42 Films About Pandemics and Viral Outbreaks
40 titles
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EpidemicMovie · 1987 · 106m · Drama, HorrorA director and screenwriter working together on a script about a global pandemic find the line between fiction and reality dissolving. Their story of an epidemic spreading on the page begins to eerily mirror real-world events.
The film examines the connection between creating art and living life. As the story develops, the characters confront unsettling similarities between their work and their own experiences. This psychological drama explores coincidence, fate, and art's ability to reflect life. The movie asks viewers to consider how closely stories can reflect reality and what that might say about humanity.IMDb 5.9TMDB 5.7 - 2
FlashburnMovie · 2017 · 89mWes Nolan awakens in a deserted warehouse with no memory of how he got there. He's been abducted by a person known only as "Lazarus," who is holding him captive for the Ebola cure. Wes is a virologist and microbiologist who was developing a bacteria protein carrier to combat the Ebola virus by targeting it before it attacks healthy cells. Unfortunately, his research resulted in a mutation that made the virus far more dangerous. Now, Wes must recover his lost memories and race against time to find a cure.IMDb 3.6TMDB 3.6 - 3
PandemicMovie · 2009 · 90mA slow-burn action thriller focusing on a virus outbreak in a New Mexico county and the local veterinarian who becomes deeply involved.IMDb 3.4TMDB 4.3 - 4
DerangedMovie · 2012 · 109m · Thriller, DramaA mysterious parasite infects the population, driving them to uncontrollable binges of eating and an insatiable thirst for water. The infected are unable to resist their urges, effectively controlled by the parasite's influence.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.6 - 5
The FluMovie · 2013 · 122m · Action, Science Fiction, ThrillerWhat starts as a flu outbreak rapidly escalates into a global pandemic. With rising fatalities and widespread fear, the government prepares drastic measures to control the spread.IMDb 6.6TMDB 7.5 - 6
QuarantineMovie · 2000 · 86mWhen a bio-weapon virus escapes and spreads worldwide, the U.S. President declares a national emergency.IMDb 3.5TMDB 2.0 - 7
ContagiousMovie · 1997 · 103mA doctor races against time to stop a growing health crisis after passengers on a flight to Los Angeles become ill following a meal of shrimp contaminated with cholera from Mexico. The doctor must identify the origin of the contamination and prevent it from escalating into a full-blown epidemic.IMDb 5.4TMDB 4.3 - 8
ContagionMovie · 2002 · 95mIn the 21st century, terrorists unleash a devastating new weapon: a highly contagious, Level Four Ebola virus. Their first target is the President of the United States, and the virus quickly spreads. With no cure in sight, the military's drastic plan is to destroy the hospital and town where those infected, including the President, are quarantined. Doctors race against time to find a cure, while the military prepares for total annihilation to contain the epidemic. Can the spread be stopped before it's too late?IMDb 4.2TMDB 4.0 - 9
ContainmentMovie · 2015 · 77m · Thriller, Horror, Science FictionA residential block is plunged into chaos when its residents discover their apartments have been inexplicably sealed. As panic rises, the neighbors must band together to uncover the reason behind this terrifying confinement. But as desperation grows, will cooperation prevail, or will their struggle for freedom tear the building – and themselves – apart?IMDb 4.9TMDB 6.0 - 10
Perfect SenseMovie · 2011 · 93m · Drama, Science Fiction, RomanceIn Glasgow, Scotland, as a strange global pandemic starts to emerge, epidemiologist Susan finds herself falling for Michael, a talented cook.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.9 - 11
93 DaysMovie · 2016 · 124m · DramaBimbo Akintola, Danny Glover, and TIFF Rising Star Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama star in director Steve Gukas' gripping true story about dedicated healthcare workers in Lagos who confront the Ebola outbreak of 2014.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.7 - 12A vírusMovie · 2005 · 27mA young virologist encounters a virus unlike any he has previously known. It is an unexpected challenge.IMDb 6.5TMDB 5.5
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The Cassandra CrossingMovie · 1976 · 129m · Action, ThrillerPassengers on a European express train face a desperate fight for survival when they are exposed to a deadly virus. Trapped on the moving train, they struggle to get help from authorities who are unresponsive. As the virus spreads, their journey transforms into a terrifying battle. The film blends suspense with stories of courage, showing how unity is essential during a crisis. Stranded and fearing an invisible enemy, the passengers must overcome their fear and work together to escape the train before it's too late.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.2 - 14
The PlagueMovie · 1992 · 148mA bubonic plague outbreak hits a South American city. As panic spreads and the military seals off the area, an idealistic doctor chooses to remain and assist the afflicted. Amidst the shifting crisis, he bravely fights the disease, aided by others while simultaneously drawing them into the unfolding chaos he can't fully manage.IMDb 5.6TMDB 5.7 - 15
InfectionMovie · 2004 · 98m · Horror, DramaA dark, isolated hospital becomes the site of a dangerous infection, the result of a single doctor's error. Here, death is a constant threat.IMDb 6.0TMDB 6.4 - 16
VirusMovie · 2019 · 152m · Drama, ThrillerThis is a true story about the devastating Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, India, and the brave efforts of many people who worked to stop the epidemic's spread.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.5 - 17
Right at Your DoorMovie · 2006 · 96m · Drama, Thriller, Science FictionA dirty bomb detonates in Los Angeles, causing major traffic disruptions on the freeways and releasing a cloud of toxic material.IMDb 6.0TMDB 5.8 - 18
Have Mercy on Us AllMovie · 2007 · 116m · Thriller, Crime, DramaIn Paris, residents are reporting that the doors of their apartments have been sprayed with the number "4" and the letters "clt." When a man is found dead in his apartment under mysterious circumstances, Detective Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg and his partner Danglard begin an investigation.IMDb 5.6TMDB 5.9 - 19
QuarantinedMovie · 1970 · 74mA family of doctors running a medical clinic faces a sudden cholera outbreak, alongside other challenges including a movie star who is uncooperative during her treatment.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.0 - 20
Extinction: Patient ZeroMovie · 2015 · 80mScientists confined to a secure room race against time to determine if they've contracted a lethal virus. They must figure out if escape is possible, or if they will be subjected to emergency exposure protocols.IMDb 4.4TMDB 5.0 - 21
Twelve MonkeysMovie · 1995 · 129m · Science Fiction, Thriller, MysteryInvestigative journalist Chris Morris fearlessly examines Britain's most troubling issues, revealing societal problems with sharp detail. The documentary series confronts difficult subjects like animal cruelty, drug abuse, sex scandals, and political corruption. In a notable 2001 episode, Morris tackles the sensitive topic of pedophilia, exploring hidden realities while pushing boundaries. His investigations blend satire with honest reporting to offer a powerful, uncompromising look at modern British society.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.6 - 22
The InfectionMovie · 2018 · 92mA virologist contracts a novel and perilous bacteria. He isolates himself at home, determined to find a cure.IMDb 4.4TMDB 4.0 - 23
The HappeningMovie · 2008 · 90m · Thriller, Science FictionA deadly airborne virus spreads across the northeastern United States, forcing teacher Elliot Moore and his wife Alma to escape the infected cities for the countryside. They journey to uncover the source of the outbreak, questioning whether it's a terrorist attack, a military accident involving a toxic bio-weapon, or something far more mysterious.IMDb 5.0TMDB 5.4 - 24
The Hamburg SyndromeMovie · 1979 · 117mA plague spreads through Hamburg, prompting some residents to flee the city's quarantine. However, their escape reveals the disease's far greater reach.IMDb 6.0TMDB 5.5 - 25
And the Band Played OnMovie · 1993 · 140m · Drama, TV MovieDuring a worldwide crisis, the emergence of the AIDS epidemic throws researchers into a struggle to understand the puzzling illness endangering many lives. The film follows scientists as they confront this difficult challenge, revealing the internal conflicts and competition within the scientific community that slow down efforts to fight the disease. This intense story explores the complexities of scientific discovery, personal ambition, and the urgency of finding a solution as the world faces an unprecedented threat. By closely examining the people and events involved, the film provides a powerful look at the human side of one of history's most important medical advancements.IMDb 7.8TMDB 6.4 - 26
ViralMovie · 2016 · 86m · Drama, Horror, Science FictionAfter a virus devastates most of humanity, a young woman records her family’s experiences while sheltering in place and struggles to keep her sister safe from the infection.IMDb 5.5TMDB 5.7 - 27
Quiet KillerMovie · 1992 · 90mTeenager Sarah falls seriously ill on a flight to New York. Realizing it's something far worse than a cold, she collapses and dies in the hospital shortly after, the cause revealed to be the plague. To prevent widespread panic, epidemic commissioner Dr. Nora Hart must secretly investigate Sarah's life, identifying and tracking everyone she encountered. Failure to do so could result in the plague killing half the city within days.IMDb 5.6TMDB 5.2 - 28
AnthraxMovie · 2001 · 89mIn a small Alberta ranching community, mysterious anthrax deaths among cattle spark tension. As ranchers suspect a local agricultural research center, a reporter fuels their anger, encouraging a sit-in led by the RCMP officer's mother-in-law. When a rancher dies from a deadly strain of anthrax, the protesters are quarantined. Unnoticed, the reporter vanishes with several vials of the bacteria. The RCMP officer starts his own investigation, working with a U.S. agent to recover the stolen anthrax before it's too late.IMDb 4.2TMDB 3.7 - 29
The Killer That Stalked New YorkMovie · 1950 · 79mIn New York City, Sheila Bennet and her husband, Matt Krane, attempt to sell a collection of valuable jewels they illegally brought from Cuba, but the police are closing in on them. At the same time, government officials launch an urgent investigation to find someone spreading smallpox throughout the city.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.2 - 30
Panic in the StreetsMovie · 1950 · 96m · Thriller, CrimeA medical examiner in New Orleans discovers a shocking truth: a robbery victim died from bubonic plague. While the city remains unaware of the danger, he has 48 hours to find the killer.
The investigation plunges into the city's hidden world as authorities race to stop a widespread outbreak. Each clue is uncertain, pushing them to desperate actions in pursuit of a difficult suspect.
As the crisis intensifies, the film explores mortality, fear, and responsibility. Blending crime and medical thriller elements, it tells a compelling story about how people's choices affect public health.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.9 - 31
PandemicMovie · 2009 · 138mEmergency room doctor Tsuyoshi Matsuoka encounters a patient with a completely unknown virus. The patient suffers severe symptoms: high fever, seizures, bloody vomiting, and organ failure. Is this a new strain of flu, or something entirely different? As cases multiply, a World Health Organization medical officer, Eiko Kobayashi, is sent to investigate. If the virus continues to spread at its current rate, the city's transportation and infrastructure could collapse within three months. Within six months, it threatens tens of millions of people, potentially resulting in a death toll exceeding that of any war.IMDb 5.3TMDB 6.4 - 32
Ebola SyndromeMovie · 1996 · 100m · Comedy, Crime, HorrorA man on the run flees across continents to escape capture, beginning in Hong Kong and heading towards South Africa. He discovers he has immunity to the Ebola virus. Now, he must return home, but his journey inadvertently plunges him back into the center of the deadly outbreak. The film explores desperation, survival, and difficult choices against the backdrop of a global health crisis.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.4 - 33
Children of MenMovie · 2006 · 109m · Drama, Action, ThrillerIn 2027, humanity faces extinction after a global infertility crisis. A former activist takes on a perilous mission: to transport a pregnant woman to a sea sanctuary. The woman’s child represents a potential breakthrough for scientists desperately trying to restore human reproduction and secure the future of the species.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.6 - 34
Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in AmericaMovie · 2006 · 83m · Action, Drama, ThrillerA bird flu outbreak evolves into a virus capable of spreading between people.IMDb 4.9TMDB 5.9 - 35
Warning SignMovie · 1985 · 99m · Drama, Science Fiction, ThrillerA classified government facility researching biological weapons experiences a containment breach, releasing a mysterious bacteria within the complex. Scientists and agents must now work together in a desperate race against time to prevent the deadly pathogen from spreading. As the situation worsens, they confront their fears and grapple with the potential consequences for national and global security. The film explores themes of trust, responsibility, and the impact of scientific progress, keeping viewers on the edge as they await the outcome of this escalating crisis.IMDb 6.1TMDB 6.0 - 36
The CraziesMovie · 1973 · 103m · Science Fiction, Horror, ActionA tense thriller unfolds in a tight rural community when a dangerous biological weapon is released, infecting the residents. The virus quickly turns people into violently enraged versions of themselves, endangering those they love. The uninfected townspeople fight for survival, seeking safety and trying to decipher the military's actions as the crisis worsens. Facing impossible choices, the community's strong bonds are tested to their breaking point by this devastating pandemic.IMDb 6.1TMDB 6.1 - 37
VirusMovie · 1995 · 92mA rare and deadly African plague is spreading rapidly through America's major cities. A determined doctor, Dr. Marissa Blumenthal, races to uncover the truth behind its origin, but she becomes a target herself. As humanity faces extinction, Dr. Blumenthal discovers the disease may have been intentionally released by the medical community.IMDb 4.8TMDB 4.5 - 38
The CraziesMovie · 2010 · 101m · Mystery, Horror, ActionFour friends are stranded in their hometown as they witness their peers and neighbors rapidly descending into terrifying madness.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.3 - 39
VirusMovie · 1980 · 156m · Horror, Science Fiction, DramaIn an isolated Antarctic research station, a team of scientists represents humanity's last chance. A military virus released in a plane crash has devastated the world. With time running out, they must race to develop a cure.
Their mission is a test of their strength and resourcefulness as they confront the grim reality of survival. The scientists’ struggle reflects humanity's fight to overcome disaster, while their personal stories blend triumph and loss.
Against the backdrop of Antarctica's harsh environment, this story highlights the resilience needed to survive. Their efforts are a powerful symbol of human spirit in the face of unimaginable catastrophe.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.3 - 40
ContagionMovie · 2011 · 106m · Drama, Thriller, Science FictionA deadly airborne virus spreads rapidly, threatening to kill within days. As the global outbreak intensifies, the medical world frantically searches for a cure while trying to contain the escalating panic.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.6
