The 25 Best Movies Like 'San Andreas', Ranked By Fans
Vote on the movies that fans of San Andreas are sure to love.
- Photo: Volcano / 20th Century Fox116 VOTES
Volcano, directed by Mick Jackson, is a thrilling disaster film that revolves around the sudden formation of an active volcano in the heart of Los Angeles. The narrative follows Tommy Lee Jones as Mike Roark, an emergency management director who must navigate the city through this unexpected catastrophe. Anne Heche stars alongside him, playing Dr. Amy Barnes, a geologist who predicts the impending chaos. This movie stands out for its striking visual effects and its underlying theme about humans' vulnerability to natural disasters.
Similar to San Andreas, Volcano explores the chaos unleashed by a natural disaster in Los Angeles, focusing on the efforts of emergency management to navigate through the unexpected catastrophe.
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- Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures213 VOTES
In Geostorm, viewers are taken on an adventurous journey where humanity's quest to control weather backfires catastrophically when a network of satellites designed for climate control start attacking Earth. Gerard Butler plays Jake Lawson, the architect behind this satellite system who is tasked with solving the malfunction before a worldwide Geostorm wipes everything away. The film blends action with disaster elements brilliantly while subtly commenting on our relationship with technology.
Similar to San Andreas, Geostorm explores the catastrophic consequences of tampering with nature.
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- Photo: Into the Storm313 VOTES
Into the Storm, directed by Steven Quale, provides a riveting perspective on high-scale tornado disasters through found footage style filming technique. Richard Armitage shines in his role as Gary Morris, a high school vice-principal struggling to protect his sons during this deadly storm outbreak in their town Silverton. Sarah Wayne Callies also delivers an impressive performance as Allison Stone, a meteorologist tracking these storms closely. It's not just about survival; it's also about community spirit in face of adversity.
Much like San Andreas, Into the Storm immerses viewers in the thrilling intensity of extreme natural disasters.
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- Photo: The Core413 VOTES
The Core is another gripping addition to the genre of disaster films. This 2003 production portrays a team of scientists drilling into the center of Earth to restart its core rotation and save humanity from annihilation. The ensemble cast includes Aaron Eckhart as Dr. Josh Keyes, Hilary Swank as Major Rebecca Childs, and Delroy Lindo as the eccentric inventor Dr. Ed "Braz" Brazzleton. The film explores themes like human resilience and scientific innovation under extreme circumstances.
In alignment with San Andreas, The Core involves a team striving to avert global disaster.
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- Photo: Universal Pictures58 VOTES
Dante's Peak is a 1997 disaster film that explores the explosive eruption of a long-dormant volcano in the idyllic town of Dante's Peak. Pierce Brosnan stars as Harry Dalton, a USGS volcanologist who predicts this disaster, and Linda Hamilton plays Rachel Wando, the town's mayor. The film examines human denial in face of impending doom and our innate ability to survive when faced with nature's fury. This movie has left an indelible impression on pop culture by creating some iconic scenes of volcanic destruction.
Drawing parallels with San Andreas, Dante's Peak emphases the human struggle for survival in the face of impending natural calamity.
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- Photo: Deep Impact67 VOTES
The impending doom from a seven-mile-long comet sets the thrilling premise for Deep Impact. The movie features notable performances from Téa Leoni, Morgan Freeman, and Elijah Wood among others. This cinematic spectacle navigates through existential questions while also showcasing humanity's collective effort to prevent global annihilation, thus leaving a significant impact on disaster sci-fi genre.
Sharing thematic elements with San Andreas, Deep Impact explores humanity's attempts to prevent the extinction-level event and the emotional struggles of individuals facing the inevitable, providing a mix of disaster and human drama.
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- Photo: Warner Bros.722 VOTES
Twister is a whirlwind of action and suspense, centering around a team of storm chasers who are on the pursuit of the most destructive weather phenomena. Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton star as an estranged couple that must set aside their differences to create an advanced weather alert system by putting themselves in the path of violent tornadoes. The film's thrilling plot and jaw-dropping visual effects have left an indelible mark on disaster cinema.
Much like San Andreas, Twister immerses viewers in the intensity of extreme natural phenomena, showcasing the thrilling side of disaster films.
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- Photo: The Day After Tomorrow / 20th Century Fox813 VOTES
The Day After Tomorrow presents a chilling scenario where abrupt climate change plunges the world into a new Ice Age. Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhaal deliver compelling performances as father and son separated by this sudden catastrophe. Prominently featuring themes around environmental crisis, it serves as both an exciting disaster movie and thought-provoking commentary about our planet's vulnerability to climatic upheaval.
Sharing thematic elements with San Andreas, The Day After Tomorrow presents a catastrophic scenario and the toll in takes on humanity.
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- Photo: 2012919 VOTES
2012, directed by Roland Emmerich, is an action-packed roller coaster ride that imagines the end of the world based on Mayan prophecy. John Cusack stars as a struggling author caught up in this cataclysmic event along with his family. Showcasing grand-scale destruction sequences like no other, this film has become synonymous with apocalyptic imagery in popular culture.
Similar to San Andreas, 2012 follows characters attempting to survive the apocalyptic events while highlighting the epic scale of unimaginable disaster.
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- Photo: Dimension Films1010 VOTES
The Road is a chilling and thought-provoking journey into post-apocalyptic America. Based on Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film follows a father (Viggo Mortensen) and his son as they navigate through a desolate landscape, struggling to survive in what remains of the world. The movie delves deep into themes of survival, love, and hope amidst despair. It’s not just an epic disaster film but also an emotional exploration of human nature when confronted with extreme adversity.
While not a traditional disaster film, The Road aligns with San Andreas in portraying characters will to survive and exploring the human response to a transformed landscape.
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- Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures115 VOTES
Outbreak, set against the backdrop of a deadly viral infection that threatens to wipe out an entire town within days, is a chilling commentary on bio-terrorism. The film showcases Dustin Hoffman as Colonel Sam Daniels, racing against time to find a cure while fighting bureaucratic red tape. Combining elements of suspense and drama with intense performances by its ensemble cast including Rene Russo and Morgan Freeman, Outbreak has left an indelible mark on the disaster genre.
While focusing on a viral outbreak rather than geological disasters, Outbreak parallels San Andreas in its exploration of the catastrophic consequences and societal impact of a deadly event.
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- Photo: Armageddon125 VOTES
Armageddon, directed by Michael Bay, introduces audiences to an entirely different kind of catastrophe - an asteroid threatening to wipe out all life on Earth if it isn't stopped in time. An ensemble cast featuring Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, and Liv Tyler must work together to save humanity from impending doom. With its high-stakes plotline and special effects-laden action sequences, Armageddon has left a significant impact on pop culture and redefined perceptions about space-based disaster films.
Similar to San Andreas, Armageddon combines disaster elements with a high-stakes mission, emphasizing themes of heroism, sacrifice, and humanity's resilience in the face of impending doom.
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- Photo: The Andromeda Strain135 VOTES
The Andromeda Strain, based on Michael Crichton's bestselling novel, offers a unique take on disaster films. This time, the threat is microscopic - an extraterrestrial virus that could wipe out all life as we know it. The film centers around a team of scientists, including Kate Reid and Arthur Hill, who must contain and neutralize this alien pathogen before it's too late. The Andromeda Strain remains a seminal work in the genre of biohazard disaster movies, with its intriguing blend of science fiction and suspense.
Differing in scale but resonating with the disaster theme, The Andromeda Strain like San Andreas offers a new take on the disaster genre.
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- Photo: Poseidon1411 VOTES
Poseidon takes viewers on a harrowing journey aboard a capsized luxury liner where survival is uncertain. With Kurt Russell leading the ensemble cast, this film explores themes of courage, sacrifice, and human resilience amidst catastrophe. It redefines underwater disaster films with its gripping narrative and stunning depiction of chaos and desperation at sea.
Similar to San Andreas, Poseidon takes audiences on a gripping journey of survival exploring themes of courage and resilience while facing disaster.
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- Photo: Paramount Pictures1510 VOTES
War of the Worlds is an iconic disaster film, directed by Steven Spielberg and based on H.G. Wells' classic novel. The narrative follows Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise), a dock worker who struggles to protect his children when Earth comes under attack from extraterrestrial beings. The movie delves into themes of familial bonds amidst survival instincts while also exploring humanity's vulnerability in the face of interstellar threats. Its chilling portrayal of alien invasion has left an indelible mark on the genre, influencing many subsequent films.
Similar to San Andreas, War of the Worlds explores the fragile nature of society while showing the strength of family bonds in the face of disaster.
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- Photo: Contagion163 VOTES
Contagion, directed by Steven Soderbergh, offers a starkly realistic depiction of a global pandemic caused by an unknown virus. With an ensemble cast featuring Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet amongst others, it underscores themes such as public fear and misinformation during crises. Its narrative revolving around societal breakdowns due to health crisis eerily mirrors real-world events making it culturally significant.
Contagion resonates with San Andreas by delving into the catastrophic consequences and societal impact of a disastrous event.
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- Photo: ABC178 VOTES
The Day After takes viewers back down to earth with its chilling depiction of nuclear war's aftermath. Starring Jason Robards and JoBeth Williams among others, this television film explores how ordinary people cope with extraordinary circumstances when their world is forever altered by nuclear devastation. Its realistic portrayal of such horrific events had a profound societal impact at the height of Cold War tensions between America and Russia.
While not a disaster film in the traditional sense, The Day After shares thematic similarities with San Andreas by exploring the aftermath of a nuclear war. The film focuses on the impact on individuals and society, reflecting on human vulnerability and the consequences of catastrophic events.
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- Photo: Midnight Special184 VOTES
Midnight Special, though not conventionally categorized under disaster films, carries undertones that resonate with the genre. This sci-fi thriller follows Roy (Michael Shannon) trying to protect his son Alton (Jaeden Martell), who possesses extraordinary powers that could spell doom or salvation for humanity. The movie deftly combines supernatural elements with themes like parental love and sacrifice.
Midnight Special resonates with the disaster film genre by blending unpredictable elements with familial bonds, creating an engaging narrative akin to San Andreas.
- Photo: Godzilla194 VOTES
Godzilla is a colossal entry in the disaster film genre, reviving the iconic Japanese monster for a new generation. The plot centers around humanity's struggle against these gigantic creatures known as MUTOs (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organisms), with Godzilla emerging from the depths of the ocean to restore balance. Underlying themes of nature's wrath and mankind's hubris are woven into the narrative, reflecting upon our impact on Earth. The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as United States Navy EOD Technician Ford Brody, alongside Bryan Cranston as his father Joe, who obsessively seeks the truth behind a nuclear plant disaster that impacted their family.
Similar to San Andreas, Godzilla explores environmental undertones and society's response to monstrous destruction on a grand scale.
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- Photo: Hard Rain204 VOTES
Hard Rain presents disaster in the form of a relentless flood in a small town. Christian Slater stars as an armored truck driver trying to prevent thieves from getting their hands on $3 million during this natural disaster. Morgan Freeman plays the seasoned thief who won't let anything - even a flood- stop him from scoring big. This action-packed thriller maintains its suspense throughout by effectively using the weather as both backdrop and antagonist.
Hard Rain resonates with San Andreas by portraying the chaos and danger of a natural disaster.
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- Photo: Lionsgate211 VOTES
The Impossible is a heart-wrenching portrayal of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, where an idyllic holiday turns into a nightmarish struggle for survival. Starring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor as Maria and Henry, parents who are separated from their children in the aftermath of the disaster, this film explores themes of resilience, determination, and the unyielding power of familial bonds. It's a harrowing reminder of nature's wrath and human vulnerability.
Similar to San Andreas, The Impossible portrays a harrowing struggle for survival, offering a visceral experience of a natural disaster's impact on human lives.
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- Photo: Vertical Limit222 VOTES
Vertical Limit, set against the backdrop of perilous mountain terrains, takes disaster cinema to new heights. In this high-stakes drama, Peter Garrett (Chris O'Donnell) embarks on a dangerous rescue mission to save his sister trapped in a crevasse near K2's summit after an avalanche strikes their expedition team. Directed by Martin Campbell, this film captures the raw power and unpredictability of nature while highlighting human courage and resilience in dire circumstances.
Vertical Limit shares the disaster theme with San Andreas, emphasizing human strength and bravery in the face of nature's unpredictability.
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- Photo: Reign of Fire234 VOTES
In Reign of Fire, post-apocalyptic London serves as ground zero for humanity's last stand against dragons that scorched Earth. Matthew McConaughey stars as Denton Van Zan, a dragon slayer alongside Christian Bale's Quinn Abercromby, a survivalist leader. While the movie is an adrenaline-fueled spectacle of destruction, it also subtly addresses themes like hope and heroism in the face of annihilation. Its unique blend of fantasy with disaster elements has added an interesting dimension to the genre.
Reign of Fire shares thematic similarities with San Andreas by depicting a post-apocalyptic world, this time with dragons as the destructive force, adding a unique fantasy element to disaster films.
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- Photo: Rise of the Planet of the Apes / 20th Century Fox244 VOTES
An innovative take on disaster films is showcased in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. This sci-fi thriller reimagines our world overrun by intelligent apes led by Caesar (Andy Serkis), a genetically enhanced chimpanzee. Director Rupert Wyatt skillfully weaves themes around scientific ethics, animal rights, and evolution into this post-apocalyptic tale that not only challenges genre boundaries but also revolutionizes motion-capture technology in cinema.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes aligns with San Andreas in portraying a world transformed by an unforeseen event. In this case offering a unique take on the disaster genre with themes of scientific experimentation and societal upheaval.
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- Photo: Earthquake250 VOTES
Earthquake, directed by Mark Robson, is a seismic disaster film that shook the genre in 1974. The plot centers around diverse Los Angeles residents, including construction engineer Stewart Graff (Charlton Heston), grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake. The movie's groundbreaking use of Sensurround technology to simulate tremors created an immersive viewer experience, thus setting a new standard for disaster films.
Like San Andreas, Earthquake is an unforgettable disaster film, showcasing the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake and pairing epic examples of survival with personal stories.
