Dante's Peak vs. Volcano (1997): Eruptions, hot ash and acid lakes, oh my! In 1997, our nation was threatened with two volcanic eruptions: A pair of interminably silly action-adventures about unlikely ruptures in the Northern Cascade mountains and Los Angeles and the persevering heroes - Pierce Brosnan and Tommy Lee Jones, respectively - who race to save the disbelieving. Dante's Peak was first on screen, bowing in February to decent box office and co-starring Linda Hamilton (The Terminator). The film grossed 67 million, an impressive 20 million more than its successor (starring Jones, Anne Heche and a pre-fame Don Cheadle) mustered a mere two months later. Content-wise, the films are comparable, so the numbers are puzzling: You'd think more people would have shown up to see Los Angeles melt into the sea!

Bottom Line: The only thing hotter than lava is Pierce Brosnan, so Dante's Peak has the edge here.