Movies Like Backdraft (1991)

Backdraft is a 1991 action, crime, drama, thriller film from Ron Howard with a MovieMagicScore of 6.7/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Backdraft 2 and City on Fire.

Action Crime Drama Thriller

Backdraft 2

2019

Years after the original Backdraft, Sean, son of the late Steve "Bull" McCaffrey, is assigned to investigate a deadly fire only to realize it is something much more sinister.

6.4

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

Ladder 49

2004

Under the watchful eye of his mentor, Captain Mike Kennedy, probationary firefighter Jack Morrison matures into a seasoned veteran at a Baltimore fire station. However, Jack has reached a crossroads as the sacrifices he's made have put him in harm's way innumerable times and significantly impacted his relationship with his wife and kids.

6.5

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

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

Primal Fear

1996

Defense attorney Martin Vail takes on jobs for money and prestige rather than any sense of the greater good. His latest case involves an altar boy, accused of brutally murdering the archbishop of Chicago. Vail finds himself up against his ex-pupil and ex-lover, but as the case progresses and the Church's dark secrets are revealed, Vail finds that what appeared a simple case takes on a darker, more dangerous aspect.

7.7

MagicScore

Only the Brave

2017

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

7.4

MagicScore

Reservoir Dogs

1992

A botched robbery indicates a police informant, and the pressure mounts in the aftermath at a warehouse. Crime begets violence as the survivors -- veteran Mr. White, newcomer Mr. Orange, psychopathic parolee Mr. Blonde, bickering weasel Mr. Pink and Nice Guy Eddie -- unravel.

8.1

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

#10

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

#11

Sicario: Day of the Soldado

2018

Agent Matt Graver teams up with operative Alejandro Gillick to prevent Mexican drug cartels from smuggling terrorists across the United States border.

6.9

MagicScore

#12

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

2007

When two brothers organize the robbery of their parents' jewelry store, the job goes horribly wrong, triggering a series of events that send them and their family hurtling towards a shattering climax.

7.1

MagicScore

#13

El bombero atómico

1952

Cantinflas is a clumsy fireman, who one day receives the visit of his little goddaughter, whose mother recently died in the jungle. After having work in a few fires, Cantinflas decided to quit and become a policeman, because is less dangerous. Everything goes well until a gang of gangsters kidnap the girl, because of a monetary inheritance.

8.3

MagicScore

#14

Creepy

2016

After having narrowly escaped an attempt on his life at the hands of a psychopath, detective inspector Takakura quits active service in the police force and takes up a position as a university lecturer in criminal psychology. But his desire to get to the bottom of criminals’ motives remains, and he does not hesitate long when former colleague Nogami asks him to reopen an old case.

6.7

MagicScore

#15

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

2007

The Fantastic Four return to the big screen as a new and all powerful enemy threatens the Earth. The seemingly unstoppable 'Silver Surfer', but all is not what it seems and there are old and new enemies that pose a greater threat than the intrepid superheroes realize.

5.6

MagicScore

#16

Dirty Harry

1971

When a madman dubbed 'Scorpio' terrorizes San Francisco, hard-nosed cop, Harry Callahan – famous for his take-no-prisoners approach to law enforcement – is tasked with hunting down the psychopath.

7.5

MagicScore

#17

Pyromaniac

2016

In the darkness of a peaceful village, a pyromaniac ignites his first fire. As more fires break out, the society panics. An inferno lurks under the surface as a local policeman uncovers the unthinkable truth...

6.2

MagicScore

#18

Fantastic Four

2005

During a space voyage, four scientists are altered by cosmic rays: Reed Richards gains the ability to stretch his body; Sue Storm can become invisible; Johnny Storm controls fire; and Ben Grimm is turned into a super-strong … thing. Together, these "Fantastic Four" must now thwart the evil plans of Dr. Doom and save the world from certain destruction.

5.8

MagicScore

#19

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

#20

Resurrection

1999

A jaded homicide detective has been put on the case of a ruthless killer in the city of Chicago, who leaves a trail of horribly mutilated and dismembered corpses along with perversely ironic biblical quotes.

6.1

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Backdraft?

The top films similar to Backdraft by MovieMagicScore are Backdraft 2 (6.4), City on Fire (4.9), Ladder 49 (6.5). Each shares action/crime/drama/thriller themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Backdraft worth watching?

Backdraft holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.7/10 from 1,491 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Backdraft?

Backdraft (1991) is a action, crime, drama, thriller film directed by Ron Howard, starring Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro.

Where can I find more recommendations like Backdraft?

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 2 Movies like City on Fire Movies like Ladder 49 Movies like The Towering Inferno Movies like Frequency Movies like Primal Fear

About movies like Backdraft

This ranked list pairs Backdraft (1991), a action and crime and drama and thriller film from Ron Howard, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Kurt Russell 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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