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The Andromeda Strain

Play trailer Poster for The Andromeda Strain G 1971 2h 10m Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
68% Tomatometer 44 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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The Andromeda Strain

The Andromeda Strain

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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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Critics Reviews

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Daniel Stoffman Toronto Star Feb 21, 2026
The Andromeda Strain gets bogged down in a morass of cryptic computer read-outs. Go to Full Review Stephen Handzo Village Voice Jan 15, 2026
In a humanist blast at NASA, the film clinically details the obsessive compulsive decontamination of the human body, ironically to meet a crisis caused by the search for bigger and dirtier germ cultures. Go to Full Review Clayton Dillard Slant Magazine May 10, 2025
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. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Jun 7, 2026
3/5
…science wins out over entertainment in The Andromeda Strain, which keeps faith with credible scientific action at the expense of the disaster movie format which was just around the corner…probably plays better for scientists than anyone else…. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Jun 18, 2024
3.5/5
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. Go to Full Review Grant Watson Fiction Machine Sep 25, 2020
7/10
It remains well worth watching, but the magical 'classic' status afforded to Wise's other famous films is not quite earned. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 7, 2026 The Andromeda Strain = A *3.5* star movie See more Blake L @MovieMasochist Aug 27, 2026 Fantastic film. Robert Wise was the perfect director for this, with his preference for slow dramatic buildup. The cast was well-chosen. See more Brian M @Bmizzle Jun 27, 2026 A great sci-fi movie from the 70s. A good book as well! See more Edward R @Edward186 Jun 25, 2026 Excellent science told properly. Fine acting. See more Luiz A @AdamLuiz69XD Jun 2, 2026 The ending is very tense and it is a very good film. But it is a little bit slow See more G L. @RT09869090 Apr 27, 2026 The best word to describe this movie is..boring! See more Read all reviews
The Andromeda Strain

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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The Andromeda Strain

The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - An Alien Vessel The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - An Alien Vessel 3:03 Now Playing The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - It's a Crystal The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - It's a Crystal 2:38 Now Playing The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - A Town of the Dead The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - A Town of the Dead 2:32 Now Playing The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Containment Breach The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Containment Breach 2:52 Now Playing The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Animal Testing The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Animal Testing 2:38 Now Playing The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - It's Growing The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - It's Growing 2:42 Now Playing The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - A Deadly Discovery The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - A Deadly Discovery 1:56 Now Playing The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Laser Turrets The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Laser Turrets 3:41 Now Playing The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Laser Decontamination The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Laser Decontamination 3:13 Now Playing The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Disinfecting the Human Body The Andromeda Strain: Official Clip - Disinfecting the Human Body 2:42 Now Playing View more videos

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The Andromeda Strain

The Andromeda Strain (1971) The Andromeda Strain (1971) The Andromeda Strain (1971) The Andromeda Strain (1971) View more photos

Movie Info

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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