Movies Like Ladder 49 (2004)

Ladder 49 is a 2004 action, drama, thriller film from Jay Russell with a MovieMagicScore of 6.5/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Backdraft and The Towering Inferno.

Action Drama Thriller

Backdraft

1991

Two feuding siblings carrying on a heroic family tradition as Chicago firefighters. But when a puzzling series of arson attacks is reported, they are forced to set aside their differences to solve the mystery surrounding these crimes.

6.7

MagicScore

The Towering Inferno

1974

At the opening party of a colossal—but poorly constructed—skyscraper, a massive fire breaks out, threatening to destroy the tower and everyone in it.

7.0

MagicScore

City on Fire

1979

An ex-employee of a city oil refinery creates an explosion at the facility which starts a chain-reaction of fires that engulf the entire city.

4.9

MagicScore

Only the Brave

2017

Members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots battle deadly wildfires to save an Arizona town.

7.4

MagicScore

The Tower

2012

Tower Sky, a luxurious building complex, has organised a lavish Christmas party for its VIP guests. However, things go awry when a fire breaks out and thousands of lives are endangered.

7.0

MagicScore

World Trade Center

2006

Two police officers struggle to survive when they become trapped beneath the rubble of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

6.1

MagicScore

Fire Rescue Scene

1894

"Firemen in working uniform, rubber coats, helmets, and boots. Thrilling rescue from burning building. Smoke effects are fine." - from the Edison Catalog

5.1

MagicScore

Promare

2019

Galo and the Burning Rescue Fire Department face off against BURNISH, a group of mutants who are able to control and wield flames, and the fire disaster they have unleashed on Earth.

7.1

MagicScore

Fire

2020

Fires are raging in the Moscow region, and the forest protection airbase is on a rotation. However, experienced firefighters are in short supply and team leader Andrey Pavlovich has to take on a new recruit, Roman.

8.0

MagicScore

#10

A View to a Kill

1985

A newly-developed microchip designed by Zorin Industries for the British Government that can survive the electromagnetic radiation caused by a nuclear explosion has landed in the hands of the KGB. James Bond must find out how and why. His suspicions soon lead him to big industry leader Max Zorin who forms a plan to destroy his only competition in Silicon Valley by triggering a massive earthquake in the San Francisco Bay.

6.2

MagicScore

#11

The Bravest

2019

Based on real life events, the film revolves around the heroic efforts of a team of firefighters as they attempt to deal with a fire that breaks out at an oil refinery in Dalian.

7.2

MagicScore

#12

Firestorm

1998

Firefighter Jesse Graves has to save ornithologist Jennifer and other people caught in a forest fire, which was set up by the lawyer of convicted killer Earl Shaye, who escaped from the prison with several of his inmates posing as firefighters to recover $37,000,000 in stashed loot.

5.2

MagicScore

#13

Fireproof

2008

A heroic fire captain values dedication and service to others above all else, but the most important partnership in his life, his marriage, is about to go up in smoke.

7.7

MagicScore

#14

Earthquake

1974

Various interconnected people struggle to survive when an earthquake of unimaginable magnitude hits Los Angeles, California.

6.1

MagicScore

#15

Poseidon

2006

A packed cruise ship traveling the Atlantic is hit and overturned by a massive wave, compelling the passengers to begin a dramatic fight for their lives.

5.9

MagicScore

#16

Frequency

2000

When a rare phenomenon gives police officer John Sullivan the chance to speak to his father, 30 years in the past, he takes the opportunity to prevent his dad's tragic death. After his actions inadvertently give rise to a series of brutal murders he and his father must find a way to fix the consequences of altering time.

7.3

MagicScore

#17

Gray Lady Down

1978

The USS Neptune, a nuclear submarine, is sunk off the coast of Connecticut after a collision with a Norwegian cargo ship. The navy must attempt a potentially dangerous rescue in the hope of saving the lives of the crew.

6.4

MagicScore

#18

Executive Decision

1996

Terrorists hijack a 747 inbound to Washington D.C., demanding the release of their imprisoned leader. Intelligence expert David Grant (Kurt Russell) suspects another reason and he is soon the reluctant member of a special assault team that is assigned to intercept the plane and hijackers.

6.3

MagicScore

#19

Dante's Peak

1997

Volcanologist Harry Dalton comes to the sleepy town of Dante's Peak to investigate the recent rumblings of the dormant volcano the burg is named for. Before long, his worst fears are realized when a massive eruption hits, and immediately, Harry, the mayor and the townspeople find themselves fighting for their lives amid a catastrophic nightmare.

6.2

MagicScore

#20

Airport '77

1977

Flight 23 has crashed in the Bermuda Triangle after a hijacking gone wrong. Now the surviving passengers must brave panic, slow leaks, oxygen depletion, and more while attempting a daring plan, all while 200 feet underwater.

5.6

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Ladder 49?

The top films similar to Ladder 49 by MovieMagicScore are Backdraft (6.7), The Towering Inferno (7.0), City on Fire (4.9). Each shares action/drama/thriller themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Ladder 49 worth watching?

Ladder 49 holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.5/10 from 819 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Ladder 49?

Ladder 49 (2004) is a action, drama, thriller film directed by Jay Russell, starring Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Jacinda Barrett.

Where can I find more recommendations like Ladder 49?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more action recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Backdraft Movies like The Towering Inferno Movies like City on Fire Movies like Only the Brave Movies like The Tower Movies like World Trade Center

About movies like Ladder 49

This ranked list pairs Ladder 49 (2004), a action and drama and thriller film from Jay Russell, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Joaquin Phoenix take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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