Asteroids, comets, meteors and the movies

Asteroids are a popular go-to in the disaster and sci-fi movie genre. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable ones.

5 Seconds

00:00

“Armageddon” (1998)

Among the best known of the asteroid flicks is Touchstone Pictures’ film “Armageddon.” In this screenshot from the film, a series of meteorites pummel Earth. The story line is as follows: A team is sent to drill into and break apart an asteroid that is on a collision course with Earth. “Armageddon” was released in 1998 and stars Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck. Unlike in the film, the real-life asteroid, 2012 DA14, is not — repeat not — on a collision course with the planet.

Frank Masi/Touchstone Pictures /

In the fictional world, 1998 wasn’t such a great year for Earth. In addition to “Armageddon,” another film, “<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DN7W4G?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B005DN7W4G&linkCode=xm2&tag=washingtonpost-20'>Deep Impact</a>,” chronicled the lead-up to the fictional disaster scenario of a comet on — you guessed it — a collision course with the planet. In this scene from the film, astronauts Mikhail Tulchinsky (Alexander Baluev), left, and Gus Partenza (Jon Favreau) plant a detonation device in the asteroid in an attempt to alter the course of the comet heading for Earth.

“Deep Impact” (1998)

In the fictional world, 1998 wasn’t such a great year for Earth. In addition to “Armageddon,” another film, “Deep Impact,” chronicled the lead-up to the fictional disaster scenario of a comet on — you guessed it — a collision course with the planet. In this scene from the film, astronauts Mikhail Tulchinsky (Alexander Baluev), left, and Gus Partenza (Jon Favreau) plant a detonation device in the asteroid in an attempt to alter the course of the comet heading for Earth.

Myles Aronowitz

Sometimes it’s not about an asteroid slamming into a planet, at least it wasn’t in “<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FQJAJG?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000FQJAJG&linkCode=xm2&tag=washingtonpost-20'>Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back</a>.” In the film, the Millennium Falcon is pursued by imperial forces and takes refuge in an asteroid field, which is home to more than just space rocks.

“Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back” (1980)

Sometimes it’s not about an asteroid slamming into a planet, at least it wasn’t in “Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back.” In the film, the Millennium Falcon is pursued by imperial forces and takes refuge in an asteroid field, which is home to more than just space rocks.

LucasFilm.Ltd

Think “Armageddon”-meets-”Deep Impact,” but made for TV. In the NBC miniseries “<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000EZX4?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00000EZX4&linkCode=xm2&tag=washingtonpost-20'>Asteroid</a>,” a — surprise, surprise — asteroid is on a path to slam into Earth. The government tries and fails to destroy it leaving Earthlings to do nothing but wait. The movie stars Michael Biehn as FEMA Director Jack Wallach, who coordinates the effort to save the planet.

“Asteroid” (1997)

Think “Armageddon”-meets-”Deep Impact,” but made for TV. In the NBC miniseries “Asteroid,” a — surprise, surprise — asteroid is on a path to slam into Earth. The government tries and fails to destroy it leaving Earthlings to do nothing but wait. The movie stars Michael Biehn as FEMA Director Jack Wallach, who coordinates the effort to save the planet.

Richard Twarog

And, last but not least, we have “<a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OF4GSW?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001OF4GSW&linkCode=xm2&tag=washingtonpost-20'>Disaster Movie</a>,” part of the parody movie franchise from writer/director team Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. The film features a scene where Hannah Montana gets hit by, yep, a meteor. In this photo, Enchanted Princess (actress Nicole Parker) emerges from a manhole <span>. . .</span> because that’s hilarious.

“Disaster Movie” (2008)

And, last but not least, we have “Disaster Movie,” part of the parody movie franchise from writer/director team Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. The film features a scene where Hannah Montana gets hit by, yep, a meteor. In this photo, Enchanted Princess (actress Nicole Parker) emerges from a manhole . . . because that’s hilarious.

Jon Barren Farmer

Back to gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.