jeopardizing his career and reputation.

Dad's Preview: Thanks to a tsunami wave of super-hero films, the definition of the word hero is a bit skewed for folks. This film focus is airline captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberg, whose flight departing NYC was struck by birds mere seconds after takeoff. He quickly made the decision to land in the Hudson river. Nobody died, but the FAA was convinced he could have landed at nearby Teterboro airport. This amazing film will help you understand true heroism in the most understated, yet powerful, manner. Once again, Tom Hanks proves he's the man.

Village Roadshow Pictures, Ratpac-Dune Ent.,
Flashlight Films, The Kennedy/Marshall Co.,
Malpaso Prod., Orange Corp; Warner Bros.

#13 Top

The Abyss (1989), Director: James Cameron, rated PG-13 for violence, language

A place on earth more awesome than anywhere in space.

Starring: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester, Todd Graff, Kimberly Scott, Chris Elliott

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We all see what we want to see. Coffey looks and he sees Russians. He sees hate and fear. You have to look with better eyes than that." - Lindsey Brigman

Why watch this? The scene where Lindsey drowns is UNFORGETTABLE!

Plot Summary: A civilian ocean drilling team is enlisted to search for a lost nuclear submarine in the deep sea, encountering dangerous situations along the way. As they investigate, they discover the potential for something unexpected and possibly non-terrestrial life. The team must confront a group of gung-ho Navy Seals, while discovering more about the mysterious presence.

Dad's Preview: Most of this film is ten-star potential. It sports an talented director, engaging plot, top-notch action, incredible special effects, and wonderful performance by an all-star cast. For two hours it's Oscar worthy... then the ending occurs - what the hell? I guess nobody had the guts to tell James Cameron that it all but ruins the film. I would have! My alternate ending: Return the drilling crew to the surface, without any proof of what occurred below - leave it shrouded in mystery... but hey, nobody asked me.

Gale Anne Hurd; 20th Century Fox

#12 Top

Airplane! (1980), Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, rated PG for language, suggestive humor

What's slower than a speeding bullet, and able to hit tall buildings at a single bound?

Starring: Robert Hayes, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Stephen Stucker, Barbara Billingsley

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"There's no reason to become alarmed, and we hope you'll enjoy the rest of your flight. By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?" - cabin announcement by Head Flight Attendant Elaine Dickinson

Why watch this? A superb comedy if you just want to laugh and not have to think.

Plot Summary: (as if the plot matters...) When the crew and passengers of a commercial flight fall victim to severe food poisoning, a former fighter pilot, who is afraid of flying, must step up to the challenge. With the help of a gruff air-traffic controller and his old commander, he faces his fears and attempts to land the plane safely. He navigates difficult weather and personal trauma to ensure the lives of everyone on board.

Dad's Preview: "Surely, you must love this film?"... "I do... and please don't call me Shirley". This is the spoof of all film spoofs, taking aim at the lauded Airport film franchise. It's a series of absurd situations, snappy one-liners, and it is ALL hilarious! You'll find something you like amid all the segments, be it a sex-craved inflatable autopilot, the ding-bat stewardess, or the airport control tower loaded with morons and drug-addicts.

Howard W. Koch Productions;
Paramount Pictures

#11 Top

Deep Impact (1998), Director: Mimi Leder, rated PG-13 for disaster elements

Oceans rise. Cities fall. Hope survives.

Starring: Robert Duvall, Téa Leoni, Elijah Wood, Robert Duvall, Venessa Redgrave, Morgan Freeman, Maximillian Schell, Rya Kihlstedt, James Cromwell, Jon Favreau

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Well, look on the bright side. We'll all have high schools named after us." - Astronaut Andrea Baker

Why watch this? This rich film has heart, even in the midst of an epic disaster.

Plot Summary: This science fiction disaster film centers on humanity's response to the discovery of a massive comet on a collision course with Earth. A team of astronauts embarks on a desperate mission to attempt to destroy the comet, while on Earth, individuals and governments grapple with the implications of a potential extinction-level event.

Dad's Preview: 1998 welcomed two flicks about a comet heading for Earth. Mere months before came Armageddon (1998), however, I prefer this film. This story focuses more on how humanity would be impacted, if God forbid, an event like this ever occurs. Both films send shuttle teams into space to blow up the oncoming comet. Here, the shuttle crew, led by the dependable Robert Duvall, is more realistic, less flashy, and I find that to be more heroic.

DreamWorks Pict, Amblin Ent., The Manhattan
Project, Zanuck/Brown Prod.; Paramount Pics

#10 Top

Earthquake (1974), Director: Mark Robson, rated PG

When the big one finally hits L.A.

Starring: Charlton Heston, George Kennedy, Ava Gardner, Lorne Greene, Geneviève Bujold, Richard Roundtree, Marjoe Gortner, Victoria Principal

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"I think there are still people alive down there and I want to get them out!" - Stewart Graff

Why watch this? Heston in the middle of a huge disaster... He's the perfect man-of-action I want in charge.

Plot Summary: The people of Los Angeles find their lives disrupted and thrown into chaos by a catastrophic earthquake. Among them are an architect dealing with marital problems and a new romance, a suspended police officer, and a seismologist predicting further disasters. The film follows their struggles for survival amidst the destruction and their interwoven stories as they attempt to cope with the aftermath of the quake.

Dad's Preview: I love well-done disaster films. I'm also a huge Chuck Heston fan, so this epic, filmed in Sensurround (the theater actually shook during the quake sequences), blew me away. As a determined kid, I saw it in theaters over ten times. What the film does well is fully develops its characters. It also realistically depicts a massive quake in a very crowded city. Who will survive the initial disaster and the aftershocks to follow? For its time, the effects were pretty darn good. I still cringe when the truckload of cattle careens off the collapsing overpass bridge. Dang!

The Filmmakers Group; Universal Pictures

#9 Top

Godzilla Minus One (2023), Director: Takashi Yamazaki, rated PG-13

Postwar Japan. From zero to minus.

Starring: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetake Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Sae Nagatani, Miou Tanaka, Kisuke Iida

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"That's why this time I'd take pride in a citizen led effort that sacrifices no lives at all! This next battle is not one waged to the death, but a battle to live for the future." - Kenji Noda

Why watch this? On Godzilla's 70th anniversary, he won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. Way to go, Big G!

Plot Summary: In 1945, kamikaze pilot Shikishima watches as his entire garrison is wiped out by a monster of incredible size. This leaves him with survivor's guilt and PTSD. When he returns home, he learns his parents were killed in the bombing of Tokyo. While mourning, he takes in a woman and orphan child. To get by, he also signs on as a minesweeper. The monster, now known as Godzilla, has mutated (thanks to US nuclear tests) to be much larger. The Japanese Navy deploys Shikashima's boat to lay mines and hopefully deter the beast's onslaught of mainland Japan.

Dad's Preview: As compared to films of this same ilk, Minus One stands out for two reasons: 1) the plot is leagues richer than usual, and 2) the monster visual effects are out of this world! This version of Godzilla is much like the original film (Godzilla 1954). He's angry, murderously destructive, and all but indestructible. In fact, his wounds heal instantaneously. We more than feel for the lead characters as they wage war against their internal demons, while trying to stop the chaos caused by nature's deadliest mutation.

Robot Communications; Toho Co. Ltd.

#8 Top

28 Days Later (2002), Director: Danny Boyle, rated R for language, nudity, strong violence

His fear began when he woke up alone. His terror began when he realised he wasn't.

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Megan Burns, Christopher Eccleston, Noah Huntley, Stuart McQuarrie, Ricci Harnett, Leo Bill, Luke Mably, Junior Laniyan, Ray Panthaki

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Right from the beginning you knew this was different, because it was happening in small villages, market towns, and then, it wasn't on the TV any more. It was in the street outside. It was coming through your windows. It was a virus, an infection. You didn't need a doctor to tell you that. It was the blood. There was something in the blood." – Selena

Why watch this? It starts out pretty bleak, yet tensely builds to a great ending.

Plot Summary: An bicycle courier awakens from a coma to discover a deserted, post-apocalyptic London, its population decimated by a contagious "Rage" virus. He soon finds a small group of survivors, but their desperate journey for sanctuary reveals that the true horror may come from the surviving humans luring them into their military compound.

Dad's Preview: As hard as it may be to believe, this is the first zombie film to feature fast-moving zombies, and the impact is quite terrifying. However, this well-done feature gives the audience heart-stopping suspense sandwiched between genuine moments of character-building. The two leads, Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris, are wonderful. Irish actor Brendan Gleeson also renders a great supporting performance. One mildly predicable arc was the encounter with human survivors who (of course) are more dangerous than the zombies. How the film deals with that is bloody satisfying. 28 Days Later, I must say, kicks some serious zombie ass.

DNA Films, Film Council; Fox Searchlight Pics

#7 Top

Independence Day (1996), Director: Roland Emmerich, rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

The question of whether or not we are alone in the universe has been answered.

Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Randy Quaid, Robert Loggia, Margaret Colin, James Rebhorn, Harvey Fierstein

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution, but from annihilation." - President Whitmore

Why watch this? The best alien invasion/action thriller ever!

Plot Summary: Large, mysterious alien spacecraft arrive on Earth and position themselves over major cities, initially causing wonder which swiftly turns to terror as they unleash destructive attacks. Humanity's attempts to counter the invaders' superior technology initially fail, forcing a desperate fight for survival and unity among a diverse group of individuals, including the President, a scientist, and a fighter pilot. This unlikely group must devise a plan to overcome the seemingly unstoppable alien threat.

Dad's Preview: All reservations I had about Will Smith quickly evaporated watching this exciting action flick. He's the perfect fighter pilot with lots of sass and determination. One by one we are introduced to the characters as the invasion tension ramps up. When it finally occurs, it's a cinema spectacle right up there with War of the Worlds (1953). Earth scrambles a desperate team to find a way to defeat the alien attacking force. Can they find a way to stop ships and weapons that out-match humanities best?

Centropolis Ent.; 20th Century Fox

#6 Top

Godzilla (1954), Director: Ishirō Honda, Not Rated (Dad's guess: PG)

Godzilla, a weapon of science, a great battle of wonder and terror!

Starring: Akira Takarada, Momoko Kōchi, Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura, Fuyuki Marakami, Sachio Sakai, Toranosuke Ogawa

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"It's impossible! Godzilla absorbed massive amounts of atomic radiation and yet it still survived! What do you think could kill it?" – Dr. Kyohei Yamane, Raymond Burr (American version)

Why watch this? ... this is the OG Godzilla - a superb and symbolic film about the cost of destructive science.

Plot Summary: An investigation into a series of mysterious ship disappearances leads to the discovery of a giant, irradiated monster named Godzilla, awakened by atomic bomb testing. This monstrous creature emerges from the sea, causing widespread devastation and panic as it lays waste to Japan. Faced with an unstoppable force, a scientist wrestles with the moral dilemma of deploying a potentially even more dangerous weapon to stop Godzilla's reign of terror.

Dad's Preview: More than any country, Japan felt the full brunt of American war-power when two atomic bombs destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Najasaski. Ten years later, this film displays the traumatic mental effect those events had on Japan as a nation. The menacing monster, Gojira, is a symbol of mankind's horrible decision to embrace a weapon so devastating. This film classic still has a powerful impact today.

(Note: for those over the age of 40, OG stands for Original Gansta, and, per my kids, it's a compliment.)

Tomoyuki Tanaka; Toho Co. Ltd.

#5 Top

Apollo 13 (1995), Director: Ron Howard, rated PG

Houston, we have a problem.

Starring: Tom Hanks, Ed Harris, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Kathleen Quinlan, Chris Ellis, Joe Spano, Marc McClure, Xander Berkeley

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"We've never lost an American in space, we're sure as hell not gonna lose one on my watch! Failure is not an option." - Gene Kranz

Why watch this? It's important history, and so well done. I love that combo.

Plot Summary: Astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert facing a severe crisis when their spacecraft is crippled by an explosion en route to the moon. This incident forces NASA's mission control to abort the scheduled moon landing and work tirelessly to bring the crew back home. Faced with dwindling resources and technical challenges, the astronauts and the ground crew must rely on their ingenuity and teamwork to overcome the perilous situation and ensure their survival.

Dad's Preview: This is an extraordinary telling of a true event that narrowly escaped a horrible catastrophe. As astronauts and ground technicians face the missions issues, it becomes a case study in ingenuity where necessity becomes the "mother of invention". The all-star cast shines, and Ed Harris, as Flight Director Gene Kranz, is memorable as the man in charge of the mission who will not allow failure to occur.

Imagine Entertainment; Universal Pictures

#4 Top

The Impossible (2012), Director: J. A. Bayona, rated R language, intense disaster footage

In 2004, a devastating tsunami hit southeast Asia. This is one family's true story of survival.

Starring: Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Oaklee Pendergast, Samuel Joslin, Marta Etura, Sönke Möhring

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Lucas, look at this place. They're so busy in here. You get to go and do something. Go help people. You're good at it." - Maria Bennett, to her son Lucas after they reach the hospital

Why watch this? ... the tsunami, as it smashes into the resort, is harrowing footage.

Plot Summary: Maria, Henry, and their three sons take a Christmas vacation to Thailand. Unfortunately, that is interrupted by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The family is separated in the chaos and devastation, forcing them to fight for survival and desperately search for each other amidst the aftermath.

Dad's Preview: During the actual event, I was glued to the news and watched all the footage - the tsunami killed tens of thousands of people. This film is intense to say the least. The scenes of the killer waves are incredibly shot, with well-done, realistic effects. In such a disaster film, it is hard to find anything cheery, but there are some very uplifting moments, as victims pull together to get people to safety and medical treatment. Look for a young Tom Holland in his major film debut.

Apaches Ent., Telecinco Cinema;
Warner Bros.

#3 Top

Chernobyl (2019), Director: Johan Renck, Rated TV-MA

What is the cost of lies?

Starring: Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Adam Nagaitis, Emily Watson, Paul Ritter, Robert Emms, Sam Troughton, Karl Davies, Michael Socha

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"The truth doesn't care about our needs or wants, it doesn't care about our governments, our ideologies, our religions. It will lie in wait for all time. And this, at last, is the gift of Chernobyl. Where I once would fear the cost of truth, now I only ask: What is the cost of lies?" - Valery Legasov

Why watch this? This incredible mini-series realistically explores one of the world's most terrifying disasters.

Plot Summary: Initially, the story details the event itself, and the aftermath, as clean-up crews quickly descend upon the smoldering reactor. Workers and civilians are immediately exposed to lethal doses of radiation. It's gut-wrenching. The Soviet government sends in renown chemist, Valery Legasov, and deputy chairman, Boris Shcherbina, to assess (and deal with) the situation. This historically-accurate accounting leads to the final episode that explains exactly what caused the explosion and immediate meltdown.

Dad's Preview: This highly-acclaimed mini-series was nominated for 19 Emmys, winning Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Writing. It is incredibly well-down and completely engrossing. There are several stellar performances in Stellan Skarsgård, Watson, and especially Jared Harris - there is a quiet strength to him. We have several nuclear plants inside U.S. our borders and this should serve as a cautionary tale on the very real dangers of improper nuclear facility oversight.

Sky UK, Sister Pictures, The Mighty Mint,
Word Games; HBO

#2 Top

Titanic (1997), Director: James Cameron, rated PG-13 for intense situations/deaths

She was heralded as unsinkable...

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, David Warner

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"The press knows the size of Titanic, now I want them to marvel at her speed, too. We must give them something new to print. And the maiden voyage of Titanic must make headlines!" – I. Bruce Ismay

Why watch this? A truly epic telling of the greatest maritime disaster.

Plot Summary: A young, upper-class lady, Rose DeWitt Bukater, feels trapped by her engagement to a wealthy but controlling man, Cal. Aboard the luxurious RMS Titanic, she meets Jack Dawson, a free-spirited artist traveling in third class. Despite their stark class differences and Rose's engagement, they fall deeply in love. However, their romance unfolds against the backdrop of the ship's fateful maiden voyage and the impending disaster that will forever change their lives.

Dad's Preview: I've always found sea disasters interesting to research. What went wrong? Could it have been prevented? The story of R.M.S. Titanic is an exercise in man's hubris. For god's sake they called her "Unsinkable", before she had sailed a single league. The film, its cinematography and effects are very well done. Even the fictional love story is engaging. As horrible as it was, the actual sinking, which takes quite a while, is remarkable to witness on the big screen, and I loved every minute of it.

20th Century Fox, Lightstorm Ent.;
Paramount Pictures

#1 Top

The Poseidon Adventure (1972), Director: Ronald Neame, rated PG

Who will survive - in one of the greatest escape adventures ever!

Starring: Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, Carol Lynley, Shelley Winters, Roddy McDowall, Stella Stevens, Jack Albertson, Pamela Sue Martin, Arthur O'Connell, Eric Shea, Leslie Nielsen, Fred Sadoff

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 100 #97 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The Poseidon Adventure

"We're cut off from the rest of the world. They can't get to us. Maybe we can get to them. You've said enough, now get out of the way." - Rev. Frank Scott

Why watch this? This is the great disaster film by which all others should be compared.

Plot Summary: A cruise ship is hit by a huge rogue wave and capsizes, still afloat, yet upside down. A small group of cruise passengers, led by a determined, plain-spoken preacher, work their way through the badly damaged ship, en route to the inverted hull, where (thanks to a very informed ten-year-old boy) the hull is only one inch thick. The dead and burnt litter their path, and we sense that not everyone will survive their perilous journey.

Dad's Preview: This disaster classic feels completely real as we follows these ordinary folks in a dire, uncertain situation. The trick in these films is to interweave dangerous obstacles, without having it appear too contrived. This was producer, Irwin Allen's, superpower. It also helps that an incredible cast was assembled. I will single out Hackman as the tough, fiery preacher; Ernest Borgnine, as the grumpy, complaining NYC cop; and Shelly Winters, as a Jewish woman too heavy to even be on the journey, but she has her moment, and man, it's a great one. Folks, this is how great action films were done before CGI came along and all but ruined character development.

Irwin Allen, Kent Productions, Ltd.;
20th Century Fox