Disaster Films: Skyscraper Edition

Description: This film involves a hijacking of a New York City subway train, but the climax takes place in a skyscraper, where the police must navigate to stop the criminals. It's a unique blend of urban disaster and thriller.

Fact: The film was remade in 2009 with Denzel Washington and John Travolta.

Description: This classic disaster film features a star-studded cast and depicts a fire that engulfs the world's tallest building during its opening party. It's a quintessential skyscraper disaster movie that set the standard for the genre.

Fact: The film was a result of merging two separate projects, one from Irwin Allen and another from 20th Century Fox, making it one of the first "blockbuster" films.

Description: Although not strictly a disaster film, the iconic action movie features a hostage situation in a skyscraper during a Christmas party, with Bruce Willis as John McClane fighting terrorists. The building itself becomes a character in the chaos.

Fact: The film was initially considered a flop by 20th Century Fox, but it went on to become a massive hit and spawned a franchise.

Description: While the primary disaster is an asteroid heading towards Earth, the film includes scenes of skyscrapers being destroyed by the resulting shockwaves and debris.

Fact: The film was one of two asteroid disaster movies released in 1998, the other being "Deep Impact."

Description: While the main disaster is global, the film includes scenes where skyscrapers in San Francisco are affected by the Earth's core stopping, leading to electromagnetic anomalies and structural failures.

Fact: The film features a scene where the Golden Gate Bridge collapses, which was a challenging visual effect to create.

Description: While not exclusively about skyscrapers, this film includes scenes where New York City is hit by a sudden ice age, with skyscrapers becoming icy death traps. It's a blend of environmental disaster and skyscraper peril.

Fact: The film used real footage of a tornado in Oklahoma to enhance the realism of its weather effects.

Description: A South Korean remake of "The Towering Inferno," this film tells the story of a Christmas Eve disaster in a luxury skyscraper. It's a gripping tale of survival and heroism amidst flames and falling debris.

Fact: The film was a major box office success in South Korea, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the year.

Description: Roland Emmerich's epic disaster film includes numerous scenes where skyscrapers are destroyed by earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, showcasing the vulnerability of urban structures.

Fact: The film's budget was one of the largest ever for a disaster movie, allowing for extensive special effects.

Description: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stars as a former FBI agent who must rescue his family from the world's tallest building when it's taken over by terrorists. The film's action sequences are set in a futuristic skyscraper, showcasing the potential for disaster in modern architecture.

Fact: The film was shot in Hong Kong, using a mix of real locations and CGI to create the towering structure.

Description: This British film, set in London, deals with the aftermath of nuclear testing causing the Earth's axis to shift, leading to extreme weather changes and the potential collapse of skyscrapers.

Fact: The film was one of the first to explore the theme of global environmental disaster, making it a precursor to modern disaster films.