Netflix’s New Disaster Hit Is the Movie Gerard Butler’s Greenland Wanted to Be

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If you enjoyed recent disaster movies like Twisters or Greenland, Netflix has a new option that’s a bit different. The Great Flood, a South Korean film from the director of Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, combines intense scenes of environmental disaster with an unexpected science fiction element.

Kim Byung-woo’s film, The Great Flood, quickly became a hit on Netflix. From December 22nd to 28th, 2025, it was the most-watched non-English movie on the platform, and it continues to be popular, likely due to its captivating story and appeal to viewers looking for fresh content.

Unlike disaster movies that focus on humanity surviving huge threats, The Great Flood presents a world where humanity is actually going to disappear. The film only becomes compelling, some might say, once the grim future shown in the trailers actually begins to unfold.

The Great Flood Is Disaster Cinema Done Right

Après Le Déluge, Le Déluge

Okay, so I just watched The Great Flood, and at first, it felt pretty familiar. You’ve got the whole disaster movie setup – an asteroid hits Antarctica, things melt, and suddenly most of the world is underwater. It reminded me of a lot of other films in the genre. The story centers around Gu An-na, played by Kim Da-mi, who’s a researcher, and her son, Ja-in. They’re just trying to survive as Seoul gets completely flooded, and that’s where the movie really begins.

An-na rushed to collect medicine for Ja-in, who was sick, while he happily drew pictures of them together. They needed to leave quickly, as An-na’s employers had promised to get them to safety. But when the building was surrounded by massive floodwaters and everyone panicked, getting out became very difficult.

Son Hee-jo (Park Hae-soo) eventually finds the group and leads them to safety, but not without facing several terrifying challenges along the way. The film features powerful and unforgettable images of frightened people helplessly watching as enormous waves destroy the city. Despite surviving the initial waves, the flooding continues, and the future of humanity looks bleak.

Netflix’s New #1 Hit Movie Ditches Formulaic Disasters

No Spoilers, Promise

About midway through the film, the story takes an interesting turn, revealing a compelling end-of-the-world situation that changes how you view everything that happened before. It’s a movie that encourages repeat viewings, as you’ll likely notice subtle clues in the dialogue, character actions, and visual details that add to the unfolding story.

For An-na, even a massive flood that engulfs Seoul and much of the world feels deeply personal, bringing back painful memories. As the story unfolds, we learn more about her secretive work and her connection to what’s really happening with humanity. Despite the desperate circumstances, An-na remains focused on protecting herself and her son.

The movie The Great Flood blends science fiction elements with a realistic disaster story, creating a compelling and unique plot that’s best experienced without spoilers. It avoids typical disaster movie clichés while remaining easy to follow, ultimately becoming a thought-provoking and exciting thriller, especially thanks to Kim Da-mi’s impressive performance as An-na, who undergoes a significant change throughout the film.

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2026-01-04 07:08