10 Best Movies & Shows Like La Palma

Dec. 28, 2024, 5:30 p.m.

Movies

10 Best Movies & Shows Like La Palma

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La Palma has been dominating the Netflix charts shortly following its release in December 2024. While it can be a quick binge for some, leaving them wanting more, the good news is that many other shows and movies like it exist. The Norwegian disaster drama miniseries, created by Martin Sundland, Lars Gudmestad, and Harald Rosenløw Eeg and directed by Kasper Barfoed, chronicles an imminent volcanic eruption that results in a tsunami, headed straight toward the island of La Palma, a part of Spain's Canary Islands. La Palma's characters include a Norwegian family on vacation and researchers who first discover the impending threat.

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 7.5/10 La Palma A Norwegian family vacationing in La Palma faces chaos when a young researcher uncovers disturbing evidence of potential volcanic activity. As fears escalate, the possibility of a catastrophic eruption and tsunami looms, threatening the idyllic setting and testing the family's resilience amidst a looming natural disaster. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date December 12, 2024 Cast Anders Baasmo Christiansen , Alma Günther , Bernard Storm Lager , Thea Sofie Loch Næss

The events of the Netflix disaster miniseries take place over the course of four episodes, with the ending of La Palma revealing who survives the tsunami. Since it is a limited series though, episode 4 is its final one. The story is finished and will likely not continue in the future. However, fans who want more after finishing La Palma can check out other TV shows and movies that fall under the disaster genre and have similar themes.

10 The Impossible

Directed By: J. A. Bayona

Just like La Palma, The Impossible tells the story of a family trying to survive a tsunami. The 2012 biographical disaster drama film is based on the experiences of María Belón, a woman who was on vacation with her family in Thailand during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Naomi Watts stars as Maria Bennett (the character inspired by Belón), while Ewan McGregor plays her husband, Henry, and Tom Holland (in his feature film debut) portrays her son, Lucas, in The Impossible.

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Aside from both revolving around tsunamis, La Palma and Holland and McGregor's 12-year-old disaster movie are both based on true stories. However, both take creative liberties when crafting their respective characters and plots. The Impossible is slightly more factual and better represents its disaster, though, while La Palma is more theoretical and depicts what could happen in the future.

9 Geostorm

Directed By: Dean Devlin

Geostorm is often an overlooked film in the disaster genre. However, it contains a unique plot, a fantastic cast, and high-stakes entertainment, making it a worthy watch after finishing Netflix's La Palma. The 2017 sci-fi action movie stars Gerard Butler as Jake Lawson, a satellite designer tasked with saving the world when climate-controlling satellites start malfunctioning, causing devastating storms around the globe.

Geostorm Cast Role Gerard Butler Jake Lawson Jim Sturgess Assistant Secretary of State Max Lawson Abbie Cornish U.S. Secret Service Agent Sarah Wilson Alexandra Maria Lara Ute Fassbinder Ed Harris U.S. Secretary of State Leonard Dekkom Andy García U.S. President Andrew Palma Richard Schiff Virginia Senator Thomas Cross Robert Sheehan Duncan Taylor Eugenio Derbez Al Hernandez Daniel Wu Cheng Long

Critics weren't the biggest fans of Geostorm as Butler's disaster movie received an 18 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. But just because most critics didn't like Geostorm doesn't mean people shouldn't watch it. They should just know that the 2017 sci-fi movie is more of an unserious, entertaining film rather than one that wins Oscars. The whole trick is to have expectations that are on par with a movie's quality — that way, viewers can actually enjoy Geostorm for what it is.

8 High Water

Created By: Jan Holoubek

Although there are certainly more movies in the disaster genre than TV shows, a few, like La Palma, exist and are just as exciting and entertaining. High Water is one of them. The 2022 Netflix Polish historical drama depicts the 1997 Central European flood and how it affects the people of Wrocław, Poland, but its story is mostly fictional. Scientists and government officials must come together in High Water to deal with the rising water levels and keep the citizens of Wrocław safe.

Similar to La Palma, each episode of High Water will leave the audience wanting more, making it hard for them not to watch all six episodes in one sitting.

Perhaps High Water isn't as big or flashy as other disaster projects. However, the series is quite enthralling and contains complex characters (who are fictional and not based on real people who were affected by the 1997 flood). High Water will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Similar to La Palma, each episode of High Water will leave the audience wanting more, making it hard for them not to watch all six episodes in one sitting.

7 The Wave

Directed By: Roar Uthaug

For more tsunami stories after watching La Palma on Netflix, fans should check out The Wave. However, unlike the Netflix TV show, the tsunami in The Wave is caused by an avalanche. The Åkerneset crevice collapses in Møre og Romsdal (a county in Western Norway) in the 2015 Norwegian disaster film. After the crevice collapses, an avalanche follows, resulting in a large, destructive tsunami that hits Geiranger (a small tourist village in Møre og Romsdal).

The Wave received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike at the time of its release — it has an 83 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and was Norway's official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars in 2016.

Of course, both La Palma and The Wave are Norwegian productions, but that's not where their similarities stop. As mentioned above, the Netflix miniseries and the movie both depict tsunamis, take place at a tourist destination, and center around a family. If one enjoyed La Palma and is craving more, The Wave should be the first movie on their to-watch list.

6 Katla

Created By: Baltasar Kormákur & Sigurjón Kjartansson

Katla is another foreign TV series that chronicles a disaster. However, unlike most others in the genre, the Icelandic mystery drama is set one year after the disaster and contains some supernatural elements. Katla takes place one year after the sub-glacial volcano Katla in southern Iceland erupted, which devastated the town of Vik. Strange occurrences start happening, like those previously assumed dead showing up in town and a volcanologist discovering something quite peculiar in the glacier.

For those who loved La Palma and just so happen to have an affinity for supernatural shows, Katla is the perfect series. It received rave reviews after its premiere in 2021 on Netflix, with critics praising its thrills, unpredictable twists, and emotional themes. Viewers should expect to cry much more while watching Katla than they did during La Palma.

5 Greenland

Directed By: Ric Roman Waugh

Greenland, directed by Ric Roman Waugh and written by Chris Sparling, is one of the most recent big disaster films, but it just so happens to also be one of the best. The 2020 apocalyptic survival disaster movie centers around Gerard Butler as John Garrity, a man attempting to save his family when a planet-destroying comet heads towards Earth. John, his wife (Allison, played by Morena Baccarin), and son (Nathan, portrayed by Roger Dale Floyd) are one of the few families in the world chosen for emergency sheltering.

Following the success of the first Greenland movie, the studio ordered a sequel titled Greenland: Migration featuring the returns of Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin as John Garrity and Allison Garrity, respectively. Ric Roman Waugh will also return to direct, while Chris Sparling will be joined by Mitchell LaFortune to write the script. Greenland: Migration is expected to premiere in 2025.

Unfortunately, many things go wrong in Greenland for the main characters. The whole world erupts in chaos, desperately trying to save themselves and their own families. The disaster movie is truly a rollercoaster from beginning to end. Greenland easily captures the audience's undying attention as they watch Butler's character try to get him and his family to safety during what appears to be the end of te world.

4 Volcano

Directed By: Mick Jackson

Not many disaster movies chronicle volcano eruptions, but Volcano is certainly one of the most memorable. Although Volcano doesn't feature a destructive tsunami, its central natural disaster ties it to La Palma on Netflix. In the 1997 film, an earthquake in Los Angeles opens a fissure in a fault line, resulting in the formation of a volcano underneath the city. Tommy Lee Jones plays Mike Roark, the director of Los Angeles' Office of Emergency Management who is the story's hero.

Although Volcano is not based on a true story, it was inspired by the 1943 formation of the Parícutin volcano in Mexico.

Aside from Jones, other notable cast members in Volcano are Anne Heche, Gaby Hoffmann, Don Cheadle, Keith David, John Corbett, and Richard Schiff. Like many other disaster movies, they undoubtedly elevate the story. However, Volcano is entertaining in its own right, despite the fact that it is severely underrated.

3 Dante's Peak

Directed By: Roger Donaldson

Dante's Peak is a classic volcano disaster film that is a must-watch after La Palma. The 1997 movie stars Pierce Brosnan as Harry Dalton, a USGS (United States Geological Survey) volcanologist ordered to investigate strange seismic activity in Dante's Peak, a fictional town in Washington that borders a stratovolcano. Of course, the volcano erupts, putting all the people of Dante's Peak, including Harry, in danger.

Dante's Peak Cast Role Pierce Brosnan Harry Dalton Linda Hamilton Rachel Wando Charles Hallahan Paul Dreyfus Elizabeth Hoffman Ruth Grant Heslov Greg Kirk Trutner Terry

Similar to most disaster films from the 1990s, Dante's Peak received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. However, like other movies on this list, Dante's Peak is still worth watching. It's underrated as it's entertaining, full of thrills, features a compelling story, and contains impressive special effects for the time; everything a disaster film should be.

2 Lost

Created By: Jeffrey Lieber, J. J. Abrams, & Damon Lindelof

Perhaps Lost isn't the first TV show that comes to mind when thinking about ones similar to La Palma. However, under the surface, Lost shares many similarities with the Netflix miniseries. The sci-fi adventure drama begins with a plane crashing on an island in the South Pacific Ocean and follows the survivors, who are trying to return home (like how the central family in La Palma is trying to leave the island before the tsunami hits). Over the course of the six-season series, the story takes many twists and turns, consistently surprising viewers.

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Lost is often credited as one of the best TV shows of all time, and for good reason. It ran for six seasons and 121 episodes, winning various awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 2005 and a couple of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series awards (for Terry O'Quinn as John Locke in 2005 and Michael Emerson as Ben Linus in 2007). Some argue over the quality of its later seasons (and whether the series finale was the best or worst one of all time). Regardless, Lost is a must-watch for everyone.

1 The Poseidon Adventure

Directed By: Ronald Neame

The last movie La Palma fans should check out is The Poseidon Adventure, one of the most renowned disaster films of all time. The 1972 movie is based on Paul Gallico's 1969 novel of the same name. It follows the SS Poseidon, a cruise ocean liner that sets out on its final journey from New York City to Athens before it gets decommissioned. Unfortunately, the ship gets overturned when it gets stuck in a tsunami.

Warner Bros. Pictures released a remake of The Poseidon Adventure, Poseidon, starring Kurt Russell, Josh Lucas, and Richard Dreyfuss in 2006. Unfortunately, Poseidon was a box office bomb and received negative reviews.

The Poseidon Adventure was a box office success and won two Oscars — Best Original Song and Best Visual Effects. Critics and audiences alike loved its talented ensemble cast (including Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Albertson, Shelley Winters, and Red Buttons), high-stakes story, tension, and more. The Poseidon Adventure is simply the pinnacle tsunami disaster film, making it a necessity for La Palma lovers to watch.

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite Movies My Watchlist Success! The Poseidon Adventure The Poseidon Adventure is a disaster film directed by Ronald Neame. It follows a group of passengers as they struggle for survival after their luxury cruise ship capsizes in the open sea. Starring Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, and Shelley Winters, the film showcases their desperate journey to safety amidst perilous conditions. The Poseidon Adventure is based on Paul Gallico's novel and emphasizes themes of bravery and human resilience. Where to Watch stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available *Availability in US Release Date December 13, 1972 Runtime 117 minutes Cast Gene Hackman , Ernest Borgnine , Red Buttons , Carol Lynley , Roddy McDowall , Stella Stevens , Shelley Winters , Jack Albertson Director Ronald Neame Writers Paul Gallico , Stirling Silliphant , Wendell Mayes

Source: Rotten Tomatoes