disaster movie

Meaning

A 'disaster movie' is a film genre that focuses on an impending or ongoing catastrophe as its primary plot device. This can include natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods, or man-made crises like nuclear accidents and pandemics. The story usually revolves around a group of survivors trying to escape the destruction.

Examples

• The film 2012 is a classic disaster movie about the end of the world.

  The film 2012 is a classic disaster movie about the end of the world.

• I love a good disaster movie where a rogue asteroid is heading toward Earth.

  I love a good disaster movie where a rogue asteroid is heading toward Earth.

• The special effects in that disaster movie were incredible, but the acting was terrible.

  The special effects in that disaster movie were incredible, but the acting was terrible.

• Every summer, Hollywood releases at least one massive, high-budget disaster movie.

  Every summer, Hollywood releases at least one massive, high-budget disaster movie.

• If you enjoy tense survival situations, you'll definitely like this disaster movie.

  If you enjoy tense survival situations, you'll definitely like this disaster movie.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ That film was a complete disaster movie.

  ✓ That film was a complete disaster.

  Do not use 'disaster movie' to describe a bad film unless you are referring to the actual genre. Use 'a disaster' or 'a flop' instead.

• ✗ We watched a natural catastrophe movie last night.

  ✓ We watched a disaster movie last night.

  'Natural catastrophe movie' is grammatically possible but sounds highly unnatural. 'Disaster movie' is the standard term.

Related Expressions

Practice

• A movie about a massive volcanic eruption destroying a city is called a ___.

  💡 A genre focused on major catastrophes

  Show answer

  disaster movie

• I always get anxious watching a ___ where people are trapped in a collapsing building.

  💡 A film about surviving a catastrophic event

  Show answer

  disaster movie