There is something about pandemic movies that gets you way involved in the film without even realizing. Perhaps it’s the natural thought that you could be in a similar situation someday, apart from that the Covid-19 virus has played a special role in increasing peoples interest in pandemic movies.
It is maybe the fear of the entire world being effected by a pandemic and the human race coming to the point of extinction. There are many fears and uncertainty that cloud the mind, however, these movies also provide a simulation like situation where you get to face the horrors of a pandemic and how to live with it. Thankfully Netflix has a ton of pandemic movies and despite the low number of titles on Australian Netflix you can access the American library through getamericannetflixinaustralia.
Best Pandemic Movies on Netflix
Here are some of the best pandemic movies on Netflix, try not to get paranoid though!
Contagion
Contagion is one movie that rose from nowhere to one of the most watched movie lately. The reason why the Contagion suddenly got so much attention is that it mimics the events of the ongoing Corona pandemic. It is so much like what’s happening right now in the real world that it feels like someone used a time machine and saw the entire events of the current times and made a movie out of it.
It is highly recommended to watch the film as it does a great job on educating the general masses about the nature of a virus and how it is transmitted. It also teaches what precautions are to be taken and how to live during a pandemic.
Outbreak
Outbreak made a pretty good name for itself, if you ask someone about a pandemic movie, chances are that Outbreak will be the first name you will get. The movie has an amazing cast consisting of Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, and Morgan Freeman. Cuba Gooding Jr., Patrick Dempsey, Donald Sutherland, and Kevin Spacey. The best part is that you will find all the characters deeply involved in their roles and everyone just fits in right! The movie is about an Ebola-like virus that spreads from animals to humans and becomes a threat to the existence of the human race. The movie focuses more on frontline workers like doctors, nurses and the military and is inspired from the novel “The Hot Zone”.
Carriers
This Chris Pine film was shelved for a few years before the actor hit it big with his appearance in Star Trek, it was then when Paramount decided to release this low budget film. Despite being a low budget virus flick it’s an interesting movie to watch. The premise of the movie is pretty much similar to what virus movies are like, two brothers and a couple of friends try to reach a safe haven in a world which is falling apart. Some rules are made but as the situation comes, it is realized that rules are made to be broken. Carriers is straight out frightening and does not come off as a cheeky movie with a couple of lads.
Train to Busan
Most of the times zombie movies go over the top and turn out to be senseless slashing on the screen. However, Train to Busan is an exceptionally well made film which will definitely give you an adrenaline rush. The movie is wrapped around the scary spread of a virus and the failed attempts to contain it somehow. It is one of the greatest zombie films ever made which doesn’t rely on violence like other zombie movies. The characters are trapped in a high speed train and as the train speeds up so do the characters actions in containing the virus and isolating the infected ones. This Korean masterpiece will surely keep your eyes glued to the screen from the start till the end and will leave you with a sense of exhaustion by the end. Korean film makers definitely do a great job when it comes to the cinematic effects which really give life to a film in their own way!
Cargo
While most pandemic movies focus on the main character trying to protect themselves from the virus, Cargo is all about a father trying to find a safe place for his baby daughter. The lead role is played by Martin Freeman, who has definitely given life to the movie with his spectacular performance. The events of Cargo take place in Australia where Freeman lives with his family on a houseboat, hitting the shore only when supplies are needed. However, when things go wrong Freeman takes a long dangerous journey with his daughter and heads to wherever he can call home. The movie successfully does a great job in creating emotions in the audience’s heart for Freeman’s mission to save his daughter from the deadly virus.
Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak
This Netflix Docuseries shows the efforts of the frontline workers such as doctors, nurses and Special Forces in the battle against influenza. It also showcases how different organizations are trying and putting in efforts and resources and preventing a global outbreak. On the other hand it also tells us about the dirty politics involved and the involvement of big pharma companies in generating profit out of diseases.
It is a documentary that focuses on the real work done by incredible saviors of humanity globally, rather than a “how to survive a pandemic” guide. You will see and feel the compassion, dedication and sacrifices made by doctors, nurses, politicians, scientists, emergency aid workers and volunteers even if it is to save the life of one person. The docuseries bagged 8/10 on IMDb and is a must watch!
More Pandemic Movies
- It Comes at Night
- 93 Days
- 12 Monkeys
- I Am Legend
- The Cassandra Crossing
- World War Z
- The Andromeda Strain
- The Maze Runner series
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail
- Cabin Fever
- Containment
