The China Syndrome (1979): cast, story & where to watch
1979 · Film · ★ 7.1
Released in 1979, The China Syndrome is a thriller and drama film directed by James Bridges, running about 122 minutes. “Sometimes it’s too late to tell the truth.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. While doing a series of reports on alternative energy sources, opportunistic reporter Kimberly Wells witnesses an accident at a nuclear power plant. Wells is determined to publicize the incident, but soon finds herself entangled in a sinister conspiracy to keep the full impact of the incident a secret.
Who’s in it. The China Syndrome stars Jane Fonda as Kimberly Wells, Jack Lemmon as Jack Godell, Michael Douglas as Richard Adams and Scott Brady as Herman De Young, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.1/10, The China Syndrome has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $51.7M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The China Syndrome page.
If you liked it. Fans of The China Syndrome tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The China Syndrome (1979)?
- In US, The China Syndrome is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The China Syndrome worth watching?
- The China Syndrome holds an audience score of 7.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller and drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The China Syndrome?
- The China Syndrome stars Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Michael Douglas, Scott Brady and James Hampton.
- When was The China Syndrome released?
- The China Syndrome was released in 1979, with a runtime of about 122 minutes.