The Most Underrated Disaster Movies of the 2000s, Ranked

6. The Core (2003)

Sure, this one got panned by critics, but don't let that deter you. Earth's core stops spinning—no biggie, right? Wrong. Deadly electrical storms and microwave beams cooking the Golden Gate Bridge are just the start. So a team of "terranauts" drills to the Earth's core in a ship named Virgil to set off nuclear bombs and get it spinning again. A mix of high stakes and science mumbo jumbo, pretty much perfect recipe for a disaster movie.

5. Sunshine (2007)

The sun is dying, so a crew of astronauts head out on a spaceship called "Icarus II" to reignite it with a massive bomb. Pretty straightforward, right? Not quite. They find the lost "Icarus I", and its captain has gone full-on madman, jeopardizing their mission. If you're into cosmic calamities with a side of psychological terror, check this out.

4. The Mist (2007)

This is small-town America at its disastrous best. A freak storm rolls in, blanketing a Maine town in a mysterious mist. David and his son take refuge in a supermarket, only to discover that there are Lovecraftian monsters lurking in the fog. Imagine being trapped with your neighbors and tentacled creatures that want you for lunch. Spoiler: It's not a picnic.

3. Poseidon (2006)

A remake of a remake—don't you love Hollywood? On New Year's Eve, a rogue wave capsizes a luxurious ocean liner called, you guessed it, Poseidon. Survivors, including a former firefighter and a single mom, have to navigate the upside-down ship to reach the surface. Between electrical hazards and rising water, it's a wet and wild ride. Despite its $160 million budget, it didn't make a splash at the box office – understandably enough.

2. Cloverfield (2008)

Handheld cameras, big monsters, and New York City—what's not to love? A going-away party for Rob is interrupted when a creature of massive proportions attacks the city. Rob and his friends dodge exploding buildings, creepy spider-like parasites, and military gunfire while trying to save Rob's ex-girlfriend, Beth, who's trapped in her apartment.

1. Children of Men (2006)

In a future where humanity has become infertile and society is on the brink of collapse, Clive Owen plays Theo, a disillusioned bureaucrat. He's pulled back into the political arena when he's tasked with protecting Kee, a young refugee who is miraculously pregnant. They navigate through dangerous rebel groups, militarized zones, and refugee camps to deliver what could be the world's last hope. Every moment is a life-or-death decision, and it's so grim you'll almost wish for the movie to finally end sometimes.