6 Best Skyscraper Movies

By Vlad Zakh · June 23, 2026

Towering glass and steel has proven the perfect stage for disaster, action, and even quiet documentary wonder, trapping characters hundreds of feet above the ground. In Die Hard (1988): An off-duty cop battles a group of ruthless terrorists who seize control of a Los Angeles high-rise. Also notable is Man on Wire (2008): A daring French high-wire artist secretly plots to walk a tightrope between the Twin Towers.

Skyscraper (2018)

TMDB ★ 6.1

A security expert must rescue his family from the world's tallest, blazing skyscraper after being framed for the fire.

Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber · 1h 42m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: YouTube TV, TNT, TBS, tru TV · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

High-Rise (2015)

TMDB ★ 5.7

A luxury tower's residents descend into savage class warfare as the building's systems begin to fail.

Directed by Ben Wheatley · 1h 59m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel, Monsters and Nightmares Amazon Channel, Warriors and Gangsters Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Man on Wire (2008)

IMDb ★ 7.7 RT 100% Metacritic 89

A daring French high-wire artist secretly plots to walk a tightrope between the Twin Towers.

Directed by James Marsh · 1h 34m · Rated PG-13

Won 1 Oscar46 wins & 13 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

World Trade Center (2006)

TMDB ★ 7.2

Two Port Authority officers trapped in the rubble of the collapsing towers fight to survive and be rescued.

Directed by Oliver Stone · 2h 09m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

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

Die Hard (1988)

IMDb ★ 8.2 RT 94% Metacritic 72

An off-duty cop battles a group of ruthless terrorists who seize control of a Los Angeles high-rise.

Directed by John McTiernan · 2h 12m · Rated R

Nominated for 4 Oscars10 wins & 12 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Towering Inferno (1974)

IMDb ★ 7.0 RT 69% Metacritic 69

A raging fire traps hundreds of guests at a glittering party atop the world's tallest 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 Skyscraper Movies

Skyscraper (2018)

High-Rise (2015)

Man on Wire (2008)

World Trade Center (2006)

Die Hard (1988)

The Towering Inferno (1974)

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