The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Backdraft
Entertainment • Film

Backdraft

Backdraft is a 1991 American action thriller drama film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Backdraft is a 1991 American action thriller drama film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen. Set in Chicago, it follows firefighters investigating a series of fires set by a serial arsonist. The film was released in May 1991 and later inspired a sequel, Backdraft 2, released in 2019.

Plot

The story follows firefighters in Chicago who are drawn into a case involving a serial arsonist. The investigation is intertwined with family conflict among the firefighters.

Production and release

Backdraft was directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen. It was released on May 24, 1991, in the United States.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews and was a commercial success, grossing $152.4 million worldwide. It also received three Academy Award nominations for Best Sound, Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects.

Legacy

Backdraft helped popularize the term and concept of a backdraft for general audiences. It also led to a sequel, Backdraft 2, in 2019.

Key facts

  • The film centres on Chicago firefighters investigating a serial arsonist.
  • It was directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen.
  • The cast includes Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro and Donald Sutherland.
  • The film earned $152.4 million worldwide and received three Academy Award nominations.
  • A sequel, Backdraft 2, was released in 2019.

Frequently asked questions

What is Backdraft about?
It follows Chicago firefighters investigating a serial arsonist while dealing with family tensions.
Who directed Backdraft?
Ron Howard directed the film.
Who wrote Backdraft?
Gregory Widen wrote the screenplay.
When was Backdraft released?
It was released on May 24, 1991.
Did Backdraft have a sequel?
Yes. Backdraft 2 was released in 2019.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backdraft_(film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, release date, plot, box office, awards, sequel
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/backdraft
    Supports: Plot synopsis, director, writer, release date, runtime, genre
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101393/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary
  4. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q499371
    Supports: Film identity, director, country, language, release date