22 Years Later, Jake Gyllenhaal’s Underrated Sci-Fi Disaster Epic Kicks Up a Storm on Streaming

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Jake Gyllenhaal has had a diverse 30-year acting career, moving from memorable roles in films like Donnie Darko to more recent action projects such as Road House. His latest thriller, Kill Switch, has been picked up by Netflix, but many remember his earlier work battling the elements in Roland Emmerich’s 2004 disaster movie, The Day After Tomorrow. That film is now gaining renewed attention as it streams again after 22 years.

You can now watch The Day After Tomorrow on AMC+, and it’s quickly becoming a favorite among viewers. As of today, it’s the eighth most popular movie on the platform, and it’s easy to see why. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Sam Hall, whose father (Dennis Quaid) is a scientist studying ancient climates. Sam finds himself stranded in New York City when a sudden change in ocean currents plunges the world into a new ice age. Here’s what the movie is about:

When climatologist Jack Hall warns the United Nations about the dangers of climate change, his concerns are dismissed. However, his predictions come true when a massive superstorm unleashes devastating disasters worldwide. Jack embarks on a perilous journey by foot from Philadelphia to New York, battling extreme conditions to reach his son, Sam, who is stranded there with a friend and others, hoping to save him before time runs out.

‘The Day After Tomorrow’ Was a Critical Disaster


20th Century Fox

Released in May 2004, the movie The Day After Tomorrow is based on Art Bell and Whitley Strieber’s 1999 book, The Coming Global Superstorm. The film, which stars Sela Ward, Emmy Rossum, and Ian Holm, was a major financial success, earning $552 million – more than four times its production cost. However, despite its popularity with audiences, critics generally disliked the movie, much like they have with other films by the director.

Despite receiving a low 45% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film The Day After Tomorrow has faced widespread criticism, being described as everything from unremarkable to absurd. Critics, like many scientists who pointed out the film’s scientific flaws, strongly disapproved. For example, Rob Gonsalves wrote in his review:

I can’t even begin to describe how funny it was watching people race to escape a wave of cold air and quickly shut the doors behind them.

‘The Day After Tomorrow’ Is a Fun Popcorn Flick

Even though it’s not scientifically accurate, The Day After Tomorrow is an enjoyable disaster movie that delivers on action and impressive visuals. The scene of the massive storm seen from space, engulfing almost all of North America, is especially memorable and has remained with viewers since its release.

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While it’s not Roland Emmerich’s strongest film, The Day After Tomorrow delivers the big, dramatic disaster action fans of movies like Greenland, Twister, Deep Impact, and Geostorm will enjoy. You can stream it now on AMC+.

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2026-02-05 14:03