10 Films That Actually Got Biology Right

There's a reason why a 2003 publication hailed it as "the most significant, scientifically accurate, and prototypic of all films of [the killer virus] genre". Based on the Michael Crichton book of the same name, the film follows scientists investigating an otherworldly pathogen that can rapidly mutate, allowing it to run rampant.

Now, you'd normally be right in doubting the plausibility of bacteria from outer space making victims of us all. But it's not as unrealistic as you may think. Since the film's release, researchers have actually identified bacteria capable of surviving in a vacuum. The film only gets more accurate from here.

Once the bacteria's on Earth, The Andromeda Strain goes on to perfectly detail how it appears, how it impacts our immune system and the efforts in studying it. Investigating the infection's effects on blood clotting, the team was able to track the spread down to birds that feed on the bodies of victims. Birds can be vessels for many diseases, so that checks out too (even if using gas bombs to eliminate infected birds might be a bit extreme). Being trained as a doctor, Crichton knew what he was writing about with this story, and it shows.