Top 35 Best Tsunami Movies Of All Time

"Ponyo" is a captivating Japanese animated film produced by Studio Ghibli and directed by the renowned Hayao Miyazaki. Known for its enchanting visuals and imaginative storytelling, this film stands out as a modern classic in animated cinema.

The story follows Ponyo, a spirited little goldfish who finds herself trapped in a jar and carried ashore by the ocean's tides. Her life takes a magical turn when she is discovered and rescued by a compassionate young boy named Sosuke.

As their unlikely friendship deepens, Ponyo uses her magical powers to transform into a human girl, setting off a chain of events with far-reaching consequences. This magical imbalance threatens the world with massive tsunamis and upheaval.

Together, Ponyo and Sosuke must navigate these dangers to fulfill their wishes while struggling to restore harmony to both the human and magical worlds.

An Inconvenient Truth is a powerful documentary directed by Davis Guggenheim, aimed at spotlighting the critical issues of global warming and its far-reaching consequences. The film presents a compelling call to action, urging viewers to recognize and respond to environmental threats.

Central to the documentary is a slideshow delivered by Al Gore, which he has presented worldwide to emphasize the urgent need to combat climate change. The film leverages his expertise to engage and inform audiences about the dangers we face.

Al Gore, a former U.S. vice president and presidential candidate, has dedicated much of his career to environmental advocacy through lectures and seminars. His efforts have been pivotal in bringing the climate crisis to the forefront of public discussion.

With rising global temperatures and sea levels, the risk of extreme weather phenomena—such as El Niño and La Niña—grows significantly. These changes heighten the likelihood of devastating events, including tsunami-scale tidal waves and powerful storm surges, threatening communities worldwide as the Earth's climate continues to warm.

Themis, originally released in Japan as Himizu, is a film adaptation of the manga series Himizu by Minoru Furuya.

The screenplay was thoughtfully modified to weave in the tragic 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, placing these real-world events in the background of the story.

The narrative centers on two teenagers, both coping with the pain of abusive and dysfunctional family lives. Isolated and troubled, they gradually discover comfort and understanding in one another.

In the aftermath of the Tohoku disaster, these young protagonists lean on each other for support, helping one another heal and find hope amid trauma.

The Impossible (Lo Imposible) is an English-language Spanish film directed by J. A. Bayona. This gripping biographical drama recounts the harrowing true story of Spanish physician Maria Belón and her family's experience during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.

The film received critical acclaim, earning nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award—particularly for Naomi Watts' outstanding performance.

The movie also marks the debut of Tom Holland. The story follows a family of five who travel to Thailand for a Christmas vacation, only to be caught in the devastating tsunami just two days after their arrival on Boxing Day.

The narrative delves into the chaos that ensues: the family is separated, injured, and must endure immense hardship in their desperate search for one another. This heart-wrenching yet uplifting tale highlights the strength of the human spirit in the face of disaster.

"The Abyss," directed by James Cameron, is a gripping science fiction thriller that takes viewers deep beneath the ocean's surface.

The story centers on a team of civilian oil drillers who, under Navy command, are drawn into a mission to investigate a mysterious nuclear submarine disaster.

Plunging into the ocean's depths, the crew encounters a formidable extraterrestrial presence, causing their psychological limits and survival instincts to be pushed to the brink.

Trapped within an underwater facility, the team must race against time to avert a looming catastrophe that threatens not just their lives, but the safety of the world above.

Blending adventure, suspense, and romance, "The Abyss" explores profound themes such as humanity, trust, and the awe-inspiring mysteries of the unknown.

Renowned for its stunning underwater cinematography and revolutionary visual effects, the film features standout performances from Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, whose emotional portrayals lend the movie exceptional depth and power.

"The Poseidon Adventure" is a cinematic adaptation of Paul Gallico's acclaimed novel of the same name. As a landmark disaster film, it swept numerous honors, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a British Academy Film Award, among others.

This thrilling movie was the highest-grossing film of 1973. It centers around the SS Poseidon, an aging ocean liner making its final journey from New York City to Athens.

Trouble looms as the ship's captain warns about serious safety concerns, which unfortunately go unheeded. Disaster strikes when a sudden tsunami overturns the vessel, leaving chaos in its wake.

With time running out, the surviving passengers face a harrowing struggle for survival—they must escape the capsized ship and reach a rescue boat before it's too late.

"The Wave," originally titled Bølgen, is a gripping Norwegian disaster film that served as Norway's official entry for the 2015 Oscars.

Directed by Roar Uthaug and written by John Kåre Raake and Harald Rosenløw-Eeg, the film weaves a compelling narrative about an unstoppable natural catastrophe. The story is sparked by a chain reaction of events that unleashes a massive tsunami, threatening to wipe out everything in its path.

Set in a mountainous region, the disaster begins when a crevice collapses, causing a devastating avalanche at a local resort. This deadly occurrence then sets off an even greater threat: a towering tsunami wave, rising up to 80 meters, that races toward unsuspecting residents below.

"Greenland" is a gripping science fiction disaster film written by Chris Sparling and produced by Gerard Butler. Originally slated for release before the pandemic, the film's debut was postponed several times due to COVID-19, finally premiering in 2020 with limited availability on HBO Max and Amazon Prime.

The story revolves around a comet passing close to Earth, sending devastating fragments hurtling toward the planet. The U.S. government selects a handful of families for sanctuary in underground bunkers located in Greenland, leaving countless others desperate, which leads to riots and widespread chaos.

As these events unfold, smaller meteor fragments continue to bombard the planet, unleashing tsunamis and obliterating entire cities in their wake.

Noah (2014) is an epic biblical drama that recounts the story of the great flood sent by God to cleanse the world of sin.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky, this film draws inspiration from both the Book of Genesis and the Book of Enoch, offering a unique cinematic interpretation of the ancient tale.

Noah was a major box office success and stands as Aronofsky’s most commercially successful film to date. It chronicles Noah’s divine mission to construct an ark and save a pair of every animal species from the impending flood.

As Noah strives to fulfill God’s command, he encounters relentless challenges that put his faith and determination to the ultimate test.

"The Asadas" is a Japanese film inspired by the true story of Masashi Asada. Directed by Ryota Nakano, the movie earned recognition as an official selection at both the Warsaw Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival.

The narrative centers on Masashi Asada, a celebrated photographer known for his joyful, heartfelt family portraits. Photography is more than just a profession for him—it’s his greatest passion and a way to express his love for family.

After the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, Masashi dedicates himself to photographing survivors, hoping to bring comfort and healing. However, in focusing on the needs of others, he neglects his own father’s declining health.

When Masashi finally returns home, he is faced with the painful reality of his father's failing health, forcing him to confront the true meaning of family and connection.

The Perfect Storm is a gripping biographical disaster film that follows the fate of the fishing vessel Andrea Gail, which vanished in the Atlantic Ocean during the infamous 1991 Perfect Storm.

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen and based on Sebastian Junger's acclaimed novel, the movie portrays the harrowing true story with intense realism.

In the fall of 1991, the crew of the Andrea Gail decided to embark on one final fishing trip, despite urgent warnings about dangerous weather conditions.

The vessel became trapped between two powerful weather fronts, while Hurricane Grace merged with them to create a massive, unnamed superstorm.

Relentless gale-force winds and towering tidal waves ultimately overcame the ship, dragging it down into the unforgiving depths of the ocean.

"Atlantis: The Lost Empire" is a science fiction animated film from Disney Animation Studios. The story, penned by Tab Murphy, revolves around the mythical and technologically advanced kingdom of Atlantis—a legendary paradise hidden beneath the waves.

The movie begins with a catastrophic explosion that generates a massive tsunami, threatening to engulf the entire city and its people.

To protect her people, the Queen of Atlantis foresees the looming disaster and conjures a powerful magical shield, sacrificing herself in the process to save the inner city.

Thanks to this shield, the core of Atlantis survives as the ocean consumes the rest. Decades later, in 1914, a young linguist stumbles upon a secret journal that reveals clues to Atlantis’s location, setting him and a diverse team of explorers on a daring quest to find the lost empire.

"Hereafter" presents a compelling narrative that intricately weaves together the lives of three individuals, each deeply touched by themes of the afterlife. Their stories intersect in unexpected ways, exploring personal beliefs and encounters with the beyond.

Directed and co-produced by Clint Eastwood and written by Peter Morgan, the film enjoyed commercial success and was particularly praised for the strong performances delivered by its cast.

Despite the acclaim for its acting, critics felt that the storyline lacked cohesion and depth in its portrayal of the subject matter. The central characters include George, a reluctant psychic distressed by his ability to communicate with the dead.

Marie, a journalist who survives the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, is plagued by vivid visions of the afterlife that deeply impact her psyche. Marcus, a young boy grieving the loss of his twin brother, seeks desperately to reconnect with him.

"The Day After Tomorrow" is a science fiction disaster film and was the sixth highest-grossing movie of 2004.

Directed, co-written, and co-produced by Roland Emmerich, the film explores the catastrophic effects of climate change and the rapid melting of the polar ice caps.

The story follows Jack Hall, a paleoclimatologist, and his team as they discover evidence predicting an unprecedented, extreme shift in global weather that could trigger a new ice age.

As ocean currents in the Atlantic undergo dramatic changes, the world faces monstrous storms and devastating tsunamis, with the Northern United States caught in the grip of an encroaching Ice Age.

"San Andreas" is a 2015 American disaster film directed by Brad Peyton that became a box-office success. While the film excelled commercially, critics offered mixed reactions to its story and execution.

The performances of Dwayne Johnson and Carla Gugino were widely praised, and the movie's visual effects were highlighted for their impressive realism.

Despite these strengths, the film drew criticism for its weak plot and unconvincing characters. The story centers around the notorious San Andreas fault, the world’s most unstable tectonic fault, known for triggering frequent small earthquakes along the U.S. West Coast.

In the film, a newly discovered fault near the Hoover Dam initiates a devastating earthquake. This catastrophe triggers a series of massive quakes and tsunamis that wreak havoc across the West Coast.

Deep Impact is an American disaster film that centers on humanity's response to a newly discovered comet hurtling toward Earth, threatening global extinction.

Although the movie earned praise from the scientific community for its more realistic portrayal of disaster scenarios, general audiences gravitated more toward the blockbuster spectacle of Armageddon, which shared a similar premise.

The plot follows a young astronomer who detects the incoming comet. In a desperate bid to save the planet, world governments send nuclear-armed spacecraft to intercept it, but their efforts fall short.

When a large fragment crashes into the Atlantic Ocean, it triggers catastrophic megatsunamis that devastate the east coast of the United States as well as the shorelines of Europe and Africa.

"Crack in the World" is a gripping science fiction thriller that also fits squarely in the doomsday genre. This film earned praise for its compelling screenplay, with critics noting that its storyline felt more plausible and credible than many other entries in the sci-fi canon.

The movie is especially known for its impressive special effects, which added to its sense of realism and urgency. The central premise explores the concept of harnessing geothermal energy from deep within the Earth.

To achieve this, a team of international scientists creates a daring plan to detonate a nuclear device near the Earth's dense layer, close to the molten core. However, the scheme backfires dramatically.

Instead of solving their energy crisis, the explosion triggers a massive crack across the planet's crust. This catastrophic event sets off devastating earthquakes and tsunamis worldwide, heightening the film's tension and stakes.

"Poseidon" (2006) is a modern remake of the 1972 classic disaster film, "The Poseidon Adventure," both of which are inspired by Paul Gallico's novel of the same name.

This action-packed film earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects, showcasing its technical strengths. Despite this recognition, it achieved only moderate box office success and was not considered a hit.

The story unfolds aboard the RMS Poseidon, a grand transatlantic ocean liner carrying numerous passengers, crew, and cargo on its voyage.

Disaster strikes mid-journey when the ship is battered by colossal, tsunami-like rogue waves that threaten its very stability, plunging everyone on board into chaos.

As the crew attempts desperate evasive maneuvers, the vessel capsizes, sparking a frantic fight for survival among the passengers as they seek rescue against overwhelming odds.

"Fukushima 50" is a gripping Japanese disaster film that vividly depicts the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The story immerses viewers in one of the most significant nuclear disasters in recent history, offering a powerful portrayal of real-life events.

Adapted from Ryusho Kadota's book, "On The Brink: The Inside Story of Fukushima Daiichi," the movie stands out as the first cinematic account to detail the catastrophic incidents that unfolded at the nuclear plant. It sheds light on the human and technical challenges faced during the crisis.

The film meticulously follows the critical hours after the tsunami struck, triggering an uncontrollable meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Audiences witness the chaos and urgency as the disaster escalates, threatening the surrounding communities and environment.

With radiation rapidly contaminating the sea, nearby towns, and the soil, the disaster management team confronts extreme danger in their efforts to avert even greater tragedy. Their only hope lies in venting the reactor—a process that requires immense courage, as it means risking or sacrificing one’s own life to contain the damage.

"Moonfall" is a science fiction disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich, notable for being the most expensive independently produced sci-fi movie ever, with a staggering budget of $146 million.

The story centers on the theory that the moon is actually an enormous artificial megastructure, intentionally placed in Earth's orbit for unknown reasons.

When a conspiracy theorist uncovers evidence that the moon is drifting closer to our planet, he warns that its shifting gravity could trigger unprecedented disasters, including massive tsunamis.

Teaming up with two retired astronauts, he embarks on a daring mission to uncover the truth and prevent a catastrophe from engulfing the world.

Pompeii is an epic historical disaster film that chronicles life in the town of Pompeii before and during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The film was directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, and it became the top-grossing Canadian film of the year.

It also won the Golden Screen Award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. A young English gladiator falls in love with the daughter of the senator in Pompeii.

However, she is betrothed to another. Meanwhile, the Roman general who killed his parents and made him a slave still holds a grudge against him.

The young English slave attempts to rescue his love during the eruption when a fierce tsunami is set upon the town.

The Land of Hope is a Japanese film titled Kibo No Kuni, directed by Sion Sono. The film relates the human tale of the aftermath of the Tohoku Earthquake and tsunami that caused the Fukushima meltdown.

The film is set in the fictional village of Nagashima which is located close to the nuclear power plant.

Life was idyllic in the village before the disaster, but now, the villagers are forced to evacuate their homes due to the radiation leak.

One of the evacuees is a pregnant woman who is worried about the effects of radiation even after she moves to a safe zone.

Total Wave is the English name of the South Korean film Haeundae. It is the first disaster film made in South Korea, and it was a commercial success.

Tidal Wave was made by Yoon Je-kyoon and has a strong star cast. The film is set in the coastal town of Haeundae in Busan.

In the film, we see the way the tsunami affects the lives of different people. How do they make decisions and handle the aftermath of the tidal wave?

The coastal town starts to experience a similar sequence of events as the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster. How each party involved makes decisions, and the end result is the story of the film.

In the 2018 post-apocalyptic thriller "How It Ends," Will, a young lawyer, embarks on a perilous journey to reunite with his pregnant fiancée, Sam, amidst a mysterious global catastrophe. The film follows Will as he navigates treacherous landscapes and confronts the dangers of the unfolding disaster, driven by his unwavering love for Sam.

As Will desperately tries to reach Seattle, where Sam lives, he encounters various challenges along the way. He teams up with Tom, Sam's stern father, and they face off against marauders, environmental hazards, and the uncertainty of their survival.

The fear of tsunami waves, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions feature as the the most deadly disasters that can hit the area and cause insurmountable damage.
 

Geostorm is a science fiction disaster film. It is the directorial debut of Dean Devlin who also co-wrote and co-produced the film.

Geostorm was considered a flop as it lost Warner Brothers $79 million. It also received negative reviews for its lacklustre visual effects and uninspiring story.

In 2019, all the world's nations come together to build climate-controlling satellites that will regulate extreme weather conditions. However, the powerful device starts to be used for nefarious means to destabilize other countries.

Artificial typhoons, hailstorms, and tsunamis are generated by satellite to target nations and cities.

Meteor is a science fiction disaster movie written by Edmond North. The concept of the film revolves around an asteroid that is heading toward Earth, and when it strikes, the asteroid could set off extinction-level destruction on the planet.

The film was a flop, but it earned an Academy Award nomination for Sound. A passing comet disturbs the asteroids in the asteroid belt and sends them hurtling toward the Earth.

A few of the smaller fragments strike the earth and set off avalanches and tsunamis. This causes the US government and the erstwhile Soviet government to make a concerted effort to blast the rock before it reaches Earth.

The film was inspired by the MIT paper titled Project Icarus, which shared similar ideas.

When Time Ran Out… is a disaster film with a big star cast. The film’s cast includes Paul Newman, William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Jacqueline Bisset, etc.

When Time Ran Out… is partially based on the novel The Day The World Ended by Gordan Thomas and the events of the 1902 volcanic eruption in Martinique.

The film is based on a Pacific island that is a tourist paradise. In the newly constructed hotel, there are a large number of guests.

Disaster strikes when the volcano erupts and sets off huge tidal waves, The residents and the guests at the hotel scramble to escape the tsunami-type waves and reach higher ground that is safe from the lava flow.

Hurricane, the Wind Odyssey is a 2016 documentary film that follows the journey of a hurricane from its formation off the coast of Africa to its destruction of the Caribbean and the US East Coast. The film uses stunning visuals and compelling storytelling to explore the power and impact of hurricanes. 

The film begins by examining the conditions that lead to the formation of hurricanes, such as warm ocean waters and low atmospheric pressure. It then tracks the hurricane as it intensifies and crosses the Atlantic.

The film includes footage of the high tidal waves, and the hurricane's devastating impact on the Caribbean islands, as well as the US East Coast. 

The film has been praised for its stunning visuals and its ability to convey the power and impact of hurricanes. It has been nominated for several awards, including the César Award for Best Documentary Film.

Kayal is an Indian language film made in Tamil that was set against the backdrop of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

The film was a romance made with a cast of newcomers in the lead. The film starts with the story of two friends who are travelling around India, visiting different cities.

On one such trip, they unknowingly help a pair of lovers elope. Now the family of the lovers have cornered the friends in an attempt to threaten them for information on the lovers.

Bait is an Australian horror disaster film. It combines natural disasters with sea predators and makes a deadly combo of gore, thrills, and horror.

Along the Australian coast, a town is hit by a sudden tsunami, and with the huge wave, the water brings in Great White Sharks.

The sharks were spotted off the coast multiple times, and they got dragged into the town with the waters.

Unfortunately, two of them get caught inside a supermarket along with shoppers. It is a scary and nerve-wracking time for the survivors in the supermarket to get out of the building with the sharks waiting to meet them.

Flood is a British disaster film that deals with severe storm surges that threaten to inundate London. The film was released in theatres and later converted into a two-part film for the BBC.

Flood was given a three-star rating and described as a typical disaster movie made on sodden British soil. The film deals with freak weather phenomena in the north sea area between Britain and Central Europe.

This weather phenomenon causes severe and devastating storm surges along the coast of England and threatens to inundate central London.

2022 Tsunami or Deathwave is a Thai disaster movie. The director of the film Toranong Srichua made a comeback to direction after a gap of five years to make this disaster film because he wanted his audience to be prepared and raise awareness about natural disasters.

The film is about a young prime minister of Thailand who sets up a Tsunami warning centre and disaster relief plan.

However, when the tsunami strikes on Songkran Day, how will the planning work out? The film was a direct-to-video film and did not make a splash as expected.

2012 is a science fiction disaster film that is based on the 2012 phenomenon. It was directed by Roland Emmerich and has an ensemble cast.

The was the fifth highest-grossing film of 2009 and earned over $790 million worldwide. Scientists discover a new type of neutrino that is heating up the earth’s core and could lead to major geological disturbances.

In accordance with the finding, many countries around the world build large arks in Tibet that can hold up to 100,000 people.

While people scramble to get a seat on the ark, the world starts to experience cataclysmic events like earthquakes, megatsunamis, volcanos, etc.