World Asteroid Day 2022: Must-Watch 6 Movies Featuring Earth-Threatening Asteroids

WORLD ASTEROID DAY 2022: World Asteroid Day is observed every year on 30 June. It is a United Nations-sanctioned day for public awareness of the risks of asteroid impacts on the world. The day is observed with a view to educate the common public about the risks of asteroids and the opportunities in the field.

The co-founders of the World Asteroid Day were three very distinct people, astrophysicist and famed musician Dr Brian May of the rock group Queen, filmmaker Grig Richters, Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, and B612 Foundation President Danica Remy. They wanted to educate the general public about the significance of asteroids and their role in our solar system’s formation.

The observance of World Asteroid Day is related to the Earth’s largest asteroid impact in recorded history, which happened on the same date, the Siberia Tunguska event.

Space and asteroids have been top choices as genres of filmmaking. It proves to be a crowd-pulling and blockbuster genre. Here are some of the best movies based on Asteroids.

1. Armageddon
   Released in 1998, the movie was directed by Michael Bay and starred terrific actors such as Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton and Ben Affleck. Upon discovery of an asteroid the size of the US state of Texas approaching the earth and having the power to cause great destruction, NASA brings together an unusual team to reverse the catastrophe.
2. Deep Impact
   Released in the same year, 1998, director Mimi Leder made this film where the human race prepares for the worst to happen as a comet is on its collision course towards the earth. The film features Robert Duvall, Téa Leoni, Elijah Wood, Morgan Freeman
3. Asteroid
   A sci-fi thriller directed by Bradford May, released in 1997, was a story about the discovery of an approaching asteroid and how the US government formulates a plan to stop the impending doom. The film stars Michael Biehn, Annabella Sciorra and Zach Charles.
4. Judgment Day
   John Terlesky’s directorial Judgment Day shows an enigmatic leader played by Mario Van Peebles as the only person who is able to stop a huge incoming meteor from colliding with the earth. The film stars Ice-T, Suzy Amis and Mario Van Peebles
5. Meteor
   Director Ronald Neame made this film in 1979. The film shows the United States joining the USSR forces to destroy a massive asteroid approaching the planet earth. The film stars Sean Connery, Natalie Wood and Karl Malden.
6. Don’t Look Up
   Starring Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, Don’t Look Up released in 2021. The film addresses important issues such as climate change along with the main plot of a deadly incoming comet. The film was directed by Adam McKay.