C.H.U.D. = The First Zombie Movie...Kinda?

Okay, so I just rewatched "C.H.U.D." (shoutout to the Criterion Channel for having it!), and I have a theory that's been brewing for a while. Hear me out: aren't the C.H.U.Ds basically early, gross-out zombies? I know, technically they're Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers created by toxic waste, but think about it. They're mutated humans, driven by hunger (in this case, for other humans), and they look horrifyingly decayed. The government is trying to cover it all up, and no one really believes the protagonists until it's too late. I mean, the scene where they're feasting on the hot dog vendor? Seriously, that’s straight out of "Night of the Living Dead," just swap the hot dogs for…well, you know. And the glowing eyes? The way they shamble around? Even the whole 'environmental disaster creating monsters' angle feels very similar to some modern zombie lore. Plus, the ending is pretty bleak, hinting at a widespread problem. Maybe C.H.U.D. isn’t a direct zombie film, but it definitely feels like a proto-zombie flick, laying the groundwork for the grittier zombie movies that came later. Anyone else see the connection, or am I just grasping at radioactive straws here? I'd love to hear what you think. Maybe I'm giving it too much credit -- it's definitely got some cheesy '80s vibes to it, but it's a fun movie and I think it deserves some love. Also, Daniel Stern is great in this, even if he's basically playing a conspiracy theorist. Lol. Oh! One last thought: do you think they ever thought about making a C.H.U.D. 2? I mean, they could do so much with that concept. A C.H.U.D. apocalypse... now that would be something.