GLOBAL pandemics are nothing new and there's always been movies made to depict them and get the conspiracy theorists going.
As the coronavirus outbreak keeps us all inside for the foreseeable future, now's a good time to catch up on some of the previous ones and fictional ones shown in movies, here's a look at some of the best that have released over the years.
- The 20 best series on Netflix
- The 25 best films on Netflix
Netflix
93 Days (2016)
Ebola was first discovered in 1976, but the most recent outbreak was in 2014 in West Africa, with it spreading to the UK and US in the same time period.
93 days tells the story of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria and the valiant efforts of health workers to contain the disease.
The drama-thriller was written and directed by Nollywood producer Steve Gukas.
It stars Seun Ajayi and Bimbo Akintola as well as Lethal Weapon's Danny Glover.
Pandemic (2020)
This docu-series shows health workers battling against influenza and how they can reduce the possibility of the next global outbreak.
After initially being released in January 2020, interest in the show has spiked recently amid the spread of coronavirus, with viewers wanting to see if there is a link between the two.
The series was filmed in 2019 and scenes show scientists discussing previous diseases and concluding that the world "was due" another virus.
Also, Pandemic shows the efforts of doctors in both the US and Asia, working around the clock tirelessly to develop vaccines that can thwart off any potential new deadly illnesses.
Contagion (2011)
In this drama-thriller, a group of medical experts race against time to stop an unknown virus that causes a global pandemic.
Scientists are in a race against time as the disease spreads at an alarming rate and social order breaks down.
Contagion has received rave reviews from critics and scientist alike, who have praised the films accuracy.
The cast of Contagion packs a heavy punch with an all-star line up consisting of, Matt Damon (Bourne Identity, Good Will Hunting), Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix, Boyz in the Hood), Jude Law (The Talented Mr.Ripley, Alfie), Gwyneth Paltrow (Shallow Hal, Iron Man) and Kate Winslet (Titanic).
Amazon Prime
Outbreak (1995)
A deadly virus from the African rainforest breaks out in the US after a monkey carrying the disease is imported illegally.
In a race against time Colonel Sam Daniels (Dustin Hoffman), finds himself under pressure to find an antidote when his wife becomes infected and others begin to die.
Morgan Freeman (The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby) also stars in the disaster film, which is based on Richard Preston's non-fiction book, The Hot zone.
I Am Legend (2007)
Warner Brothers initially began developing I Am Legend in 1994, but didn't begin production until 2006.
It is the third feature-film adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel I Am Legend, following 1964's The Last Man on Earth and 1971's The Omega Man.
The film stars Will Smith as US Army virologist Robert Neville, set in New York City.
A virus which was originally created to cure cancer has wiped out most of mankind, leaving Neville as the last human alive.
For years he searches for signs of other survivors, all while mutants lurk in the shadows who he has to fight off.
28 Weeks Later (2007)
28 Weeks Later is the sequel to cult hit 28 Days Later, which shows the breakdown of society when a deadly virus is released.
Six months after the original epidemic, Britain has been emptied, America declares the danger gone and allows refugees to return, but one of them carries a deadly secret, the virus is not gone and is even more dangerous than before.
It was released in May 2007 in the UK and received positive reviews from critics and grossed $64million on just a $15million budget.
Containment (2015)
This film will have you with one-eye on your neighbours throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
In this British-thriller, neighbours wake up to find themselves sealed inside their apartments by men in hazard suits due to an virus outbreak.
Unable to detect who has the virus, the neighbours start to turn on each other in a fight for survival.
All filming for Containment took place in Southampton, with local residents playing the role of extras in the film.
You can even watch some of the titles above with friends as Netflix has introduced new feature on its platform called Netflix Party.
Netflix Party synchronises video playback and adds group chat to your favourite Netflix shows.
The downside to this is that you can only use the feature on Google Chrome on your desktop or laptop.
Source: Read Full Article