The Towering Inferno

One tiny spark becomes a night of blazing suspense.

1974 • 165 min • Action · Drama · Thriller

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Synopsis

At the opening party of a colossal—but poorly constructed—skyscraper, a massive fire breaks out, threatening to destroy the tower and everyone in it.

Our family guide

Best from age 10

Movie Knight Score

1057 reviews

100 Reviewers · 2 · 51%
70 Audience · 1055 · 49%

At the grand opening of a massive skyscraper, a devastating fire erupts, trapping guests and staff. With the building engulfed in flames, a desperate rescue operation begins to save those inside before the entire structure collapses.

Violence & peril: 6/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 2/10
Romance & sensuality: 1/10
Scary moments: 7/10

Heads up

Intense and prolonged peril
Multiple deaths implied or shown
Explosions and falling debris

What it models well

Courage under pressure
Sacrifice for others
Teamwork and cooperation

Talk about it after

The dangers of cutting corners for profit
The heroism of first responders
How different people react to extreme stress

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Towering Inferno. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: John Guillermin • Crew: Stirling Silliphant

Trailers & clips

Reviewer notes

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
The crowning glory of a much maligned genre. A newly built state of the art high-rise is hosting a big society gathering when a fire starts up on the 81st floor...…
John Chard, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
Successful 70’s disaster flick isn’t anywhere near as entertaining as “The Poseidon Adventure” RELEASED IN 1974 and directed by John Guillermin, "The Towering Inferno" details events in San Francisco when the world's tallest building, The Glass Tower (138 stories), catches aflame due to an electrical short and threatens hundreds of lives during the grand dedication ceremony.…
Wuchak, TMDB Community