Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- tense
- sentimental
- blockbuster night
- action movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that the film delivers impressive CGI destruction and effective popcorn spectacle, but is weakened by formulaic characters, implausible science, and a thin plot.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The earthquake, collapsing buildings, tsunami, and large-scale California destruction dominate the film's visual identity.
Ray Gaines uses his helicopter rescue training to navigate the earthquake aftermath and reach Blake.
Ray, Emma, and Blake's separated family relationships organize the rescue journey amid statewide devastation.
The San Andreas Fault, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and earthquake fears provide the film's geographic and cultural foundation.
Films like San Andreas, and why
2012
shares large-scale disaster spectacle, family rescue stakes, and accessible action-thriller pacing
The Day After Tomorrow
shares earthquake-driven catastrophe, heroic survival missions, and CGI-heavy destruction
Deep Impact
shares natural-disaster suspense, emergency responders, and emotionally direct family melodrama
War of the Worlds
shares relentless urban destruction, rescue logistics, and high-arousal blockbuster spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Brad Peyton
- Release Date
- 2015-05-27
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (9223)
Cast
- Dwayne Johnson
- Alexandra Daddario
- Carla Gugino
- Ioan Gruffudd
- Archie Panjabi
- Paul Giamatti
- Hugo Johnstone-Burt
- Art Parkinson
- Will Yun Lee
- Kylie Minogue
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- YouTube TV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is San Andreas about?
- A helicopter rescue pilot races across a shattered California to reunite his family during an unprecedented earthquake and tsunami.
- What is San Andreas like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of San Andreas as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is San Andreas violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in San Andreas as moderate.
- What did critics think of San Andreas?
- Critics broadly agreed that the film delivers impressive CGI destruction and effective popcorn spectacle, but is weakened by formulaic characters, implausible science, and a thin plot.
- Which films are like San Andreas?
- Films with a similar feel include 2012, The Day After Tomorrow, Deep Impact, and War of the Worlds.
- How long is San Andreas?
- San Andreas runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch San Andreas?
- In United States, San Andreas streams on YouTube TV.
