The China Syndrome

Name: The China Syndrome
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: 1979-03-16
Duration: 2 h 2 min
Rating: 7.1
Cast: Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas, Jack Lemmon, Scott Brady, James Hampton

1979·Movie·PG·122 min·★ 7.1(519)

Drama Thriller More English titles

“People who know the meaning of "The China Syndrome" are scared... Soon you will know.”

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.

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Where to watch The China Syndrome in United States

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Click a service to open The China Syndrome there. Availability last verified on June 21, 2026.

Where is The China Syndrome streaming around the world?

Country	Streaming on	Rent / Buy
United States	The Roku Channel	Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies
India	—	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
United Kingdom	—	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
Canada	Hollywood Suite, Hollywood Suite Amazon Channel	Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo
Australia	SBS On Demand	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
Germany	Joyn	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
France	Molotov TV	Apple TV Store, Orange VOD, Sooner
Spain	Filmin	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
Brazil	—	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
Japan	U-NEXT	Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies

About The China Syndrome

The China Syndrome is a 1979 English-language drama and thriller film directed by James Bridges. The cast is led by Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas, Jack Lemmon. It has a runtime of 2h 2m. Viewers rate it 7.1/10 across 500 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on The Roku Channel.

The China Syndrome was produced by Columbia Pictures and IPC Films and made in United States of America. It was released on March 16, 1979, and carries a PG certification. Made on a budget of about $6 million, it went on to gross $52 million worldwide.

Director: James Bridges
Writers: Mike Gray, T.S. Cook, James Bridges
Release date: March 16, 1979
Original language: English
Age rating: PG
Status: Released
Country: United States of America
Budget: $6 million
Box office: $52 million
Production: Columbia Pictures, IPC Films

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The China Syndrome cast & crew

The China Syndrome was directed by James Bridges and written by Mike Gray, T.S. Cook, and James Bridges.

The cast features Jane Fonda as Kimberly Wells, Michael Douglas as Richard Adams, Jack Lemmon as Jack Godell, Scott Brady as Herman De Young, James Hampton as Bill Gibson, and Peter Donat as Don Jacovich.

Behind the camera, cinematography is by James Crabe and it was produced by Michael Douglas and Bruce Gilbert.

Is The China Syndrome worth watching?

The China Syndrome holds an audience score of 7.1/10 from 519 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed drama films.

At 2h 2m, it's a standard feature-length watch.

If you enjoy drama and thriller, The China Syndrome is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch The China Syndrome

In United States, you can stream The China Syndrome on The Roku Channel, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.