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The Andromeda Strain

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The Andromeda Strain

G

Released Mar 12, 1971

2h 10m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Chilling tale about a US research satellite carrying a deadly extraterrestrial microscopic organism that crashes into a small town in Arizona. A group of top scientists are hurriedly assembled in a bid to identify and contain the lethal stowaway. Based on the novel by Michael Crichton.

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Critics Consensus

Although its urgent subject matter warrants less a deliberate pace, The Andromeda Strain brings Michael Crichton's techno-thriller to the big screen with striking intelligence and an engrossing sense of paranoia.

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Clayton Dillard

Slant Magazine

Robert Wise’s The Andromeda Strain, a hard-sci-fi procedural slash disaster thriller, is a fascinating early example of large-scale blockbuster filmmaking with a brain.

May 10, 2025

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

It is, in fact, quite a proficient example of the science fiction genre, though I can't help thinking that 130 minutes is too long for anything non-Kubrick.

Jun 2, 2020

Full Review

Margaret Hinxman

Daily Telegraph (UK)

A real spellbinder.

Jun 2, 2020

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Over 50 years later, The Andromeda Strain remains one of the best films in the killer virus genre in terms of accuracy and attention to detail.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 18, 2024

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

It remains well worth watching, but the magical 'classic' status afforded to Wise's other famous films is not quite earned.

Rated: 7/10

Sep 25, 2020

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Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

'70s book-based sci-fi classic has violence, peril.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 3, 2020

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Jonathan O

Heartpounding sci-fi suspense pandemic thriller of the 70's with really strong cast, outstanding adaptation from Michael Crichton novel, great editing and fantastic production design and fantastic cinematography.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/19/25

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Mark B

I remember seeing this in the theater when it came out. At that time it really worked and was an exciting and chilling movie. Watched it now 50 years later. It still worked but as with most movies of the era the pacing was slower. Movie goers had more patient stance. With eyes in 2025 it could have been faster paced, but I feel you would lose the suspense of the original movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

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Christopher V

Still a spell binding example of precision sci-fi. The vision of the director through lens is magnificent. This was genre defining and inspired many directors to come. A master class film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/13/25

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Rex W

The writing and acting are juvenal in this extremely dated bore fest. Nothing ever makes sense. They talk through the entire movie, but the questions are never really answered. A waste of time.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/08/25

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David W

A highly influential, cult classic extraterrestrial virus movie for a very good reason. Great script, excellent cast and despite an occasional lull in pacing, one of the very best examples of the genre. It's undeniably aged a little in the fifty plus years since it's release in 1971 but it's still magnificent and hopefully not prescient...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

Full Review

Kevin M

Saw this when I was 10 which was probably a great age to see this - so memorable and formidable in shaping my movie taste. It's because of this film that Sci-fi quickly became my favorite genre which has endured to this day.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/11/24

Full Review

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Robert Wise

Director

Arthur Hill

Dr. Jeremy Stone

David Wayne

Dr. Charles Dutton

James Olson

Dr. Mark Hall

Kate Reid

Dr. Ruth Leavitt

Paula Kelly

Karen Anson

The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - An Alien Vessel

3:03

The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - It's a Crystal

2:38

The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - A Town of the Dead

2:32

The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Containment Breach

2:52

The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Animal Testing

2:38

The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - It's Growing

2:42

The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - A Deadly Discovery

1:56

The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Laser Turrets

3:41

The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Laser Decontamination

3:13

The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Disinfecting the Human Body

2:42

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Synopsis

Chilling tale about a US research satellite carrying a deadly extraterrestrial microscopic organism that crashes into a small town in Arizona. A group of top scientists are hurriedly assembled in a bid to identify and contain the lethal stowaway. Based on the novel by Michael Crichton.

Director: Robert Wise
Producer: Robert Wise
Screenwriter: Nelson Gidding
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int
Rating: G
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 12, 1971, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Runtime: 2h 10m

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