12 best films about viruses and epidemics

What films about viruses charge with optimism

Although in these pictures the epidemic sometimes takes on a planetary scale, they carry a life-affirming message. After watching, I want to believe that humanity will be able to overcome troubles and in the end everything will be fine.

1. Strain "Andromeda"

The andromeda strain

• United States, 1971.
• Sci-fi drama.
• Duration: 131 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.2.

Through the fault of the military, a deadly virus of extraterrestrial origin enters the Earth. A team of scientists arrives at the contaminated area to figure out how to counter the epidemic.

The film was directed by Robert Wise based on the book by Michael Crichton, the legendary science fiction writer, creator of Jurassic Park andThe world of the wild west». Unlike many other pictures about epidemics, "The Andromeda Strain" does not have a superhero who saves the whole world, and the psychology of the characters comes first.

For those viewers who find Wise's picture outdated, there is a good two-episode mini-series of the same name, produced by the Ridley brothers and Tony Scott.

Why watch: to mentally thank the scientists who are doing their work calmly and without panic. Even by trial and error.

2. Epidemic

Outbreak

• USA, 1995.
• A disaster film, thriller.
• Duration: 128 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.6.

Epidemiologists are trying to stop the most dangerous virus that the military has developed. The latter know how to make a vaccine. You just need to find the first carrier. It turns out to be an ordinary monkey, but it disappears without a trace.

In a solid Hollywood drama directed by Wolfgang Petersen, the culprit of the pandemic is not some crazy scientist, but a completely respectable state laboratory. And also great actors play here - Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman.

Why watch: to admire those who work tirelessly to keep as few people as possible from the virus.

Watch in iTunes →
Watch on Google Play →

3. War of the Worlds Z

World war z

• USA, 2013.
• Post-apocalyptic action movie.
• Duration: 116 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.0.

One day, the family of former UN worker Jerry Lane becomes an unwitting witness to the attacks of the living dead. And now the man has to go to South Korea to investigate the causes of the epidemic.

The film was based on the novel of the same name by American science fiction writer Max Brooks, but much has changed during adaptation. For example, a measured story has turned into an action-packed action movie, and slow zombies have become very fast and dangerous. The personality of the protagonist was also changed for the sake of Brad Pitt, who was nominated for the main role.

Why watch: to rejoice at how many caring and kind people are around - it is thanks to them that the hero manages to survive even in the conditions of a total apocalypse.

Watch in iTunes →
Watch on Google Play →

4. The last love on earth

Perfect sense

• UK, Sweden, Ireland, Denmark, 2010.
• Fantastic melodrama.
• Duration: 88 minutes
• IMDb: 7.1.

Michael and Susan understand that they cannot live without each other. But the problem is that people, one by one, are deprived of five basic senses due to an unknown virus that hit the planet.

In the film by British director David Mackenzie, perhaps the most unusual pandemic in cinema is shown: the infected first lose their sense of smell and taste, then lose their hearing and even sight. And it's definitely worth seeing the picture, although many critics scolded it for the fact that the creators did not manage to combine the love story with post-apocalyptic.

Why watch: to reflect on what will happen if we are suddenly deprived of the opportunity to hear the voice of a loved one and see his face, touch, feel smells and tastes.

Watch in iTunes →
Watch on Google Play →

Which virus films contain important ideas

Watching this movie will not pass just like that: from each movie it will turn out to be some more or less useful lesson.

1. 28 days later

28 Days Later

• UK, 2002.
• Fantastic drama, thriller, horror.
• Duration: 113 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.6.

Courier Jim wakes up from a coma and discovers that the whole country is engulfed in a terrible epidemic: an infectious virus turns people into aggressive killers.

In Danny Boyle's post-apocalyptic thriller, the virus acts not so much on the body as on the psyche. This allowed the director to show how the characters come face to face with the darkest sides of human nature. The theatrical version of the film ends well, but there are a few more endings that are less optimistic.

Why watch: to preserve the best human qualities even in the most difficult times. But at the same time, remember that not everyone works this way.

Watch in iTunes →
Watch on Google Play →

2. Blindness

Blindness

• Brazil, Canada, Japan, 2008.
• Drama, thriller.
• Duration: 121 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.6.

Due to the widespread epidemic of blindness, the authorities decide to isolate the infected in order to protect the city. The only owner of immunity is the wife of a local ophthalmologist

The film is based on the novel by Jose Saramago, and the book itself became a bestseller in the mid-nineties, and its author received the Nobel Prize for Literature. Behind the facade of dystopia is a story of social degradation: according to Saramago, blindness is a punishment for human sins.

Why watch: to remember the importance of mutual support. Tough moments are an excuse to stick together and help each other, not feud, as the characters in the film do.

3. Infection

Contagion

• USA, 2011.
• Sci-fi thriller, disaster film.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.6.

A deadly virus of unknown origin is rapidly spreading across the planet. The development of a vaccine is still far away, and the general panic is fueled by rumors spread on the Internet by an unscrupulous journalist.

Thriller Steven Soderbergh at one time greatly scared the audience with its realism. And recently, many believe that what is happening on the screen painfully resembles the scenario of the spread of an epidemic coronavirus. Even the symptoms that appear in those infected with the new disease are similar to those shown in the film.

Why watch: to see how important it is to incorporate critical thinking and self-thinking rather than succumbing to the charisma of charismatic but often incompetent individuals. For example, one of the heroes in the film warms up his hands on an advertisement for a medicine that does not help.

Watch in iTunes →
Watch on Google Play →

4. Train Times to Busan

Busanhaeng

• South Korea, 2016.
• Action, thriller, horror.
• Duration: 118 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.5.

An epidemic of a virus that can turn people into the living dead has broken out in the country. At the same time, a successful businessman, along with his little daughter, are trapped in a train going to the city of Busan.

Dynamic Korean The thriller directed by Yong Sang Ho was loved by viewers and critics. Many even saw in the film an acute social and political overtones, and the characters who lose their human appearance in a critical situation remind of what people are ready for in order to survive. A sequel should be released this year (unless, of course, the release is will postpone due to a real pandemic).

Why watch: to see, using the example of the heroes of the film, how important it is to cooperate in any dangerous situation, to exchange information in a timely manner and to keep each other informed. Sometimes the worst things come from panic or confusion, and some people are driven by fear to commit low and unforgivable acts.

Watch in iTunes →
Watch on Google Play →

What films about viruses suggest dark thoughts

These pictures are far from inspiring. But surely there are viewers who will like them more than any life-affirming movie. Watching them, you can get scared to shiver or see with your own eyes the worst consequences of a pandemic.

1. 12 monkeys

Twelve monkeys

• USA, 1995.
• Fantastic thriller, drama, dystopia.
• Duration: 129 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.0.

Criminal James Cole is sent back in time to gather information about the dangerous incurable virus, which has already destroyed most of the world's population, and forced all the rest to hide under earth.

Director Terry Gilliam confused even fans of his work, making them doubt whether what they saw was so unambiguous. The viewers will have to understand for themselves whether the events of the film actually take place or only in the head of the protagonist.

Why watch: to reflect on the shortcomings of a consumer society that is slowly approaching destruction. The director seems to be hinting: everything in life is already predetermined, it is useless to change something. Or maybe not, but everyone can decide this for themselves by watching the film to the end.

Watch in iTunes →
Watch on Google Play →

2. I'm a legend

I am legend

• USA, 2007.
• Fantastic drama, thriller, horror.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.2.

Scientists are inventing a promising cancer drug that mutates into a deadly virus. Military doctor Robert Neville is the only one who manages to survive after the epidemic. The man spends his days in an empty city, inhabited by either zombies or vampires, but he does not give up hope of creating an antidote.

The film is based on the novel of the same name by Richard Matheson, although in the original the story was a little about friend. The central character was played by the talented Will Smith, and the audience loved this role of the actor on a par with the image from Men in Black.

Why watch: to reflect on the moral side of science. According to the plot, all attempts of mankind to fight the infection have failed, and the main character has to face a nightmare lonelinessso the film should be taken as one big warning.

Watch in iTunes →
Watch on Google Play →

3. Reportage

REC

• Spain, 2007.
• Thriller, horror film.
• Duration: 75 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.4.

Energetic TV journalist Angela Vidal travels with a group of rescuers to the scene of a terrible incident in a large apartment building. But the building turns out to be a hotbed of an unknown virus that turns people into possessed zombies.

The low-budget Spanish thriller was so successful that the American version, called Quarantine, began filming even before the world premiere of the original. The audience is never explained why the epidemic began. But there are enough blood-curdling shots here.

Why watch: to tickle your nerves, because the characters find themselves locked in the same building with the virtually indestructible carriers of a strange infection. Of course, nothing good awaits the heroes there.

4. Carriers

Carriers

• USA, 2009.
• Thriller, horror film.
• Duration: 84 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.0.

While a deadly virus is spreading around the world, brothers Brian and Danny decide to leave with their girls to wait out the epidemic, but everything does not go as they planned.

The Spaniards Alex and David Pastors later directed Epidemic, another film about a widespread disease, which told about the unexpected fear of open spaces among people.

Why watch: to remember how important it is to remain human in the first place in times of danger. But the heroes of the film completely forgot about this and were forced to commit terrible deeds and make ambiguous decisions (not even without murders).