Is The China Syndrome on Netflix? What is a ‘China syndrome’? (where to watch)

If you watched Meltdown: Three Mile Island on Netflix then you’re probably here to find out more about the 1979 American disaster movie starring Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas, The China Syndrome. The movie is mentioned early on in the four-part docuseries because it features a nuclear meltdown and happened to premiere just 12 days before the incident at Three Mile Island happened.

Given the timing, many residents were concerned that what happened in the movie could happen in real life and the term “China syndrome” became popularized as a way to refer to a nuclear reactor meltdown. The term is referred to frequently in the docuseries. So, let’s get into what a “China syndrome” is and where you can watch the film.

What is a China syndrome?

The term “China syndrome” was coined before the movie debuted, but it is in reference to a hypothetical nuclear accident in which the fuel from a meltdown would melt through the containment unit and burrow through to the earth. According to Dictionary.com, the phrase was first used in the early 1970s and stemmed from the impractical idea that the fallout from a hot reactor could tunnel through earth’s core.

What is connection between The China Syndrome and Three Mile Island?

As mentioned, The China Syndrome premiered just 12 days before the Three Mile Island nuclear accident making it particularly prescient nearby residents. It’s not dissimilar to what happened with the movie Contagion at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. People find eerie coincidences in film and believe the fictional circumstances could happen in real life. Understandably, people were afraid of a large-scale disaster like in the movie happening at the nuclear power plant.

Where to watch The China Syndrome?

Unfortunately, The China Syndrome is not currently streaming on Netflix or any other streaming platforms right now. However, the movie is available to rent and purchase via digital retailers.

You can currently rent the film for $3.99 from Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play Movies and Amazon Prime Video. It’s also available to buy for $13.99 from Vudu or you can get it a dollar cheaper at $12.99 from YouTube, Google Play Movies, Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.

Stream Meltdown: Three Mile Island now on Netflix.