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Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare

Play trailer 1:59 Poster for Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare 2026 1h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Reconstructing the nine harrowing days following the disaster in forensic, real-time detail, from the control-room engineers fighting to prevent a total meltdown, to the political leaders confronting the unthinkable, to ordinary citizens caught in the fallout. Power plant workers who were tasked with averting a major catastrophe by doing a potential suicide mission. These 50 workers recount the mounting pressures they faced as they entered the darkened reactors to try to avert the worst outcome.
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Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare

Critics Reviews

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Natalia Winkelman New York Times Mar 10
Although chiefly a straightforward — and at points repetitive — synopsis of the events, "Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare" distinguishes itself in its devotion to elevating these men as heroes. Go to Full Review John Anderson Wall Street Journal Mar 5
While essentially a disaster film, the visually alarming and nerve-racking “Fukushima” is also a cross-cultural psychodrama, about an industry, and perhaps a society, having a meltdown all its own. Go to Full Review Lee Zumpe Tampa Bay Newspapers 1h
It is a compelling, albeit nightmare-inducing, documentary. Go to Full Review John Serba Decider Mar 12
Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare is brutal, but vital viewing. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Les N @Vegas628 Mar 15 The Japanese are corrupt like any other country. See more T P. @price8567 Mar 13 Well done. Fascinating unseen footage. But mainly focuses on science and engineering. If you aren’t into science it may not be that exciting. See more Read all reviews
Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare

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Cast & Crew

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James Jones

Director
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Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare

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Fukushima: A Nuclear Nightmare

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Movie Info

Synopsis Reconstructing the nine harrowing days following the disaster in forensic, real-time detail, from the control-room engineers fighting to prevent a total meltdown, to the political leaders confronting the unthinkable, to ordinary citizens caught in the fallout. Power plant workers who were tasked with averting a major catastrophe by doing a potential suicide mission. These 50 workers recount the mounting pressures they faced as they entered the darkened reactors to try to avert the worst outcome.
Director
James Jones
Distributor
HBO
Production Co
HBO Documentary Films, Dogwoof
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 10, 2026
Runtime
1h 30m
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