Before the Fire (2020) deserves a notable mention because of its release just prior to the lockdowns. The film starred Jenna Lyng Adams as Ava Bone as she is forced to flee Los Angeles on the eve of a new pandemic. She returns to her small rural hometown working on her friend’s family farm.

Unfortunately, Ava’s jaded past catches up to her. She is spotted and kidnapped at a local bar by her family members, who create a violent local militia stealing resources as the pandemic worsens. While killing the sick, Ava falls ill with the virus and struggles to find her way back to her friend.

Did you know? The full PPE suits used in Outbreak (1995) brought how dangerous biohazards can be to the American conscious in the 20th century.

Outbreak (1995) starts in the Congo African republic (or the former Republic of Zaire). Set in 1967, a deadly hemorrhagic virus breaks out, spreading and killing American armies and mercenaries stationed in Zaire. A U.S. military doctor discovers the virus after taking a blood sample from a dying patient, and orders the entire outpost to be bombed. 

The virus was eradicated–or so they thought. Nearly 40 years later, a lab monkey is stolen and released in California. The monkey goes on a rampage biting several people. The bitten victims end up having symptoms highly reminiscent of the virus identified in Zaire so long ago. The army responds by ordering to bomb the Californian area.

Colonel Daniels, as played by Dustin Hoffman, and his on stage ex wife Robby (starring Rene Russo) set out to prevent the spread and the area from being bombed.

Based on the sixth novel “The Stand” by Stephen King, this post-apocalyptic miniseries is set in a world 99% wiped out by a super flu known as “Captain Tripp”. Stu Redman (played by James Marsden), Frannie Goldsmith (played by Odessa Young), and Harold Lauder (Owen Teague) are the only average humans immune to the bug. 

As the group sorts their new lives in the post-apocalypse, two forces emerge: a psychic Mother Abigail (starring Whoopi Goldberg) and the evil overlord Randall “Dark Man” Glagg (played by Alexander Skarsgård). The survivors must choose a side.

A classic starring Will Smith as Robert Neville accompanied by a very intelligent German Shepherd named Samantha. Neville and his dog are the last two standing on earth after a virus thought to cure cancer mutates and zombifies everyone. 

Set in the boroughs of New York City, I Am Legend (2007) follows Neville as he searches for an antidote–and fights for his survival from extremely violent mutant zombies and other perils.

Based on the classic 1980s video game of the same name, Rampage (2018) is another infectious disease outbreak film. This one is centered around Davis Okoye (played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) as he navigates a genetic modification research experiment gone completely wrong. 

Davis Okoye is a primatologist working at a genetic modification research lab in space when it unexpectedly crashes into Earth. The crash exposes the surrounding wildlife with deadly pathogens, many which infect animals in the surrounding areas. A gorilla named George, whom Davis communicates with in sign language, a wolf in Wyoming, and a crocodile in Florida are all affected.

Davis knows something is seriously wrong when George grows in size and strength overnight. Joined by lab scientist Dr. Kate Caldwell (played by Naomie Harris), the two pinpoint the issue stemming from a corrupt lab being run by Dr. Caldwell’s siblings. Things go further awry when Dr. Caldwell’s siblings take control of the animals. Now it’s up to the duo to find a cure.