Gizmodo The Ebola virus, Cordyceps fungi, and even the stomach flu have helped inspire some of the most gruesome infectious diseases seen on the screen. As both a health reporter and avid horror fan, there are few things I love more than seeing a fictional contagious disease take center stage as a villain—especially when they’re inspired by actual germs or parasites.
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of horror flicks with gruesome infestations or illnesses to pick from. We’re not even three months into 2026, and there have already been two infection-themed films released so far, each with their own particular bent (28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and Cold Storage). So here are some of my personal favorite or especially interesting fictional diseases featured in movies and TV shows, along with their real-life inspirations.