The 20 greatest water disaster films

One of the first truly captivating disaster films. The final voyage of aging luxury cruise liner SS Poseidon falls victim to a tsunami, and terrifyingly, the ship overturns. However, Reverend Frank Scott (Gene Hackman), with some divine intervention on his side, is there to hopefully save the day — for some. In addition to Hackman, fellow Hollywood legends Ernest Borgnine, Jack Albertson, Shelley Winters, and Red Buttons make up this all-star, ensemble cast. We won't talk about the unnecessary sequel Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979).

The disaster here is that the New England vacation town in which this Steven Spielberg classic is set was incompetently run. A mayor like Amity's Larry Vaughn failed to heed the advice of knowledgeable officials, including police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) and keep people off the beach because of a shark lurking off the shore. One would think some of those same people would learn that it's not always safe to go in the water. Of course, that opened the door for Robert Shaw's memorable performance as old seadog Quint.

Nothing more entertaining than a killer whale on a revenge mission for a boat that accidentally killed his pregnant mate and their unborn calf. Actually, Orca is an underrated picture that was made in the same vein as Jaws, but has the ability to keep the viewer's attention without being too over the top. Richard Harris delivers a solid performance as boat captain Nolan, and Bo Derek also stars.

One would think the folks — or at least teenagers — on Amity Island would have learned their lesson from 1975. That was not the case, and another great white is now on the loose, terrorizing the sailing-crazed kids and irritating Chief Brody (Roy Scheider). And, once again, Mayor Vaughn refused to keep his citizens and visitors from taking to the beach. How did that guy keep getting elected? None of the Jaws sequel are noteworthy, but this is the best.

Maybe not too much of a disaster movie, but The Abyss  has the potential to be devastating after a U.S. submarine sinks in the Caribbean. James Cameron was going for epic status with this popular sci-fi hit, but it doesn't quite reach that level. The underwater visuals are strong — Academy Award-winning, as a matter of fact. When it comes to underwater action, The Abyss might leave some breathless. 

From a special effects standpoint, Titanic is visually spectacular. However, the love story within this real-life tragedy opened the door for the masses to eat up. The blockbuster picture that made Leonardo DiCaprio a box-office giant and international superstar. The schmaltz factor is high with this one, but that's OK. Meanwhile, Kate Winslet has played more complex and deeper roles, obviously, but  her Rose, the young socialite who is really a tomboy at heart, just seemed relatable to just about any confused and insecure teen who was watching. 

OK, water is not the basis of this popular end-of-the-world flick, but the extinction-level meteor that hit Earth caused a massive tsunami wave that wiped out a good chunk of the planet. Starring Robert Duvall, Téa Leoni,  Elijah Wood and Morgan Freeman,  Deep Impact is among the hokiest, but most addictive, of these type of movies. And MSNBC is there to cover it all. 

We noted Morgan Freeman starred in Deep Impact , but he's even more prominent in this highly panned movie about a flooded town scheming with bank robbers after some cash. Freeman stars alongside Christian Slater, who was still a name in the late 1990s. While the plot is totally stilted, the water might actually be the star of the movie.

There is plenty of water to go around here. An underwater research facility is trying to see if the makeup of a certain species of sharks can help fight Alzheimer's. Of course, all hell breaks loose as some genetically engineered sharks attack the facility, causing flooding and some highly entertaining kills (RIP Samuel Jackson's character). Thomas Jane and Saffron Burrows star, but don't sleep on LL Cool J as the wise-cracking, wannabe gangsta cook.

Based on a true story, and featuring an all-star cast led by George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Diane Lane. The movie follows the crew of the Andrea Gail, a Gloucester, Mass., fishing vessel that gets caught in the massively severe "perfect" weather storm of 1991. Again, like such films of the era, relies on its visual effects to lead the way, and it often works. However, Hollywood-ing up a tale of these hard-working group of fishermen and their loved ones felt a little disconcerting.

Climate change is a touchy political subject depending on which side of the aisle one stands, but we should all agree that The Day After Tomorrow is still entertaining after all these years. Paleoclimatologist Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid) warns of a devastating weather future prove true, complete with tornadoes, hurricanes and heavy rainfall that eventually floods much of the eastern United States. When the temps drop to deadly sub-zero numbers and water freezes, the real fun begins.

Loosely based on the aforementioned and stellar The Poseidon Adventure , this project showcases the visual advances that have been made since 1972. And, quite honestly, that's the only aspect better than the original, and even all those bells and whistles can't save the overall texture of this mundane update starring Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell and Richard Dreyfuss. But, for those who don't want to think too much when watching their disaster movies, have at it.

This popular John Cusack apocalyptic  disaster vehicle has it all — earthquakes, mega-tsunamis, worldwide flooding. Who can ask for more in their weather-related, action-adventure films of this ilk? The film, which interprets what could happen if the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar prediction that the world would end in 2012 actually occurred, is visually captivating. Especially watching some of the planet's most historical, physical wonders destroyed by the elements.

Another disaster movie based on real-life events. In this case, we witness a telling and harrowing tale of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.  Naomi Watts' Dr. Maria Bennett and her tale of survival is based on the accounts of Spanish physician Maria Belon and her family during the tragedy. The movie is gripping and highly intense. Watts received Oscar and Golden Globe Award nominations for the performance. 

Though a relatively small part of this critically acclaimed drama, the ravaging of a Japanese freighter due to severe weather at sea, filled with zoo animals heading to Canada for sale by the Patel family, is gripping and impactful. The visual experience is breathtaking, and leaves viewers in heartbreak as teenager Pi is left stranded at sea with, eventually, only a deadly Bengal tiger, named Richard Parker, who the boy seems to view as his only friend.

One of the more unique movies of Robert Redford's legendary Hollywood career. Redford is the only character in the movie, a man sailing solo in the Indian Ocean when his boat collides with a shipping container and begins to take on water. From there, it's all about survival and when the line between hope and despair are blurred. There is limited dialogue, but the ageless Redford is brilliant and enthralling in a movie that should be more celebrated.

Delightfully ridiculous and over-the-top, the first Sharknado is still the best of a lot that became cult-favorite fan fare. A massive waterspout lifts sharks from ocean and on to the streets of the Los Angeles metropolitan area to wreak entertaining havoc. Hurricanes are also featured in the movie, which revived the acting career of Ian Ziering and also featured cousin Oliver from The Brady Bunch.

This Norwegian-produced story about an avalanche that generates a 260-foot-high tsunami was highly praised by critics, internationally. Based on prior events in the area, locals knew it was only a matter of time something like this would happen. When it did, a visually menacing and potent run for survival takes place. Don't let the subtitles deter fans of the genre to shy away from a truly powerful movie.

Hollywood's version of chronicling the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill that plagued the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. An all-star cast features Mark Wahlberg,  Kurt Russell,  John Malkovich,   Gina Rodriguez and Kate Hudson in a film directed by Peter Berg. In terms of drama, this not a bad movie and does a solid job of keeping the audiences' attention. Even if we're tired of seeing Wahlberg in these type of roles.

More water disaster entertainment from Norway. This time, an oil rig platform goes down in the sea, which is problematic enough. However, when researched further, some sinister seems to be up. The visual excellence of the film, combined with a rather original storyline, helps back this an under-the-radar picture worth watching.