Why do we love disaster movies and books so much?

Watching disaster and apocalyptic movies - and reading the books - probably doesn't have a one-size-fits-all reason, as each person is different. However...

I have a slightly different take on it and think it is much the same as people being nearly mesmerized by and following the news concerning terrible events. There is a kind of horrible fascination attached to watching as things unfold.

This watching goes way back; there were the gladiators and all those "entertainments" in the Roman Coliseum but also people watching things like battles during the war between the states (Civil War) of the United States.

While watching a movie or reading a book, people are in the relative safety of their homes or a theater or wherever it happens to be. Perhaps that insulation from the disaster makes it the more appealing. There is the aspect of "what if" attached to it, but the events can be enjoyed as long as it isn't happening "here."

I found this article http://www.gazette.com/articles/films-70391-dubbed... interesting. A couple of quotes from the article: "Perhaps these films are more than just a barometer of our naked fears. Perhaps they are also cautionary fables, the sort of cinematic clarion calls that act as warning signs. Maybe they indicate that people are finally coming around to the idea that we have it within ourselves to bring about our own extinction." and "Granted, none of us would want to live in any of these apocalyptic futures, but it certainly makes our own problems seem a whole lot less grave, if only for a few hours."

Perhaps it's a combination of factors, then. There is a morbid curiosity to see what it might be like if this were to happen or if we were to experience whatever the disaster is. There could be the aspect of people having fears and sometimes enjoying the fright. Maybe there is the thought of "things could be worse," which gives some comfort. Not that all these movies allow for it, but "starting afresh" could also be a part of the appeal.

It's an interesting question and one I've considered from time to time. Like you, I generally enjoy disaster/"the end" movies (and books) and have asked myself why I do. Unfortunately, I don't think I've hit on the exact reason.

Disaster Movie actually got a 2% rating on Rotten Tomatoes:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/disaster_movie/

Maybe people like them because deep down they find the world to be overpopulated and yearn for the way things used to be before mega cities and huge empire nations.

some people just like the idea of the world ending.

This is a good question, and one that confused me for a very long time.

I think everyone wonders what they would do in such a situation, whether or not they could survive.

Not sure about this

i don't like them,