Outbreak
A military virologist races to contain a lethal monkey-borne epidemic while confronting generals willing to sacrifice an entire California town.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- tense
- foreboding
- high tension movie night
- disaster thriller marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the epidemic premise and brisk suspense effective, but considered the all-star disaster drama uneven, conventional, and scientifically implausible.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sam Daniels must investigate an epidemic while Generals Ford and McClintock control the military response and conceal crucial information.
The smuggled African monkey carries the disease into the United States and becomes central to tracing the outbreak and finding a cure.
The film moves rapidly from field investigation to quarantine, airborne pursuit, and an emergency search for an antidote.
The outbreak is staged through a threatened California town, mass containment operations, and the looming possibility of firebombing.
Films like Outbreak, and why
Contagion
Shares epidemic suspense, institutional conflict, and a race to contain a lethal disease.
The Andromeda Strain
Combines military authority, biological catastrophe, urgent action, and government secrecy.
The Cassandra Crossing
Features a rapidly escalating public-health crisis, quarantine tension, and heroic scientific investigation.
Movie Details
- Director
- Wolfgang Petersen
- Release Date
- 1995-03-10
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (2598)
Cast
- Dustin Hoffman
- Rene Russo
- Morgan Freeman
- Kevin Spacey
- Cuba Gooding Jr.
- Donald Sutherland
- Patrick Dempsey
- Zakes Mokae
- Malick Bowens
- Susan Lee Hoffman
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Outbreak about?
- A military virologist races to contain a lethal monkey-borne epidemic while confronting generals willing to sacrifice an entire California town.
- What is Outbreak like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Outbreak as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Outbreak violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Outbreak as moderate.
- What did critics think of Outbreak?
- Critics broadly found the epidemic premise and brisk suspense effective, but considered the all-star disaster drama uneven, conventional, and scientifically implausible.
- Which films are like Outbreak?
- Films with a similar feel include Contagion, The Andromeda Strain, and The Cassandra Crossing.
- How long is Outbreak?
- Outbreak runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch Outbreak?
- In United States, Outbreak streams on Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC.
