There's something uniquely chilling about disasters unfolding in the remote, snow-capped isolation of mountain hotels. These films not only provide a thrilling escape but also delve into the human psyche when faced with extreme circumstances. Here's a selection of ten disaster movies set in mountain hotels, each offering its own blend of suspense, survival, and sometimes, supernatural elements. Whether you're looking for a gripping tale of survival or a chilling ghost story, this list has something for every fan of the genre.
The Shining (1980)
Description: While not strictly a disaster film, the psychological horror set in the Overlook Hotel, isolated by winter, captures the essence of a disaster unfolding in a mountain hotel. Jack Torrance's descent into madness is as catastrophic as any natural disaster.
Fact: The film was shot at the Timberline Lodge in Oregon, which was used for exterior shots. The interior scenes were filmed at Elstree Studios in England.
Watch Now
The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
Description: Although not directly related to mountain hotels, the film's setting in remote Africa and the theme of isolation and survival against predators can be paralleled to the isolation of a mountain hotel.
Fact: The film is based on the true story of the Tsavo maneaters, two man-eating lions in Kenya.
Watch Now
The Edge (1997)
Description: After a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, the survivors must navigate their way back to civilization, dealing with nature's harshness and their own survival instincts.
Fact: Alec Baldwin and Anthony Hopkins star in this survival thriller, showcasing their characters' battle against nature.
Watch Now
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Description: This blockbuster features a catastrophic weather event leading to a new ice age, with scenes set in a library that could be considered a makeshift 'mountain hotel' during the disaster.
Fact: The film's special effects were so convincing that it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
Watch Now
The Descent (2005)
Description: While not set in a hotel, the film's setting in a cave system provides a claustrophobic, isolated environment similar to a mountain hotel during a disaster.
Fact: The film was shot in the UK, with the cave scenes filmed in a specially constructed set.
Watch Now
The Grey (2011)
Description: While primarily about survival in the Alaskan wilderness, the film begins with a plane crash near a remote oil camp, which could be likened to a mountain hotel in its isolation.
Fact: The film was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, with some scenes filmed in Alaska.
Watch Now
The Finest Hours (2016)
Description: While not set in a hotel, the film's depiction of a Coast Guard rescue mission in a storm mirrors the isolation and peril of a mountain hotel disaster.
Fact: The film is based on a true story of a 1952 rescue operation off the coast of Cape Cod.
Watch Now
The Mountain Between Us (2017)
Description: Although not set in a hotel, the survival story of two strangers stranded in the mountains after a plane crash captures the essence of isolation and disaster in a mountain setting.
Fact: The film was shot in the Canadian Rockies, providing a stunning backdrop for the survival story.
Watch Now
Frozen (2010)
Description: This film tells the harrowing tale of three skiers stranded on a chairlift in a remote ski resort, turning a simple day out into a life-threatening ordeal.
Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life incident where a skier was stranded on a chairlift for 15 hours.
Watch Now
The Snow Walker (2003)
Description: A pilot crashes in the Arctic and must survive with the help of an Inuit woman, showcasing the isolation and harsh conditions akin to a mountain hotel scenario.
Fact: The film was shot in Nunavut, Canada, providing an authentic backdrop for the survival story.
30 Days Free
