15-Year-Old Sci-Fi Movie That Got More Relevant This Decade Is Taking Over Streaming in the U.S.

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As a film critic, I’ve always been fascinated by movies that seem to predict the future – especially in science fiction. There’s a certain chill that runs down your spine when you watch these films years later and realize how accurately they foreshadowed real-world events. Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion is a prime example. It did okay at the box office when it came out, earning $136.5 million globally on a $60 million budget, but it’s become shockingly relevant – and a streaming favorite – in recent years. It’s one of those films that, looking back, feels almost unnervingly prescient.

As a total movie buff, I was checking FlixPatrol – you know, the site that tracks what’s trending on streaming – and I couldn’t believe Contagion is currently number one on HBO Max in the US! It’s beating out everything else right now, including titles like Tomb Raider and even that new Earth, Wind & Fire documentary. It’s a bit eerie seeing that movie at the top, honestly, but it’s definitely captured people’s attention.

Why Contagion Has Become More Relevant This Decade

It’s not surprising that the movie Contagion became popular in the 2020s, given its story about the spread of a deadly virus and the resulting chaos. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people watched it because it mirrored real-life events. While people often turn to movies and TV for entertainment during crises, Contagion attracted viewers for a different reason: its realistic portrayal of a pandemic, which even earned praise from scientists.

Even though the pandemic is over, I’ve noticed a lot of people are still watching Contagion, and it makes sense to me! It just landed on HBO Max, and anything new always gets a lot of attention as people check out what’s been added. Plus, Contagion felt really relevant a few years ago when everything was happening, and it’s got such an amazing cast – Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow… the list goes on! Director Steven Soderbergh is brilliant at putting together casts like that and really letting their talent shine.

Beyond its current relevance, Contagion is just a really good movie. When it came out in 2011, critics and audiences alike praised its intense story and intelligent approach to filmmaking – it earned an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s not the usual lighthearted comedy or action film people stream to relax, but its quality makes it stand out among everything else available on HBO Max.

Steven Soderbergh once considered making a sequel to his film Contagion, exploring some of the philosophical ideas further. However, he decided against it earlier this year, feeling he’d already covered the ground and prefers to avoid repeating himself. Known for constantly trying new things as a director—he even tried to develop a Star Wars movie at one point—Soderbergh seems content to leave Contagion as a single, impactful film while he moves on to other projects. Its place in film history is secure.

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2026-06-09 17:48