5 Movies About Nuclear War to Watch After A House of Dynamite

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Now available on Netflix, A House of Dynamite is a tense thriller about a nuclear missile headed for Chicago and the chaos it causes within the U.S. government. It’s directed by Academy Award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow. If you enjoy the film’s intense atmosphere and sense of danger, you might also like other movies that explore the threat of nuclear war. Films like Thirteen Days, The Hunt for Red October, and even The Dark Knight Rises have all tackled the possibility of global destruction. With the release of A House of Dynamite, it’s a great time to revisit these earlier classics.

These five films explore the topic of nuclear weapons and the potential aftermath of nuclear war. If you liked A House of Dynamite, you might find these even more captivating.

5) Crimson Tide

As a film buff, I always come back to Crimson Tide (1995) when I think of truly tense thrillers – it’s right up there with the best when it comes to movies about nuclear war. The story unfolds with rising tensions in post-Soviet Russia, and it quickly becomes a desperate fight for control aboard a U.S. nuclear submarine. Denzel Washington is incredible as the first officer trying to prevent a seasoned commander, played brilliantly by Gene Hackman, from launching missiles at a Russian sub. Honestly, the film is packed with unexpected turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The high stakes, intense emotions, and heated arguments really reminded me of the exhilarating story in A House of Dynamite.

4) Fail Safe

The 1964 film Fail Safe is a gripping, often overlooked war movie that presents a terrifying situation: the United States nearly starting a nuclear war with Russia. It’s a relentlessly suspenseful story following President Henry Fonda as he desperately tries to avert disaster. Fail Safe is essential viewing for anyone interested in the subject of nuclear war, offering a realistic and detailed look at how a simple mistake could trigger a global catastrophe. Like A House of Dynamite, it’s a serious and compelling film from beginning to end, and viewers looking for a realistic depiction of nuclear war will be hard-pressed to find a more detailed and captivating narrative than Fail Safe.

3) Dr. Strangelove

Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove (1964) uses satire to explore the idea of nuclear war, much like A House of Dynamite. The film depicts a chaotic situation where a reckless U.S. Air Force general (played by Peter Sellers) initiates a surprise nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. What follows is a darkly humorous and unsettling look at humanity’s potential self-destruction, brought about by both the bombs themselves and the flawed leadership controlling them. Dr. Strangelove can be seen as a parody of films such as A House of Dynamite, and it remains a powerful and enduring commentary on the dangers of nuclear war.

2) Oppenheimer

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023) is widely considered the best film about nuclear weapons of the 21st century. It tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy), the scientist who led the Manhattan Project during World War II and then grappled with the devastating consequences of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The film portrays Oppenheimer as a brilliant but flawed man, both professionally and personally. Oppenheimer doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities of creating and using such a weapon, and it holds even its central character accountable for his involvement. The film is filled with a sense of foreboding and features a truly outstanding performance from Murphy. Visually stunning and deeply thoughtful, Oppenheimer is a crucial look at the beginning of the nuclear age.

1) Threads

Released in 1984, the film Threads offers a uniquely harrowing and realistic portrayal of the aftermath of a nuclear war in Britain, focusing on how it affects everyday people. Unlike the Netflix film A House of Dynamite, which concentrates on the political and military response to an impending attack, Threads shows the devastating human cost. While A House of Dynamite details what happens before and during a nuclear event, Threads presents a profoundly moving and disturbing look at what comes after. Seeing the perspective of ordinary citizens in Threads is especially important after watching A House of Dynamite‘s focus on those in power.

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2025-10-30 15:41