Title: 28 Energizing Zombie Flicks You Need to Watch
Zombie flicks often get a bad rap for being brainless and dull, much like their undead protagonists. However, there's plenty to love about the genre! It's filled with B-movies, cult classics, and low-budget indie films that are beloved by fans. From horror and sci-fi to disaster and drama, zombies have infiltrated various genres. They're also a popular outlet for social and political commentary, thanks to their post-apocalyptic nature.
The highest grossing zombie film is 2007's "I Am Legend," but its status as a zombie movie is debated due to its mix of zombie and vampire lore. Regardless, this list aims to celebrate the gory, weird, and B-films that make the zombie genre so unique and exciting. So buckle up, dear reader, and join us on a journey through the best zombie movies.
The Top Zombie Movies
Zombie movies have been around since the 1930s, but they really hit their stride in the 1970s and 1990s. However, defining what constitutes a zombie movie can be tricky, as early films often merged zombie lore with those of ghouls and vampires. George A. Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) is credited with helping define the genre, despite referring to the creatures as ghouls instead of zombies.
Here are some of the best zombie movies of all time:
28. Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972)
Directed by Amando de Ossorio, this Spanish-Portuguese horror film follows a group of students who come face-to-face with undead medieval knights. While this might not sound like a traditional zombie movie, it has an overall zombie-like feel, making it a fun addition to the list.
27. Resident Evil (2002)
Based on the popular video game, this film follows a commando as she battles an undead horde in an infected lab. It's not high art, but it's a fun watch for fans of the genre.
26. The Crazies (2010)
A remake of the 1973 George A. Romero film, this thriller follows a sheriff and his wife as they survive an infection that turns their neighbors into crazed monsters.
25. The Last Man on Earth (1964)
Based on the novel "I Am Legend" by Richard Matheson, this film follows a doctor who hopes to cure a plague that has turned his fellow humans into mindless monsters. It walks the line between zombie and vampire movies, but it's a classic that's worth checking out.
24. The Beyond (1981)
This Italian horror film follows a woman who inherits a hotel only to find that it sits atop a gate to hell. It's a bizarre and blood-soaked film that's become a cult classic.
23. I Walked with a Zombie (1943)
This film follows a Canadian nurse who becomes embroiled in Haitian voodoo when she takes a position caring for a sick woman. It's a fascinating film that's influenced by both "I Am Legend" and "Jane Eyre."
22. Little Monsters (2019)
This horror-comedy follows a kindergarten teacher who must protect a group of children during a zombie outbreak. It's a fun film with a great cast, including Lupita Nyong'o and Josh Gad.
21. Dead & Buried (1981)
This film follows a sheriff who discovers that his small town's coroner has been creating an army of the undead. It's a strange and eerie film that's worth checking out.
20. Planet Terror (2007)
This is one-half of the "Grindhouse" double feature, which also includes "Death Proof" directed by Quentin Tarantino. It follows a group of survivors as they battle a zombie outbreak in rural Texas.
19. Rabid (1977)
Directed by David Cronenberg, this film follows a woman who becomes infected with a new strain of rabies that turns her into a violent zombie. It's a deeply disgusting and disturbing film, but it's a classic of the genre.
18. Dead Snow (2009)
This Norwegian film follows a group of medical students as they are attacked by nazi zombies. It's a gory and funny film that's worth checking out.
17. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)
Yes, even Scooby-Doo got in on the zombie craze with this direct-to-VHS film. It's a fun and goofy film that's great for fans of the TV show.
16. Braindead (1992)
Also known as "Dead Alive," this New Zealand film is a hilarious and gory take on the zombie genre. It follows a son as he tries to save his overprotective mother from a horde of infected zombies.
15. Black Sheep (2006)
Another New Zealand film, "Black Sheep" follows a farmer who returns home to find that his flock of sheep have been transformed into bloodthirsty zombies. It's a fun and silly film that's a must-watch for fans of the genre.
14. The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)
This British film follows a young girl who is immune to a zombie virus and holds the key to mankind's survival. It's a thoughtful and tense film that offers a fresh take on the zombie genre.
13. Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)
This musical/horror film follows a group of friends as they battle a zombie outbreak during Christmas time. It's a fun and entertaining film that's a great watch for fans of musicals and horror movies.
12. ParaNorman (2012)
This stop-motion animated film follows a young boy who can communicate with the dead as he tries to save his town from an army of zombies. It's a fun and charming film that's great for kids and adults alike.
11. Blood Quantum (2019)
This Canadian film follows a Mi'kmaq reservation that is immune to a zombie virus, but when infected whites try to take refuge, tensions rise. It's a thoughtful and tense film that offers a unique take on the zombie genre.
10. Zombieland (2009)
This comedy follows a group of survivors as they travel across the United States, trying to find a safe haven. It's a fun and entertaining film that's filled with jokes and action.
9. Re-Animator (1985)
This film follows a medical student who learns how to bring the dead back to life, but not everything goes as planned. It's a gory and over-the-top film that's a must-watch for fans of the genre.
8. Warm Bodies (2013)
This romantic zombie film follows a zombie who falls in love with a human girl. It's a sweet and funny film that offers a unique take on the zombie genre.
7. [Rec] (2007)
This Spanish film is a found footage horror film that follows a TV crew as they cover a breaking news story only to find themselves trapped in a building filled with infected people. It's a tense and scary film that's a great watch.
6. One Cut of the Dead (2017)
This Japanese film is a one-take horror comedy that follows the production of a low-budget zombie film being filmed in a real-life abandoned building. It's a clever and entertaining film that's worth checking out.
5. 28 Days Later (2002)
This film follows a group of survivors as they try to find a safe haven in a post-apocalyptic England, where a virus has turned the population into zombie-like creatures. It's a fast-paced and intense film that's a great watch.
4. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
This British film is a comedy/horror film that follows a slacker and his friends as they attempt to survive a zombie outbreak in London. It's a fun and entertaining film that's a must-watch for fans of the genre.
3. Train to Busan (2016)
This South Korean film follows a group of passengers trapped on a train as a zombie outbreak breaks out. It's a tense and thrilling film that's filled with action and horror.
2. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
This film is often credited as the one that started it all. It follows a group of people who are trapped in a farmhouse as a horde of zombies try to break in. It's a groundbreaking film that helped redefine the horror genre.
1. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Directed by George A. Romero, this film is often considered the best zombie movie of all time. It follows a group of survivors who hole up in a shopping mall during a zombie outbreak. It's a thrilling and exciting film that's a must-watch for fans of the genre.
Conclusion
Zombie movies have come a long way since their beginnings in the 1930s. From low-budget B-movies to high-budget blockbusters, there's something for everyone in the world of zombie cinema. Whether you're a fan of horror, comedy, or both, there's a zombie movie out there for you. So why not give one a try and see what all the fuss is about? You might just find yourself joining the horde of zombie movie fans.
In the world of zombie cinema, the genre is not limited to just horror but has infiltrated various genres such as drama and sci-fi. This diversity opens up numerous business opportunities, from film production to merchandising and marketing related to the zombie genre.
Furthermore, the popularity of zombie movies has also given rise to events and conventions, like zombie walks and horror fests, where fans can come together and celebrate their shared love for the genre. These events create new and exciting business ventures, such as catering, costume rental services, and even insurance for participating in such events.
