Backdraft
Directed by Ron HowardTwo feuding siblings carrying on a heroic family tradition as Chicago firefighters. But when a puzzling series of arson attacks is reported, they are forced to set aside their differences to solve the mystery surrounding these crimes.
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Backdraft Ratings & Reviews
- Tyler SMarch 17, 2026Ron Howard goes hard with the practical fire action set pieces, I can see why this was a big hit back in 1991. Hans Zimmer score elevates the film as it always does. I love the cast even if some of them are under developed and sometimes completely forgotten about by the end, looking at Jennifer Jason Leigh she was done dirty. We get Donald Sutherland as an insane pyromaniac, providing an entertaining Hannibal Lecter style character to the proceedings. De Niro in detective mode scene steals all the limited screen time he gets and I kinda wished he was in it more. Scott Glenn and J.T. Walsh round out the rest of the supporting cast. Glenn could've used more to do and J.T. shows up to do what he does best, play a character we love to hate. Kurt will always be a star and he is the glue holding all of the cheesy melodrama together, he is why we care. Finally we get Billy Baldwin as the co-lead and even though he doesn't carry the charisma of his brother Alec he does a pretty good job and holds his own with all these legends surrounding him (much better then his embarrassing performance in Sliver). I've watched a ton of 4K's and it isn't hyperbole when I say this is one of the best transfers I've ever seen. It looks stunning and if you've never seen or are a big fan and don't have the 4K, rush out and get it, definitely a must own for the format. Backdraft's action is special, no CGI, real fire and stunts that make for a feeling of genuine stakes that we will never get again. A solid entry in 90's action and in Howard's filmography. 👍👍 8/10
- flavo43November 26, 2025Backdraft is a gripping and emotionally charged action drama that captures the intensity, camaraderie, and danger of firefighting in Chicago. The brotherly rivalry at the heart of the story feels authentic—firefighting is often a family legacy, and the film underscores this with the tragic passing of the brothers' father, whose legacy looms over everything. The depiction of fires themselves is nothing short of spectacular, with practical effects that make each blaze feel alive, unpredictable, and terrifying in the best cinematic way. The film also dips into the world of arson investigation, offering a compelling mystery element that adds depth beyond the action. While the corruption storyline may be uncomfortable, it’s sadly one of the more realistic aspects and gives the film a grounded emotional weight. Exciting, fast-paced, and filled with both triumph and tragedy, Backdraft remains one of the most memorable firefighter films ever made—equal parts entertainment, suspense, and heartfelt drama.
- RichardOctober 17, 2025This one’s pure ‘90s adrenaline, Ron Howard directing like he’s trying to win an Oscar and a fireman calendar shoot in the same film. Saw it in the cinema and the flames practically licked the screen. Rewatching it now, it’s gloriously cheesy, emotionally earnest and still kind of awesome. The drama is soap level, the dialogue occasionally laughable, but the cast sells it and the fire? Still terrifying. Still beautiful.
- Neon GhloesAugust 3, 2025There's a Galaxy S24 in the flick... So, 5/5 stars for being ahead of it's time!
- ርልዪረMarch 31, 2025Ron Howard's 1991 drama "Backdraft" doesn't try to tread any new ground but instead executed an emotional story centered around the mysterious cases of arson going on around the city of Chicago and the firefighters answering the call, while the intense relationship between two brothers acts as the heart of the film. William Baldwin and Kurt Russell really sell the tumultuous relationship between Brian and Stephen as the youngest is looking to prove himself as a man by trying to be a firefighter, while the eldest is a stubborn, reckless, and broken man who uses his work as a firefighter to cope and is willing to put himself in complete danger to save others without realizing the threat it poses to his own team. The film really does create some captivating action scenes as the fires they encounter seem big, bold, and overall terrifying, and the film acts as a love letter to the men brave enough to fight fires for the protection of its citizens but also a romance letter to fire itself and the beauty within the horror. While the acting can sometimes be hammed up and Hans Zimmer's score seems more suited for a superhero film, the mystery surrounding the fires is very compelling and will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. This a film that reminds us of the risks these brave individuals take in order to keep us safe and the sacrifices of their own personal lives for our personal safety.
Backdraft Trivia
Backdraft was released on May 24, 1991.
Backdraft was directed by Ron Howard.
Backdraft has a runtime of 2h 17m.
Backdraft was produced by Richard Barton Lewis, Pen Densham, John Watson.
Two feuding siblings carrying on a heroic family tradition as Chicago firefighters. But when a puzzling series of arson attacks is reported, they are forced to set aside their differences to solve the mystery surrounding these crimes.
The key characters in Backdraft are Stephen McCaffrey (Kurt Russell), Brian McCaffrey (William Baldwin), Donald Rimgale (Robert De Niro).
Backdraft is rated R.
Backdraft is a Drama, Action, Crime film.
Backdraft has an audience rating of 7.5 out of 10.
Backdraft had a budget of $75M.
Backdraft has made $152.4M at the box office.