Why is ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ trending?
The 2004 climate disaster thriller is trending after becoming the number one movie on Netflix in the US this week, 22 years after its original release. It stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Dennis Quaid.
What happened
- Earlier
Netflix confirms The Day After Tomorrow hits the top spot in its US charts, decades after its 2004 release [1][2][3].
What you need to know
It's director Roland Emmerich's second-highest grossing movie after Independence Day, making $552 million globally [1].
Critics gave it mixed reviews (44% on Rotten Tomatoes), praising visuals but criticizing the plot [1].
The film depicts New York City frozen under ice due to a sudden global cooling event caused by climate change [1][2][3].
It's unclear exactly why the movie is surging in popularity now, though its Netflix availability is the primary driver.
Background
The Day After Tomorrow follows climatologist Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid) trying to rescue his son (Gyllenhaal) during a catastrophic ice age that floods and freezes New York City [1].
Despite being called 'silly', it was praised for spectacular effects and remains a cult favorite in the disaster genre [1].
Its success comes from a focused story and memorable imagery (like a frozen Statue of Liberty), differentiating it from other 2004 'lookalike' blockbusters [2].
Questions people ask
Is The Day After Tomorrow scientifically accurate?
The movie exaggerates climate science for dramatic effect. Experts criticized its portrayal of rapid global cooling, though it sparked real-world climate discussions [1].
Where can I watch it?
It's currently streaming on Netflix in the US [1][2][3].
Where this came from
[1] movieweb.com
Jake Gyllenhaal's 123-Minute Sci-Fi Action Thriller Is Officially the Biggest Movie on Netflix
Preview image from movieweb.com
[2] decider.com
How Did ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ Become the Top Movie on Netflix in 2026?
Preview image from decider.com
[3] cbr.com
8 Best Movies To Watch If You Love The Day After Tomorrow
Preview image from cbr.com
Found through Google Trends and drafted with AI from at least two cited sources. Published automatically after passing our automated checks for sources, wording and safety. It may not have been reviewed by a person yet. Report a correction.