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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1991 โ€บ Backdraft

Backdraft poster

Backdraft (1991)

โ€œSilently behind a door, it waits. One breath of oxygen and it explodes in a deadly rage. In that instant it can create a hero...or cover a secret.โ€

6.7/10 ยท 1,632 votes 2h 17m r ActionThrillerDramaCrime

#37 of 63 films from 1991 #888 of 2168 in action

Directed by Ron Howard ยท Written by Gregory Widen

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

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.

Cast

Kurt Russellas Stephen McCaffrey
William Baldwinas Brian McCaffrey
Robert De Niroas Donald Rimgale
Donald Sutherlandas Ronald Bartel
Jennifer Jason Leighas Jennifer Vaitkus
Scott Glennas John 'Axe' Adcox
Rebecca De Mornayas Helen McCaffrey
Jason Gedrickas Tim Kirzminski
J.T. Walshas Alderman Marty Swayzak
Anthony Mockus Sr.as Chief John Fitzgerald
Cedric Youngas Grindle
Juan Ramรญrezas Ray Santos
Kevin Caseyas Nightingale
Jack McGeeas Schmidt

Facts

Release dateMay 24, 1991
Runtime137 min (2h 17m) โ€” longer as the 1991 average of 107 min
GenresAction, Thriller, Drama, Crime
LanguageEN
Budget$75,000,000
Box office$152,368,585 (2.0ร— budget)
IMDbtt0101393

More from Ron Howard

A Beautiful MindA Beautiful Mind2001 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 2h 15m Thirteen LivesThirteen Lives2022 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 2h 27m RushRush2013 ยท โ˜… 7.7 ยท 2h 3m Cinderella ManCinderella Man2005 ยท โ˜… 7.6 ยท 2h 24m Apollo 13Apollo 131995 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 2h 20m Frost/NixonFrost/Nixon2008 ยท โ˜… 7.3 ยท 2h 2m WillowWillow1988 ยท โ˜… 7.0 ยท 2h 6m How the Grinch Stole ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christmas2000 ยท โ˜… 6.8 ยท 1h 45m

If you liked Backdraft

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

Bound by HonorBound by Honor1993 ยท โ˜… 8.2 ยท 3h 10m The KillerThe Killer1989 ยท โ˜… 7.6 ยท 1h 50m The NegotiatorThe Negotiator1998 ยท โ˜… 7.1 ยท 2h 20m In the Line of FireIn the Line of Fire1993 ยท โ˜… 7.0 ยท 2h 8m The SubstituteThe Substitute1996 ยท โ˜… 7.0 ยท 1h 54m BreakdownBreakdown1997 ยท โ˜… 6.9 ยท 1h 33m Lock UpLock Up1989 ยท โ˜… 6.8 ยท 1h 49m PaybackPayback1999 ยท โ˜… 6.8 ยท 1h 40m

Questions

How long is Backdraft?
Backdraft runs 137 minutes (2h 17m).
Is Backdraft worth watching?
TMDB users give it 6.7/10 across 1,632 votes, which places it #37 of 63 films released in 1991 in this index (top 43%) and #888 among 2168 action titles.
Who directed Backdraft?
Backdraft was directed by Ron Howard. Other well-rated titles by the same director: A Beautiful Mind (2001), Thirteen Lives (2022), Rush (2013).
Who stars in Backdraft?
Kurt Russell as Stephen McCaffrey; William Baldwin as Brian McCaffrey; Robert De Niro as Donald Rimgale; Donald Sutherland as Ronald Bartel; Jennifer Jason Leigh as Jennifer Vaitkus; Scott Glenn as John 'Axe' Adcox.
What is Backdraft rated?
It carries a r certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Backdraft?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/1503.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.