Netflix’s new sci-fi disaster movie is the blockbuster I didn’t know I needed — and the first trailer proves it

Kim Da-mi as Anna in "The Great Flood" on Netflix

(Image credit: Kyunghwa Jeong / Netflix)

I love a good disaster movie, but 2025 has felt pretty lacking in the genre so far. Even last year didn’t deliver many big releases, aside from the tornado-chasing goodness of “Twisters.” Of course, I get that disaster flicks aren’t exactly quick or easy to make since they’re blockbusters by nature, with massive budgets needed to make the chaos feel real.

All that said, it looks like Netflix might be stepping up to deliver the thrills I’ve been missing. The streamer’s new Korean sci-fi disaster movie, “The Great Flood,” already looks incredibly promising from the first trailer.

Set on the final day of Earth, “The Great Flood” follows an AI researcher and her son as they navigate a catastrophic flood that submerges their apartment building. This premise alone is enough to pique my interest, but the short trailer has only increased my excitement.

The Great Flood | Official Teaser | Netflix [ENG SUB] - YouTube

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The trailer wastes no time introducing the conflict, opening with An-na (Kim Da-mi) walking through her apartment, puddles of water on the floor. She then looks out the window and sees water rising to the level of the glass, before it starts to pour in. The trailer quickly cuts to her carrying her son to safety, meeting other survivors as they watch a massive wave consume their apartment building.

Originally, I expected this to be a straightforward flood-related disaster flick. But the trailer introduces “Squid Game” star Park Hae-soo as Hee-jo, a member of a human resource security team. He tells An-na that once they reach the temporary shelter, she’ll “get her mission.” Judging by the heavy sci-fi imagery, including rockets, babies in tubes, and the words “you have to create a new mankind,” it seems this will be more than just a natural disaster movie.

“The Great Flood” will premiere at the Busan International Film Festival on September 18 before streaming globally on Netflix starting December 19, 2025.

‘The Great Flood’ on Netflix — what we know right now

Park Hae-soo as Hee-jo in "The Great Flood" on Netflix — (Image credit: Kyunghwa Jeong / Netflix)

Along with the trailer and release date, we also have an official synopsis: “The Great Flood is a sci-fi disaster blockbuster film following those holding onto the last shred of hope for humanity as they struggle to survive in a flooded apartment building on the last day of Earth, overcome by a great flood.”

I’d usually be the one to say that the first trailer revealed too much about the plot. But in this case, it works for a disaster movie. We’ve seen countless flood scenarios before, and introducing the central conflict with AI as humanity’s potential savior immediately sets this apart. Of course, it still leaves plenty up to interpretation.

“The Great Flood” appears to be part survival disaster thriller, part sci-fi speculative story about humanity’s future. While the catastrophic flood drives the immediate crisis, An-na’s role seems much larger, suggesting she may hold the knowledge or technology to preserve (or even reboot) humanity.

It’s kind of wild to think filming wrapped all the way back in January 2023. The long post-production period probably says a lot about what went into this movie, especially since it’s being labeled a “blockbuster” by Netflix. Mixing massive disaster visuals with sci-fi elements is no small feat, and from the trailer, the effects already look really impressive.

Directed by Kim Byung-woo and starring prominent Korean actors Kim Da-mi and Park Hae-soo, this compelling story of survival looks like one to watch in December (not exactly your usual festive fare). Judging by the first gripping trailer, I’m already counting down the days.

As a reminder, “The Great Flood” is set to premiere on Netflix on December 19, 2025.

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Alix is a Senior Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, which basically means watching the best movies and TV shows and then writing about them. It’s a dream job for someone who’s been obsessed with storytelling since she first figured out how to work a remote.

Before joining Tom’s Guide, Alix honed her skills as a staff writer with outlets like Screen Rant and Bough Digital, where she discovered her love for the entertainment industry.

She heads to the cinema every week as a tradition, no matter what’s showing. For her, movies aren’t just entertainment — they’re a ritual, a comfort, and a constant source of inspiration. When she’s not at her desk or at the cinema, you’ll probably find her deep into a horror video game on her PC.

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