10 Best Movies About Fire That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Movies About Fire

Here are 10 of the most memorable movies about firefighters’ bravery and sacrifices, all of them are based on real-life stories.

Real-life firefighters are more valiant than most Hollywood heroes. In the real world, firemen risk their lives every day to save others, making their career ripe for excellent cinematic stories in the movies.

Many films have been created about police officers, but there aren’t enough about firefighters, whose jobs can be explosive and deadly on any given day. Many of the few movies that have been done on the issue have depicted the sacrifices firefighters make and celebrated them as true heroes—the ones who run in when everyone else is fleeing.

10. Firestorm (1998) – 4.8

Firestorm (1998)

Howie Long, a former football player who was attempting to launch a career in acting at the time, was originally slated to play the lead in Firestorm, which was originally intended for Sylvester Stallone. As a firefighter in the action flick, Long must save people from a forest fire ignited by a criminal.

It was Dean Semler’s directorial debut, although it didn’t do anything for either Semler’s or Long’s career as an actor. In spite of being the first action film to have a firefighter as a protagonist, Firestorm failed to ignite the box office.

9. The Guys (2002) – 6.4

However, The Guys is an excellent firefighting film, even if there are no deafening sirens or even any burning buildings. Audiences can, however, still gain a sense of what it means to be a member of this community. The Guys is based on the true story of a fire captain who had to write and deliver the eulogy for his fallen colleagues following the September 11th attacks.

With Sigourney Weaver as the editor who helps him put his thoughts together, The Guys is an adaptation of the Off-Broadway play. When it comes to portraying a firefighter’s personality, The Guys performs an excellent job.

8. Always (1989) – 6.4

Always (1989)

Steven Spielberg’s Always is a lesser-known and underrated version of Spencer Tracy’s A Guy Named Joe. A risk-taking aerial fireman is killed in the line of duty in the film starring Richard Dreyfuss. It’s in this form that he returns to inspire another firefighter. In the end, the new firefighter falls for Pete’s ex-girlfriend.

Only one of Spielberg’s movies with a focus on romance features Audrey Hepburn in Always, which is a small-scale, sentimental offering. It’s been eclipsed by his bigger films over the years, but it’s still a wonderful movie about the dangers firefighters face and the pain they cause those left behind.

7. Fireproof (2008) – 6.5

Originally published in 2008, Fireproof follows the story of a firefighter (Kirk Cameron) who decides to complete the 40-day love dare to better his marriage before filing for divorce. With its “never leave your lover behind” mantra, Fireproof encourages viewers to keep their loved ones close at all times.”

Fans of Fireproof lauded it as a Christian-themed film, and it was the top-earning independent film of 2008. However, many viewers thought the performance to be subpar and the themes to be a little too obvious.

6. Hellfighters (1968) – 6.6

Hellfighters (1968)

Hellfighters tells the story of a firefighter (John Wayne) who travels the world to put out oil rig fires. As a result, he and his wife are separating. When it comes to her own love life, his daughter has found someone who shares his hazardous, fire-filled lifestyle.

One of John Wayne’s lesser-known films, Hellfighters is based on a true story of an oil field firefighter. However, the disaster movie genre was born with this film, and in just a few short years, it would become enormously famous.

5. Ladder 49 (2004) – 6.5

starring John Travolta as the Captain and Joaquin Phoenix as a new hotshot firefighter, Ladder 49 depicts the ins and outs of the titular Baltimore fire company and features Phoenix. Ladder 49, in contrast to many other firefighter films, places a greater emphasis on the humanity of the firefighters and their commitment to both their families and the lives of those they save.

Ladder 49 is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in becoming a firefighter or learning more about what the job entails, from the bonds formed to the danger. Ladder 49 was a big hit at the box office after it was released to generally positive reviews.

4. Backdraft (1991) – 6.7

Backdraft (1991)

Backdraft depicts the story of two Chicago firefighters brothers (Kurt Russell and William Baldwin) who partner up with an arson investigator (Robert DeNiro) to stop a pyromaniac, inspired by the author’s own experiences as a firefighter.

Backdraft, directed by Ron Howard, is a highly entertaining film that combines compelling character studies as well as high-octane action sequences, bringing viewers closer than ever before to the raging inferno. Firefighters have expressed their displeasure with many of the film’s fire scenes, which have been widely lauded.

3. In Old Chicago (1938) – 6.8

Perhaps the most notorious fire in history is the Chicago Fire Of 1871, which claimed the lives of 300 people and caused billions of dollars worth of destruction. Mrs. O’Leary is said to have ignited the blaze after a cow knocked over a lantern in her barn.

As depicted in Old Chicago, the life and times of Mrs. O’Leary are extensively dramatized. Afterwards, the film ends with a stunning depiction of the historic fire and the ensuing battle to put it out. With its epic climax, this picture was more expensive than any previous one.

2. The Towering Inferno (1974) – 7.0

The Towering Inferno (1974)

The Towering Inferno, perhaps the most famous fire-fighting picture ever created, set the standard for disaster films. Accomplished action sequences and pioneering special effects were accompanied by a big cast of characters in a well-rounded story.

Fire chief Steve McQueen (Paul Newman) and architect Paul Newman (Steve McQueen) attempt to save the guests of an unfinished tower that has caught fire. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, for the landmark picture. To repeat the popularity that followed its release, the disaster film craze was born.

1. Only The Brave (2017) – 7.6

Only The Brave is based on the sad true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of firefighters who literally fight fire with fire. During the course of the film, a disturbed guy (Miles Teller) joins their ranks and, as a result, becomes a better person. Since 9/11, the biggest number of firefighter deaths have occurred.

In my opinion, Only The Brave is the best firefighting movie ever created. Because it doesn’t shy away from showing the human side of these incredible people, it succeeds in making audiences understand just how amazing these everyday people really are. Only The Brave was a disappointment at the box office, but thanks to home media, it has since been discovered and appreciated.