Every Gerard Butler Disaster Movie, Ranked

Gerard Butler is becoming a pro at surviving global catastrophes – he’s starred in four movies about the end of the world! In his newest film, Greenland 2: Migration, he’s back facing new dangers five years after a comet devastated Earth. The movie continues the intense action and disaster-filled thrills of the first film, throwing new environmental and human threats his way.

How does Greenland 2 compare to other disaster movies directed by Roland Emmerich? Successful disaster films share key elements: the danger needs to feel huge, though it doesn’t always have to threaten the entire world. Viewers expect massive spectacle – they want to see a city destroyed, not a peaceful beach. But it’s not just about the disaster itself. The movie also needs compelling characters that the audience cares about. If viewers aren’t invested in who survives, the film becomes just empty special effects. Considering all this, how will Greenland 2 measure up in terms of thrilling excitement and audience enjoyment?

4
‘Geostorm’ (2017)

Disaster: Rogue Weather Satellite Causing Massive Natural Disasters

Warner Bros.

Let’s be honest, Geostorm isn’t a good movie – its low 18% rating on Rotten Tomatoes confirms that. While the film delivers on spectacular destruction, showing things like massive tsunamis and sudden freezes when satellites start falling to Earth, it doesn’t make up for a weak plot. The story, involving global power struggles and a predictable fight for control, quickly becomes boring and just sets up more disaster scenes. Ultimately, even the impressive visuals can’t save the film from its seriously flawed story.

Gerard Butler still brings his usual charm to the screen, and he’s supported by a strong cast including Jim Sturgess, Eugenio Derbez, Andy Garcia, and Ed Harris. It’s particularly surprising that this film, directed by Dean Devlin – known for co-writing blockbusters like Independence Day and Stargate – doesn’t quite work. You’d expect Devlin to deliver a believable disaster, but the story feels weak. Geostorm offers the large-scale destruction you’d expect from the genre, but because the plot is so unengaging, it’s hard to care about the characters, landing it in fourth place among Butler’s disaster films.

3
‘Greenland 2: Migration’ (2026)

Disaster: Planetary Fallout From a Comet Strike

Following the success of the first film, Greenland 2 expands on its strengths by once again focusing on the emotional core of the Garrity family. With an increased budget, the sequel ramps up the disaster action, throwing audiences into a terrifying struggle for survival. This time, instead of facing total annihilation, the remaining survivors are embarking on a dangerous journey to find a new place to live. Along the way, they battle extreme weather, brutal cold, and the challenges of other desperate people. The return of director Ric Roman Waugh and star Morena Baccarin ensures the sequel maintains the same visual style and atmosphere as the original Greenland.

Like most sequels, Greenland 2 struggles to recapture the magic of the original, a challenge made harder by the fact that the first film involved a world-ending event. It’s difficult to follow up a meteor that destroys the world! Instead of another race against time, this film focuses on a journey filled with various disasters, mirroring the structure of the first Greenland. While it’s entertaining and fans of the original will likely enjoy it, it loses some of the charm of the first movie and feels more like a necessary sequel than a creatively driven one. Disaster movie fans will be satisfied, and the film successfully delivers emotional weight, surpassing Geostorm but not reaching the heights of other films starring Gerard Butler.

2
‘Reign of Fire’ (2002)

Disaster: Dragon Apocalypse

Buena Vista Pictures

Reign of Fire stands out as a unique disaster film, presenting a post-apocalyptic world covered in ash and dominated by dragons. The story begins with a single dragon awakening after centuries, then jumps forward 20 years to a future where these creatures have ravaged the Earth. Most of humanity has perished from starvation, with the dragons thriving on the ashes of their destruction. Those who remain struggle to survive, desperately seeking resources while facing a constant and overwhelming aerial threat with limited means of defense.

Featuring a strong cast including Gerard Butler, Christian Bale, and Matthew McConaughey, Reign of Fire delivers exciting action as humans battle dragons for survival. The film boasts impressive aerial combat and a unique post-apocalyptic world, but it’s the story of ordinary people struggling to live through incredibly difficult times that truly stands out. Butler’s character is central to this, supporting his community in the face of disaster. Ultimately, Reign of Fire is a more entertaining watch than Greenland 2.

1
‘Greenland’ (2020)

Disaster: Massive Comet Heading Toward Earth

STX Films

The movie Greenland lives up to its promise of disaster, presenting a terrifying scenario with a comet on a collision course with Earth and limited hope for survival. It’s filled with dramatic impacts and throws characters into chaotic situations. What makes Greenland stand out from other films starring Gerard Butler is its focus on the human story. While many disaster movies feature families caught in the action, Greenland skillfully uses their experiences and the people they meet to build constant tension. Director Ric Roman Waugh doesn’t let up, maintaining a relentlessly intense pace, and this is largely thanks to the well-developed characters.

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The comet’s impact is truly devastating, and the film Greenland offers a refreshing twist on the typical ‘save the world’ story. Director Ric Roman Waugh throws the audience into complete turmoil, making us consider how we’d react in a similar crisis. Survival seems nearly impossible, with the only chance resting on a bunker located in Greenland. Greenland stands out from other disaster movies – even critics acknowledge it’s something different. It’s not just another forgettable action film; Gerard Butler helps create a genuinely memorable experience, which explains why a sequel was made.

2026-01-10 02:04

4 ‘Geostorm’ (2017)

Disaster: Rogue Weather Satellite Causing Massive Natural Disasters

3 ‘Greenland 2: Migration’ (2026)