Contagion

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2:24

Contagion

PG-13

2011

1h 46m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

278 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When Beth Emhoff returns to Minnesota from a Hong Kong business trip, she attributes the malaise she feels to jet lag. However, two days later, Beth is dead, and doctors tell her shocked husband that they have no idea what killed her. Soon, many others start to exhibit the same symptoms, and a global pandemic explodes. Doctors try to contain the lethal microbe, but society begins to collapse as a blogger fans the flames of paranoia.

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Critics Consensus

Tense, tightly plotted, and bolstered by a stellar cast, Contagion is an exceptionally smart -- and scary -- disaster movie.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 8, 2017

B+

A bit of a mixed bag at times, its overall well developed character sketches and good performances will certainly keep the attention of moviegoers and no doubt increase DVD sales (as well as, perhaps, sales of Purell).

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Jan 27, 2012

3/4

It took me a good hour after seeing it for the hair on my arms to relax and the sweat on my brow to dissipate, and if something like this ever did happen, I shudder to contemplate the societal ramifications.

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Monica Castillo

Dig Boston

Jan 9, 2012

As disaster celeb-loaded disaster movies go, it could have been a lot worse.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 18, 2025

4/5

"Contagion" is at its best as an examination on the realistic levels of fear and paranoia that would strike our world if a disease came around that all of our Purell and flu shots couldn't beat.

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Sukanya Verma

Rediff.com

Aug 27, 2024

The thriller has acquired the realism of a documentary.

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Ray Pride

Newcity

Jul 4, 2024

9/10

A corker of dread... Accepting of the possibility, plausibility and even certainty of massive social tremors and upheavals. Flu, weather, warming, water: [it] could have taken flight from any of these... delicate filaments of global commerce,

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Phil D

@phildub Oct 31, 2026

Great movie. Heavy subject matter but very well written. Lots of stars! I wish I had watched this pre-pandemic or even during it. Much better glimpse of what we were thinking was going on than Outbreak.

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Finn S

@movieguy67 Oct 26, 2026

Good movie. Sad that this was almost us. Shows how important one persons actions can be

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Garry A

@heavyg Oct 6, 2026

It's a little different watching this again living in a post-Covid world. It makes this play out like a horror film.

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Andrea B

@RT08264812 Sep 22, 2026

Brilliant movie. Excellent storyline, I love how unique some shots were filmed - great cinematography. Good actors except I’m not a fan of gweneth anymore for other reasons, nonetheless great film and one of my favourites that I watch multiple times a year. The plot makes sense, there aren’t many obvious plot holes like in most movies. It’s a very well rounded easy to watch yet captivating at the same time.

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J H

@UpstateNYThriller Sep 21, 2026

7.2/10 Virus thriller, Drama Decent movie, covid vibes. Pandemic from China Puts a little bit too much trust in the government but a well done movie. Jude Law, Matt Damon and Lawrence Fishburn are in it.

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Paul S

@PManRager Sep 3, 2026

Watching this in the post-COVID era makes this movie all the more terrifying. I felt as if I was watching a real catastrophe unfold, and every cough filled me with dread. Besides the movie's realism, the story was intriguing, the all-star cast gave amazing performances, and I was glued to the screen for the entire movie. I definitely recommend this for thriller, sci-fi, and disaster movie fans!

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Steven Soderbergh

Director

Marion Cotillard

Dr. Leonora Orantes

Matt Damon

Mitch Emhoff

Laurence Fishburne

Dr. Ellis Cheever

Jude Law

Alan Krumwiede

Gwyneth Paltrow

Beth Emhoff

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Contagion: Trailer 1

2:24

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Synopsis

When Beth Emhoff returns to Minnesota from a Hong Kong business trip, she attributes the malaise she feels to jet lag. However, two days later, Beth is dead, and doctors tell her shocked husband that they have no idea what killed her. Soon, many others start to exhibit the same symptoms, and a global pandemic explodes. Doctors try to contain the lethal microbe, but society begins to collapse as a blogger fans the flames of paranoia.

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Producer: Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, Gregory Jacobs
Screenwriter: Scott Z. Burns
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Double Feature Films, Gregory Jacobs
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language|Disturbing Content)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 6, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $75.6M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

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