Overview
A rookie firefighter battles flames and family ties in a gripping tale of courage and corruption.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- tense
- melodramatic
- action movie night
- disaster movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the exceptional fire effects and committed performances while finding the melodramatic story shallow and shapeless.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story gives sustained attention to firehouse duties, rescue work, private lives, and the culture of Chicago firefighters.
Widespread practical-looking fire effects and elaborate burning-building sequences are central to the film's presentation.
Brian participates in investigating a series of arson incidents connected to murders while working as a rookie firefighter.
Rookie firefighter Brian seeks the respect of his older brother Stephen while their professional and personal tensions drive the drama.
Films like Backdraft, and why
The Towering Inferno
Shared firefighting action, high-stakes disaster spectacle, and emphasis on professional brotherhood.
Ladder 49
Shared emergency-service heroics, combustible danger, and muscular action-drama storytelling.
Manhunter
Shared arson investigation, urban peril, crime-thriller tension, and morally compromised institutions.
Movie Details
- Director
- Ron Howard
- Release Date
- 1991-05-24
- Runtime
- 137 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (1633)
Cast
- Kurt Russell
- William Baldwin
- Robert De Niro
- Donald Sutherland
- Jennifer Jason Leigh
- Scott Glenn
- Rebecca De Mornay
- Jason Gedrick
- J.T. Walsh
- Anthony Mockus Sr.
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- 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 Backdraft about?
- A rookie Chicago firefighter confronts deadly arson, institutional corruption, and a strained bond with his legendary older brother.
- What is Backdraft like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Backdraft as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Backdraft violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Backdraft as moderate.
- What did critics think of Backdraft?
- Critics broadly praised the exceptional fire effects and committed performances while finding the melodramatic story shallow and shapeless.
- Which films are like Backdraft?
- Films with a similar feel include The Towering Inferno, Ladder 49, and Manhunter.
- How long is Backdraft?
- Backdraft runs 137 minutes.
- Where can I watch Backdraft?
- In United States, Backdraft streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
