By Nicole Pyles
Copyright tomsguide
Skip to main content
Tom’s Guide
Newsletters
View Profile
Search Tom’s Guide
You May Like
You won’t see this twist coming: Paramount Plus has the perfect psychological thriller streaming now
Prime Video has an underrated sci-fi thriller I can’t stop thinking about — and you’ll be hooked, too
Prime Video’s new deep-sea diving thriller is so intense, I had to pause and take a breather before I could finish it
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Over-Ear Headphones
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Connections
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
Operating Systems
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
Home Brands
Popular Brands
View Phones
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
View Network Carriers
Android Phones
View Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
View Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Headphones
View Headphones
Over-Ear Headphones
View Speakers
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
View Entertainment
View Streaming
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
View Gaming
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Word Games
Connections
View Computing
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
View Hardware
View Software
Operating Systems
View Security
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
View VR & AR
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
View Laptops
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
View Desktops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
View Tablets
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
AI Engines
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
View Wellness
Mattresses
View Mattresses
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
View Fitness
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
View Outdoors
Home Brands
Popular Brands
Meta Connect LIVE
iPhone 17 Pro Max Review
iPhone Air Review
iPhone 17 Review
Best laptops
Best Mattress
Don’t miss these
Prime Video
Prime Video just added one of the best action movies of 2025 (so far) — and it’s an adrenaline-fueled ride
‘Weapons’ is finally streaming — here’s why it’s one of my favorite movies of 2025 (so far)
Prime Video
Prime Video top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
7 best new movies to stream this weekend on Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max and more (Sept. 13-14)
Paramount Plus
You won’t see this twist coming: Paramount Plus has the perfect psychological thriller streaming now
Prime Video
Prime Video has an underrated sci-fi thriller I can’t stop thinking about — and you’ll be hooked, too
Prime Video
Prime Video’s new deep-sea diving thriller is so intense, I had to pause and take a breather before I could finish it
Prime Video
This overlooked movie from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘F1’ director just cracked the Prime Video top 10 — and it stars Josh Brolin and Miles Teller as heroic firefighters
One of my favorite rom-coms of the past decade just arrived on Hulu — and it’s got a killer Brad Pitt cameo
Paramount Plus
You’ll be thinking about Leonardo DiCaprio’s underrated thriller ‘Shutter Island’ for weeks — stream it now on Paramount Plus
If you’re hyped for ‘28 Years Later,’ you should watch this sci-fi thriller from the same team — it’s streaming on Hulu
You’ve Probably Never Seen This ’90s Sci-Fi Thriller Movie, But You Can Stream It For Free Right Now
Prime Video
Prime Video just added a twist-filled sci-fi thriller movie with an ending you won’t see coming — and the critics were way too harsh
YouTube is streaming this overlooked ’90s Brendan Fraser romantic comedy for free — and I urge you to watch
5 movies like ‘Brick’ but better
Entertainment
Pretty much everyone’s forgotten about this disaster thriller, but it’s a must-see
Nicole Pyles
20 September 2025
‘Dante’s Peak’ deserves to be unearthed and streamed
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Alamy)
I’m a big fan of disaster movies. From major blockbusters like 2012 to the obscure, straight-to-streaming flicks, I’ve probably seen them all. Yet somehow, I missed one along the way: “Dante’s Peak.” Despite being released just a few months before “Volcano,” one of my personal favorites, I never thought much about skipping it.
It’s easy to dismiss “Dante’s Peak” as just another disaster thriller, but I’m surprised I hadn’t seen it sooner. Sure, it’s also about a volcano, but it’s slightly more refined than the over-the-top chaos of “Volcano” while still delivering its share of eyebrow-raising, impossible scenes, as any good disaster movie should.
What is ‘Dante’s Peak’ about?
The film kicks off with a volcanic eruption, introducing volcanologist Dr. Harry Dalton (Pierce Brosnan). He rushes home to meet his fiancée, Marianne (Walker Brandt), hoping to escape the chaos together. But as Harry drives through the fiery destruction, a lava bomb hits their car, tragically killing Marianne.
You may like
You won’t see this twist coming: Paramount Plus has the perfect psychological thriller streaming now
Prime Video has an underrated sci-fi thriller I can’t stop thinking about — and you’ll be hooked, too
Prime Video’s new deep-sea diving thriller is so intense, I had to pause and take a breather before I could finish it
After this intense opening, the pace slows. We jump ahead four years to the small town of Dante’s Peak, Washington, where Mayor Rachel Wando (Linda Hamilton) is celebrating Money magazine recognizing them as the second-best small town in America. During the festivities, she crosses paths with Harry, who’s been sent to investigate unusual seismic activity in the area.
Rachel brings Harry along with her two children and her mother-in-law, Ruth (Elizabeth Hoffman), to explore the volcano’s surroundings. It quickly becomes clear something is wrong: dead animals and trees litter the area, springs bubble at dangerous temperatures, and Harry even discovers two people boiled to death in the water.
Compared to “Volcano,” Dante’s Peak” takes its scientific monitoring seriously. Harry reports his findings to his supervisor, Dr. Paul Dreyfus (Charles Hallahan), and urges him to alert the town. But Paul and his team are skeptical. When they investigate firsthand, they still don’t see the volcano as an imminent threat.
Amid this, a subtle romance develops between Rachel and Harry. It’s more a hint of what could be than a full-blown love story. The tension ramps up when Harry is asked to leave due to “insufficient evidence,” only for the situation to escalate dramatically when sulfur dioxide contaminates the town’s water supply. Soon after, seismic activity spikes, and evacuation becomes urgent.
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
A town meeting ensues, with Rachel and Harry pleading with the residents to leave before it’s too late. For disaster movie buffs, this scene evokes the 1981 TV movie St. Helens, where nearby citizens initially refused to evacuate—a nod to the real-life eruption.
Then the volcano erupts, leaving little time for escape. In the ensuing chaos, Harry and Rachel race home to find her children, who have gone back for their stubborn grandmother. From here, the “will they or won’t they survive” tension kicks into full gear, and the film finally sheds its slower, setup-heavy pacing.
Why you should watch ‘Dante’s Peak’
(Image credit: Alamy)
Despite its slower start, I thoroughly enjoyed “Dante’s Peak.” While Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton don’t have the same fiery chemistry between Anne Heche and Tommy Lee Jones in “Volcano,” they still complement each other well.
You may like
You won’t see this twist coming: Paramount Plus has the perfect psychological thriller streaming now
Prime Video has an underrated sci-fi thriller I can’t stop thinking about — and you’ll be hooked, too
Prime Video’s new deep-sea diving thriller is so intense, I had to pause and take a breather before I could finish it
The film takes inspiration from the real eruption of Mount St. Helens, but it’s not bound by reality, leaving room for thrilling, over-the-top moments. I couldn’t help but relish the dramatic creativity: Harry driving across molten lava to rescue a dog, or the harrowing boat ride through a toxic, ash-filled river.
If you’re a disaster thriller fan who somehow missed “Dante’s Peak,” now’s the perfect time to catch it. It may be a bit slower than some of its contemporaries, but it delivers plenty of suspense, heart, and cinematic lava-filled chaos.
Stream “Dante’s Peak” on Starz
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More From Tom’s Guide
Netflix’s new sci-fi disaster movie is the blockbuster I didn’t know I needed
Prime Video just added one of the best thriller movies you (probably) missed in 2025
7 Netflix thriller movies with twists you’ll never see coming
Streaming service deals not to miss
Disney+ Annual Premium
Get first month fr…
Hulu – Monthly (with Ads)
Max Monthly With Ads
Paramount Plus Premium – Monthly
Peacock Premium
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
See more Entertainment News
Nicole Pyles
Nicole Pyles is a writer in Portland, Oregon. She loves movies, especially Lifetime movies, obscure TV movies, and disaster flicks. Her writing has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Mental Floss, WOW! Women on Writing, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and more. When she isn’t watching movies, she’s spending time with family, reading, and writing short stories. Say hi on Twitter @BeingTheWriter.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
You won’t see this twist coming: Paramount Plus has the perfect psychological thriller streaming now
Prime Video has an underrated sci-fi thriller I can’t stop thinking about — and you’ll be hooked, too
Prime Video’s new deep-sea diving thriller is so intense, I had to pause and take a breather before I could finish it
This overlooked movie from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘F1’ director just cracked the Prime Video top 10 — and it stars Josh Brolin and Miles Teller as heroic firefighters
One of my favorite rom-coms of the past decade just arrived on Hulu — and it’s got a killer Brad Pitt cameo
You’ll be thinking about Leonardo DiCaprio’s underrated thriller ‘Shutter Island’ for weeks — stream it now on Paramount Plus
Latest in Streaming
5 best new movies to stream this weekend on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu and more (Sept. 20-21)
Spotify has 3 hidden features most people don’t know about — here’s how to use them
Prime Video just added this action-comedy movie that audiences like a lot more than the critics
I’ve been testing Spotify Lossless for a week — 3 things I like, 2 things I don’t
Prime Video top 10 shows — here’s the 3 I’m binge-watching this weekend
tvOS26 is here but your Apple TV device might be missing some features
Latest in News
How to watch Liverpool vs Everton: live streams, TV channels and team news for Merseyside Derby
Watch out — these iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air colors are reportedly getting scratched easily
Pretty much everyone’s forgotten about this disaster thriller, but it’s a must-see
ChatGPT-5 just added new controls for how long it ‘thinks’ — here’s how to set the pace
This iOS 26 feature is wreaking havoc on iPhone 17 trade-ins — here’s how to deal with it
OpenAI could follow up its AI pin with smart glasses, a speaker and more — here’s what we know
LATEST ARTICLES
2026 is the year Apple needs to release the iPhone Ultra — and ditch Pro Max for good
An exercise recovery expert says this is the metric you should look at, and it’s not your readiness score
Longevity expert shares 5 crucial sleep habits that can help you age well — plus the 3 to avoid
These 5 ChatGPT prompts helped me rethink my goals — and they might help you too
Spotify has 3 hidden features most people don’t know about — here’s how to use them
Tom’s Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future’s experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Accessibility Statement
Advertise with us
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
