'Titanic' to 'Contagion': Hollywood's top 5 epic disaster films
Do not mess with mother nature! This is the message that spine-tingling narratives of disaster films have conveyed to audiences for years now. There's no denying that Hollywood has masterfully harnessed the art of depicting catastrophic events that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. From the iconic film Titanic to viruses-sweeping-the-world Contagion, we dive deep into the top timeless Hollywood disaster films.
'Jurassic Park' (1993)
A mention of Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park is a must when discussing disaster films. Released in 1993, the film transported viewers into a world where the resurrection of dinosaurs leads to cataclysmic consequences. The film revolves around John Hammond (Richard Attenborough)—an entrepreneur—who opens a wildlife park containing cloned dinosaurs, however, a breakdown of the security system causes the creatures to escape, causing mayhem.
'Titanic' (1997)
James Cameron's iconic 1997 film, Titanic, has secured its position not only as one of the highest-grossing films of all time but also as a masterpiece in the realm of disaster genre. Featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as ill-fated lovers—the film draws inspiration from the most famous maritime disaster in history. With groundbreaking visual effects, Titanic captured the grandeur of the disaster aptly.
'The Day After Tomorrow' (2004)
When I first saw The Day After Tomorrow—featuring Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhaal, I was left contemplative about the potentially catastrophic outcomes of human action on our planet. That's what this film is all about! The Day After Tomorrow revolves around a father and son who find themselves trapped amid environmental disasters, including freezing temperatures, colossal tidal waves, and massive storms—triggered by global warming.
'2012' (2009)
Billed as one of the most epic disasters of its time, the 2012 movie—released in 2009—is based on the myth that the earth was going to end with deadly consequences like earthquakes and floods in the year 2012. Although the film didn't meet the expectation of its genre, it was still perceived as an entertaining watch, due to the obviously fake apocalyptic prophecy.
'Contagion' (2011)
Contagion—directed by Steven Soderbergh—delves deep into the harrowing scenario of a deadly global pandemic when a "highly contagion" virus sweeps the world. Even though the film was released nearly a decade prior to the 2019's COVID-19 pandemic, the eerie similarities between the scenarios depicted are uncanny. The film's chilling portrayal of global health crises serves as a striking reminder of the importance of preparedness.
