6 Best Firefighter Movies of All Time

By Vlad Zakh · March 7, 2026

Firefighting is life-or-death physical courage, and these films try to feel it. Only the Brave follows an elite wildland crew facing ever more dangerous blazes, Backdraft has two firefighter brothers chasing an arsonist, and Ladder 49 has a trapped firefighter looking back on his life. Those Who Wish Me Dead sets a smokejumper against assassins in a wildfire, while The Towering Inferno and The Bells Go Down are the classics.

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

TMDB ★ 5.9

A traumatised smokejumper protects a young witness from assassins amid a raging wildfire.

Directed by Taylor Sheridan · 1h 40m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Only the Brave (2017)

TMDB ★ 7.6

An elite team of wildland firefighters faces increasingly dangerous wildfires across the American West.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski · 2h 13m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Ladder 49 (2004)

TMDB ★ 6.5

A trapped firefighter reflects on his career and personal life while awaiting rescue from a burning building.

Directed by Jay Russell · 1h 55m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Backdraft (1991)

TMDB ★ 6.7

Two firefighter brothers investigate a string of suspicious arson fires while dealing with old rivalries.

Directed by Ron Howard · 2h 17m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: MGM Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Bells Go Down (1943)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A group of London firefighters face constant danger defending the city during the Blitz.

Directed by Basil Dearden · 1h 29m

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Sky Store

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Towering Inferno (1974)

IMDb ★ 7.0 RT 69% Metacritic 69

A fire breaks out during a skyscraper's star-studded opening gala, trapping guests at the top.

Directed by John Guillermin · 2h 45m · Rated PG

Won 3 Oscars13 wins & 14 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Firefighter Movies of All Time

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

Only the Brave (2017)

Ladder 49 (2004)

Backdraft (1991)

The Bells Go Down (1943)

The Towering Inferno (1974)

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