These times are the hardest times for us as the Covid-19 outbreak that ultimately put us at risk of danger. Well, now that we are all told to #JustStayAtHome by the government, it’s a perfect time for you to catch up on some films that you might’ve missed in the past. I’ve gathered 15 films that deal with pandemic and isolation that we all can watch to pass the time.
Quarantine (2008)
How can I not start the list without mentioning this film, the epitome of all quarantine-themed films! Fans of found-footage horror flicks will enjoy Quarantine, which follows a TV reporter and her cameraman who get trapped in a building that’s being quarantined by the Center for Disease Control. Later they found out that a group of people that were infected by the mysterious plague which unfortunately turned them into bloodthirsty monsters. This is an oldie, but definitely a goodie among the low budget horror flicks.
Contagion (2011)
This is the film that everyone was talking about for the past week and without a doubt, there is no more suitable time to watch this film than right now with the emerging Covid-19 outbreak. The film tells a story about a virus that sweeps the world and kills people within days of infection. It wasn’t as surreal as it is now with everything going on with the current world, but at least we could learn something from this film on what to do and what to avoid. It stars Hollywood’s finest by the name of Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and many more!
Buried (2010)
Here’s a wild card for those who feel like they are struggling with self-isolation during these tough times. Buried, starring the mighty fine Ryan Reynolds follows a U.S. truck driver named Paul who was working in Iraq. After an attack by a group of Iraqis, he wakes to find he is buried alive inside a coffin. With only a lighter and a cell phone it’s a race against time to escape this claustrophobic death trap. This is also one of those ‘bottle’ films where the story only takes place in a single location throughout but again, when you’re buried six feet under, where else could you go?
World War Z (2013)
When the world was given the shocking news about the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the first thing that came to my mind was “I hope this ain’t turning into World War Z”. When former U.N. investigator Gerry Lane played by the most gorgeous Brad Pit) and his family get stuck in urban gridlock, he senses that it’s no ordinary traffic jam. His suspicions are confirmed when, suddenly, the city erupts into chaos. A lethal virus, spread through a single bite, is turning healthy people into something vicious, unthinking and feral. As the pandemic threatens to consume humanity, Gerry leads a worldwide search to find the source of the infection and, with luck, a way to halt its spread. You know, I wish everyone has the same spirit as our boy Gerry in this film when it comes to dealing with this pandemic situation.
Disturbia (2007)
I know it sucks that we have to #JustStayAtHome during this crisis, but at least we don’t have to deal with a murderer who lives right next to our house, right? Disturbia, starring a much younger Shia Lebeouf playing a teenager who is placed under house arrest. He succumbs to despair and starts spying on his neighbours, hoping to spice up his life. This, however, leads him to witness a killer on the loose. When it was released, the film didn’t get much reception from the public but it’s honestly one of my favourite thrillers of all time.
Cloverfield (2008)
When Cloverfield was announced in 2008, a lot of people were very excited about what’s coming, especially when it was under JJ Abrams’ supervision. This found-footage film shows a winged creature the size of a skyscraper descends onto New York and wreaks absolute havoc, completely dismantling the city. Confused and terrified, a group of Manhattanites attempt to survive in the aftermath with the monster still on the loose. With Lizzy Caplan and Jessica Lucas as the leads, this film is one of the most celebrated apocalyptic films in Hollywood as it influenced a bunch of films that came out years after.
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Now we arrived at 10 Cloverfield Lane, a spiritual sequel of Cloverfield. You might think that quarantining yourself from coronavirus is tough, but imagine being forced to get locked in a stranger’s bunker while an Alien attack is happening outside. This brisk, claustrophobic thriller follows a woman played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead who becomes trapped in a bunker and is told the world is now toxic. The all-time great John Goodman plays her captor with a mischievous and sinister attitude. You don’t get to find out what’s really going on in the film until the very end, and the payoff is astounding.
28 Days Later (2002)
I guess a virus pandemic is not as bad as a zombie outbreak, but we might learn a few things from 28 Days Later. Cillian Murphy plays a bike courier who wakes up a month after falling into a coma just to find his city, London has been completely ravaged and desolated by a “Rage” virus that turns human beings into deranged, murderous mutants. Soon he meets other survivors played by Noah Huntley and Naomie Harris and together they try to seek answers and refuge. This film also marks the beginning of good ‘outbreak’ films in Hollywood, which then later followed by Dawn of the Dead and World War Z.
Cast Away (2000)
Staying in your house for 14 days without going outside will not be as terrible after you watch this Tom Hanks’ classic film. After a deadly plane crash, Chuck Nolan finds himself marooned on a desolate island. With no way to escape, Chuck must find ways to survive in his new home. This film created a huge buzz for Tom Hanks due to his wonderful acting performance of man who almost lost to sanity. He crashed into an island alone, learned to make fire, drink sea water and made a volleyball into a friend named Wilson. What else do you want from Tom?
The Happening (2008)
Ah, an M. Night Shyamalan’s film that is not Signs nor The Sixth Sense. The Happening tells a tale of an apocalyptic threat to humanity arrives out of the clear blue sky with a series of violent, inexplicable deaths spreading across the country. The cause of the terrifying phenomenon remains unknown, prompting science teacher Elliot Moore played by Mark Wahlberg, his wife Alma and his colleague Julian to try to elude the invisible killer in Pennsylvania’s farmland. Soon it becomes clear that no one is safe. The film gets a lot of negative receptions, but honestly the plot is solid and much more relevant with the current pandemic that’s been going on in our world now.
Zombieland (2009)
Honestly I was trying to only include one zombie film, but you know I can’t skip this classic comedy thriller. The world was under attack by a virus which turned most people into zombies, and the world’s surviving humans remain locked in an ongoing battle against the hungry undead. One thing that was memorable about this film is that it casts Hollywood’s favourites Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone & Abigail Breslin. Four of them abide by a list of survival rules and zombie-killing strategies as they make their way toward a rumored safe haven in Los Angeles. It also birthed a sequel a decade later which was almost equally as entertaining, but this one is a masterpiece.
Room (2015)
Brie Larson and her 5-year old child trapped in a room, that’s the plot of the film. Jokes aside, Room is one of those films that we rarely get to see that often. After years of being held captive in an isolated shed by a kidnapper, Joy and her little son, Jack manage to escape the confinement and gain their freedom. If Brie Larson can survive while at the same time raise her child while being locked in a confinement with a size of a regular kitchen, we can endure this quarantine season without a doubt!
Blindness (2008)
I feel like this film flew under the radar when it came out but it’s undoubtedly a haunting film about a knotty epidemic. Starring Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo, in which the world has been upended by an epidemic that causes blindness. A woman who is secretly immune to the disease follows her affected husband, a doctor, to quarantine which is unfortunately, located in an abandoned mental institution. A fun trivia for this film, none of the characters in the film has stated their names throughout the film!
Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak (2020)
Talking about the perfect timing, this docu-series came out just at the right moment when all we desperately need is more knowledge and insights regarding outbreak and pandemic. In all six episodes, meet the heroes on the front lines of the battle against influenza and learn about their efforts to stop the next global outbreak. This is probably already on everyone’s recommendation and watch list, so I think it’s appropriate to include it for you to watch while we slowly, but surely heal from the virus that is COVID-19.
The Terminal (2004)
The last one on the list is usually the most impactful one, which in this case I wholly feel that The Terminal is the best film to watch during the quarantine season. It’s about someone being stuck somewhere they really don’t want to be (I’m talking about people like us who just wanted this outbreak to end immediately). Steven Spielberg’s gentlest of human comedies makes the very best of a bad situation by showing how an admin error can leave a man merrily living in an airport terminal for 18 years. The best thing about The Terminal is that it’s based on a real story of a man who couldn’t enter the country or fly back to his home country due to a citizenship drawback. Bonus point, it also stars Tom Hanks!
