Extinction Level Event: 25 Landmarks Destroyed in Film and TV

Are you not entertained?

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Moving pictures have been blowing shit up, knocking shit down, and contriving ways for pretty boys to narrowly prevent shit from doing all of the above since technology made it possible. As the average moviegoer and television-viewer grows more and more jaded, creatives have to figure out ways to blow more shit up and in better ways. So you'll be happier.

The best way to tug heart strings or fill viewers with a sense of existential dread is to destroy the iconic landmarks that populate social studies textbooks. But not all landmark levelings are created equal. Let’s face it, the White House blowing up pisses people off and reminds them that they love America, while the collapse of the Capitol Records Building reminds viewers that there is a Capitol Records Building. Get ready, you damned dirty apes, this is your Independence Day.

Here are 25 Landmarks Destroyed in Film and TV.

By Brenden Gallagher (@muddycreekU)

RELATED: 25 Inaccurate Depictions of NYC in Film and TV

Williamsburg Bridge (as destroyed in The Dark Knight Rises)

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Capitol Records Building (as destroyed in The Day After Tomorrow)

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The Great Sphinx of Giza (as destroyed in Team America: World Police)

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Times Square (as destroyed in Watchmen)

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Las Vegas Strip (as destroyed in Mars Attacks!)

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The Hollywood Sign (as destroyed in The Day After Tomorrow)

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St. Peter's Basilica (as destroyed in 2012)

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Millenium Bridge (as destroyed in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)

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U.S. Capitol Building (as destroyed in Independence Day)

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Tokyo (as destroyed in Godzilla, King of the Monsters!)

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Big Ben (as destroyed in Reign of Fire)

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Chrysler Building (as destroyed in Armageddon)

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Sydney Opera House (as destroyed in Godzilla: Final Wars)

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Grand Central Terminal (as destroyed in Armageddon)

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Palace of Westminster (as destroyed in V for Vendetta)

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Washington Monument (as destroyed in Earth vs. The Flying Saucers)

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The Easter Island Statues (as destroyed in Mars Attacks!)

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Taj Mahal (as destroyed in Mars Attacks!)

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Brooklyn Bridge (as destroyed in Aftershock)

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Eiffel Tower (as destroyed in Team America: World Police)

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The Golden Gate Bridge (as destroyed in X-Men: The Last Stand)

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U.S. Bank Tower (as destroyed in Independence Day)

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Empire State Building (as destroyed in King Kong)

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The White House (as destroyed in Independence Day)

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The Statue of Liberty (as destroyed in The Planet of the Apes)

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