Home > Risks Management and Insurance Magazine > Articles > Movies and natural disasters

Movies and natural disasters

Cristina Leon Vera | 16/05/2024

If you’re a movie buff, you might share the view that movies have been a powerful means of exploring human fragility in the face the relentless force of nature, but they have also been able to highlight the strength and value emanating from the survival instinct.

From devastating earthquakes to tsunamis and towering volcanoes, filmmakers have taken some of the most catastrophic events triggered by nature to the big screen. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most impactful movies that have portrayed these natural events:

1. Lo imposible

 

The Impossible (2012)
Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, this movie is based on the true story of a Spanish family who survived Thailand’s devastating tsunami in 2004. The movie captures distress and hope as they struggle to reunite amid chaos.

 

 

6. Heroes en el infierno

 

Only the Brave (2017)
Also based on real events, this movie follows a group of firefighters fighting a deadly wildfire in Arizona. The courage and sacrifice of these heroes stands out amid the catastrophe.

 

 

2. La falla de san andres

 

San Andreas (2015)
In this movie, the shifting of California’s legendary fault, which gives its name to the movie, is activated and causes a massive earthquake. Dwayne Johnson leads the fight for survival in a world that is falling apart.

 

 

3. No mires arriba

 

Don’t Look Up (2021)
This movie portrays two astronomers who discover that a meteorite will destroy planet Earth in a few months. From that point on, they embark on a media tour to alert humanity that a comet is going to collide with Earth.

 

 

4. El dia de mañana

 

The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
In this movie, climate change triggers a series of extreme events, including superstorms and a new ice age. The characters must face nature as it spins out of control in order to save humanity.

 

 

5. Despues del HUracan

 

Five Days at Memorial (2022)
A miniseries based on actual events about the impact of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath at a local hospital. As the water level rose, the power went out and the heat soared. Workers at a New Orleans hospital were forced to make decisions that will mark them for life.

 

 

The plots of these movies revolve around how humanity faces these catastrophes to find a solution. Being aware of the strength of nature and the increased frequency and severity of natural phenomena is crucial for the protection and prevention of human, material, and financial losses.

donwload pdf
Bilbao: A Safe Harbor for Global Risks

Bilbao: A Safe Harbor for Global Risks

The Global Risks Bilbao conference was launched two years ago with the aim of establishing a forum for dialogue on key risks affecting the insurance industry in the Basque Country. On September 23, the second edition of Global Risks Bilbao was held, featuring...

read more
Toward a Sustainable Europe: Fair and Just Transitions

Toward a Sustainable Europe: Fair and Just Transitions

The European Union is firmly committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and all member states are engaged in the transition toward a greener, more sustainable economy. Although the goal is shared, the challenges faced by each country are highly diverse. This...

read more