10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Outbreak (2024)

Description: '28 Days Later' and 'Outbreak (2024)' both explore the terrifying rapid spread of a deadly virus and the collapse of society. The intense, visceral portrayal of the outbreak and its immediate aftermath are central to both films. The themes of isolation, survival, and the darker aspects of human nature under duress are also shared.

Fact: Directed by Danny Boyle, the film revitalized the zombie genre. The virus in the movie, 'Rage', turns infected humans into hyper-aggressive beings. The iconic scene of a deserted London was filmed early in the morning to avoid traffic.

Description: Both 'World War Z' and 'Outbreak (2024)' depict a fast-spreading global pandemic that leads to widespread panic and societal breakdown. The rapid escalation of the crisis and the international efforts to contain it are key similarities. While 'World War Z' involves zombies, the underlying themes of survival and human resilience are shared.

Fact: The film is loosely based on Max Brooks' novel of the same name. Brad Pitt stars as a UN investigator trying to find the origin of the zombie virus. The movie's production faced numerous challenges, including extensive reshoots.

Description: Like 'Outbreak (2024)', 'Station Eleven' explores the long-term effects of a global pandemic, focusing on the survivors and how they rebuild society. Both stories blend the immediate horror of the outbreak with the enduring human spirit and resilience. The emotional tone and the exploration of art and culture as means of coping are also shared elements.

Fact: Based on Emily St. John Mandel's novel, the series was critically acclaimed for its storytelling. It features a traveling Shakespearean troupe performing in the post-apocalyptic world. The show alternates between timelines before and after the pandemic.

Description: This documentary series shares similarities with 'Outbreak (2024)' in its exploration of global pandemics, focusing on the scientists and healthcare workers on the front lines. Both highlight the importance of preparedness, rapid response, and international cooperation in combating infectious diseases, making it a timely and relevant companion to the fictional narrative of 'Outbreak'.

Fact: The series was released just before the COVID-19 pandemic, making it eerily prescient. It features interviews with experts from the CDC, WHO, and other global health organizations. The show covers various viruses, including influenza and Ebola.

Description: Similar to 'Outbreak (2024)', 'Contagion' is a gripping thriller that explores the rapid spread of a deadly virus and the global efforts to contain it. Both films delve into the scientific and bureaucratic challenges of managing a pandemic, highlighting the human cost and societal breakdown. The realistic portrayal of a viral outbreak and the race against time to find a cure are central themes in both movies.

Fact: 'Contagion' was praised for its scientific accuracy, with consultants including Dr. W. Ian Lipkin, a renowned epidemiologist. The film's virus, MEV-1, was inspired by the Nipah virus. Gwyneth Paltrow's character was the first to contract the virus, and her death scene was based on real-life cases.

Description: 'The Stand' and 'Outbreak (2024)' both depict the aftermath of a catastrophic pandemic, focusing on the survivors and the new world order that emerges. The themes of survival, human nature under extreme stress, and the battle between good and evil are central to both narratives. The rapid spread of the virus and its devastating impact on society are key similarities.

Fact: 'The Stand' is based on Stephen King's 1978 novel. The miniseries features an all-star cast including Whoopi Goldberg and Alexander Skarsgård. The story's pandemic, Captain Trips, was engineered as a bioweapon.

Description: 'The Last Ship' and 'Outbreak (2024)' both revolve around a deadly global pandemic and the race to find a cure. The military and scientific collaboration to save humanity is a central theme in both. The high-stakes action and the portrayal of a world on the brink of collapse due to a virus make them thematically similar.

Fact: The series is based on a 1988 novel by William Brinkley. It stars Eric Dane as the captain of a naval destroyer tasked with finding a cure. The show ran for five seasons, exploring various post-pandemic scenarios.

Description: While '12 Monkeys' is a sci-fi series with time travel elements, it shares with 'Outbreak (2024)' the theme of a devastating global pandemic and the desperate measures taken to prevent or mitigate it. Both stories explore the chaos and societal collapse caused by a deadly virus, as well as the moral dilemmas faced by those trying to stop it.

Fact: The series is based on the 1995 film of the same name directed by Terry Gilliam. It spans four seasons and delves deep into the origins and consequences of the virus. The show's intricate plot involves multiple timelines and alternate realities.

Description: Like 'Outbreak (2024)', 'The Hot Zone' is a tense drama based on real events, focusing on the emergence of a deadly virus (Ebola in this case) and the efforts to prevent its spread. Both narratives emphasize the bravery of scientists and medical professionals, the fear and panic among the public, and the high stakes of containing a highly contagious pathogen.

Fact: 'The Hot Zone' is based on Richard Preston's bestselling non-fiction book. The series stars Julianna Margulies as a USAMRIID scientist. The real-life events depicted in the show occurred in 1989, when Ebola was discovered in monkeys in a Virginia lab.

Description: While 'Chernobyl' deals with a nuclear disaster rather than a viral outbreak, it shares with 'Outbreak (2024)' the themes of a catastrophic event, the cover-ups and bureaucratic failures that exacerbate it, and the heroic efforts to contain it. Both narratives are intense, fact-based dramas that highlight the human cost of such disasters.

Fact: 'Chernobyl' won numerous awards, including Emmys for Outstanding Limited Series. The series was praised for its historical accuracy and haunting cinematography. It stars Jared Harris and Stellan Skarsgård as key figures in the disaster response.