7 Popular Movie Scenes Involving a Scientific Lab

New animal species, mutant people, harmful viruses . . . the people who make movies have come up with so many creative ideas, some of which are based in reality. When science is involved, anything is possible, at least on the big screen. There are several memorable movie scenes that take place in scientific labs.

1. Jurassic Park

“Life finds a way.” In one of the Jurassic Park scenes, scientists are huddled around dinosaur eggs that are beginning to hatch. As some people marvel at this, Dr. Ian Malcolm remains skeptical of the whole premise behind the park and delivers his famous line. This provides a foreshadowing of what’s to come later in the movie.

2. The Andromeda Strain

When scientists are trying to figure out what has gone horribly wrong after a satellite comes back from its orbit, they test several animals. There’s quite a lot of suspense as the audience watches along with the scientists as animals succumb to the Andromeda strain.

3. Iron Man

In a high-tech lab that people can only dream of, Tony Stark gets to put on an impressive Iron Man suit that gives him special abilities. Several robots put on the suit for him as he extends his arms out. The camera focuses on his arc reactor before the robots complete the final task of putting his mask on.

4. X-Men Origins: Wolverine

In this X-Men movie, we learn about the creation of Weapon X, otherwise known as Wolverine. Scientists inject Adamantium into Wolverine so that it can bond to its skeleton. Doctors monitor his vitals as his heart rate rapidly rises, while senior military officials oversee the progress. Fortunately, Wolverine makes it through and gains amazing powers in the process.

5. Outbreak

In the opening scene of Outbreak, the audience is taken into through the doors of the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infection Diseases. First, we see a relatively low-risk science lab that has a biosafety level of 1. The camera continues to travel through the lab, moving up through areas that deal with more dangerous pathogens. It then follows people into the lab section that has a biosafety risk of 4. Here, scientists study extreme biohazards, such as Ebola and Hanta viruses. Researchers have to don head-to-toe protective gear and breathe clean air through tubes that are connected to their suits.

This visual journey through different biosafety levels highlights the varying degrees of danger associated with biological research. Level 4 labs represent the highest level of containment, designed for the study of life-threatening viruses that lack vaccines or treatments. The protective suits and rigorous protocols underscore the immense risks involved, emphasizing the need for caution and precision. The scene also provides insight into the meticulous work of scientists, who must navigate complex safety measures while conducting vital research. This establishes a tone of tension and urgency that permeates the film, reflecting the unpredictable and perilous nature of studying infectious diseases.

6. Big Hero 6

In this animated film, Hiro’s brother shows him the research lab where he works. Hiro is amazed by the high-tech products being worked on here. They include a bike with electromagnetic suspension, laser-induced plasma, and a huge ball of tungsten carbide. Many, but of course not all, of the furnishings found in this fictional lab are actually similar to what you’d find in an actual science lab. Unfortunately, you can’t yet purchase an inflatable robot that can fly, speak, and emote.

7. Spider-Man: Homecoming

This version of a Spider-Man movie takes us into the high school world of Peter Parker. When he’s not dealing with high school drama, he’s busy working on a web fluid using the chemicals from his high school lab.