Fascinating disaster movies that will make you think: a selection

Disaster movies are a kind of attraction for our emotions. On the one hand, they keep us in suspense, making us worry about the fate of the characters. On the other hand, they make us feel safe, because it all happens on the screen.

However, some films make us think about the real threats that humanity may face. These films raise important questions about our attitude to the world around us and our responsibility to future generations. OBOZ.UA offers a selection of films that have become legends in the world of cinema in this genre.

Titanic (1997)

This is an epic romantic drama that tells the love story of two young people against the backdrop of the tragic death of the legendary liner. The film, directed by James Cameron in 1997, was a real breakthrough in the film industry, having won many awards, including several Oscars. The main roles were played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, whose images of Jack and Rose have forever remained in the hearts of millions of viewers.

How It Ends (2018)

This is a 2018 adventure drama that combines elements of post-apocalypse and thriller. The plot centers on a young couple, Will and Sam, who are expecting their first child and face an extraordinary catastrophe. Will travels to Sam's parents to ask for her hand in marriage, but circumstances quickly change when strong seismic activity begins in the country. Flights are canceled, and the news reports blackouts in the region. Will and Sam's father, Tom, set out to find Sam, getting into a number of dangerous situations and meeting hostile people. During their journey, they face new challenges, including bandits, and lose loved ones, which adds even more drama and tension to the story.

Extinction (2018)

A sci-fi thriller starring Michael Pena. The plot focuses on Luke, an ordinary man who experiences constant nightmares about the destruction of the world. His fears become reality when aliens attack the Earth. As Luke tries to protect his family, he discovers that his nightmares are connected to real events, and he is about to discover a secret about his past that changes the course of his struggle for survival. As he fights his enemies, Luke uncovers new details of his reality and prepares for the final battle. Visual effects and tense atmosphere make this movie a typical representative of the post-apocalypse and alien invasion genre.

Mars Attacks! (1996)

A comedy-fantasy film directed by Tim Burton, which became a satellite of the popular classic science fiction films of the 50s. It is a parody of typical alien invasion stories, where a large group of Martians armed with high-tech weapons decide to take over the Earth. The film stars Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Sarah Jessica Parker and Martin Short.

The film begins with the arrival of Martians to Earth, and despite the naive perception of them as peaceful beings, the planet quickly comes under threat of destruction. The aliens turn out to be extremely aggressive and merciless, despite all the efforts of Earth's leaders to convince them of their peaceful intentions. A characteristic feature of the film is its ironic, even absurd approach to traditional science fiction themes.

Pandora (2016)

A South Korean disaster film directed and written by Park Jong-woo. The main role in the film is played by Kim Nam-gil. The plot centers on a nuclear power plant disaster that threatens the entire country. The protagonist, Jae-hyuk, works at an outdated nuclear power plant, and after a series of technical malfunctions and an earthquake that causes the reactor to overheat, he and other workers try to prevent a nuclear disaster.

The film emphasizes the characters' struggle to save lives, their efforts to overcome bureaucracy and negligence in crisis situations. "Pandora raises topical issues of safety at nuclear facilities and human willingness to sacrifice one's life to save others.

7:19 (2016)

A Mexican drama directed by Jorge Michel Grau. The film tells the story of a group of office workers trapped in the rubble after the devastating earthquake in Mexico City in 1985. Fernando, one of the protagonists, wakes up trapped under a beam with his security guard Martin, and they try to get out from under the rubble. During their struggle for survival, they face new dangers, and the radio allows them to learn about the scale of the tragedy.

The film highlights the horrific conditions in which the victims found themselves, as well as the drama of those who could not be rescued due to the failure of rescue efforts.

Poseidon (2006)

An American disaster film directed by Wolfgang Petersen, a remake of the 1972 film The Adventures of Poseidon. The plot revolves around a giant cruise ship that capsizes during the New Year's celebration due to a huge wave. Various characters are on board, including former firefighter Robert Ramsey, his daughter Jennifer and other passengers, who are trying to find a way to escape after the disaster. However, the situation is complicated when water quickly fills the decks, and all attempts to leave the sinking ship lead to new trials and losses. A group of people led by Dylan Jones tries to find a way out of the situation, despite numerous obstacles and mortal danger.

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