7 Best Movies About Volcanoes That You Should Watching Update 03/2024

Movies About Volcanoes

It’s no secret that Hollywood has a soft spot for elaborate productions that transport viewers to a different world and provide them access to experiences that they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to enjoy. Hollywood is unique among the world’s film industries because of the enormous potential it holds for the medium. Every time they’ve produced something, they’ve gone above and beyond their own expectations. They’ve made monster pictures that are better than anything else on the planet, catastrophe movies, war movies, historical epics, and large-scale science fiction projects. Since they have such a massive customer base that spans the globe, they have been able to do this.

The British short film ‘Fire!’ was released in 1901, and filmmakers quickly discovered that shooting disasters and showing them to an audience could be a profitable endeavor, and the practice quickly spread throughout Europe. ‘Noah’s Ark’ was the first feature-length disaster film made in the United States, and it ushered in a new era of feature-length catastrophe films that captivated an audience that had never seen anything like it before. 1933 saw the first appearance of the now-famous gorilla monster King Kong in American cinemas.

‘The Last Days of Pompeii’ by Mario Caserini and Eleuterio Rodolfi was the first natural catastrophe film to be filmed in 1913, and was directed by Mario Caserini. Ernest B. Schoedsack and Merian C. Cooper recreated the picture in the United States in 1935. Volcanoes, like tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, have long been popular subject matter for disaster films. We’ve compiled a list of the best films on volcanoes ever made. If you’re a fan of disaster movies, and you haven’t seen any of these, you should.

7. Pompeii (2014)

Pompeii (2014)

This 2014 epic, which features the legendary Kit Harrington in the lead role, tells the narrative of the infamous Vesuvius volcanic eruption in 79 AD, which devastated the Roman Empire and resulted in an unprecedented death toll. It revolves around the figure of Milo, played by Harrington, a brave gladiator in Pompeii who falls in love with the governor’s daughter Cassia while fighting as a gladiator. Milo, on the other hand, tells her that their social differences will keep them apart. The Vesuvius explodes, bringing unprecedented havoc and disaster, as Milo and Cassia battle each other for control of Pompeii. In the middle of the chaos, destruction, and uncertainty that has consumed the city, it is up to our gladiator hero to save his lady love

If you like mega-disaster movies, you’ll enjoy this one; it’s packed with plenty of action-packed scenes, but the story lacks originality and is littered with boring, poorly-written characters. However, the action sequences in this film are quite entertaining.

6. The Devil at 4 O’Clock (1961)

‘The Devil at 4 O’Clock’ is a must-see if you’ve only seen modern disaster movies with considerable use of CGI and don’t know how such films appeared before such wonderful inventions existed. Set on an island in the Pacific Ocean, the film features Frank Sinatra as a priest who has created a hospital for the island’s many children with leprosy. Harry, a convict who is assigned to work at the hospital alongside two of his companions, is played by Frank Sinatra in this film. Until a volcano on the island erupts, threatening the lives of its inhabitants, everything is serene and tranquil. With the help of the priest and a few of his close friends, Harry makes the conscious decision to do whatever it takes to save the children from certain death.

In contrast to most catastrophe films, which tend to be more spectacle-driven than narrative-driven, this one takes the human element seriously. The graphics of ‘The Devil at 4 O’Clock’ are remarkable for their period, and should be recognized here. An outstanding performance from Spencer Tracy as an intoxicated priest with a heart of gold.

5. Supervolcano (2005)

Supervolcano (2005)

The volcanic caldera in America’s famed Yellowstone National Park serves as the setting for the BBC One television movie “Supervolcano.” There was a big volcanic explosion five years prior to the film’s release, and it is via Richard Lieberman’s video camera accounts that we learn about it. After that, the story goes back in time to show how the USGS and other government agencies predicted the calamity and made preparations for it. When we learn more about the volcano, it becomes clear that any effort to mitigate its destructive power would be insignificant compared to its enormous size. Even though it is a direct-to-TV production by a television network without the resources afforded to large Hollywood production houses, the movie is surprisingly well-made.

4. When Time Ran Out (1980)

Star-studded catastrophe movie “When Time Ran Out” takes place on a South Pacific island where a resort has turned into a wealthy vacation destination. Tourists enjoy a peaceful vacation with family and friends at this beautiful resort until a volcanic eruption comes to sabotage their fun. While most guests would like to depart as quickly as possible, the hotel’s owner advises them to stay and wait for a rescue team to arrive. Others decide to take matters into their own hands and devise new means to get to safety. Big names including Paul Newman, Jacqueline Bisset, William Holden, James Franciscus, Ernest Borgnine, and Red Buttons were in this massive production, but it bombed at the box office. It is, however, a one-time viewing due to the epic size of production and the number of stars in the cast.

3. Stromboli (1950)

Stromboli (1950)

It is impossible to compare Ingrid Bergman to any other actress, because she has worked with so many outstanding filmmakers. The silver screen legend has collaborated with such masters of filmmaking as Alfred Hitchcock, Ingmar Bergman, and Roberto Rossellini. Karin, a Lithuanian exile who has taken refuge in Italy, is played by Bergman in this 1950 film. She marries an Italian soldier and moves to Stromboli, his home volcanic island, to avoid being imprisoned. Karin’s feelings of alienation in a new country and the locals’ resentment naturally cause her to feel frustrated. When we watch the volcano erupting, we feel this frustration, even though it doesn’t actually happen in the film’s storyline. The volcanic motif is used masterfully by Rossellini to convey his message in a novel way. If you’re curious about Italian neo-realist cinema, you should start with ‘Stromboli,’ which is a classic example.

2. Dante’s Peak (1997)

Filmmaker Roger Donaldson also directed Kevin Costner and Kevin Costner in the very acclaimed ‘No Way Out.’ Pierce Brosnan plays Dante. Dr. Harry Dalton (Brosnan) is a volcanologist working for the United States Geological Survey who loses his wife when a volcanic bomb falls on their vehicle. Later, Dalton travels to Dante’s Park, Washington, to look into some seismic activity that has occurred there and could be cause for alarm. In an attempt to warn the residents of the town about the possibility of a volcanic explosion, Dalton confronts those who dismiss his warnings. “Dante’s Peak,” despite its lack of critical acclaim or economic success, is one of the most realistic disaster movies ever made, and the film’s representation of scientific investigation by geologists is remarkably true. Despite the fact that the picture was made more than two decades ago, the graphics are still in excellent condition.

1. Volcano (1997)

Volcano (1997)

There was a kind of volcano movie vs volcano movie vibe created when “Dante’s Peak” and “Volcano” were released in the same year, which is why these two pictures are shown here back-to-back. Toby Lee Jones portrays Michael Roark, the head of the LAPD’s Office of Emergency Management, in this film. While on vacation, Roark learns that Los Angeles has been devastated by a big earthquake. Geologists warn that the city may be underlain by a sleeping volcano that could erupt at any time. This raises the stakes and raises the volume on the alert. Later, the city is completely demolished when the volcano erupts with devastating consequences. To rescue as many lives as possible, Roark uses all of the resources at his disposal throughout the film. The movie is a little campy, so keep that in mind as you watch it.