Here Are the Top Disaster Movies to Stream on Amazon Prime

Disaster movies pull us in with their heart-pounding action and raw human struggle. They throw us into worlds where nature or human error unleashes chaos, forcing characters to fight for survival against impossible odds. On Amazon Prime, we have a treasure trove of these films, from classics that defined the genre to modern thrillers that keep us on edge. Whether it’s a tsunami, asteroid, or viral outbreak, these stories deliver intense drama and spectacle.

This list dives into the 35 best disaster movies you can watch right now on Amazon Prime. We’ve ranked them from the bottom up, covering everything from epic blockbusters to smaller, gripping tales. Each film offers a unique take on catastrophe, blending tension, emotion, and jaw-dropping visuals. Let’s explore these cinematic disasters that make us grateful for calm days.

35. ‘The Final Storm’ (2010)

A quiet farm becomes a battleground when a mysterious storm signals the end of days. A family takes in a stranger who claims the chaos is just the beginning, sparking tension and mistrust.
The film leans on psychological thrills rather than massive effects, keeping the focus on personal survival. It’s a slow burn but builds to a chilling climax that questions faith and fate.

34. ‘Disaster Movie’ (2008)

This parody tosses every disaster trope into a blender, following a group of friends dodging asteroids, twisters, and pop culture gags. It’s chaotic, silly, and packed with cameos.
Don’t expect deep storytelling here—it’s all about absurd humor and over-the-top scenarios. If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted take on the genre, this one delivers laughs over logic.

33. ‘Aftershock’ (2012)

A massive earthquake traps a group of partygoers in Chile, but the real danger comes from a violent gang hunting them down. The gritty setting amplifies the terror.
Eli Roth’s influence brings a raw, almost horror-like edge to the disaster formula. It’s not for the faint-hearted, with intense survival scenes that hit hard.

32. ‘The Burning Sea’ (2021)

Oil rigs in the North Sea collapse when a disaster sparks fires and floods. A rescue team races to save trapped workers as the ocean itself turns deadly.
This Norwegian thriller keeps the stakes personal while showing off stunning visuals of a fiery sea. It’s a fresh take on industrial disasters with heart and grit.

31. ‘Crack in the World’ (1965)

Scientists trigger a global crisis by detonating a nuclear bomb underground, splitting the Earth’s crust. A desperate race ensues to stop the planet from shattering.
This vintage sci-fi disaster flick leans on bold ideas over flashy effects. Its retro charm and high stakes make it a hidden gem for genre fans.

30. ‘2012: Ice Age’ (2011)

A volcanic eruption in Iceland sends a glacier hurtling toward North America. A family fights to outrun the freezing chaos threatening to bury them.
Low-budget but packed with urgency, this film focuses on survival over spectacle. It’s a straightforward thrill ride for those who like their disasters icy.

29. ‘Christmas Twister’ (2012)

A small town faces a freak storm of tornadoes and volcanic eruptions during the holidays. A meteorologist leads the charge to save his community from ruin.
The festive setting adds a quirky twist to the classic disaster formula. It’s a fun, if campy, watch that embraces its wild premise.

28. ‘The Last Days of Pompeii’ (1935)

Ancient Pompeii crumbles under Mount Vesuvius’ eruption, forcing gladiators and citizens to flee. The historical setting blends drama with catastrophic destruction.
This early disaster film captures the terror of a real event with surprising intensity. Its focus on human stories makes it timeless despite its age.

27. ‘Earthquake’ (1974)

Los Angeles shakes apart as an architect juggles personal drama and a city in chaos. The groundbreaking Sensurround sound made theaters rumble back in the day.
Charlton Heston leads a star-studded cast in this 70s classic. It’s a nostalgic trip with plenty of destruction to keep you hooked.

26. ‘The Towering Inferno’ (1974)

A skyscraper’s grand opening turns deadly when a fire traps guests, including stars like Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. Firefighters battle to save them.
This film defined the 70s disaster craze with its all-star cast and tense rescues. The human cost of greed and ambition hits as hard as the flames.

25. ‘Airport’ (1970)

A Chicago airport manager faces a snowstorm, a bomb threat, and a stranded plane. Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin anchor this high-stakes drama.
The film kicked off the modern disaster genre with its mix of personal stories and chaos. It’s a gripping look at crisis management under pressure.

24. ‘The Poseidon Adventure’ (1972)

A cruise ship capsizes after a massive wave, trapping survivors inside. A small group, led by Gene Hackman, fights to escape the sinking vessel.
This classic blends faith, sacrifice, and survival in a claustrophobic setting. Its raw emotion and practical effects still hold up today.

23. ‘A Night to Remember’ (1958)

The Titanic’s tragic sinking is told with stark realism, focusing on real events and passengers’ struggles. It avoids Hollywood flair for a documentary-like feel.
Unlike flashier retellings, this film’s restraint makes the disaster feel hauntingly real. It’s a respectful nod to a historic tragedy.

22. ‘Titanic’ (1997)

James Cameron’s epic follows the Titanic’s doomed voyage through the lens of a romance between Jack and Rose. The ship’s sinking is a visual masterpiece.
Beyond the love story, the film’s detailed recreation of the disaster is breathtaking. It’s a blockbuster that balances heart and horror.

21. ‘Deepwater Horizon’ (2016)

The real-life oil rig explosion tests the courage of workers like Mark Wahlberg’s character. The film dives into the chaos and human toll of the disaster.
Its focus on real events and technical detail grounds the action. The intense visuals make you feel the weight of every explosion.

20. ‘The Wave’ (2015)

A Norwegian geologist discovers a mountain collapse that triggers a massive tsunami. His family must outrun the flood to survive.
This Scandinavian hit blends realistic science with personal drama. The small-town setting makes the disaster feel scarily close to home.

19. ‘Snakes on a Plane’ (2006)

A flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles becomes a nightmare when deadly snakes are unleashed. Samuel L. Jackson’s FBI agent leads the fight to land safely.
This cult classic leans into its wild premise with humor and thrills. It’s a disaster movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

18. ‘Volcano’ (1997)

A new volcano erupts under Los Angeles, and Tommy Lee Jones’ emergency manager races to save the city. Lava flows bring chaos to the streets.
The film’s over-the-top destruction is pure 90s fun. It’s less about realism and more about delivering a fiery spectacle.

17. ‘Dante’s Peak’ (1997)

Pierce Brosnan plays a volcanologist warning a small town about an impending eruption. He teams up with the mayor to escape the deadly ash and lava.
The film balances romance and disaster with heart-pounding escapes. Its practical effects still make the volcano feel terrifyingly real.

16. ‘The Day After’ (1983)

A nuclear war devastates a small American town, showing the grim aftermath through survivors’ eyes. It’s a chilling look at human cost.
This TV movie shook audiences with its raw depiction of nuclear fallout. It’s less about action and more about sobering reality.

15. ‘Take Shelter’ (2011)

A man’s visions of a biblical storm drive him to build a shelter, straining his family and sanity. Michael Shannon’s performance is haunting.
This quiet disaster film explores fear and mental struggle over physical destruction. It’s a slow, gripping dive into human fragility.

14. ‘It’s a Disaster’ (2012)

A group of friends at a brunch face the end of the world when a mysterious catastrophe hits. Dark humor drives their attempt to survive indoors.
This indie comedy flips the genre by keeping the action off-screen. It’s a sharp, funny take on human quirks under pressure.

13. ‘Knock at the Cabin’ (2023)

A family vacationing in a cabin is confronted by strangers demanding a sacrifice to stop the apocalypse. Dave Bautista leads the tense standoff.
M. Night Shyamalan crafts a lean, unsettling thriller with disaster as a backdrop. It’s more about moral choices than flashy effects.

12. ‘Greenland’ (2020)

A comet threatens Earth, forcing a family to race to a bunker for survival. Gerard Butler anchors this high-stakes journey.
The film mixes family drama with apocalyptic tension. Its focus on personal survival makes the global stakes hit harder.

11. ‘Contagion’ (2011)

A deadly virus spreads worldwide, and scientists like Matt Damon and Kate Winslet fight to stop it. The film’s realism is chilling.
Steven Soderbergh’s taut direction makes this pandemic thriller feel scarily plausible. It’s a stark reminder of society’s fragility.

10. ‘The Impossible’ (2012)

A family vacation in Thailand turns catastrophic when a tsunami strikes. Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor star in this true-story survival tale.
The film’s raw depiction of the 2004 tsunami is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Its focus on family bonds elevates the drama.

9. ‘Geostorm’ (2017)

A climate-control satellite goes haywire, unleashing deadly storms. Gerard Butler leads a team to fix it before Earth is destroyed.
This sci-fi disaster flick leans on big effects and wild weather. It’s a fun, if far-fetched, ride for fans of global chaos.

8. ‘Deep Impact’ (1998)

A comet is on a collision course with Earth, and humanity scrambles to survive. The film follows both scientists and everyday people.
More somber than its rival ‘Armageddon,’ this movie leans on emotional weight. Its realistic tone makes the stakes feel massive.

7. ‘Armageddon’ (1998)

Bruce Willis leads a team of drillers sent to nuke an asteroid before it wipes out Earth. Michael Bay’s direction is pure chaos.
This blockbuster is cheesy but lovable, with epic action and heart. It’s the ultimate disaster movie for fans of excess.

6. ‘Twister’ (1996)

Storm chasers, led by Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, risk everything to study a massive tornado. The race for data turns deadly.
The film’s groundbreaking effects still thrill, capturing nature’s raw power. It’s a classic that defined the genre for a generation.

5. ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ (2004)

A superstorm triggers global disasters, and Dennis Quaid’s climatologist braves the chaos to save his son. The climate crisis feels urgent.
Roland Emmerich’s spectacle delivers jaw-dropping visuals and family drama. It’s a warning wrapped in blockbuster thrills.

4. ‘2012’ (2009)

Earth’s core destabilizes, sparking massive quakes and tsunamis. John Cusack’s writer fights to get his family to safety.
This over-the-top epic from Roland Emmerich piles on the destruction. It’s pure adrenaline for fans of apocalyptic stakes.

3. ‘San Andreas’ (2015)

A massive earthquake rocks California, and Dwayne Johnson’s rescue pilot fights to save his family. The destruction is relentless.
The film’s scale and heart-pounding action make it a modern standout. It’s a love letter to disaster fans who crave chaos.

2. ‘Gravity’ (2013)

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are astronauts stranded in space after debris destroys their shuttle. Every moment is a fight for survival.
Alfonso Cuarón’s visuals and tense pacing create a suffocating thriller. It’s a disaster movie that feels intimate yet cosmic.

1. ‘This Is the End’ (2013)

An apocalyptic earthquake hits Los Angeles, trapping celebrities like Seth Rogen and James Franco in a comedic fight for survival.
This hilarious take on the end of the world blends disaster with absurd humor. It’s a wild, star-studded ride that tops the list.

Which disaster movie gets your heart racing, or did we miss a must-watch gem? Drop your picks in the comments!