Here Are the Must-Watch Disaster Movies Streaming on Netflix

Our Editorial Policy.

Share:

Disaster movies pull us in with their high-stakes drama and jaw-dropping visuals. From earthquakes to alien invasions, these films show humanity facing the unthinkable, blending heart-pounding action with stories of courage and survival.

Netflix has a stellar lineup of these thrilling tales, perfect for a cozy night on the couch. We’ve rounded up the best disaster movies you can stream right now, each offering a unique take on chaos and resilience.

35. ‘Tides’ (2021)

35. ‘Tides’ (2021)
Constantin Film

A group of astronauts returns to a ravaged Earth to see if it’s habitable again. Storms and infertility threaten humanity’s future, and betrayal adds to the tension.

This sci-fi thriller keeps us guessing with its twists. The focus on climate-driven disasters feels eerily relevant, making it a gripping watch.

34. ‘Earthstorm’ (2022)

34. ‘Earthstorm’ (2022)
Wall to Wall

This documentary dives into real-life natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. Survivors share raw, emotional stories of facing nature’s wrath.

It’s a sobering look at the power of the planet. We’re drawn in by the human element and the stark reality of these events.

33. ‘The Wandering Earth’ (2019)

33. ‘The Wandering Earth’ (2019)
China Film Group Corporation

Earth is propelled toward a new solar system as the sun dies out. A rescue team races to fix a failing engine to save humanity.

This Chinese blockbuster blends massive visuals with family drama. It’s a bold, ambitious take on apocalyptic survival.

32. ‘7:19’ (2016)

32. ‘7:19’ (2016)
Zamora Films

Survivors are trapped in a collapsed building after a massive Mexico City earthquake. The confined setting ramps up the tension.

The film’s focus on personal struggles makes it intense. We feel every moment of their desperate fight to survive.

31. ‘ARQ’ (2016)

31. ‘ARQ’ (2016)
MXN Entertainment

A scientist is stuck in a time loop as he protects a machine that could solve an energy crisis. Attackers threaten his mission.

The tight, claustrophobic plot keeps us hooked. It’s a clever mix of sci-fi and disaster with high stakes.

30. ‘The Midnight Sky’ (2020)

30. ‘The Midnight Sky’ (2020)
Smoke House Pictures

A lone scientist tries to warn a space crew about a disaster that’s made Earth unlivable. His race against time is haunting.

George Clooney’s somber performance anchors this quiet thriller. The bleak setting and human themes hit hard.

29. ‘War of the Worlds’ (2005)

29. ‘War of the Worlds’ (2005)
Paramount Pictures

Aliens invade Earth with massive tripod machines, forcing a father to protect his kids. The destruction is relentless.

Tom Cruise delivers a tense, emotional performance. The film’s visuals and sense of dread make it unforgettable.

28. ‘Greenland’ (2020)

28. ‘Greenland’ (2020)
Riverstone Pictures

A family fights to reach a bunker as a comet threatens Earth. The chaos tests their bonds and survival instincts.

Gerard Butler leads this gritty, emotional journey. We’re glued to their desperate struggle against the odds.

27. ‘The Impossible’ (2012)

27. ‘The Impossible’ (2012)
Summit Entertainment

A family is torn apart by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Their fight to reunite is heart-wrenching and raw.

Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor shine in this true story. The realistic visuals make every wave feel real.

26. ‘Deepwater Horizon’ (2016)

26. ‘Deepwater Horizon’ (2016)
Summit Entertainment

Based on the 2010 oil rig explosion, this film follows workers battling a fiery catastrophe. The stakes are brutally high.

Mark Wahlberg and Kurt Russell ground the intense action. It’s a powerful tribute to real-life heroism.

25. ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ (2004)

25. ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ (2004)
20th Century Fox

A climatologist warns of a new ice age as extreme weather hits. His son fights to survive in a frozen New York.

Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhaal lead this chilling thriller. The massive weather effects keep us on edge.

24. ‘San Andreas’ (2015)

24. ‘San Andreas’ (2015)
Warner Bros. Pictures

A rescue pilot navigates massive earthquakes to save his family in California. The destruction is jaw-dropping.

Dwayne Johnson anchors this action-packed ride. The emotional family story adds heart to the chaos.

23. ‘Poseidon’ (2006)

23. ‘Poseidon’ (2006)
Warner Bros. Pictures

A rogue wave flips a cruise ship, trapping survivors inside. Their climb to safety is a tense, wet nightmare.

Josh Lucas and Kurt Russell drive this remake’s intensity. The claustrophobic setting amps up the suspense.

22. ‘Pandora’ (2016)

22. ‘Pandora’ (2016)
CAC Entertainment

A Korean nuclear plant faces a meltdown after an earthquake. Workers and citizens fight to stop a catastrophe.

Kim Nam-gil leads this emotional rollercoaster. The mix of action and societal critique hits hard.

21. ‘The Cloverfield Paradox’ (2018)

21. ‘The Cloverfield Paradox’ (2018)
Paramount Pictures

Astronauts testing a particle accelerator trigger a cosmic disaster. Their space station becomes a chaotic trap.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw shines in this sci-fi mess. The wild twists keep us guessing, even if it’s uneven.

20. ‘Geostorm’ (2017)

20. ‘Geostorm’ (2017)
Warner Bros. Pictures

A satellite system meant to control weather goes haywire, causing global disasters. A scientist races to fix it.

Gerard Butler brings grit to this over-the-top thriller. The massive effects make it a guilty pleasure.

19. ‘Rim of the World’ (2019)

19. ‘Rim of the World’ (2019)
Wonderland Sound and Vision

Kids at a summer camp face an alien invasion. They must team up to save the planet.

This Netflix original has ‘Stranger Things’ vibes. The young cast’s charm makes it a fun ride.

18. ‘Cargo’ (2017)

18. ‘Cargo’ (2017)
Metrol Technology

A father, infected by a zombie virus, fights to save his baby daughter. Time is running out fast.

Martin Freeman’s heartfelt performance carries this emotional tale. The zombie backdrop adds raw urgency.

17. ‘Io’ (2019)

17. ‘Io’ (2019)
Mandalay Pictures

A scientist stays on a dying Earth, hoping to save it. A visitor challenges her mission to stay.

Margaret Qualley’s quiet intensity drives this sci-fi drama. The desolate setting feels hauntingly real.

16. ‘Awake’ (2021)

16. ‘Awake’ (2021)
Entertainment One

A global event stops people from sleeping, sparking chaos. A mother fights to save her family.

Gina Rodriguez anchors this tense, unique premise. The psychological toll of sleeplessness grips us.

15. ‘Extinction’ (2018)

15. ‘Extinction’ (2018)
Good Universe

An engineer’s nightmares of an alien invasion come true. Twists reveal shocking truths about his world.

Michael Peña leads this surprising sci-fi thriller. The slow build pays off with a wild reveal.

14. ‘How It Ends’ (2018)

14. ‘How It Ends’ (2018)
Paul Schiff Productions

A man and his father-in-law cross a chaotic country to save his pregnant wife. The disaster’s cause stays mysterious.

Theo James and Forest Whitaker fuel this gritty road trip. The open-ended plot leaves us thinking.

13. ‘#Alive’ (2020)

13. ‘#Alive’ (2020)
ZIP Cinema

A gamer is trapped in his apartment during a zombie outbreak. He fights to survive with dwindling resources.

Yoo Ah-in’s desperate performance hooks us. The isolated setting makes every moment intense.

12. ‘The Wave’ (2015)

12. ‘Bølgen’ (2015)
Film Väst

A Norwegian geologist spots signs of a massive tsunami. His family’s survival hangs in the balance.

Kristoffer Joner leads this tense, realistic thriller. The small-town setting adds a personal touch.

11. ‘World War Z’ (2013)

11. ‘World War Z’ (2013)
Paramount Pictures

A former UN investigator hunts for a cure to a zombie pandemic. The global scale ramps up the stakes.

Brad Pitt drives this fast-paced horror-thriller. The zombie swarms are terrifyingly relentless.

10. ‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)

10. ‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)
Hyperobject Industries

Two astronomers try to warn the world about a comet headed for Earth. Society’s denial adds dark humor.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence shine in this satire. The sharp commentary hits close to home.

9. ‘2012’ (2009)

9. ‘2012’ (2009)
Columbia Pictures

A geologist and a writer fight to save their families as Earth faces massive natural disasters. The chaos is epic.

Chiwetel Ejiofor and John Cusack lead this Roland Emmerich spectacle. The over-the-top visuals stun us.

8. ‘Contagion’ (2011)

8. ‘Contagion’ (2011)
Warner Bros. Pictures

A deadly virus spreads worldwide, and scientists race to stop it. The realism feels chillingly close to home.

Matt Damon and Marion Cotillard anchor a stellar cast. The procedural style makes it unnervingly real.

7. ‘Bird Box’ (2018)

7. ‘Bird Box’ (2018)
Bluegrass Films

A mother navigates a world where seeing creatures drives people to suicide. She must protect her kids blindfolded.

Sandra Bullock’s intense performance carries this thriller. The unseen threat keeps us on edge.

6. ‘The Silence’ (2019)

6. ‘The Silence’ (2019)
Constantin Film

A family hides from creatures that hunt by sound after a cave unleashes them. Silence is their only defense.

Stanley Tucci and Kiernan Shipka lead this tense tale. The eerie atmosphere rivals ‘A Quiet Place.’

5. ‘Train to Busan’ (2016)

5. ‘Train to Busan’ (2016)
Next Entertainment World

A father and daughter board a train during a zombie outbreak. The tight space makes every moment brutal.

Gong Yoo’s emotional performance hits hard. The fast zombies and human drama keep us gripped.

4. ‘The Tower’ (2012)

4. ‘The Tower’ (2012)
The Tower Pictures

A skyscraper fire traps residents on Christmas Eve. A firefighter risks everything to save them.

Sol Kyung-gu leads this Korean thriller with heart. The claustrophobic chaos feels relentless.

3. ‘The Quake’ (2018)

3. ‘The Quake’ (2018)
Fantefilm

A geologist predicts another earthquake in Oslo after surviving ‘The Wave.’ His warnings go unheard.

Kristoffer Joner returns in this gripping sequel. The realistic stakes make it a nerve-wracking watch.

2. ‘Leave the World Behind’ (2023)

2. ‘Leave the World Behind’ (2023)
Esmail Corp

A vacationing family faces a mysterious blackout and strange events. The homeowners’ return adds tension.

Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali drive this unsettling drama. The ambiguity keeps us guessing.

1. ‘Titanic’ (1997)

1. ‘Titanic’ (1997)
Paramount Pictures

A love story unfolds on the doomed ship as it hits an iceberg. The tragedy’s scale is heartbreaking.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet make this epic unforgettable. James Cameron’s visuals still stun.

Which disaster movie on Netflix is your top pick, or did we miss a gem? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments