20 Disaster Movies You Must See Before You Die

9. Don't Look Up

The Impossible Naomi Watts
Netflix

By far the most recent entry on this list is Adam McKay's blackly comedic satire Don't Look Up.

Though technically centered less on the impending, planet-destroying comet than humanity's reaction to the news, McKay's film successfully argues that the true disaster lies our collective indifference to imminent disaster.

McKay gets no points for subtlety here but climate change is in no way a subtle issue, so hammering the point home with such angry, exasperated fervour makes total sense.

It's overlong and its scattershot humour doesn't always hit, but when it does it's quite the savage takedown of s**thouse governments, predatory media, and everyday folk powerless to affect change.

With top-notch performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, and Timothée Chalamet, this is about as impressively star-studded as the disaster movie has ever been in recent years.

And to McKay's absolute credit, when the proverbial finally hits the fan he commits fully to the utter chaotic lunacy of it all. Bravo.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.