1. The Poseidon Adventure (1972) – The Ship That Turned Upside Down
One of the first and most memorable disaster movies of the 70s, The Poseidon Adventure told the terrifying tale of a luxury ocean liner that capsized after being hit by a massive rogue wave. The survivors, led by Gene Hackman, had to climb through the upside-down wreckage to find their way out. This film defined the genre and had everyone wondering, “What would I do if a ship flipped over?”
2. Earthquake (1974) – Sensurround Shakes Things Up
If you lived through the 70s, you remember Earthquake—and not just because of the movie, but because of Sensurround. The film used a special audio system that literally made theater seats shake to simulate the feeling of an actual earthquake. Starring Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner, this movie brought the terror of a massive earthquake hitting Los Angeles right into our laps. The visual effects, which were groundbreaking for the time, made every cracked street and crumbling building feel all too real.
3. The Towering Inferno (1974) – Fire in the Sky
The Towering Inferno took disaster movies to new heights—literally. This all-star cast, including Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Faye Dunaway, had audiences on the edge of their seats as a luxurious skyscraper went up in flames. The sheer panic of people trapped in a burning building made this film unforgettable. It also delivered one of the most iconic disaster movie lines, as McQueen’s character coolly declared, “You know where I’ll be. Upstairs trying to put out the fire.”
4. Airport (1970) – The Beginning of It All
Though it wasn’t the first disaster film ever made, Airport kicked off the 70s craze for the genre. With a cast of stars like Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, and Jacqueline Bisset, the film told the story of an airport coping with a severe snowstorm and a bomb threat. The drama and tension unfolded not only in the air but also on the ground, making this film a pioneer for the many airport disaster films that would follow.
5. Airport 1975 (1974) – Mid-Air Collision Chaos
As the first sequel in what became the Airport franchise, Airport 1975 upped the ante by depicting a mid-air collision that left a jumbo jet without a pilot. It was up to a flight attendant, played by Karen Black, to keep things under control until a new pilot could be flown in. It might sound a little far-fetched today, but back then, audiences were glued to their seats. This was classic 70s disaster fare—over-the-top and thrilling.
6. The Hindenburg (1975) – The Sky’s the Limit for Disaster
Based on the real-life tragedy of the German airship that exploded in 1937, The Hindenburg was one of the most ambitious disaster films of the decade. The movie combined historical events with fictionalized sabotage, building tension as we watched the doomed airship fly toward its fate. The infamous explosion was recreated with a mix of miniatures and practical effects, and the result was a visually stunning disaster that stuck with audiences long after the credits rolled.
7. Juggernaut (1974) – Bombs at Sea
Juggernaut took the disaster genre to the ocean, with a bomb plot on board a passenger liner. Richard Harris played the bomb expert racing against time to defuse the devices before they went off. This film wasn’t as flashy as some of the other 70s disaster flicks, but its tense, claustrophobic atmosphere made it a standout. The idea of a bomb threatening hundreds of passengers at sea was a chilling concept that kept audiences on edge.
8. Tidal Wave (1973) – Tsunami Terror
Tsunamis may not have been a common fear in the 70s, but Tidal Wave brought that terrifying concept to life. This Japanese-produced disaster film, dubbed for American audiences, depicted the destruction of Tokyo by a massive tidal wave. While it didn’t have the star power of Hollywood films, the special effects were impressive for the time, and the sheer scale of destruction made it a memorable entry in the genre. The idea of a giant wall of water swallowing a city was hard to shake.
9. Meteor (1979) – When the Sky is Falling
Meteor leaned into the ultimate disaster scenario: a giant rock hurtling toward Earth. This time, it was up to Sean Connery and Natalie Wood to stop the impending catastrophe as a huge meteor threatens to wipe out humanity. The effects weren’t the best the decade had to offer, but the sheer scale of the disaster made it one of the more ambitious films of the genre. Watching entire cities get obliterated by flaming chunks of space rock was both terrifying and thrilling.
10. Gray Lady Down (1978) – Submarine in Distress
Gray Lady Down combined the thrills of disaster with the claustrophobia of being trapped underwater. Starring Charlton Heston (a disaster movie regular by now), the film followed the crew of a submarine that sank to the ocean floor after a collision. The tension came from the race against time to rescue the sailors before their air ran out, making it a harrowing underwater disaster. It didn’t have the flashy effects of some other disaster flicks, but its focus on survival made it unforgettable.
11. Rollercoaster (1977) – Terror on the Tracks
If you thought roller coasters were fun and safe, Rollercoaster made you think again. This thriller had a madman sabotaging amusement park rides, with a focus on a roller coaster accident that sent chills down the spine of every kid who watched. Featuring suspenseful set pieces, Rollercoaster was one of the more unusual disaster films of the 70s, tapping into the everyday fear of what could go wrong on a day out at the theme park.
12. Avalanche (1978) – Snowy Disaster
Starring Rock Hudson and Mia Farrow, Avalanche brought disaster to the ski slopes. When an avalanche wipes out a luxury resort, the race to survive begins. Despite its all-star cast, this film wasn’t as successful as some of its counterparts, but the idea of a vacation turning deadly in a matter of minutes made it a chilling addition to the genre. The white, snowy chaos and destruction brought a fresh (if cold) take to the disaster movie formula.
13. The Cassandra Crossing (1976) – Deadly Virus on the Train
A train, a deadly virus, and a government conspiracy—The Cassandra Crossing had all the ingredients for a 70s disaster movie hit. As a train carries passengers across Europe, a virus outbreak threatens to turn the journey into a nightmare. Featuring an ensemble cast including Sophia Loren, Richard Harris, and Martin Sheen, the film capitalized on the paranoia of the time. With an infectious disease at its core, the film felt eerily prescient, even by today’s standards.
14. The Swarm (1978) – Killer Bees Attack!
Disaster movies often took ordinary situations and made them terrifying, and The Swarm did just that with bees. Michael Caine led the charge against a deadly swarm of killer bees threatening to wipe out entire cities. With an over-the-top premise, The Swarm is often remembered more for its unintentional humor than its thrills, but it still managed to give a lot of people a fear of buzzing insects. It’s one of the 70s disaster films that crossed the line into campy fun, but that’s part of its charm.
The 70s were an era when disaster ruled the box office, and these movies reflected both our fears and fascination with catastrophe. Whether it was a burning skyscraper, a sinking ship, or an earthquake leveling a city, these films captured the imagination and brought us to the edge of our seats. They may have been over the top at times, but they offered a thrilling escape from reality—reminding us just how fragile life could be when faced with nature’s fury or human error.
