10 Best Pandemic Movies in the Philippines in the Philippines | Flu, Contagion and More
Seeing as we are currently in the middle of a pandemic, you’d think that pandemic movies would lose their appeal. However, things are quite the oppositeーit seems that pandemic movies are all the rage these days. Whether it is to seek comfort from people in similar situations or simply to entertain yourselves, you’re bound to find a movie with this theme that suits your taste.
Although pandemic movies aren’t new, filmmakers have put their unique spin on old formulas to come up with interesting concepts, making for fresh takes and different perspectives. That said, if you are looking for pandemic movies for your next movie night, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve provided our top 10 picks below, as well as a buying guide on how to select them.
Quick List - Top Pandemic Movies in the Philippine
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How to Choose a Pandemic Movie - Viewer’s Guide
Covid-19 has certainly made us view pandemic movies in a different light. Although many of them are quite far-fetched, such as those with zombies, others are quite realistic, hit closer to home and are more relatable. Let's take a look at how pandemic movies differ from one another.
Pick the Source of the Pandemic
No pandemic movie would be complete without the presence of the pandemic itself. After all, this is what the film revolves around. And it can take on many forms! So, check out which one floats your boat.
Virus-Caused Pandemics Are a Classic
Man-made diseases usually begin with an experiment gone wrong or a dubious cure that has been unleashed upon the population without much testing. Animal diseases, on the other hand, usually involve the characters unknowingly contracting the disease by ingesting contaminated food or interacting with the animal itself.
Pandemic movies may also simply begin from a mysterious premise in which people are suddenly struck with an illness that nobody seems to know the cause of, which can make things more intriguing. Such scenarios serve as the origin story of most pandemic movies.
Extra-Terrestrial and Supernatural Pandemics Add an Air of Mystery
Select the Movie’s Central Theme - Realistic Disease or Zombie Virus
The central theme is what every pandemic movie revolves around, which almost always consists of a disease or virus. And this can go two ways; a realistic disease or one where people turn into zombies. See how they affect the film’s storyline below.
Explore How Society Reacts When Faced With a Realistic Disease
It is also more psychological in nature, as it captures how society reacts in the face of such situations – do they descend into anarchy? What measures do they take to mitigate the virus? So, if you’d like something that hits close to home, then this one is for you.
Go on an Adventure With Zombie-Related Films
Films like this are fast-paced and make for quite an exciting viewing experience that is sure to keep you on your toes. They take you on an adventure as characters look for ways to find a cure or a safe haven they can retreat to, all while fleeing from nasty zombies.
Consider the Setting of the Movie
Watch How Characters Survive in Post-Apocalyptic Settings
Witness the Collapse of Society in Present-Day Settings
Throw in a Mix of Other Genres to Spice Things Up
Pandemic movies aren’t all serious and gory. Most of them contain a variety of other genres to make things more interesting. Take a look at the genres that commonly intersect with pandemic films.
Lighten Things Up With Comedy
Add a Little Romance to Get You Kilig
Let Your Imagination Run Wild With Science Fiction
Check Out Movie Trailers, Reviews and Summaries to Get a Sneak Peak
Another thing you can do is to watch the trailer. Streaming sites like Netflix usually show a preview or a sneak peek of the film, and gives you a chance to check if a movie is to your liking. You can also use YouTube to view official trailers.
Take Note of Age Ratings
Watching movies together is a great way for families to bond. However, before hitting the play button, make sure to check the film’s age ratings. Pandemic films can contain disturbing and sometimes violent scenes, which may not be appropriate for children.
Movies that are appropriate for all ages are usually indicated as G and PG when parental guidance is recommended. Films that are not suitable for those under 18 are labeled with an R or Rated-17 rating. These labels are usually displayed on the trailer and on movie websites, so give those a quick scan first.
10 Best Pandemic Movies to Watch Online
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pandemic Source | Theme | Subgenre | Setting | Duration | Age Rating | |||||
1 | Steven Soderbergh Contagion｜2011 | | An Accurate Portrayal of a Pandemic | Animal-Related Virus | Realistic Disease | Thriller | Present-Day | 1 hr 46 min | PG-13 | |
2 | Kim Sung-soo Flu｜2013 | | Mass Hysteria in a Medical Disaster | Airborne Virus | Realistic Disease | Action, Susense | Present-Day | 2 hr 1 min | 16+ | |
3 | Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Danny Boyle 28 Days Later | | Waking Up in a Zombie-Infected World | Virus | Zombie-Related | Horror, Drama | Post-Apocalyptic | 1 hr 53 min | R | |
4 | Wolfgang Petersen Outbreak | | A Race Against Time to Find a Cure | Animal-Related Virus | Realistic Disease | Thriller, Action, Medical Disaster | Present-Day | 2 hr 8 min | R | |
5 | Terry Gilliam 12 Monkeys | | A Mind-Bending Quest to Prevent a Pandemic | Kalavirus | Time Travel | Science Fiction, Thriller | Post-Apocalyptic Future | 2 hr 9 min | R | |
6 | Joey De Guzman Day Zero | | The Ultimate Test of Survival Skills | Mutated Dengue virus | Quest for Survival | Action, Horror | Present-Day | 1 hr 22 min | R | |
7 | David Pastor, Àlex Pastor Bird Box: Barcelona | | A Mix of Trauma, Loss, Survival, and the Search for Meaning | Unknown | Survival | Horror, Thriller | Post-Apocalyptic | 2 hr 2 min | R | |
8 | Ruben Fleischer Zombieland: Double Tap | | Double the Zombies, Double the Laughs | Virus of Unknown Origin | Zombie-Related | Comedy | Present-Day and Post-Apocalyptic | 1 hr 28 min | R | |
9 | Stefan Ruzowitzky Patient Zero | | When Communication is the Key to Survival | Mutated Rabies | Survival | Action, Horror | Post-Apocalyptic | 1 hr 26 min | R | |
10 | Johannes Roberts Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City | | Witness the Beginning of Evil | T-Virus | Survival | Action, Horror | 1988 | 1 hr 47 min | R | |
An Accurate Portrayal of a Pandemic
This shockingly accurate thriller, directed by Steven Soderbergh, reminds us of the Coronavirus pandemic. As chaos ensues from the rapid spread of a deadly virus, the cast must navigate a world spiraling into panic, fear, and desperation. Soon, authorities were forced to place several cities under quarantine. It feels all too familiar because the movie shows the societal, political, and scientific responses to the outbreak.
Contagion is a thought-provoking film that raises questions about preparedness, morality, and the delicate balance between chaos and control in times of crisis. This is a great movie if you are looking for something eerily similar to what happened to us in 2020.
| Pandemic Source | Animal-Related Virus |
|---|---|
| Theme | Realistic Disease |
| Subgenre | Thriller |
| Setting | Present-Day |
| Duration | 1 hr 46 min |
| Age Rating | PG-13 |
Mass Hysteria in a Medical Disaster
The movie centers around an outbreak of a lethal strain of H5N1 avian influenza, which spreads rapidly and wreaks havoc in the city of Bundang, Korea, overwhelming hospitals and emergency services. So what do the authorities do? Quarantine the entire area.
Flu depicts what happens to society when people panic, when the government has no concrete plan, and people are left for dead. As chaos engulfs the population, a brave rescue worker and an infectious disease specialist team up to contain the virus and save lives. It's a gripping film that explores themes of survival, sacrifice, and the atrocities humans are capable of, which are much worse than those of the virus.
| Pandemic Source | Airborne Virus |
|---|---|
| Theme | Realistic Disease |
| Subgenre | Action, Susense |
| Setting | Present-Day |
| Duration | 2 hr 1 min |
| Age Rating | 16+ |
Waking Up in a Zombie-Infected World
Imagine animal advocates freeing an animal carrying a deadly virus. That's where the story begins after an infected chimpanzee is accidentally unleashed, plunging the UK into a devastating pandemic. Jim, played by Cillian Murphy, wakes up from a coma to find a post-apocalyptic London. As he explores the eerily empty streets, he encounters other survivors fighting the infected zombies and struggling to rush to safety.
Aside from showing survival, isolation, and the darkest aspects of human nature, 28 Days Later revolutionized how we see the apocalypse as zombie-infested. It also includes elements of horror, which will surely give you goosebumps!
| Pandemic Source | Virus |
|---|---|
| Theme | Zombie-Related |
| Subgenre | Horror, Drama |
| Setting | Post-Apocalyptic |
| Duration | 1 hr 53 min |
| Age Rating | R |
A Race Against Time to Find a Cure
This movie might be an old one, but it reminds us of the Coronavirus pandemic. It revolves around an outbreak of a deadly virus called Motaba, which originates in Africa and threatens to cause a global pandemic. As the virus spreads, a team of medical experts must race against time to find a cure before the military incinerates the infected community.
Outbreak shows how sacrifice, government cover-ups, and the power of human resilience affect a pandemic. This movie keeps audiences on the edge of their seats while shedding light on the real-life dangers of infectious diseases as well as drastic measures such as medical and military interventions.
| Pandemic Source | Animal-Related Virus |
|---|---|
| Theme | Realistic Disease |
| Subgenre | Thriller, Action, Medical Disaster |
| Setting | Present-Day |
| Duration | 2 hr 8 min |
| Age Rating | R |
A Mind-Bending Quest to Prevent a Pandemic
In the movie, the scientists from 2035 just want a pure sample of the virus from 1996 so they can find a cure. 12 Monkeys has mind-bending time travel elements and immerses viewers in a twisted journey of what scientists can do when faced with a pandemic.
| Pandemic Source | Kalavirus |
|---|---|
| Theme | Time Travel |
| Subgenre | Science Fiction, Thriller |
| Setting | Post-Apocalyptic Future |
| Duration | 2 hr 9 min |
| Age Rating | R |
The Ultimate Test of Survival Skills
Trying to find his wife and daughter, he is forced to rely on his combat skills to survive long enough to get his friends and family to safety and stop the undead horde. Overall, Day Zero is action-packed and shows us what a zombie infestation looks like in a crowded residential area.
| Pandemic Source | Mutated Dengue virus |
|---|---|
| Theme | Quest for Survival |
| Subgenre | Action, Horror |
| Setting | Present-Day |
| Duration | 1 hr 22 min |
| Age Rating | R |
A Mix of Trauma, Loss, Survival, and the Search for Meaning
In the film, a father and his daughter attempt to navigate the world after an invasion of creatures that make anyone who sees them take their own lives. Bird Box Barcelona presents us with characters who have survived the horror and are now dealing with grief and trauma. It also touches on the issue of faith and logic in times of crisis.
| Pandemic Source | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Theme | Survival |
| Subgenre | Horror, Thriller |
| Setting | Post-Apocalyptic |
| Duration | 2 hr 2 min |
| Age Rating | R |
Double the Zombies, Double the Laughs
This film expertly combines comedic elements that lighten up the gravity of the situation. If you're looking for a fun pandemic film, this laugh-out-loud movie is definitely a must-watch for both fans of the original and newcomers to the franchise.
| Pandemic Source | Virus of Unknown Origin |
|---|---|
| Theme | Zombie-Related |
| Subgenre | Comedy |
| Setting | Present-Day and Post-Apocalyptic |
| Duration | 1 hr 28 min |
| Age Rating | R |
When Communication is the Key to Survival
Patient Zero has intense action sequences, suspenseful plot twists, and familiar faces. As tensions rise and loyalties are tested, a thrilling battle ensues between the remaining uninfected and the relentless hordes of wild zombies. This is definitely a must-watch, adrenaline-fueled movie you wouldn't want to miss!
| Pandemic Source | Mutated Rabies |
|---|---|
| Theme | Survival |
| Subgenre | Action, Horror |
| Setting | Post-Apocalyptic |
| Duration | 1 hr 26 min |
| Age Rating | R |
Witness the Beginning of Evil
The film delves into the origins of the outbreak, exploring the interconnected stories of familiar characters like Claire Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, and others. Known for its atmospheric setting and faithful homage to the source material, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City takes the viewer on a journey as the characters survive the night against zombies.
| Pandemic Source | T-Virus |
|---|---|
| Theme | Survival |
| Subgenre | Action, Horror |
| Setting | 1988 |
| Duration | 1 hr 47 min |
| Age Rating | R |
More Picks to Stream for Your Movie Nights
Looking for more options for your next binge-watching session? Well, never fear. Check out the links below for more movies to entertain you, whether you're in the mood for spine-chilling horror, zombie invasions, or big laughs!
How We Chose and Ranked Our Recommendations
Our viewer's guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the viewer's guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the movie recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different movie streaming platforms.
Top 5 Pandemic Movies in the Philippine
No. 1: Steven Soderbergh｜Contagion｜2011
No. 2: Kim Sung-soo｜Flu｜2013
No. 3: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Danny Boyle｜28 Days Later
No. 4: Wolfgang Petersen｜Outbreak
No. 5: Terry Gilliam｜12 Monkeys
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.