From Contagion to World War Z, Hollywood has produced many entertaining microbiology and genetics-related movies. Some are scientifically accurate while others require you to ignore logic and just enjoy the show.

So, which films are worth a watch? Our microbiologists and virologists have assembled a list of their ten favorite micro-movies of all time. Here they are in order of year released:

1. World War Z (2013): This movie is packed with zombie jump scares. Former United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) combats a zombie pandemic that’s sweeping the globe. We also like the book the film is based on.

2. Contagion (2011): Starring Matt Damon, this film shows an all-to-realistic way an outbreak can destroy populations.

 

 

3. 28 Days Later (2002): It only takes 28 days for a deadly virus to decimate the UK. This film is not for the faint of heart!

 

 

4. Mission: Impossible II (2000): Special Agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) must stop a genetically modified disease named Chimera.

 

 

5. Gattaca (1997): Ethan Hawk, Uma Thurman, genetics and space travel – what more could you ask for?

 

 

6. Twelve Monkeys (1995): Set in 2035, a deadly virus released in 1996 has nearly wiped out all of humanity. A troubled convict, James Cole (Bruce Willis), is sent back in time to find the original virus to help scientists develop a cure.

 

 

7. Outbreak (1995): In this star-studded flick, a virus discovered in the African jungle is spread rapidly throughout the United States when a monkey that hosts the virus is released.

 

 

8. Jurassic Park (1993): Jurassic Park was one of the most successful movies of the 1990s. The film also introduced many children to genetics including one of our Molecular Research and Development Associates.

 

 

9. The Fly (1986): Eccentric scientist Seth Brundle’s (Jeff Goldblum) experiment goes horribly wrong resulting in him transforming into a human-fly hybrid.

 

 

10. The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936): This classic film shows how the French microbiologist changed the world.

 

 

What’s your favorite micro-movie? Share your recommendations in the comments section below.