The Top 5 Most Terrifying Horror Movies About Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases have long been a source of fear and fascination for people around the world. The fear of being inflicted with a contagious illness that can spread rapidly and cause mass panic has been the premise for many terrifying horror movies. Here’s a list of the top five most terrifying horror movies about infectious diseases that will give you goosebumps.
1. Outbreak (1995)
Outbreak is a 1995 movie that depicts a virus that spreads rapidly throughout a small town in California. A team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tries to prevent the outbreak from escalating into a global pandemic while tackling political cover-ups and conspiracy theories. The film is based on the real-life Ebola virus outbreak in Africa and offers realistic insights into the challenges of containing a highly infectious disease.
2. Rabid (1977)
Rabid is a 1977 Canadian movie that features a young woman who becomes a carrier of a contagious disease called rabies after undergoing experimental plastic surgery. The diseased woman unleashes the virus on an unsuspecting population, who become infected with a ravenous hunger for human flesh. This movie is regarded as a classic in the horror genre for its gruesome portrayal of a disease that turns people into mindless zombies.
3. The Andromeda Strain (1971)
The Andromeda Strain, released in 1971, follows a team of scientists investigating a deadly virus that wiped out a small town in New Mexico. The virus kills its victims within minutes by clotting their blood, making it impossible for starters to conduct autopsies and discover the cause of death. The team must race against time to identify the virus and find a cure before it’s too late. The movie presents a realistic scenario of an epidemic that could wipe out humanity.
4. Contagion (2011)
Contagion is a 2011 movie that illustrates the chaos that ensues during a global pandemic caused by an unknown virus that spreads rapidly across the world. The film shows the efforts of a group of scientists and officials trying to contain the outbreak while addressing the public hysteria, conspiracy theories, and political agendas. The movie offers a plausible portrayal of how society could disintegrate under the weight of a catastrophic epidemic.
5. Quarantine (2008)
Quarantine is a 2008 movie based on the Spanish horror film REC that showcases a group of people being trapped inside a building that gets sealed off due to a rapidly spreading disease. The movie utilizes a found-footage style, making viewers feel as if they’re experiencing the horror alongside the characters. The film delivers a realistic portrayal of how circumstances can escalate when people are confined at close quarters during an epidemic.
Conclusion
These horror movies about infectious diseases are the ultimate testament to how outbreaks can trigger intense fear and horror among people. They also highlight the importance of measures such as social distancing, hygiene, and vaccination in preventing and containing the spread of infectious diseases. However, the terror and horror they evoke remind us that infectious diseases remain a significant threat to human survival today and into the future.
