6 Best Firefighter Movies of All Time

By Vlad Zakh · March 7, 2026

Firefighting’s life-or-death physical courage has made for some of action cinema’s most visceral, emotionally resonant true-to-life dramas. In Only the Brave (2017): An elite team of wildland firefighters faces increasingly dangerous wildfires across the American West. Another standout is The Towering Inferno (1974): An architect confronts a catastrophic fire trapping guests at the opening gala of his skyscraper.

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

TMDB ★ 5.9

A traumatized 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 navigating 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

An architect confronts a catastrophic fire trapping guests at the opening gala of his skyscraper.

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, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually 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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