28 Days Later to Contagion: 13 virus-themed films to binge because WHY ARE WE LIKE THIS.

As news of the coronavirus pandemic intensifies, two camps of people have emerged.

There are those who are taking comfort in feel-good films and TV shows and the people who are bingeing movies about viruses and pandemics.

An odd choice maybe, but as long as you’re staying safely indoors, well then… you do you.

According to Warner Bros, their second most in-demand film right now is the 2011 film Contagion. While it’s being bested by the Harry Potter franchise (go figure), it’s still leapt ahead of its 270th position from December 2019.

Watch the trailer for Contagion here. Post continues below.

In most cases, these pandemic films are about scenarios much more dire than our current situation and it’s a way to seemingly educate and entertain ourselves at the same time.

So, if watching people overcome viral outbreaks and mass civilisation-ending pandemics is your cup of tea, here are 13 virus-related films to temper your thirst.

Contagion

Where can I watch this? Youtube and Google Play.

Contagion has been very popular over the past few weeks.

The virus in Contagion was thought to have started through bats. It spreads from Hong Kong to the US, terrorising communities and causing mass panic, as scientists and government officials race to find a vaccine.

Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet star in this pandemic film.

The Happening

Where can I watch this? Youtube and Google Play.

After a mystery disease causes people to die by mass suicide, a small group of survivors attempt to escape to the countryside. At first, the contagion is thought to be a bio-weapon but they quickly realise this is not the case.

93 Days

Where can I watch this? Netflix.

A drama-thriller based on the actual Nigerian Ebola outbreak of 2014, this film documents the health officials who risked their lives in order to contain the disease.

28 Days Later

Where can I watch this? Youtube and Google Play.

A highly contagious illness throws the UK into anarchy, with the sickness causing those affected to go into a violent rage. A group of four survivors attempt to seek protection from the disease but find it difficult to know who they can trust.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Where can I watch this? Youtube and Google Play.

Okay, so this isn't a human pandemic film per se but the virus still affects humans.

In an attempt to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a drug is discovered - one that drastically increases the IQ of primates like apes, chimpanzees and gorillas. The affected apes rise up to fight against the humans who put them in captivity.

World War Z

Where can I watch this? Stan and Netflix.

We're throwing a zombie apocalypse into the mix as well. International governments are on the hunt to create a vaccine which will prevent the zombies from attacking humans. Brad Pitt, who plays UN investigator, Gerry Lane, is the man for the job.

Quarantine

Where can I watch this? iTunes.

A disease similar to rabies begins to affect humans, causing humans to become rabid and bite each other, thus causing the infection to spread. Quarantine also mixes a pandemic film in with a doomsday cult conspiracy subplot, which may be two of our favourite things rolled into one film.

I Am Legend

Where can I watch this? Stan.

There's a lot to love about I Am Legend: Will Smith, an apocalyptic landscape and a human race which has been wiped out by a virus that turns people into cannibalistic mutants.

The hero of our film, Dr Robert Neville (Smith), finds himself immune to the disease and is on a mission to save the human race.

Outbreak

Where can I watch this? Amazon Prime.

An Ebola-like virus from the African country of Zaire finds its way to the US. A group of army doctors fight to find an antidote before the military attempt to contain the virus in a much more violent manner.

Carriers

Where can I watch this? Netflix.

Four survivors of a pandemic attempt to survive long enough for the disease to die out, without becoming infected themselves. The group attempt to travel to Turtle Beach where they believe they'll be safe but encounter several roadblocks on their journey.

Containment

Where can I watch this? Netflix.

A limited TV series inspired by the Belgian show, Cordon, the show details the fallout of an epidemic in Atlanta. In an effort to control the disease, part of the city is quarantined, trapping the sick and healthy together.

10 Cloverfield Lane

Where can I watch this? Youtube and Google Play.

An imprisoned woman named Michelle is told by her captor that the world is no longer inhabitable after a mysterious attack. Sensing that she isn't being told the truth, she attempts to escape before she realises that the world has gone into disarray and now she must fight for her place in it.

Blindless

Where can I watch this? Stan.

An epidemic of sudden and inexplicable blindness sweeps the world. A doctor (Mark Ruffalo) who is affected by the disease is about to be taken to a government-organised quarantine when his wife (Julianne Moore) lies about losing her vision so she can join him.

At the camp they realise the patients are being starved, with one man retaliating against the guards, creating chaos and anarchy. A small group of survivors attempt to escape the prison in order to find safety.

Do you have another virus or pandemic film to add to our list? Tell us in a comment below.