An accident at a secretive biotech laboratory creates a spread of bacteria that incites a violent rage in those it infects.

No horror watchlist is complete without Zombies in the mix. The walking dead are rooted in Haitian folklore and voodoo, which inspired generations of authors and filmmakers to incorporate them into our media, portraying them as wandering, cannibalistic corpses. A trope was born in classic films like White Zombie (1932) and Night of the Living Dead (1968). And now, it seems the majority of flicks in the subgenre are fascinated by viral outbreaks as a source – there are hundreds in the vault, many of which leading towards apocalyptic outcomes.

I’ve chosen WARNING SIGN (1985) because I’d never heard of it, and it was sold to me as the “original” 28 Days Later, my favorite Zombie flick.

In a secret military lab, a vile of dangerous bacteria breaks, quickly spreading through the air and infecting the scientists and staff. An official containment team arrives to seal the campus and address the growing attention from the public and, oh hey it’s Sam Waterston from TV’s Law & Order! He’s our leading man, the town Sheriff whose immune wife is stuck inside where chaos breaks out as the deceased reanimate into pustule-covered, blood thirsty zombies.

It’s a wonder this movie isn’t mentioned more. It’s shot well, there’s good tension, and it’s smart enough to take its time with the reveal of zombies. It finds an agreeable balance between prestige picture and 80s cheese.