Prepare for a thrilling trip back to the 90s with disaster movies that still hold up. These films brought unparalleled excitement and jaw-dropping moments that are unforgettable.

The 90s delivered some of the most memorable disaster flicks, from towering tornadoes to apocalyptic scenarios. We dive into the films defining the decade and continue captivating audiences.

We’ve selected these movies for their impact and lasting appeal. Each one is a testament to the genre’s golden era, showcasing why they remain favorites among fans and why some other movies didn’t make the cut.

1 – Hard Rain (1998)

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Hard Rain features an exceptional cast (Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater, Minnie Driver, Ed Asner, and Betty White) and is the perfect combination of disaster, heist, action, and thriller genres. As the title reveals, the action goes down during a “hard rain,” so there are plenty of challenges created by flooding. One fan noted it’s an “underrated crossover between a disaster and Die Hard type movie. Morgan Freeman is the bad guy and a peak Christian Slater saves the day.”

2 – Fearless (1993)

Fearless (1993)
Image Credit: Warner Brothers.

Jeff Bridges delivers an amazing performance as a man who survives a horrific plane crash in this often-overlooked movie exploring the emotional side of a disaster. One movie fan said Fearless is “one of those movies that really evokes the epic power of a near-death experience.”

3 – Cliffhanger (1993)

Cliffhanger (1993)
Image Credit: Carolco Pictures.

Cliffhanger is an action-packed thrill ride following a group of criminals who heist and crash a U.S. Treasury plane flying through the Rocky Mountains. They depend on mountain climbers to lead them to the suitcases of cash. It stars Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, Michael Rooker, and Janine Turner.

4 – Volcano (1997)

Volcano (1997)
Image Credit: Twentieth Century Fox.

Volcano follows an Office of Emergency Management director (Tommy Lee Jones) battling the formation of a volcano at the La Brea Tar Pits. He works at diverting a dangerous lava flow through the streets of Los Angeles. It stars Anne Heche, Don Cheadle, and Keith David.

5 – Deep Impact (1998)

Deep Impact (1998)
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Deep Impact follows a NASA team attempting to destroy a mass extinction-sized comet on a collision course with Earth while the world prepares for impact. It stars Robert Duvall, Téa Leoni, Elijah Wood, and Morgan Freeman.

6 – Twister (1996)

Twister (1996)
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Universal Pictures.

Twister is a fun movie following a group of amateur but ambitious storm chasers attempting to deploy a research device into a tornado. It stars an ensemble cast, including Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Jami Gertz, Cary Elwes, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

7 – Armageddon (1998)

Armageddon (1998)
Image Credit: Touchstone Pictures.

Armageddon follows a group of deep-core drillers sent by NASA to destroy an extinction-level asteroid by drilling deep enough to set off a nuclear bomb. It stars Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Liv Tyler, Ben Affleck, Will Patton, Peter Stormare, Keith David, and Steve Buscemi.

8 – Outbreak (1995)

Outbreak (1995)
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Outbreak follows an outbreak of a fictional ebolavirus in Cedar Creek, California, and focuses on how far the government will go to contain the spread. It stars Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, Donald Sutherland, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kevin Spacey, and Patrick Dempsey.

9 – Independence Day (1996)

Independence Day (1996)
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox.

Independence Day follows an extraterrestrial invasion that threatens humanity’s extinction. The survivors calculate their defenses and coordinate a worldwide counterattack on Independence Day. It stars Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin, and Randy Quaid.

10 – Alive (1993)

Alive (1993)
Image Credit: Touchstone Pictures.

Alive is a biographical survival disaster drama detailing the Uruguayan rugby team’s crash aboard Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 into the Andes mountains on October 13, 1972. It stars Ethan Hawke, John Haymes Newton, Illeana Douglas, and Danny Nucci and is narrated by John Malkovich.

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Two tornadoes touching down
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Nature’s fury is terrifying, and tornadoes are among the most deadly natural phenomena. These 17 deadly tornadoes highlight nature’s power and the resilience of humans in the aftermath of such devastation.

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blizzard
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For preppers, understanding the power and impact of historic blizzards is key to being prepared for future winter emergencies. Each of these historic snowstorms teaches valuable lessons about resilience, planning, and survival. The more prepared we are, the better our chances of survival in an emergency scenario.

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In a world where the stability of our power grid is increasingly under threat, knowing which urban areas to avoid during a blackout is crucial for any serious prepper. And which areas to escape as quickly as possible. When you’re making your survival plans, keep in mind that these are the places you don’t want to be.


Becky is a wildlife enthusiast and pet and livestock care expert with a diploma in canine nutrition. With over a decade of experience in animal welfare, Becky lends her expertise to Simple Family Preparedness through insightful info about pets, livestock, bee keeping, and the practicalities of homesteading.