Here are 20 of our favorite movies about pandemics, viruses, outbreaks, and widespread disease.
1. Outbreak (1995)
One of the most well-known pandemic movies and arguably, the most popular is Outbreak, a mid-90s action thriller about a deadly, Ebola-like virus that is spreading through parts of California and the United States. Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, and Morgan FreemanRotten Tomato“Tomatometer” rating: 59%Where to watch: FuboTV, YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play
2. Contagion (2011)
Made in 2011, Contagion is an exceptionally smart (and scary) disaster movie. Why? Because Contagion is something of a sociological study into what people would do (and how they would behave) if they were faced with a real-life pandemic. Trust us, this one hits close to home.
3. World War Z (2013)
Part pandemic, part zombie apocalypse movie, World War Zis a more imaginative take on what could happen if a virus spreads through society… and turns us all into monsters. Starring: Brad PittRotten Tomato “Tomatometer” rating: 66%Where to watch: Hulu and Sling TV
4. 28 Days Later (2002)
Set in the city of London (and much like World War Z), 28 Days Later is a post-apocalyptic, post-pandemic zombie movie. In fact, the entire film transpires about one month after the “rage” virus spread throughout the UK.
5. The Andromeda Strain (1971)
Based on a 1969 novel by Michael Crichton, The Andromeda Strain follows a group of scientists who are working to figure out what unknown virus killed all the citizens of a small town.
6. Quarantine (2008)
Fans of The Blair Witch Project will love Quarantine. Why? Because this action-adventure film is a “found footage” movie, i.e. it follows a TV reporter and her cameraman who get trapped in a building that’s being quarantined by the Center for Disease Control. Starring: Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, and Columbus ShortRotten Tomato “Tomatometer” rating: 56%Where to watch: Hulu and Sling TV
7. I Am Legend (2007)
Set several years after a mutated pathogen kills most of humanity (and turns the rest into monsters), I Am Legend follows U.S. Army virologist Robert Neville on his quest to find a cure — and to find fellow survivors.
8. The Last Man On Earth (1964)
Made in 1964 and starring the one and only Vincent Price, The Last Man on Earth follows Dr. Robert Morgan’s journey to battle the living dead after an unnamed disease kills half of humanity and turns the remaining half into zombie-like creatures. The original adaption of Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend.
9. 12 Monkeys (1995)
Part pandemic movie, part time travel feature, 12 Monkeys follows James Cole’s (Bruce Willis’) journey from 2030 back to the 1990s, where he is supposed to gather information about a man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population. Starring: Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad PittRotten Tomato “Tomatometer” rating: 88%Where to watch: Hulu
10. Death In Venice (1971)
In Death In Venice, composer Gustave Aschenbach travels to a Venice resort to escape personal and artistic stress. The last thing he expects is to encounter trouble, but his life is threatened when there is a sudden outbreak of cholera. Starring: Dirk Bogarde, Romolo Valli, and Mark BurnsRotten Tomato “Tomatometer” rating: 71%Where to watch: iTunes, YouTube, and Google Play
11. Black Death (2010)
Set in 14th-century England during the time of the bubonic plague, Black Death follows a young monk recruited by the knight Ulric (Sean Bean) to lead a group of soldiers through the marshes into a mysterious village, where rumors are spreading that a necromancer is raising plague victims from the dead. Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Sean Bean, and Carice van HoutenRotten Tomato “Tomatometer” rating: 71%Where to watch: YouTube, Google Play, and Vudu
12. The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
Also starring Vincent Price, The Masque of the Red Death is a horrific adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s short story of the same name.
13. Flu (2013)
Set in South Korea, Flu highlights the panic and chaos that ensues when a lethal, airborne virus infects individuals in a city less than 20 kilometers from Seoul.
14. The Cassandra Crossing (1976)
Arguably the least well-received film on our list but a pandemic movie none-the-less, The Cassandra Crossing is a movie about love, terrorism, and an unnamed virus. Yes, really.
15. Infection (2019)
A man races against time to save his son when a new rabies virus turns people into rampaging zombies in Infection.
16. The Happening (2008)
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel, The Happening is an apocalyptic drama about the rapid spread of an unknown virus that causes individuals to commit suicide. Starring: Mark Wahlberg and Zooey DeschanelRotten Tomato “Tomatometer” rating: 24%Where to watch: YouTube, iTunes, and Google Play
17. Blindness (2008)
Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo star in this movie, in which the world has been upended by an epidemic that causes blindness.
18. Bird Box (2018)
A Netflix original feature, Bird Box follows the journey of a mother and her two children after a widespread, mysterious pathogen drives most of society to suicide. Starring: Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, and John MalkovichRotten Tomato “Tomatometer” rating: 64%Where to watch: Netflix
19. Carriers (2009)
When a virus threatens to wipe out humanity in Carriers, four friends set out across the desert, trying to elude the pandemic. However, as the minutes, hours, and days unfold, the friends learn that the darkness within themselves may be deadlier than any external threat or disease.
20. Zombieland (2009)
While Zombieland isn’t your traditional post-apocalyptic pandemic feature, with the “mad zombie disease" spreading across the United States, it is a (funny) film about viruses. Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Woody HarrelsonRotten Tomato “Tomatometer” rating: 89%Where to watch: Peacock Looking for more thrills? Check out the151 best horror movies of all time, ranked.
