When the sun is shining, and the cocktails are flowing, the last thing on your mind might be an evacuation. But these films show that even paradise can turn perilous. Here's a curated list of 10 films where holidaymakers face unexpected challenges, making for thrilling and sometimes heartwarming cinema. Whether it's a tsunami, a volcano, or a political upheaval, these stories will keep you on the edge of your sun lounger.
Deep Impact (1998)
Description: A comet is on a collision course with Earth, leading to mass evacuations, including from a beach resort where the protagonist's family is staying.
Fact: The film features a diverse cast including Morgan Freeman, Robert Duvall, and Téa Leoni, and was one of two major comet/asteroid disaster films released in
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The Perfect Storm (2000)
Description: Another maritime evacuation tale, this film follows the crew of the Andrea Gail as they face a perfect storm, a situation akin to an evacuation from a sea "resort."
Fact: The film was based on the book by Sebastian Junger, and the storm scenes were created using a combination of practical effects and CGI.
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The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Description: A sudden global weather shift causes a new ice age, leading to mass evacuations from various locations, including a resort in Mexico.
Fact: The film's special effects were groundbreaking at the time, and it was one of the first to depict climate change as a catastrophic event.
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The Impossible (2012)
Description: This film captures the harrowing experience of a family caught in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami while on holiday in Thailand. It's a poignant tale of survival and human spirit.
Fact: The film was shot in Thailand, where the actual event took place, and the tsunami scenes were created using practical effects and CGI.
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The Finest Hours (2016)
Description: While not a resort evacuation per se, this film tells the story of a daring Coast Guard rescue mission during a massive storm, which could be seen as an evacuation from a maritime "resort."
Fact: The film is based on the true story of the Pendleton rescue, one of the most daring in Coast Guard history.
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The Finest Hours (2016)
Description: A Coast Guard rescue mission during a massive storm, which could be seen as an evacuation from a maritime "resort."
Fact: The film is based on the true story of the Pendleton rescue, one of the most daring in Coast Guard history.
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Into the Storm (2014)
Description: A series of tornadoes ravages a small town, leading to an evacuation, which can be seen as a resort-like setting due to the community's close-knit nature.
Fact: The film used real tornado footage combined with CGI to create realistic storm sequences.
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The Wave (2015)
Description: A Norwegian disaster film about a tsunami caused by a rockslide, leading to the evacuation of a small resort town.
Fact: The film was inspired by the real geological phenomenon known as the Åknes rockslide, which threatens to cause a similar disaster.
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Hard Rain (1998)
Description: A heist film set during a massive flood in a small town, which could be seen as an evacuation from a flooded "resort" area.
Fact: The film was shot in a specially built set in Huntington Park, California, with over 15 million gallons of water used to simulate the flood.
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The Hurricane Heist (2018)
Description: A group of criminals plan a heist during a Category 5 hurricane, leading to an evacuation from a small town, which could be considered a "resort" in this context.
Fact: The film was shot in Bulgaria, where a hurricane set was built to simulate the storm conditions.
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