I’m working on a new type of outbreak film and exploring how different stories handle infection, mutation, and collapse.
Here are my top 5 favorite films with outbreaks that have inspired me the most:
World War Z
28 Days Later
Resident Evil
Dreamcatcher
The Crazies
What are your top films that explore any kind of outbreak or infection — viral, alien, supernatural, psychological?
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An interesting topic! Hmm... in no particular order:
Night of the Living Dead (the classic, the original, the one)
The Thing (the ultimate "we don't know who is infected" movie.)
Train to Busan (an interesting twist and unique setting, anchored by excellent acting and interesting characters)
Carnival of Souls (I'll admit this doesn't fit your category, but it inspired the zombie movie genre and does have elements of "infection" in a metaphorical sense.)
The Stuff (a bit campy 80s faire, but has a subtext that sticks with you.)
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Dwayne Williams 2
The Thing
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Train to Busan
The Return of the Living Dead/Return of the Living Dead Part II
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CONTAGION, OUTBREAK, MELANCHOLIA, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, THE WALKING DEAD.
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Love those labels, Patrick Koepke. Solid picks all around. This is a textbook list. Night of the Living Dead was actually my first zombie/outbreak movie. It was a fun introduction to the genre. Thanks for sharing the list!
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This is a great list, Maurice Vaughan Dawn of the Dead is definitely in my top 10, and that Return of the Living Dead creature is unforgettable, love its features. I really think Dawn helped shape the tone and structure of so many zombie films that came after.
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28 days later, World War Z, I Am Legend, District 9 (I know but I loved it) and The Last of Us.
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Wonderful picks E Langley, this is a really unique list! I could definitely learn a lot from it; Sorry to Bother You and Melancholia especially capture such distinct “outbreak” feelings in their own powerful ways.
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Thanks Dwayne Williams 2. SORRY TO BOTHER YOU has a particularly disturbing end.
Elle Bolan, I too am a DISTRICT 9 fan. Good stuff.
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Wow Elle Bolan, that’s really similar to the list I was going for at first, haha! I still need to check out The Last of Us show, the game was such a blast!
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All of us are dead and Alive . I also love world war Z and 28 days later and of course Shawn of the dead .
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Episde five of Alien Earth had some nail biting moments of infection spreading. It plays with dramatic convention— through cinematic technique we’re shown who gets infected and how they pass it on.
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All of Us Are Dead is crazy, with such a realistic, intense feel throughout the entire film. I like the style of zombie they used for this, as well; it fits perfectly against the younger characters. Shaun of the Dead is one of my all-time favorites. That blend of comedy and horror is balance was excellent; it definitely felt like it created a new sub-genre. Brilliant list Marie Hatten. Thanks for sharing!
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Nice one, Mike Boas. This is a great take, such a distinctive and fresh inventive approach, but also grounded in a really practical storytelling technique. Appreciate the insight!
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I can't believe I missed The Thing and Train to Busan Maurice Vaughan . You are welcome Dwayne Williams 2 . I was baffled by how the writer of All of us are dead included toxic masculinity and misogyny into the script. The difference in the zombies is always interesting. I felt like in WWZ they clenched their teeth a lot , whereas a lot of other films focused on it being a rage virus. Zombies have evolved from that slow moving idiot. OMG Scout's guide to a zombie apocalypse is hilarious , the zombies recall what they did as humans.
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Not sure. Maybe that was intentional, to build a certain emotion or anger toward a character or system. The WWZ zombies definitely remind me a bit of the I Am Legend ones, too, fast, relentless, almost hive-like in behavior. That clenched-teeth detail is very thoughtful; I hadn’t noticed it before.
I haven’t seen Scout’s Guide yet, but I’m adding it to my watchlist this week for study. Sounds exciting in a fun way. Appreciate the insight, Marie Hatten.
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Some have already listed my favorites. Outbreak, Dawn of the Dead, Shaun of the Dead (a classic British handling of the dead!) The Thing, Invasion of the Body Snatchers! Love all the different takes on apocalyptic movies! Thanks for making me think about the love of horror!
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My pleasure Dwayne Williams 2 . The WWZ zombies are like the I am legend ones and the opening sequence is brilliant with that ant / insect plague formation. I like the teeth sound lol.
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You’re welcome, Cheryle Linturn! Awesome picks, British handling of the dead was incredible and much needed. Shaun of the Dead really reshaped the zombie genre, changing the perspective and adding comedy as the perfect touch.
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I love Zombieland, because of cool cast and intergenre format.
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Yes Marie Hatten, the wall-crawling ability really ties them together as zombie types, and that 12-second transformation in World War Z was absolute, masterclass work.
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Love that lineup!
I’ve always been drawn to outbreak stories that go beyond the obvious — where infection becomes a mirror for humanity itself.
My personal top picks would be:
I Am Legend – loneliness as the real virus.
12 Monkeys – time, paranoia, and destiny intertwined.
The Last of Us (HBO) – pure emotional devastation meets fungal realism.
Sunshine – not viral, but the psychological unraveling feels just as contagious.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) – still one of the most haunting takes on identity and assimilation.
Outbreaks are the perfect metaphor — whether it’s infection, ideology, or fear itself.
Can’t wait to see what you’re creating!
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Yes Dwayne Williams 2 the kids toy countdown is crazy good .
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I love what Zombieland did with the genreAntony Voronov. I think it can still be stretched into something more. A Limited Series or TV spin‑off would be fun to see its world and outbreak story even further.
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Great detailed list Dan Martin Roesch. How you framed each outbreak as more than just survival is perfect for researching new styles and approaches for stories. Yes, outbreaks can be a good metaphor. It definitely feels more intriguing when you frame it that way.