10 Best Firefighting Movies heroic and perfect

Chris HuntAbout the Author: Hi! I'm Chris Hunt, and I wrote this article. With years of experience as a former firefighter and knowledge of combustible materials, I have personally researched and compiled the information presented here. Please note that the content provided is solely my opinion and should not be construed as professional advice. Additionally, I do not guarantee the quality or performance of any of the products featured. Please be sure to review the website's Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions before using the site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (without additional cost or expense to you).

Selecting the best firefighting movies was not an easy chore! Because, as it turns out, firefighter movies are some of the best and most classic action films. They’ve got everything you want from a good movie: action, suspense, outfits, and the dramatic footage of locations ablaze.

In every firefighter movie, you’ve got to have that classic scene. That’s when the hero storms into a burning location to save the trapped damsel in distress (sometimes just a kitty). In most cases, firefighters go out of their way to help others when required.

Others deal with the drama of a particular disaster or famous blaze. We get to see the training, the base preparation, the political issues, and their effect on society.

Yet, other films focus more on the effect of emotional stress. For example, they might explore how the hero deals with personal issues, his family, and the firefighter’s career.

In general, all capture different feelings and emotions that those who have served experience at one moment or another.

So, here are our favorite and best firefighting movies.

Best Firefighting Movies

1. Backdraft (1991)

Backdraft is a story of a multi-generational family of firefighters who seem to have fire fighting in their blood. Unfortunately, the father dies early in the movie while on a call-out. However, his sons continue in his footsteps to become firefighters.

The two brothers have a strained relationship which forms the backdrop to the film. The older brother – a decorated hero – doesn’t believe his younger sibling has what it takes to be a firefighter.

Backdraft Movie Poster - Best Firefighting Movies

When the younger brother transfers to a ‘safe’ assignment, he gets the task of investigating a string of arson attacks across the city. Unfortunately, the investigation leads the younger brother to think the Baltimore alderman, a prisoner, and his brother are on the arson plot together.

Overall, the movie has a classic 90s drama feel about it. Unfortunately, I didn’t find the plot too compelling, and the film does feel a little dated. Nonetheless, it was nominated for 3 Oscars and still wins critical acclaim.

2. Ladder 49 (2004)

In Ladder 49, Baltimore firefighter Jack Morrison (played by Joaquin Phoenix) is inside a warehouse fire after saving the life of a civilian.

The film uses a series of flashbacks to tell the story. It describes how Jack joined the fire brigade, developed friendships with his crew, and built a loving family back home. Finally, it explores heartbreaking moments when Jack’s children and wife express fear for the very situation he’s in right now – trapped in a fire.

Ladder 49 Movie Poster - Best Firefighting Movies

Meanwhile, Jack’s team, led by Deputy Chief Mike Kennedy (played by John Travolta), embark on a heroic rescue operation to get Jack out alive.

Ladder 49 has some hilarious scenes of camaraderie among firefighters in the station. But it also explores the daily fears and anxieties firefighters and their families face.

3. Only the Brave (2017)

Only the Brave is an incredibly emotional tale that captures the actual events of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. This crew of elite wildfire fighters lost 19 of their 20 crew members in the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona in June 2013.

The story follows the lives of the crew leading up to the event. One of the central characters, Brendan, joins the team after a more or less failed life in the lead-up. He gets arrested, is unemployed, and a drug abuser kicks him out of his home.

Brendan’s child is born to his ex-girlfriend. Brendan applies to join the hotshots. The superintendent, Eric, gives Brendan a chance to get his life back. The movie depicts his experience with the crew and getting his life back together.

At the film’s end, Brendan is the last remaining hotshot, and while he lost all his crew, he lives his life in their honor.

Overall, this incredibly moving film shows how being a firefighter gives a higher meaning to a person’s life.

4. Trial By Fire (2008)

Trial by fire stands out for being a film that challenges the masculine orthodoxy in firefighting films. The main character is a woman named Rick that strives to prove herself worthy of joining the elite Smoke Jumpers team. Part of their assignment is to parachute deep into wildfire territory on rescue and containment missions.

The film starts with someone falsely accusing Rick of causing her father’s death. However, Rick has something to prove from here and sets her sights on the Smoke Jumpers crew to do just that. She is working her way through training and fighting back her doubters. But before her training can end, she’s thrown into the line of duty to be tested in a real-life emergency sooner than expected.

This film packs a punch, including burning forests and career building. In addition, you experience the tension between man and woman, as she excels in some tasks (and fails in others).

5. The Towering Inferno (1974)

This classic film depicts the rescue mission the San Francisco Fire Department led after a tower caught fire.

The story begins at the opening gala for the newest and tallest building in the world. The tower architect worries that engineers didn’t do the electrical wiring in the tower to his specifications. Suspense builds as people below hope the fire does not ignite – until smoke appears on the 81st floor.

What continues is a rescue mission that feels incredibly unrealistic, but hey – it’s Hollywood.

After several horrific deaths at the hands of the fire, the Fire Department exploded water tanks on top of the tower. This explosion filled the location with water, saving the last remaining civilians.

It’s old, unrealistic, and lacks much character development … but what more can you expect with a 50-year-old film?

6. World Trade Center (2006)

This feature film focuses on a group of firefighters who entered the Twin Towers in 2001. It has some good emotional tributes, and it is worth a watch.

It starts with four firefighters that ran into the twin towers to rescue survivors. Unfortunately, two firefighters died, while the other two got buried in the rubble near the base.

The plot then turns to a group of US marines rescuing the two firefighters from the rubble. Finally, the firefighters reunite with their families.

In the epilogue, we see the surviving firefighters at a barbecue with their families. Meanwhile, one of the rescuers re-enlists with the Marines in the post-9/11 enlistment drive.

While it’s a lovely tribute to heroes, some scenes are cliché. Therefore, it’s not our favorite firefighter movie.

7. Burn (2012)

This documentary is a must-watch if you’re planning on becoming a fireman. It follows a year in the life of members of Engine Company 50 of the Detroit Firefighters.

Set in post-GFC Detroit, the town shakes in bankruptcy, a declining population, and high arson rates. People set abandoned locations on fire for fun throughout the city. The firefighters must contend with this spate of arson while also dealing with budget cuts across the essential services.

The three main characters in the documentary are Dave, Brendan, and Don. Dave is nearing retirement and acts as a mentor to his younger crew. Brendan suffers an injury on duty which leaves him paralyzed. He must contend with a new reality. And Don is tasked with becoming the new fire commissioner for Detroit at a time of high arson, low morale, and no money.

Overall it’s a sobering documentary on the reality of firefighting. However, it’s not an entertaining film unless you are a firefighter or are deeply interested in these issues.

8. Fire! Trapped on the 37th floor (1991)

This TV movie starts with Susan Lowell (Lisa Hartman) and Paul DeWitt (Peter Scolari). They are working late on the 37th floor of a Los Angeles Skyscraper. At the same time, a maintenance crew cuts the fire suppression system to install sprinklers when a fire breaks out on the 12th floor.

To make matters worse, it turns out that the smoke alarms didn’t work. Therefore, the fire grew without anyone noticing until it was out of control. Lee Majors plays the part of Deputy Chief Sterling.

The movie itself gets its inspiration from actual events. In May 1988, the Los Angeles First Interstate Bank building went ablaze. It was, at the time, the tallest in Los Angeles and became front news for several days.

9. Hellfighters (1968)

If you love John Wayne movies, you are in for a treat. In this movie, an oilfield catches on fire, and Chance Buckman (John Wayne) and his crew must contain the fire.

The acting and plot don’t hold to today’s standards. However, if you can look past that, it’s a delightful film.

The star actor, Buckman, an oil rig firefighter, becomes hospitalized. Part of the movie deals with his feelings and how his job affects his marriage.

10. Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232 (1992)

This TV movie drama derives from the history surrounding flight 232, traveling from Denver to Chicago. The film mixes actual footage caught on the ground by news crews. The DC-10 aircraft crashed when attempting an emergency landing at Sioux City Gateway Airport.

As history goes, the pilots coordinated with emergency ground personnel 40 minutes before the crash. This action resulted in 184 people being able to survive the disaster.

This film depicts the drama and coordination between emergency crews to deal with the crash.

The movie has great actors like Charlton Heston, James Coburn, and Richard Thomas.

Worst Firefighting Movies

So far, we’ve explored the best firefighting movies out there. However, not all films with firefighters in them are good.

It’s time to list two movies that we didn’t like.

1. Fireproof (2008)

This film has a firefighter that knows the value of standing by his partners in the line of duty. It then explores the decaying home life of him and his wife.

However, as the movie progresses, it gets too preachy for our taste. The firefighter needs to rediscover his connection with God and the importance of Christian marriage.

Unfortunately, the didactic message overshadowed the plot, so we gave up on it.

2. Firehouse Dog (2007)

It’s a movie for kids, but we were still disappointed. It’s your typical story of an unloved mutt being given a chance by a kid and becoming the hero. You can watch Peter from the Hunger Games when he’s a kid! He joins the force of Engine 55, becoming the story’s hero.

You can put it on for your kids … but I wouldn’t recommend you sit through it with them.

Final Thoughts

We were surprised just how few high-quality films there are out there. It’s an untapped genre, and we hope to see a few more firefighting films coming out in the coming years. As we previously said, selecting the best firefighting movies was not easy!

In our humble opinion, Ladder 49 outshines the rest.

These films can be fun if you aspire to become a firefighter!

Bonus: The documentary ‘Burn’ might also fascinate you.