{{Short description|American film by Jan de Bont}} {{Use American English|date=July 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox film | name = Twister | image = Twistermovieposter.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | alt = The dark storm funnel of a Twister against a pale sky, destroying a barn. Two small figures flee in the foreground. The title "TWISTER" appears above the dark clouds, and just above, the tagline appears in small text: "Don't breathe, Don't look back." | director = Jan de Bont | writer = {{Unbulleted list |Michael Crichton|Anne-Marie Martin}} | producer = {{Unbulleted list |Ian Bryce|Michael Crichton|Kathleen Kennedy}} | starring = {{Plainlist|<!-- per poster --> * Helen Hunt * Bill Paxton * Jami Gertz * Cary Elwes }} | cinematography = Jack N. Green | editing = Michael Kahn | music = Mark Mancina | studio = {{Plainlist | * Warner Bros.<ref name="Brennan" /> * Universal Pictures<ref name="Brennan" /> * Amblin Entertainment<ref name="Brennan" /> }} | distributor = {{Plainlist| * Warner Bros.<br>(United States and Canada) * Universal Pictures<br>(through United International Pictures; International) }} | released = {{Film date|1996|5|8|Westwood|1996|05|10|United States}} | runtime = 113 minutes<ref name="BoxOfficeMojo" /> | country = United States | language = English | budget = $88–92 million<ref name="BoxOfficeMojo">{{cite web | title=Twister (1996) | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0117998/ | work=Box Office Mojo | publisher=IMDb.com, Inc. | access-date=July 14, 2020 | archive-date=June 2, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602160804/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=twister.htm | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Numbers">{{cite web| title=Twister (1996) – Financial Information | url=https://the-numbers.com/movie/Twister| work=The Numbers| access-date=June 3, 2020| archive-date=February 28, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228165936/https://m.the-numbers.com/movie/Twister| url-status=live}}</ref> | gross = $499.2 million<ref name="Numbers" /> }}
'''''Twister''''' is a 1996 American disaster film directed by Jan de Bont, and written by Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin. It was produced by Crichton, Kathleen Kennedy, and Ian Bryce, with Steven Spielberg, Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, and Gerald R. Molen serving as executive producers. The film stars an ensemble cast that includes Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, Jami Gertz, and Cary Elwes. It follows a group of storm chasers trying to deploy a tornado research device during a severe outbreak in Oklahoma.
''Twister'' premiered in Westwood on May 8 and was released in theaters on May 10, 1996, by Warner Bros. in the United States and Canada and internationally by Universal Pictures through United International Pictures. The film grossed over $499 million worldwide, becoming the second-highest-grossing film of 1996, and selling an estimated 54.7 million tickets in the United States. It received generally positive reviews from critics and Academy Award nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound. It is also notable for being among the first films to be released on DVD in the United States. A standalone sequel, ''Twisters'', was released in 2024.
== Plot == <!-- Per MOS:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. --> On an Oklahoma farm in 1969, young Jo Thornton, her parents, and their dog Toby take shelter from an F5 tornado{{NoteTag|Although the tornado in the opening scene is identified as being of F5 intensity, the scene takes place two years before the Fujita scale was developed by Ted Fujita, in collaboration with Allen Pearson, to rate tornado intensity. Damage ratings were applied retroactively for tornadoes that occurred before the scale was formally implemented in 1972.}} that destroys their farm and kills Jo's father. Twenty-seven years later, Jo is a tornado-obsessed meteorologist leading a team of storm chasers. Her estranged husband, Bill Harding, an ex-storm chaser turned television weatherman, travels to Oklahoma with his fiancée Melissa to obtain Jo's signature on their divorce papers.
Jo shows Bill the realized "Dorothy", a device containing hundreds of small weather sensors that he conceptualized. Dorothy could revolutionize tornado research and potentially provide an earlier storm-warning system, but the device must be deployed dangerously close to a tornado to work. Jo's team rushes off to chase a developing storm, forcing Bill and Melissa to follow.
Jonas Miller, a rival storm chaser with corporate funding, stole Bill's idea for his own Dorothy-like device, Dot3. Bill agrees to accompany Jo and the team for one day to launch Dorothy. As the team pursues a rope tornado, Jo's truck runs into a ditch attempting to intercept it. Jo and Bill are forced to take shelter under a bridge, resulting in the truck and one of the four Dorothy prototypes destroyed. Bill leads the team in his own truck, chasing another tornado. They chase the tornado, now a waterspout, onto Kaw Lake that is accompanied by another with multiple vortices. The waterspout thrashes the truck around leaving them unharmed, but Melissa is traumatized in the process.
The team visits Jo's Aunt Meg in nearby Wakita for rest and food. The team then scrambles to chase a developing twister. Jo and Bill intercept a tornado with unpredictable movements. It knocks over power lines that crush Dorothy II. With the truck damaged, Bill forces them to retreat. Jo rants about her father's death. Bill admits his feelings for Jo, unaware that Melissa is overhearing them through the CB radio.
The team overnights in Fairview and Jo signs the divorce papers. A nocturnal tornado forces the team and others into a garage pit near a drive-in theater for protection. The tornado destroys the garage and two team vehicles, and injures several people before proceeding toward Wakita. Before the team rushes there, Melissa ends her relationship with Bill, encouraging him to reunite with Jo.
The Tornado leaves Wakita in ruins and flattens Aunt Meg's house. The team rescues Aunt Meg, who only has minor injuries, and her dog, Mose, who is unharmed. The National Severe Storms Laboratory forecasts that a potentially record-breaking tornado will form the next day. Inspired by Aunt Meg's wind-vane sculptures, Bill and Jo add aluminum "wings" to the last two Dorothy prototype sensors, making them more aerodynamic.
True to the forecast, a mile-wide F5 tornado forms the next day, and the team pursues it. Bill and Jo attempt to place Dorothy III in its path; however, the device is knocked over and destroyed by an airborne tree. Meanwhile, Jonas attempts to deploy Dot3, ignoring Bill and Jo's warnings that the tornado is changing direction and headed straight at him, as well as that Dot3's packaging was too light and needed to be anchored down. The tornado sweeps Jonas's truck away, killing him and his driver Eddie, as well as destroying Dot3, leaving their team devastated. With the last remaining Dorothy affixed to the bed of Bill's truck, Bill and Jo drive directly at the tornado, then jump out, sacrificing the truck to ensure that Dorothy IV can release its probes into the wedge. Dorothy IV's probes provide immediate scientific data, but without their truck, Jo and Bill are forced to run as the tornado shifts toward them. Inside a nearby pumphouse on a farm, they strap themselves to deep pipes. As the building rips away, the F5's core passes over them and they find themselves inverted in the vortex. After the tornado dissipates, the team celebrates their success while Jo and Bill reconcile.
== Cast == {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Helen_Hunt_face.jpg | width1 = 168 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Bill_Paxton_2014_retouched.jpg | width2 = 168 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Helen Hunt (''left'') and Bill Paxton (''right''), who play lead roles in the film }}
<!--- WP:NOTDATABASE - cast and order per closing credits scroll ---> {{Cast listing| * Helen Hunt as Jo Harding ** Alexa Vega as Young Jo * Bill Paxton as Bill Harding * Jami Gertz as Dr. Melissa Reeves * Cary Elwes as Jonas Miller * Lois Smith as Aunt Meg * Philip Seymour Hoffman as Dusty Davis * Alan Ruck as Rabbit * Sean Whalen as Sanders * Scott Thomson as Preacher * Todd Field as Beltzer * Joey Slotnick as Joey * Wendle Josepher as Haynes * Jeremy Davies as Laurence * Zach Grenier as Eddie * Gregory Sporleder as Willie * Patrick Fischler as Flanders * Nicholas Sadler as Kubrick * Ben Weber as Stanley * Anthony Rapp as Tony * Erik LaRay Harvey as Eric * Abraham Benrubi as Bubba * Jake Busey as mobile lab technician * Richard Lineback as Mr. Thornton * Rusty Schwimmer as Mrs. Thornton }}
== Production == === Development and writing === ''Twister'' was produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, with financial backing from Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures.<ref name="Brennan">{{Cite news|last=Brennan|first=Judy|date=May 13, 1996|title='Twister' Blows Rivals Away|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-13-ca-3696-story.html|access-date=June 16, 2020|archive-date=June 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617180833/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-13-ca-3696-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In return, Warner Bros. was given the North American distribution rights, while Universal's joint-venture distribution company, United International Pictures (UIP), obtained international distribution rights.<ref name="Brennan" /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Masters|first1=Kim|title=Steven Spielberg on DreamWorks' Past, Amblin's Present and His Own Future|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/steven-spielberg-dreamworks-past-amblins-902544|access-date=July 8, 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 15, 2016|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217200120/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/steven-spielberg-dreamworks-past-amblins-902544|url-status=live}}</ref> The pitch was not a script, but a proof of concept clip of the visual effects by Industrial Light & Magic, done entirely in computer-generated imagery and featuring a pickup truck driving towards a tornado pulling up a tractor, with one of its tires snapping off and smashing through the truck's windshield. ILM assigned Stefen Fangmeier to be the effects supervisor for his experience with tornadoes, having helped create simulations while working with storm chasers in the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.<ref name=ringer/>
Spielberg himself was originally attached to direct the project, and directors such as James Cameron, John Badham, Tim Burton, and Robert Zemeckis were also in talks to helm the film before Jan de Bont signed on to ''Twister'' after leaving ''Godzilla'' due to creative differences.<ref name="Daly">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1996/05/17/twister-set-got-stormy/|title=The War of the Winds|last=Daly|first=Steve|date=May 10, 1996|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=June 14, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018030610/https://ew.com/article/1996/05/17/twister-set-got-stormy/|archive-date=October 18, 2015}}</ref> De Bont was invited by Spielberg after the success of directorial debut ''Speed'', which was released in 1994, following a long career as a director of photography, and described the project as "a Grimm fairy tale where the monster comes out of dark clouds".<ref name=inquirer>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-a-courtly-mann/118492510/ |title=A courtly manner is the calm facade for the intense director of 'Twister' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512200726/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-a-courtly-mann/118492510/ |date=May 12, 1996 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |page=149 |publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Michael Crichton and his wife and co-author, Anne-Marie Martin, were paid $2.5 million for a screenplay, which started being written in January 1994. Crichton said the two bases for the script were a PBS documentary about storm chasers and the plot of romantic comedy ''His Girl Friday'', where a newspaper editor and his ex who is engaged to another man do one last job together. Two screenwriters would later sue the studios claiming ''Twister'' was taken from their ideas: Daniel Perkins, whose script ''Tornado Chasers'' dealt with the military harnessing tornadoes as weapons and settled for an undisclosed amount; and Stephen B. Kessler, author of a script about storm chasers in Oklahoma called ''Catch the Wind'', and whose case was eventually dismissed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/1996/6/19/19249863/online-document-screenwriter-says-studio-stole-twister-idea-from-him|title=SCREENWRITER SAYS STUDIO STOLE 'TWISTER' IDEA FROM HIM|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=June 19, 1996|accessdate=January 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1998/film/news/crichton-co-win-twister-lawsuit-1117467205/|title=Crichton & Co. win 'Twister' lawsuit|work=Variety|author=Shprintz, Janet|date=January 28, 1998}}</ref> Dorothy was inspired by TOTO, an instrumented barrel-shaped device used to research tornadoes in the 1980s.<ref name=nssl/> De Bont pushed to make the dialogue "very energized" to reflect the excitement experienced by storm chasers, adding that the dialogue "gets very stilted very quickly" if it is not "moving forward and energized in the same pattern as the action", while encouraging the cast to improvise their lines. He also attempted to reduce the amount of establishing scenes and exposition "that makes a movie almost immediately less interesting" while feeling that "things will explain themselves as you keep watching", but the studio insisted on it.<ref name=vulture>{{cite web |title=Jan De Bont on Twister: "The Last Great Action Movie" |date=July 23, 2020 |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/jan-de-bont-defends-the-practical-effects-in-twister.html|work=Vulture}}</ref> For the explanatory moments there was a focus on the character of Melissa, serving as an audience surrogate given she had no experience with storm chasing.<ref name=comm/>
Helen Hunt was de Bont's first choice to play Jo Harding, and while the studio was reluctant because of her lack of big movie roles, he insisted, considering her a good actress who could deliver the physical demands of the role.<ref name=comm>{{cite video|people=Jan de Bont, Stefen Fangmeier|title=Audio commentary|location=''Twister'' Special Edition DVD|publisher=Universal Home Entertainment|date=2003}}</ref> Hunt initially was uninterested, declaring that "I just didn't know what I could really contribute acting-wise", but changed her mind after having lunch with de Bont and Spielberg at Amblin's offices.<ref name=hunt>{{cite web |title=Helen Hunt Answers Every Question We Have About Twister|author=Handler, Rachel |date=July 17, 2020 |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/helen-hunt-answers-every-question-we-have-about-twister.html|work=Vulture}}</ref> Tom Hanks read for the part of Bill Harding, but passed on the film and suggested that Bill Paxton try for the role.<ref>{{cite web | last=Davis | first=Sandi | title=Strong Wind Blows Actor Good Fortune "Twister" May Land Bill Paxton Star Roles | website=The Oklahoman | date=May 10, 1996 | url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1996/05/10/strong-wind-blows-actor-good-fortune-twister-may-land-bill-paxton-star-roles/62355723007/ | access-date=August 21, 2023}}</ref> De Bont wanted the storm chaser crew to resemble the ones he met during pre-production, a team of University of Oklahoma grad students.<ref name=vulture/> The National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) in Norman, Oklahoma worked closely with the production, training the crew on weather safety, allowing the actors to visit their facilities and go along on a tornado chase, and providing consultations on the script that included discarding an impossible tornado that would last a day and a half to instead go for an outbreak of tornadoes, which could strike at any place at any time, in any location, and with different magnitudes.<ref name=nssl>{{cite web |url=https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/about/events/40thanniversary/stories/twister.html|title=Twister Movie Put NSSL on the Map|publisher=National Severe Storms Laboratory|author=Shortt, Rachel|date=September 28, 2004|accessdate=January 13, 2023}}</ref>
=== Filming === The production was troubled with problems; Joss Whedon was brought in to rewrite the script through the early spring of 1994. When Whedon contracted bronchitis, Steven Zaillian was brought in to work on revisions. Whedon later returned and worked on revisions through the start of shooting in May 1995, then left the project after he got married. Two weeks into production, Jeff Nathanson was flown to the set and worked on the script until principal photography ended.<ref name="Daly" /> Among the changes, Hunt complained that Jo and Melissa's interactions were "sort of catty with each other", prompting her to tell the producers "That's not gonna be fun to play or to watch. I'm not sure if I want to do that."<ref name=hunt/> After the Oklahoma City bombing occurred on April 19, 1995, filming of ''Twister'' was suspended while the cast and crew worked with relief efforts.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2503583/twister-crew-enjoys-clear-sky |title='Twister' Crew Enjoys Clear Sky |work=The Oklahoman}}</ref>
Filming was to originally take place in California, but De Bont insisted the film be shot on location in Oklahoma.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}} Shooting occurred all over the state; several scenes, including the opening scene where the characters meet each other, and the first tornado chase in the Jeep pickup, were filmed in Fairfax and Ralston, Oklahoma.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.filmaps.com/twister-f-2083 |title=Where was Twister filmed - Discover the Twister film locations with filmaps |website=Filmaps |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127022615/http://www.filmaps.com/twister-f-2083/ |url-status=dead}}{{unreliable source?|date=January 2023}}</ref> The scene at the automotive repair shop was filmed in Maysville and Norman. The waterspout scenes were filmed on Kaw Lake near Kaw City. The drive-in scene was filmed at a real drive-in theater in Guthrie, though some of the scene, such as Melissa's hotel room, was filmed in Stillwater near the Oklahoma State University campus. Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film ''The Shining'' was played during the sequence.<ref name=vulture/>
The real town of Wakita – serving as the hometown of Lois Smith's character, Meg, in the film – was used during filming, and a section of the older part of town was demolished for the scene, showing the aftermath of the F4 tornado that devastates the town. This location was selected after scouts discovered leftover debris from a major hailstorm that occurred two years earlier in June 1993. Most of the residents signed up as extras and were paid $100 per day.<ref name="Don'tSuck">{{cite web|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/79675/15-facts-about-twister-dont-suck|title=15 Facts About 'Twister' That Don't Suck|date=May 9, 2016 }}</ref> Additional scenes and B-roll were filmed near Ponca City and Pauls Valley, among several other smaller farm towns across the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news9.com/story/34609042/oklahoma-town-remembers-twister-star-bill-paxton|title=Oklahoma Town Remembers 'Twister' Star Bill Paxton|last=Stein|first=Deanne|date=February 26, 2017|website=News 9|access-date=November 26, 2018|archive-date=November 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127022507/http://www.news9.com/story/34609042/oklahoma-town-remembers-twister-star-bill-paxton|url-status=live}}</ref> However, due to changing seasons that massively transformed the look of Oklahoma's topography, filming was moved to Iowa. The climactic scene with the F5 tornado was almost entirely shot around Eldora, Iowa, with the cornfield the characters run through located near Ames.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/movies/2016/05/10/archive-farmhouse-gets-ready-twister-role/84183656/|title=From the archives: Iowa farmhouse played key role in 'Twister' blockbuster|website=Des Moines Register}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weareiowa.com/news/local-news/local-5-archive-twister-scenes-filmed-in-former-woi-studio/455182436|title=Local 5 Archive: 'Twister' scenes filmed in former WOI studio|first=Lucas Casey, Don|last=Schmith|date=May 13, 2016|website=WEAREIOWA|access-date=November 26, 2018|archive-date=November 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127024042/https://www.weareiowa.com/news/local-news/local-5-archive-twister-scenes-filmed-in-former-woi-studio/455182436|url-status=live}}</ref>
Halfway through filming, both Paxton and Hunt were temporarily blinded by bright electronic lamps used to make the sky behind the two actors look dark and stormy. Paxton remembers that "these things literally sunburned our eyeballs. I got back to my room, I couldn't see". To solve the problem, a Plexiglas filter was placed in front of the beams. The actors took eye drops and wore special glasses for a few days to recuperate. After filming in a particularly unsanitary ditch (for the first tornado chase scene, in which Bill and Jo are forced to shelter from an approaching tornado under a short bridge), Hunt and Paxton needed hepatitis shots. During the same sequence, Hunt repeatedly hit her head on a low wooden bridge, and was so exhausted from the demanding shoot that she stood up quickly and struck her head on a beam. During one stunt in which Hunt opened the door of a vehicle speeding through a cornfield, she momentarily let go of the door and it struck her on the side of the head. Some sources claim she received a concussion in the incident. De Bont said, "I love Helen to death, but you know, she can be also a little bit clumsy". She responded, "Clumsy? The guy burned my retinas, but I'm clumsy ... I thought I was a good sport. I don't know ultimately if Jan chalks me up as that or not, but one would hope so".<ref name="Daly" /> Jo and Bill inside the F5 tornado was filmed by rolling the set in a gimbal so the ground stood in the ceiling as Hunt and Paxton hung from a metal bar, with the footage then being flipped upside down to appear as if they were being sucked upwards by the storm.<ref name=ringer/>
Bad weather was frequent during production, with hailstorms, lightning, floods, and mud.<ref name=inquirer/> Some crew members, feeling that De Bont was "out of control", left the production five weeks into filming. The camera crew led by Don Burgess claimed De Bont "didn't know what he wanted till he saw it. He would shoot one direction, with all the equipment behind the view of the camera, and then he'd want to shoot in the other direction right away and we'd have to move [everything] and he'd get angry that we took too long ... and it was always everybody else's fault, never his". De Bont claims that they had to schedule at least three scenes every day because the weather changed so often, and "Don had trouble adjusting to that".<ref name="Daly" />
When De Bont, in a fit of rage, knocked over a camera assistant who missed a cue into a ditch and refused to apologize, Burgess and his crew walked off the set, much to the shock of the cast. They remained in place for one more week until Jack N. Green's crew agreed to replace them. Following the incident, Spielberg angrily flew down to Oklahoma to admonish De Bont for his behavior.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=July 22, 2024 |title='Twister' Stunt Boss Says Steven Spielberg Flew to Oklahoma and 'Was F—ing Yelling' at the Director After Crew Walked Off Set Amid Chaotic Filming |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/steven-spielberg-screamed-twister-director-crew-rebelled-1236078124/|access-date=July 24, 2024}}</ref> Two days before principal filming ended, Green was injured when a hydraulic house set (used in the scene in which Jo and Bill rescue Meg and her dog Mose from her destroyed home in Wakita), designed to collapse on cue, was mistakenly activated with him inside it. A rigged ceiling hit him in the head and injured his back, requiring him to be hospitalized. De Bont took over as his own director of photography for the remaining shots.<ref name="Daly" />
Because overcast skies were not always available, De Bont had to shoot many of the film's tornado-chasing scenes in bright sunlight, requiring Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) to more than double its original plan for 150 "digital sky-replacement" shots.<ref name="Daly" /> Principal photography was originally given a deadline to allow Hunt to return to film the fourth season of her NBC sitcom ''Mad About You'', but when shooting ran over schedule, series creator and co-star Paul Reiser agreed to delay the show's production for two and a half weeks so ''Twister'' could finish filming. De Bont insisted on using multiple cameras, which led to the exposure of {{convert|1.3|e6ft}} of film, compared to the usual maximum of {{convert|300000|ft}}.<ref name="Daly" /> The crew used a Boeing 707 airplane engine and smaller fans to generate wind throughout the film.<ref name="Wizards" /> Pickup trucks followed the actors' vehicles to throw debris, including ice pieces to simulate hail, made with an ice machine imported from a neighbor state as Oklahoma lacked them.<ref>{{cite video|title= The Making of Twister <nowiki>[HBO First Look Special]</nowiki>|type=Featurette|location=''Twister'' Special Edition DVD|publisher=Universal Home Entertainment|date=2003}}</ref> Ford Motor Company tried to get the 1997 F-150 as the main vehicle of the movie, but were beaten by Chrysler and their Dodge Ram. Five Rams were provided, one of which was a prototype to be used in scenes where the vehicle suffered extensive damage, and the trucks went through 20 windshields as they were broken by the flying debris. Chrysler also provided eight Dodge Caravan minivans.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Warren |date=June 1, 1996 |title=Reels and Reels of Wheels |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1996/06/01/reels-and-reels-of-wheels/cf2cbd8b-c945-47ac-9c31-3e970910fca7/?noredirect=on |access-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref> The scene where a tornado drops tractors in the way of the protagonists' truck was achieved by dropping the combines from helicopters onto the road, and filming with longer lenses to make the distance seem very close when they were actually {{convert|20|-|30|ft}} away.<ref name=vulture/>
=== Post-production === De Bont claimed that ''Twister'' cost close to $70 million, of which $2–3 million went to the director. Last-minute reshoots in March and April 1996 (to clarify a scene about Jo as a child) and overtime requirements in post-production and at ILM, are thought to have raised the budget to $90 million.<ref name="Daly" />
During post-production of ''Twister'', Spielberg took over directing duties on ''Minority Report'' instead of ''The Haunting'', which ultimately was directed by de Bont.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/the-haunting-jan-de-bont-interview-speed-twister/|title='The Haunting' Director Jan de Bont on Swapping Projects with Steven Spielberg and the State of Action|access-date=February 18, 2022|date=November 5, 2020|first=Drew|last=Taylor|work=Collider}}</ref>
The tornadoes in the film were created with computer animation. Particle system expert Habib Zargarpour used the software Dynamation to develop the basis for the digital tornadoes, consisting of millions of tiny particles that made up a spinning, fast-moving funnel cloud, which Zargarpour compared to packing together little scoops of ice cream.<ref name=ringer>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/movies/2020/5/7/21249788/twister-special-effects-history-tornado-cgi|title=The Storm-Chasing Special Effects Team Behind 'Twister'|work=The Ringer|author=Alan Siegel|date=May 7, 2020|accessdate=January 2, 2024}}</ref> To create the sound of the tornadoes, De Bont had recorded a variety of combined sound effects, including lion roars, tiger growls, camel moans, and jet-engine wooshes.<ref name="Wizards">{{cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1996-05-10-9605100051-story.html|title=The Wizards of 'Twister'|date=May 10, 1996 }}</ref> Other special effects that were animated with CGI included telephone poles, trees, trucks, tractors, and whole houses.<ref name="Wizards" /> The CGI cow was built from a CGI zebra from the 1995 film ''Jumanji''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hRUxgckfjeoC|page=193|title=Twister: The Science of Tornadoes and the Making of a Natural Disaster Movie|publisher=Simon & Schuster|author=Davidson, Keay|year=1996|isbn=9780671000295}}</ref>
== Release == [[File:Twister F5.jpg|thumb|''Twister'' was acclaimed for its special visual effects, resulting in Academy Award nominations for both its sound and visuals.]]
=== Theatrical === Originally, ''Twister'' was set to be released on May 17, 1996. Warner Bros. eventually made the decision to push forward its release date to May 10, 1996, in order to avoid competition with Paramount's ''Mission: Impossible'' two weeks later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98542055/morning-report-quick-takes/ |title=Morning Report: Quick Takes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328174409/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98542055/morning-report-quick-takes/ |date=April 13, 1996 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |page=54 |work=Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> The premiere took place in Westwood, Los Angeles on May 8, 1996,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/twister-1996-premiere-throwback-photos-8680864|title='Twister' 1996 Premiere Throwback Photos of Helen Hunt, Keanu Reeves, and More Stars at the 1996 Premiere of Twister|date=July 19, 2024 |access-date=July 19, 2024|work=People}}</ref> and at the AMC Penn Square 10, then known as General Cinema Theatres at Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City a day prior on May 9, 1996. Jan de Bont, Bill Paxton, and Helen Hunt were at the mall for interviews.<ref name="TwisterAt25">{{cite web|url=https://tulsaworld.com/community/wagoner/news/twister-at-25-lets-go-for-a-spin-with-stories-about-wakita-and-storm-chaser/article_9a8ddd9a-b198-11eb-bc94-b71fd1e5c79e.html|title='Twister' at 25: Let's go for a spin with stories about Wakita and storm chaser vehicle from shot-in-Oklahoma movie|date=May 12, 2021 |access-date=May 31, 2021|archive-date=June 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213837/https://tulsaworld.com/community/wagoner/news/twister-at-25-lets-go-for-a-spin-with-stories-about-wakita-and-storm-chaser/article_9a8ddd9a-b198-11eb-bc94-b71fd1e5c79e.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film would go on to receive a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association of America due to "intense depiction of very bad weather".<ref>{{cite news |last=Wolgamott |first=L. Kent |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-film-reaps-the-thri/133508524/ |title=Film reaps the thrill of the whirlwind |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015223606/https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star-film-reaps-the-thri/133508524/ |date=May 10, 1996 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |page=35 |publisher=Lincoln Journal Star |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> On August 30, 2024, ''Twister'' was re-released in theaters nationwide in 4DX, along with ''Twisters'' for one week only.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.everettpost.com/blog/twister-and-twisters-blowing-into-regals-seat-shaking-4dx-theaters|title=Twister and Twisters blowing into Regals seat-shaking 4DX theaters|date=August 2024 }}</ref>
=== Home media === ''Twister'' was released on LaserDisc and VHS by Warner Home Video on October 1, 1996.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hettrick |first=Scott |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/albuquerque-journal-twister-beats-mis/156372762/ |title='Twister' beats 'Mission' again - at video stores |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001194559/https://www.newspapers.com/article/albuquerque-journal-twister-beats-mis/156372762/ |date=August 23, 1996 |access-date=October 1, 2024 |archive-date=October 1, 2024 |page=66 |work=Entertainment News Service |publisher=Albuquerque Journal |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> It was the division's first home video release to be THX certified.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leader-post-twister-on-video-in-octo/98884779/ |title=Twister on video in October |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930162842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leader-post-twister-on-video-in-octo/98884779/ |date=August 8, 1996 |access-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |page=15 |publisher=The Leader-Post |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> A widescreen VHS release became available at the same time.<ref name="LetterboxHome">{{cite news |last=King |first=Susan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107891272/letterbox-brings-wide-screen-home/ |title='Letterbox' Brings Wide Screen Home |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311215357/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107891272/letterbox-brings-wide-screen-home/ |date=August 16, 1996 |access-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |page=96 |work=Times Staff Writer |publisher=Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> There is a message by James Lee Witt, the then-head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at the end of the film.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/10/15/fema-goes-hollywood-in-path-of-twister/3718ba80-6f4d-4b72-90a5-eeefe4259b91/|title=FEMA GOES HOLLYWOOD IN PATH OF 'TWISTER'|newspaper=The Washington Post }}</ref> By November 1996, it topped the number one spot in ''Billboard''{{'}}s top sales.<ref>{{cite news |title=The top 10 videocassette rentals, based on Billboard's survey... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/11/08/The-top-10-videocassette-rentals-based-on-Billboards-survey/3291847429200/ |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=United Press International |date=8 November 1996 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226175209/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/11/08/The-top-10-videocassette-rentals-based-on-Billboards-survey/3291847429200/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was released on DVD on March 25, 1997, and was one of the first feature films to be released on the DVD format in US.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/12/22/twisters-why-the-sequel-to-the-1996-disaster-film-matters|title='Twisters': Why the sequel to the 1996 disaster film matters |first=David |last=Mouriquand |date=December 22, 2022 |work=Euronews |access-date=May 3, 2024}}</ref> The DVD release occurred eleven days before ''Twister'' made its United States pay-cable debut on HBO on April 5, 1997.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ad for "Marcus Cable Free Preview Weekend"|url=https://tkg.stparchive.com/page_image.php?paper=TKG&year=1997&month=4&day=3&page=11&mode=F&base=TKG04031997P11&title=The%20Tuskegee%20News|newspaper=The Tuskegee News|publisher=A. F. Henderson & Co.|date=April 3, 1997|access-date=November 15, 2020}}</ref> ''Twister'' was then released on VHS by MCA/Universal Home Video through CIC Video in the UK on March 10, 1997, and July 14, 1997.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
The film was re-released on DVD on June 6, 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warnerbros.com/news/press-releases/new-dvd-editions-%E2%80%9Cinterview-vampire%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%9Ctwister%E2%80%9D-and-%E2%80%9Clethal-weapon%E2%80%9D-series-lead-warner|title=New DVD Editions Of "Interview With The Vampire," "Twister" And "Lethal Weapon" Series Lead Warner Home Video's 'Big Action' Debut Plus "Dirty Dozen Special Edition" VHS}}</ref> Special features on this release include an audio commentary by Jan de Bont and Stefen Fangmeier to listen throughout the film, behind-the-scenes footage, trailers and a Van Halen music video.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120469755/cleo-vadras-look-at-an-unlived-life/ |title='Cleo': Vadra's look at an unlived life |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311115120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120469755/cleo-vadras-look-at-an-unlived-life/ |date=June 3, 2000 |access-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |page=18 |publisher=The San Francisco Examiner |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Eight years later on May 6, 2008, a two-disc special edition DVD and Blu-ray were released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/twister-special-edition-storming-back-to-dvd-on-may-6th/|title=Twister: Special Edition Storming Back to DVD on May 6th|date=January 8, 2008 }}</ref> An HD DVD was then released on May 27, becoming one of the last HD DVDs to be ever released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fudzilla.com/news/2092-twister-se-last-hd-dvd-release-for-warner|title=Twister: SE - Last HD DVD release for Warner?}}</ref>
In January 2012, a triple feature Blu-ray pack with ''Twister'', ''Poseidon'' and ''The Perfect Storm'' was released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Dick_Ward/Beyond_the_Blu/Fun_Stuff/Beyond_the_Blu_-_January_2012/8630|title=Beyond the Blu - January 2012}}</ref>
The film was released on Ultra HD Blu-ray by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment with a new Dolby Atmos audio mix on July 9, 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/050224-1500 |title=Coppola's The Conversation in 4K, plus Twister & more|first=Bill |last=Hunt |date=May 2, 2024 |access-date=May 3, 2024 |publisher=The Digital Bits}}</ref> and also a double feature Blu-ray and DVD with ''Twisters'' by the film's international distributor, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, on October 22.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Twisters-Double-Feature-Blu-ray/366399/ |title=Twisters Double Feature Blu-ray (Blu-ray + Digital HD) |access-date=2024-12-03 |via=www.blu-ray.com}}</ref>
=== Soundtracks === {{more citations needed section|date=July 2023}} {{Main|Twister (soundtrack)}} ''Twister'' featured both a traditional orchestral film score composed by Mark Mancina, and a soundtrack of rock-music singles, many of which were exclusive releases for the film.<ref>{{AllMusic|album|mw0000186282|Twister (Original Soundtrack)}}</ref><ref>{{AllMusic|album|mw0000648834|Twister (Original Score)}}</ref> Both the soundtrack and the orchestral score featured an instrumental theme song ("Respect the Wind") composed and performed for the film by Alex (his only recording outside of Van Halen) and Eddie Van Halen. The film's music was released on CD and cassette tape formats.
== Reception == === Box office === ''Twister'' opened on May 10, 1996, earning $41.1 million from 2,414 total theaters during its opening weekend, and ranked in the number-one spot at the North American box office, beating both ''The Craft'' and ''The Truth About Cats & Dogs''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-studios-battle-over/114719545/ |title=Studios battle over screen space |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015230039/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-studios-battle-over/114719545/ |date=May 17, 1996 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |page=43 |publisher=The Macon Telegraph |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Upon its release, the film topped ''The Birdcage'' to have the biggest 1996 opening.<ref>{{cite news |title=Twister' raises roof at box office |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/13/Twister-raises-roof-at-box-office/1100831960000/ |access-date=22 February 2022 |work=United Press International |date=13 May 1996 |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222023541/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/13/Twister-raises-roof-at-box-office/1100831960000/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At that time, it had the sixth-largest opening weekend of any film, behind ''The Lion King'', ''Batman'', ''Batman Returns'', ''Jurassic Park'', and ''Batman Forever''.<ref name="Forbes">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/06/25/twister-is-getting-rebooted-because-now-every-hit-movie-is-a-franchise/?sh=3bb11fd32470|title='Twister': The Circumstances Of Its Blockbuster Success May Be Impossible To Replicate|website=Forbes }}</ref> Moreover, the film had the largest May opening weekend, dethroning both ''Lethal Weapon 3'' and ''The Flintstones''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Twister' blows away field at U.S. box office |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/12/Twister-blows-away-field-at-US-box-office/1123831873600/ |access-date=22 February 2022 |work=United Press International |date=12 May 1996 |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222023913/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/12/Twister-blows-away-field-at-US-box-office/1123831873600/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The success of ''Twister'' helped the blockbusters of May officially begin the summer season. Similar openings would follow, such as that of ''Deep Impact'' in 1998 and ''The Mummy'' in 1999. Two years later in 2001, ''The Mummy Returns'' set a new precedent for the frame by unleashing an opening weekend of $68.1 million. Then in 2002, ''Spider-Man'' took the summer starter films to the next level with its $114.8 million opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 1, 2003 |title='X2' Unites 3,741 Theaters in Record Bow |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed812909572/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419172235/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed812909572/ |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |access-date=April 19, 2022 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=May 3, 2002 |title='Spider-Man' to Swing Into the Record Books |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed1668547588/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430162506/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed1668547588/ |archive-date=April 30, 2022 |access-date=April 30, 2022 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref>
During its second weekend, ''Twister'' managed to top ''Flipper'' with an additional $37 million.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-20-ca-6352-story.html|title='Twister' Sustains Box Office Momentum in 2nd Week|website=Los Angeles Times |date=May 20, 1996 }}</ref> It was ranked as the second-highest-grossing second weekend at the time, after ''Jurassic Park''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108692034/lost-world-stays-on-top-of-film-list/ |title='Lost World' stays on top of film list |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918205530/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108692034/lost-world-stays-on-top-of-film-list/ |newspaper=The Olathe Daily News |page=2 |date=June 3, 1997 |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 18, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> The film suffered only a 10% second-weekend drop, making it the smallest decline for a non-holiday film. For 15 years, ''Twister'' held that record until it was surpassed by DreamWorks' ''Puss in Boots'' in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-puss-boots-tower-heist-258068/|title=Box Office Report: Holdover 'Puss in Boots' Wins in Shocking Upset over Brett Ratner's 'Tower Heist'|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 6, 2011 }}</ref> By May 21, it reached the $100-million mark.<ref>{{cite news |title=Twister' blows away field at U.S. box office |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/20/Twister-tears-up-US-box-office/5866832564800/ |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=United Press International |date=20 May 1996 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226183510/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/20/Twister-tears-up-US-box-office/5866832564800/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Not too long after, the number-one spot was taken by ''Mission: Impossible'', putting ''Twister'' into second place. Like its predecessor, the film also had the largest May opening weekend.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |title=Cruise's Thriller Breaking Records |work=The New York Times |page=15 |date=May 28, 1996 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/28/movies/cruise-s-thriller-breaking-records.html |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=January 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129020206/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/28/movies/cruise-s-thriller-breaking-records.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It went on to hold this record until 1997, when it was taken by ''The Lost World: Jurassic Park''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brennan |first=Judy |title='Lost World: Jurassic Park' Stomps Record for Openings |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-26-ca-62601-story.html |access-date=May 28, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 26, 1997 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021075403/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-26-ca-62601-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As for ''Twister'', it continued to stay in second place while beating out ''Dragonheart'' in its third weekend.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mission' still in cruise control |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/06/03/Mission-still-in-cruise-control/2505833774400/ |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=United Press International |date=3 June 1996 |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228182135/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/06/03/Mission-still-in-cruise-control/2505833774400/ |url-status=live }}</ref> When ''The Rock'' was released that June, the film was put into third place.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Rock' rolls at U.S. box office |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/06/10/The-Rock-rolls-at-US-box-office/3156834379200/ |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=United Press International |date=10 June 1996 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226220501/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/06/10/The-Rock-rolls-at-US-box-office/3156834379200/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It then approached $200 million by June 19, becoming the first film to do so since ''Forrest Gump''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/06/19/writer-stirs-up-trouble-over-twister-screenplay/|title=Writer stirs up trouble over "Twister' screenplay}}</ref> ''Twister'' fell into fifth place shortly after the releases of ''The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' and ''Eraser''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Eraser' rubs out competition at U.S. box office |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/06/23/Eraser-rubs-out-competition-at-US-box-office/4354835502400/ |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=United Press International |date=23 June 1996 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226221257/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/06/23/Eraser-rubs-out-competition-at-US-box-office/4354835502400/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After ''Independence Day'' was released in July, the film crossed over ''Ghostbusters'' to become the 13th-highest domestic grossing film of all time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Independence Day' posts huge 3rd day |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/05/Independence-Day-posts-huge-3rd-day/7116836539200/ |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=United Press International |date=5 July 1996 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226222044/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/05/Independence-Day-posts-huge-3rd-day/7116836539200/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It continued to dominate the box office, especially during the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Independence Day' nears $200 million |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/19/Independence-Day-nears-200-million/6964837748800/ |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=United Press International |date=19 July 1996 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226173336/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/19/Independence-Day-nears-200-million/6964837748800/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
After 12 weeks of release, the film had earned $231.3 million and had become 12th-highest domestic grosser, surpassing ''The Empire Strikes Back''.<ref>{{cite news |title=ID4' becomes 18th biggest seller |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/26/ID4-becomes-18th-biggest-seller/7560838353600/ |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=United Press International |date=26 July 1996 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226225415/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/26/ID4-becomes-18th-biggest-seller/7560838353600/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Twister'' went on to earn a total of $245.2 million at the North American box office, and $254 million internationally for a worldwide total of $499.2 million during its theatrical run. It became the second-highest-grossing film of 1996, behind ''Independence Day'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/twister-2-helen-hunt-story-details-character-death/|title=Rejected Twister 2 Story Killed Off Helen Hunt's Character|website=Screen Rant |date=June 14, 2021 }}</ref> and was the 10th-highest-grossing film in history at the time of its release, making it the most successful Warner Bros. film release, surpassing ''Batman''.<ref name="Forbes" /> In 2001, ''Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'' broke ''Twister''{{'}}s record for being the highest-grossing Warner Bros. film of all time.<ref name="Forbes" />
In China, ''Twister'' was the second-highest-grossing Hollywood film in the country, behind ''True Lies'', making a total gross of {{CN¥|54.5 million|link=yes}}.<ref name="CFI">{{cite news|last=Papish|first=Jonathan|title=China's All-time Highest Grossing Imports|url=https://chinafilminsider.com/chinas-time-highest-grossing-imports/|access-date=2 March 2020|work=China Film Insider|date=8 February 2017}}</ref>
=== Critical response === On Rotten Tomatoes, ''Twister'' holds an approval rating of 68% based on 142 reviews, with an average rating of 6.9/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "A high-concept blockbuster that emphasizes special effects over three-dimensional characters, ''Twister''{{'}}s visceral thrills are often offset by the film's generic plot."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1071167-twister |title=Twister (1996) |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=December 13, 2024 |archive-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510173624/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1071167-twister |url-status=live }}</ref> On Metacritic, the film had a weighted average score of 68 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/twister |title=Twister Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=October 15, 2020 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023620/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/twister |url-status=live }}</ref> Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemascore.com|title=Find CinemaScore|format=Type "Twister" in the search box|publisher=CinemaScore|access-date=June 3, 2020|archive-date=August 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809062201/https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Roger Ebert gave the film two and a half stars out of four and wrote, "As drama, ''Twister'' resides in the Zone. It has no time to waste on character, situation, dialogue and nuance. The dramatic scenes are holding actions between tornadoes. As spectacle, however, ''Twister'' is impressive. The tornadoes are big, loud, violent and awesome, and they look great".<ref name="Ebert">{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |title=''Twister'' |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=May 10, 1996 |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/twister-1996 |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-date=May 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508181630/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/twister-1996 |url-status=live }}</ref> In her review for ''The New York Times'', Janet Maslin wrote, "Somehow ''Twister'' stays as up-tempo and exuberant as a roller-coaster ride, neatly avoiding the idea of real danger".<ref name="Maslin">{{cite news |last=Maslin |first=Janet |title=''Twister'' |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 1996 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/library/filmarchive/twister.html |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018030609/http://www.nytimes.com/library/filmarchive/twister.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Entertainment Weekly'' gave the film a "B" rating, and Lisa Schwarzbaum wrote, "Yet the images that linger longest in my memory are those of windswept livestock. And that, in a teacup, sums up everything that's right, and wrong, about this appealingly noisy but ultimately flyaway first blockbuster of summer".<ref name="Schwarzbaum">{{cite magazine |last=Schwarzbaum |first=Lisa |title=''Twister'' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 24, 1996 |url=https://ew.com/article/1996/05/24/twister/ |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-date=December 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224235133/http://ew.com/article/1996/05/24/twister/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In his review for the ''Los Angeles Times'', Kenneth Turan wrote, "But the ringmaster of this circus, the man without whom nothing would be possible, is director De Bont, who now must be considered Hollywood's top action specialist. An expert in making audiences squirm and twist, at making us feel the rush of experience right along with the actors, De Bont choreographs action and suspense so beautifully he makes it seem like a snap."<ref name="Turan">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-10-ca-2687-story.html|title=The Big Spin : 'Twister' Is Triumph for the Director, Stunt Players and Effects Wizards|last=Turan|first=Kenneth|date=May 10, 1996|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 3, 2009|archive-date=October 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007175110/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-10-ca-2687-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Neil Norman of ''London Evening Standard'' stated that "''Twister'' outdoes ''Jurassic Park'' in its lack of narrative momentum, its incoherent logic, and its utter contempt for characterisation".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-standard-twister-12/151013942/ |title=Huffing and puffing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422181109/https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-standard-twister-12/151013942/ |date=July 25, 1996 |access-date=April 22, 2025 |archive-date=April 22, 2025 |page=98 |publisher=London Evening Standard |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Joanna Connors of ''Cleveland Plain Dealer'' wrote, "Crichton has unparalleled showman's instincts. He knows exactly what will sell on TV, in bookstores and at the movies, and what sells at the movies is what you can't create on TV: amusement-park thrills. So ''Twister'' delivers them. And how".<ref>{{cite news |last=Connors |first=Joanna |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-twister-12/150945607/ |title=The attack of the '90s killer B movie: 'Twister' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008200837/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-twister-12/150945607/ |date=May 10, 1996 |access-date=October 8, 2025 |archive-date=October 8, 2025 |page=74 |work=Plain Dealer Film Critic |publisher=Cleveland Plain Dealer |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Dennis King of ''Tulsa World'' earned a three and a half out of four scoring and said, "With its rippingly good special effects, its eerie and chilling sound, its clever touches of humor and pathos, and its full-tilt storytelling, ''Twister'' is the perfect amusement to set the summer movie season off with a bang".<ref>{{cite news |last=King |first=Dennis |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-twister/151004736/ |title=Oklahoma's Tornadoes Are One Hot Commodity |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819181827/https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-twister/151004736/ |date=May 10, 1996 |access-date=August 19, 2025 |archive-date=August 19, 2025 |page=65 |work=World Staff Writer |publisher=Tulsa World |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Barbara Creed of ''The Age'' explained that "''Twister'' is great fun -- suspenseful, exciting, clever. The script, by Anne-Marie Martin and Michael Crichton, is extremely witty, particularly in relation to the team of techno-nerds who run after twisters like cowboys after steers".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-twister/151015605/ |title=Wild ride of havoc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205192146/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-twister/151015605/ |date=May 30, 1996 |access-date=December 5, 2025 |archive-date=December 5, 2025 |page=19 |publisher=The Age |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> In a three out of five review, Bob Fenster of ''The Arizona Republic'' wrote, "No one's going to buy into the romantic bickering between the lead scientists or their rivalry team of evil meteorologists. Still, if you're hooked on high-voltage special effects, ''Twister'' will give you a charge".<ref>{{cite news |last=Fenster |first=Bob |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-twister/150941354/ |title=Plot takes winds out of 'Twister' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250901054654/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-twister/150941354/ |date=May 10, 1996 |access-date=September 1, 2025 |archive-date=September 1, 2025 |page=54 |work=Staff Writer |publisher=The Arizona Republic |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''Time'' magazine's Richard Schickel wrote, "when action is never shown to have deadly or pitiable consequences, it tends toward abstraction. Pretty soon you're not tornado watching, you're special-effects watching".<ref name="Schickel">{{cite magazine |last=Schickel |first=Richard |title=''Twister'' |magazine=Time |date=May 20, 1996 |url=https://time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984563,00.html?iid=digg_share |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105114115/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984563,00.html?iid=digg_share |url-status=dead }}</ref> In his review for the ''Washington Post'' Desson Howe wrote, "it's a triumph of technology over storytelling and the actors' craft. Characters exist merely to tell a couple of jokes, cower in fear of downdrafts and otherwise kill time between tornadoes".<ref name="Howe">{{cite news |last=Howe |first=Desson |title=''Twister'': Special Effects and Hot Air |newspaper=Washington Post |date=May 10, 1996 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/twister.htm#howe |access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110152241/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/twister.htm#howe |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Accolades === {| class="wikitable" ! Date ! Award ! Category ! Recipients ! Result ! {{Abbreviation|Ref.|References}} |- | 1997 | Blockbuster Entertainment Awards | Favorite Actress - Action/Adventure | Helen Hunt | {{won}} | <ref name="1997 BEAs">{{cite web | url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000104/1997/1/ | title = Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (1997) | website = IMDb | accessdate = October 3, 2024}}</ref> |- | 1997 | BMI Film & TV Awards | BMI Film Music Award | Mark Mancina | {{won}} | <ref name="1997 BMI Awards">{{cite web | url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000106/1997/1/ | title = BMI Film & TV Awards (1997) | website = IMDb | accessdate = October 3, 2024}}</ref> |- | 1997 | Cinema Audio Society Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Feature Films | Steve Maslow, Gregg Landaker, Kevin O'Connell Geoffrey Patterson | {{nom}} | <ref name="1997 CASAs">{{cite web | url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000175/1997/1/ | title = Cinema Audio Society, USA (1997) | website = IMDb | accessdate = October 3, 2024}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | 1997 | rowspan="3" | Stinkers Bad Movie Awards | Worst Picture | ''Twister'' (Warner Bros.) | {{nom}} | rowspan="3" | <ref name="1996 Stinkers">{{cite web|url = http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/1996/1996st.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070103153105/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/1996/1996st.htm|archive-date = 2007-01-03|title = Awards}}</ref> |- | Worst Supporting Actress | Jami Gertz | {{won}} |- | Worst Screenplay for a Film Grossing Over $100M Using Hollywood Math | ''Twister'' (Warner Bros.), written by Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin | {{won}} |- | January 15, 1997 | Satellite Awards | Best Visual Effects | Stefen Fangmeier | {{nom}} | <ref name="1997 Satellite Awards">{{cite web | url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000296/1997 | title = Satellite Awards (1997) | website = IMDb | accessdate = October 3, 2024}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | March 23, 1997 | rowspan="2" | Golden Raspberry Awards | Worst Supporting Actress | Jami Gertz | {{nom}} | rowspan="2" | <ref name="1996 Razzies">{{cite web | title =Razzie Awards | publisher =Internet Movie Database | year =1997 | url =https://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Razzie_Awards/1997 | access-date =2018-06-29 | archive-date =2009-02-07 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090207085554/http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Razzie_Awards/1997 | url-status = dead}}</ref> |- | Worst Written Film Grossing Over $100 Million | ''Twister'' (Warner Bros.), written by Michael Crichton & Anne-Marie Martin | {{won}} |- | rowspan="2" | March 24, 1997 | rowspan="2" | Academy Awards | Best Sound | Steve Maslow, Gregg Landaker, Kevin O'Connell, Geoffrey Patterson | {{nom}} | rowspan="2" | <ref name="1997 Oscars">{{cite news |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1997 |title=The 69th Academy Awards (1997) Nominees and Winners |access-date=October 23, 2011 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109082132/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1997 |archive-date=November 9, 2014}}</ref> |- | Best Visual Effects | Stefen Fangmeier, John Frazier, Henry LaBounta, Habib Zargarpour | {{nom}} |- | April 19, 1997 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Movie | ''Twister'' | {{nom}} | {{citation needed|date=October 2024}} |- | April 29, 1997 | British Academy Film Awards | Best Special Visual Effects | Stefen Fangmeier, John Frazier, Henry LaBounta, Habib Zargarpour | {{won}} | <ref name="1997 BAFTAs">{{cite web | url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000123/1997/1 | title = BAFTA Awards (1997) | website = IMDb | accessdate = October 3, 2024}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | June 7, 1997 | rowspan="2" | MTV Movie & TV Awards | Best Female Performance | Helen Hunt | {{nom}} | rowspan="2" | <ref name="1997 MTV Awards">{{cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-08-ca-56536-story.html |title= Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation's press. |first= Shauna |last= Snow |work= Los Angeles Times |date= May 8, 1997 |access-date= November 22, 2023 |archive-date= November 22, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231122111256/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-08-ca-56536-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | Best Action Sequence | Truck Drives Through Farm Equipment | {{won}} |- | rowspan="4" | July 23, 1997 | rowspan="4" | Saturn Awards | Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film | ''Twister'' | {{nom}} | rowspan="4" | <ref name="1997 Saturn Awards">{{cite web | url = https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000004/1997/1 | title = Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA (1997) | website = IMDb | accessdate = October 3, 2024}}</ref> |- | Best Actor | Bill Paxton | {{nom}} |- | Best Actress | Helent Hunt | {{nom}} |- | Best Visual Effects | Stefen Fangmeier, John Frazier, Henry LaBounta, Habib Zargarpour | {{nom}} |- |}
== Legacy == On May 24, 1996, a tornado destroyed Screen No. 3 at the Can-View Drive-In, a drive-in theater in Thorold, Ontario, which was scheduled to show ''Twister'' later that evening, in a real-life parallel to a scene in the film in which a tornado destroys a drive-in during a showing of the film ''The Shining''.<ref name="AP">{{cite news|title=Tornado Destroys ''Twister'' Theater |agency=Associated Press |date=May 22, 1996 }}</ref> The facts of this incident were exaggerated into an urban legend that the theater was actually playing ''Twister'' during the tornado.<ref name="Steyn">{{cite news |last=Steyn |first=Mark |date=May 24, 1996 |title=A Nobody in My Neck of the Woods |work=Daily Telegraph}}Commentary at Snopes.com [https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/twister/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702032845/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/twister/|date=July 2, 2021}}</ref> On July 4, 1996, a tornado blew down the screen at the Sundown Drive-In theatre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where ''Twister'' was scheduled to show.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cairns |first=John |date=2014-07-10 |title=Missing the local drive-in |url=https://www.sasktoday.ca/north/opinion/missing-the-local-drive-in-4039009 |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=SaskToday.ca |language=en |df=mdy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mann |first=Randi |date=2021-07-04 |title=A tornadic storm that hit Saskatoon is one of Sask.'s worst weather events |url=https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/weather/severe/this-day-in-weather-history-july-4-1996-saskatchewan-tornadoes |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=The Weather Network |language=en |df=mdy}}</ref>
On May 10, 2010, the 14th anniversary of the film's U.S. release, a tornado struck Fairfax, Oklahoma, destroying the farmhouse where numerous scenes in ''Twister'' were shot. J. Berry Harrison, the owner of the home and a former Oklahoma state senator, commented that the tornado appeared eerily similar to the fictitious one in the film. He had lived in the home since 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://oklahoman.com/article/3461763/oklahoma-farm-used-in-film-twister-devastated-by-real-tornado-in-last-weeks-storm?custom_click=headlines_widget|title=Oklahoma farm used in film Twister devastated by real tornado in last weeks storm|last=Dinger|first=Matt|date=May 16, 2010|work=NewsOK.com|access-date=July 14, 2020|archive-date=July 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714103306/https://oklahoman.com/article/3461763/oklahoma-farm-used-in-film-twister-devastated-by-real-tornado-in-last-weeks-storm?custom_click=headlines_widget|url-status=live}}</ref>
Following the film's release, the number of meteorological majors in the United States increased by about 10 percent in the late 1990s. The University of Oklahoma, which collaborated with production, in particular saw its meteorology program double from 225 enrolled to 450, and a grant from Universal Studios allowed development of a mobile radar. Universal also funded the NSSL meteorologists to go on a mobile tour in the eastern half of the country, staging safety presentations at science museums in a dozen major cities. Storm chasing increased even as a recreational activity, with tourism companies creating "chase tours".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/2016/05/22/how-twister-made-meteorology-cool-in-oklahoma-and-beyond/60672753007/ |title=How 'Twister' made meteorology cool in Oklahoma and beyond|date=May 22, 2016|author=Chip Minty|work=The Oklahoman}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/twister-predicting-tornadoes-flying-cows-science-realistic|title=PREDICTING TORNADOES AND FLYING COWS: THE SCIENCE BEHIND 'TWISTER'|work=SyFy|author=Cassidy Ward|date=May 11, 2021}}</ref> Bill Paxton later narrated storm chaser Sean Casey's 2011 documentary ''Tornado Alley''. After the death of Paxton on February 25, 2017, hundreds of storm chasers and users of the Spotter Network used their markers to spell out his initials across the states of Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma in tribute to Paxton, citing that the movie was the inspiration for many of them to pursue storm chasing and meteorology.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/storm-chasers-honor-bill-paxton-with-moving-twister-tribute-1201996845/|title=Storm Chasers Honor Bill Paxton With 'Twister' Tribute|date=26 February 2017|work=Variety|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-date=July 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711093800/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/storm-chasers-honor-bill-paxton-with-moving-twister-tribute-1201996845/|url-status=live}}</ref>
A ''Twister'' museum in Wakita, Oklahoma, where many of the particularly destructive scenes of the movie were shot, contains various memorabilia and artifacts related to the film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twistercountry.com/|title=The Twister Movie Museum {{!}} Wakita, OK – The Twister Movie Museum {{!}} Wakita, OK|language=en-US|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215204229/http://twistercountry.com/|archive-date=February 15, 2019|access-date=2019-05-24}}</ref>
== In other media == === Pinball === {{Main|List of Sega Pinball machines}} On April 3, 1996, Sega Pinball released ''Twister'', a pinball machine themed to the film. It features modes including Canister Multiball, Chase Multiball, Multibull, and more.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pinside.com/pinball/machine/twister|title=Twister Pinball Machine (Sega, 1996) - Pinside Game Archive|access-date=September 23, 2020|archive-date=December 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228012444/https://pinside.com/pinball/machine/twister|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Theme park attraction=== {{Main|Twister...Ride It Out}} ''Twister'' was used as the basis for the attraction ''Twister...Ride It Out'' at Universal Studios Florida, which features filmed introductions by Paxton and Hunt. The attraction opened on May 4, 1998, and closed on November 1, 2015, to make way for ''Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.universalorlando.com/whats-new/jimmy-fallon-new-ride/|title=Jimmy Fallon to Get His Own Ride at Universal Orlando Resort in 2017|last1=Surrel|first1=Jason|date=October 27, 2015|website=blog. universalorlando.com|publisher=Universal Orlando Resort|access-date=October 28, 2015|archive-date=October 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028040845/http://blog.universalorlando.com/whats-new/jimmy-fallon-new-ride/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the windows of the New York facade lies a tribute to ''Twister...Ride it Out'' with references to the film and Paxton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://insidethemagic.net/2017/03/universal-orlando-pays-tribute-to-bill-paxton-twister-attraction-in-new-jimmy-fallon-ride/|title=Universal Orlando pays tribute to Bill Paxton, 'Twister' attraction in new 'Jimmy Fallon' ride|date=March 2, 2017 |access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=March 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317175244/http://www.insidethemagic.net/2017/03/universal-orlando-pays-tribute-to-bill-paxton-twister-attraction-in-new-jimmy-fallon-ride/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Book tie-in === The film's original screenplay, written by Crichton and then-wife Anne Marie Martin, was released as a mass-market paperback in conjunction with the film.<ref>{{cite book|title=Twister: The Original Screenplay |date=May 14, 1996|publisher=Ballantine Books|isbn=0345408330}}</ref>
== Sequel == {{Main|Twisters (film)}} In June 2020, a remake was announced to be in development from the original film's international distributor, Universal Pictures, with Joseph Kosinski in early negotiations to serve as director. Frank Marshall and Sara Scott were set to serve as producers on the project.<ref name="Future_Variety">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/twister-reboot-joseph-kosinski-universal-1234648589/|title='Twister' Reboot in the Works at Universal With Joseph Kosinski Eyed to Direct (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=June 24, 2020|work=Variety Media|access-date=June 24, 2020|archive-date=June 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624224116/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/twister-reboot-joseph-kosinski-universal-1234648589/|url-status=live}}</ref> Around the same time, Hunt had pitched a direct-sequel to the original film, with a script she co-authored with Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal. She had intended to serve as director in addition to reprising her starring role in the cast, but the studio ultimately passed on their script.<ref name="Hunt_Variety">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/helen-hunts-twister-sequel-rejected-shady-reasons-1235580330/|work=Variety|title=Helen Hunt's 'Twister 2' Got Rejected by the Studio for 'Potentially Shady' Reasons, Says Co-Writer Daveed Diggs|last=Sharf|first=Zack|date=April 12, 2023|accessdate=April 12, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Hunt_Insider">{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/daveed-diggs-twister-sequel-not-made-shady-reasons-2023-4|work=Insider|title=Daveed Diggs says the 'Twister' sequel he was developing with Helen Hunt didn't get made due to 'potentially shady' reasons|last=Guerrasio|first=Jason|date=April 12, 2023|accessdate=April 12, 2023}}</ref> She said in an interview, "I tried to get it made, with Daveed [Diggs] and Rafael [Casal] and me writing it, and all Black and brown storm chasers, and they wouldn't do it. I was going to direct it... We could barely get a meeting, and this is in June of 2020 when it was all about diversity. It would have been so cool".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=2023-04-12 |title=Helen Hunt's ''Twister 2'' Got Rejected by the Studio for 'Potentially Shady' Reasons, Says Co-Writer Daveed Diggs |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/helen-hunts-twister-sequel-rejected-shady-reasons-1235580330/ |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/twister-2-helen-hunt-story-details-character-death/ |title=Rejected Twister 2 Story Killed Off Helen Hunt's Character|first=Adam|last=Bentz|work=Screen Rant|date=June 14, 2021|access-date=September 10, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Future_IW">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/06/twister-sequel-helen-hunt-1234644168/|title=Twister Sequel: Helen Hunt Pitched with Diverse Storm Chasers|first=Ryan|last=Lattanzio|work=IndieWire|date=June 12, 2021|access-date=September 10, 2021}}</ref>
After Steven Spielberg read the script by Mark L. Smith, his enthusiasm contributed to getting the project green-lit. In October 2022, it was announced that the project was officially titled ''Twisters'', and Lee Isaac Chung was hired to direct. The project is a joint-venture production between Universal, Warner Bros., and Amblin, with Universal handling US and Canadian distribution and Warner handling worldwide distribution.<ref name="Future_Deadline">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/twisters-sequel-forecast-spring-start-universal-amblin-finalize-director-1235147353/|work=Deadline|title=The Dish: 'Twisters' Forecast For Spring Start As Universal, Amblin Finalize Director For Sequel|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=October 17, 2022|accessdate=October 17, 2022}}</ref> The film was released internationally on July 10, 2024, and in the United States on July 19, 2024.
== See also == * ''Night of the Twisters'': A 1996 telemovie based on the 1984 novel of the same name by Ivy Ruckman * ''Into the Storm'': A film released in 2014, with a similar film plot to ''Twister''. * 1999 Oklahoma tornado outbreak * TOtable Tornado Observatory: A device used to monitor tornadoes in the 80's that was the inspiration for Dorothy 1–4. * History of tornado research
== References == {{Reflist}}
===Notes=== {{Notefoot}} {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
== External links == {{wikiquote|Twister}} * {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970615195343/http://movies.warnerbros.com/twister/|title=Official website}} * {{IMDb title}}
{{Twister (franchise)}} {{Jan de Bont}} {{Michael Crichton}} {{BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects}} {{Authority control}} {{Portal bar|1990s|Film|United States|Weather}}
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