Zombie Films Worth Seeing
by renegadeandroid-163-578316 | created - 22 Feb 2012 | updated - 28 Aug 2012 | PublicHere is a list of the best zombie films & shows (in my humble opinion.)
There is no particular order to this list (year of release or otherwise.) Sorry for that :-)
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1. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Not Rated | 96 min | Horror, Thriller
A ragtag group of Pennsylvanians barricade themselves in an old farmhouse to remain safe from a horde of flesh-eating ghouls that are ravaging the Northeast of the United States.
Director: George A. Romero | Stars: Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman
Votes: 138,633 | Gross: $0.09M
Ahh.. The day George Romero dies will be a sad day indeed. With this film lies the legacy of what a zombie is, the monster no-longer just a magical voodoo side-kick or Frankenstein or Mummy, but now a widespread epidemic. The end of civilization as the living once knew.
For this, I thank you Mr. Romero!
2. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Unrated | 127 min | Horror, Thriller
During an escalating zombie epidemic, two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter and his TV executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.
Director: George A. Romero | Stars: David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross
Votes: 128,125 | Gross: $5.10M
The classic film which set the stage for modern zombie films. Unfortunately the film is very dated regarding zombie make-up and their sluggish speed, but that aside the heroes of the film are the focus of this adventure of zombie survival & controlling a mall. Having grown-up with this movie, and having seen it over 100 times easily, I highly recommend finding the Director's Cut for the extra scenes left out of the original. In one particular scene there is a group of cops trying to bum smokes before fleeing in a boat on the river, and in a cut scene one of those actors is the main protagonist in George Romero's next film (& recommendation)...
3. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
R | 101 min | Action, Horror
A nurse, a policeman, a young married couple, a salesman and other survivors of a worldwide plague that is producing aggressive, flesh-eating zombies, take refuge in a mega Midwestern shopping mall.
Director: Zack Snyder | Stars: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer, Jake Weber
Votes: 271,524 | Gross: $59.02M
A remake, but retold story of different survivors with fast, deadly zombies. Retarded zombie baby scene aside, this movie rocked from start to finish.
4. Day of the Dead (1985)
Not Rated | 101 min | Horror, Thriller
As the world is overrun by zombies, a group of scientists and military personnel sheltering in an underground bunker in Florida must decide on how they should deal with the undead horde.
Director: George A. Romero | Stars: Lori Cardille, Terry Alexander, Joseph Pilato, Jarlath Conroy
Votes: 74,133 | Gross: $5.80M
This movie really captures the essence of abandonment, isolation and lost hope. The struggle of two factions forced to co-exist in an underground missile silo without any contact to the outside world is intense. On top of this is a mad scientist who thinks he can tame zombies with the incentive of fresh meat, people trying to cover for his insanity, and also a zombie named Bub fires a freakin' gun.
Don't bother watching the newer version of this movie, it's complete *beep*
5. 28 Days Later (2002)
R | 113 min | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.
Director: Danny Boyle | Stars: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Alex Palmer
Votes: 443,505 | Gross: $45.06M
So you want to debate whether this is a zombie movie or a plague movie? The vibe is the same and that's all I care about. This movie is a fantastic look into what could more realistically happen because re-animating the dead is no simple feat.
Also the grocery mart looting scene has cool music.
6. 28 Weeks Later (2007)
R | 100 min | Horror, Sci-Fi
Six months after the rage virus was inflicted on the population of Great Britain, the US Army helps to secure a small area of London for the survivors to repopulate and start again. But not everything goes according to plan.
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo | Stars: Jeremy Renner, Rose Byrne, Robert Carlyle, Harold Perrineau
Votes: 292,808 | Gross: $28.64M
More of an action film compared to the Days original film. Still an enjoyable zombie flick!
7. Dead Set (2008)
TV-MA | 141 min | Comedy, Drama, Horror
During a fictional series of Big Brother, a zombie outbreak occurs, but the house-mates are unaware of the impending doom outside of the Big Brother House.
Stars: Paul 'Bubble' Ferguson, Jaime Winstone, Andy Nyman, Riz Ahmed
Votes: 20,869
Now if someone would just make a zombie movie/show based around a reality series like "Biggest Loser".
8. The Walking Dead (2010–2022)
TV-MA | 45 min | Drama, Horror, Thriller
Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma to learn the world is in ruins and must lead a group of survivors to stay alive.
Stars: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Lauren Cohan
Votes: 1,076,914
I made it a point to read all the graphic novels of The Walking Dead and while the show itself has a different story-line, I am not let down by the cast of survivors who deliver a high dose of realism in the various situations they end up in.
9. World War Z (2013)
PG-13 | 116 min | Action, Adventure, Horror
Former United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop a zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatens to destroy humanity itself.
Director: Marc Forster | Stars: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, James Badge Dale
Votes: 716,771 | Gross: $202.36M
I read the book (written by Max Brooks), & hope the movie is as good as it was. We will just have to see. Until then, I'm including this as something to keep an eye out for.
10. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
R | 99 min | Comedy, Horror
The uneventful, aimless lives of a London electronics salesman and his layabout roommate are disrupted by the zombie apocalypse.
Director: Edgar Wright | Stars: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis
Votes: 591,995 | Gross: $13.54M
Perhaps the best zombie comedy ever written!
11. Juan of the Dead (2011)
Not Rated | 92 min | Action, Comedy, Horror
A group of slackers face an army of zombies. The Cuban government and media claim the living dead are dissidents revolting against the government.
Director: Alejandro Brugués | Stars: Alexis Díaz de Villegas, Jorge Molina, Andros Perugorría, Andrea Duro
Votes: 10,975 | Gross: $0.02M
It's a comical zombie film, but it's twisted and enjoyable in the same vain as 'Shaun of the Dead.' Cubans have an interesting sense of humor :)
12. Rammbock: Berlin Undead (2010)
R | 63 min | Action, Drama, Horror
Just when Michael arrives in Berlin to visit his ex-girlfriend Gabi, a terrible virus starts spreading across the city at a rapid pace, turning people into mindless homicidal maniacs. Much ... See full summary »
Director: Marvin Kren | Stars: Michael Fuith, Theo Trebs, Anka Graczyk, Emily Cox
Votes: 5,913
This was a very unique German film about the zombie apocalypse. There's a slight mix of humor and romanticism but I guess that's how German's roll these days.
I really appreciate the use of cameras in this film :-)
13. Night of the Living Dead (1990)
R | 92 min | Horror
When the unburied dead return to life and seek human victims, seven refugees shelter in a house in the Pennsylvanian countryside.
Director: Tom Savini | Stars: Tony Todd, Patricia Tallman, Tom Towles, McKee Anderson
Votes: 45,358 | Gross: $5.84M
Tom Savini did a great job with this remake. The zombie effects are pretty wicked, too, while still keeping pace with their traditional Romero-esque speed. This version showed strength in people who lacked it in the original, and as a remake was a perfect twist!
14. Pontypool (2008)
Not Rated | 93 min | Horror, Sci-Fi
A radio host interprets the possible outbreak of a deadly virus which infects the small Ontario town he is stationed in.
Director: Bruce McDonald | Stars: Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle, Georgina Reilly, Hrant Alianak
Votes: 35,350
A unique zombie story where sound is the cause of the disease. It's strange.
15. Fido (2006)
R | 93 min | Comedy, Drama, Horror
In an Earthly world resembling the 1950s, a cloud of space radiation has shrouded the planet, resulting in the dead becoming zombies that desire live human flesh. A company called Zomcon ... See full summary »
Director: Andrew Currie | Stars: Kesun Loder, Billy Connolly, Carrie-Anne Moss, David Kaye
Votes: 30,106 | Gross: $0.30M
Another fun film about zombies in a 1950's type setting. Instead of a story about a boy and his dog, this is about a boy and his zombie. "Aw shucks, can't I keep him ma?"
16. Extinction: The G.M.O. Chronicles (2011)
R | 110 min | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
The remaining survivors of pan-global epidemic face a race against time to find a cure before they succumb to its zombie-inducing effects. Holed up in an abandoned military base, Tom and ... See full summary »
Director: Niki Drozdowski | Stars: Daniel Buder, Luise Bähr, Jerry Coyle, Klaus Ebert
Votes: 1,688
More of a mutant outbreak than zombie, but they are basically the same thing. Worth watching!
17. Colin (2008)
Not Rated | 97 min | Action, Drama, Horror
Our hero Colin is bitten by a Zombie; he dies and returns from the dead. We follow him as he wanders through suburbia during the throes of a cadaverous apocalypse.
Director: Marc Price | Stars: Alastair Kirton, Daisy Aitkens, Leanne Pammen, Kate Alderman
Votes: 1,646
Great indie zombie flick that tells the tale of one zombie, following him as he makes his way through streets of the dead.
18. Exit Humanity (2011)
Not Rated | 114 min | Drama, Horror
A young man's struggle to survive in the aftermath of a deadly undead outbreak during the American Civil War.
Director: John Geddes | Stars: Brian Cox, Mark Gibson, Dee Wallace, Bill Moseley
Votes: 4,683
A zombie apocalypse during the American Civil War. I really enjoyed this indie zombie flick. There's even some zombie comicbook-style animation scenes from time to time.
19. Zombie Apocalypse (2011 TV Movie)
R | 87 min | Action, Adventure, Horror
Months after a zombie plague has wiped out 90 percent of the American population, a small group of survivors fight their way cross-country to a rumored refuge on the island of Catalina.
Director: Nick Lyon | Stars: Ving Rhames, Taryn Manning, Johnny Pacar, Gary Weeks
Votes: 5,595
Not a bad SyFy original! Finally a movie with some zombie animals!
20. REC (2007)
R | 78 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
A television reporter and cameraman follow emergency workers into a dark apartment building and are quickly locked inside with something terrifying.
Directors: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza | Stars: Manuela Velasco, Ferran Terraza, Jorge-Yamam Serrano, Pablo Rosso
Votes: 195,825
More "demonic possession" than zombie, this film is now the first of a trilogy, the first two films centering around an Apartment building that's been quarantined by the local Government to try and confine the disease. The third of the trilogy takes place right after a wedding in broad daylight!
21. [Rec]² (2009)
R | 85 min | Horror, Thriller
In order to ascertain the current situation inside, a supposed medical officer and a GEO team step into the quarantined and ill-fated apartment building.
Directors: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza | Stars: Jonathan D. Mellor, Manuela Velasco, Óscar Zafra, Ariel Casas
Votes: 78,274 | Gross: $0.03M
22. [REC] 3: Genesis (2012)
R | 80 min | Comedy, Horror, Thriller
A couple's wedding day turns horrific as some of the guests start showing signs of a strange illness.
Director: Paco Plaza | Stars: Leticia Dolera, Diego Martín, Ismael Martínez, Àlex Monner
Votes: 37,979 | Gross: $0.01M
23. Quarantine (2008)
R | 89 min | Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
A television reporter and her cameraman are trapped inside a building quarantined by the CDC, after the outbreak of a mysterious virus which turns humans into bloodthirsty killers.
Director: John Erick Dowdle | Stars: Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Columbus Short, Jay Hernandez
Votes: 77,100 | Gross: $31.69M
The American remake of the original [Rec] film. Americans usually screw up remakes of popular Japanese horror films but this remake isn't as bad as those can be :)
24. Quarantine 2: Terminal (2011)
R | 86 min | Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
A plane is taken over by a mysterious virus. When the plane lands it is placed under quarantine. Now a group of survivors must band together to survive the quarantine.
Director: John Pogue | Stars: Mercedes Mason, Josh Cooke, Mattie Liptak, Ignacio Serricchio
Votes: 20,792
This was nothing like the sequel to [Rec], making this more of an original take on the Quarantine/Rec storyline. CAUTION: Some of the zombie screams may scare the crap out of your household cat!
25. Bio-Zombie (1998)
Not Rated | 94 min | Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi
A group of young shoppers and employees must band together when a zombie outbreak over runs their Hong Kong shopping center in the middle of the shopping day.
Director: Wilson Yip | Stars: Jordan Chan, Emotion Cheung, Sam Lee, Yiu-Cheung Lai
Votes: 2,718
AKA BIOZOMBIE. This is another great zombie comedy. Maybe even the first of it's kind. Think of a Japanese version of Bill n Ted battling zombies & saving chicks!
26. The Horde (2009)
Not Rated | 90 min | Action, Horror
An end of the world battle between gangsters, cops and zombies.
Directors: Yannick Dahan, Benjamin Rocher | Stars: Claude Perron, Jean-Pierre Martins, Eriq Ebouaney, Aurélien Recoing
Votes: 16,366
Cops vs Criminals vs Zombies. Great action film & zombie fx!
27. Mutants (2009)
R | 95 min | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
In the middle of a zombie apocalypse, a resourceful couple hides out in an isolated abandoned building. The woman is pregnant and the man is infected, slowly transforming into the kind of inhuman monster they are trying to escape.
Director: David Morley | Stars: Hélène de Fougerolles, Francis Renaud, Dida Diafat, Marie-Sohna Condé
Votes: 4,259
Basically, an outbreak takes place and humanity is on the edge of extinction. Zombie-like mutants are taking over, devouring the population!
28. The Crazies (2010)
R | 101 min | Horror
After a strange and insecure plane crash, an unusual toxic virus enters a quaint farming town. A young couple are quarantined, but they fight for survival along with help from a couple of people.
Director: Breck Eisner | Stars: Radha Mitchell, Timothy Olyphant, Danielle Panabaker, Joe Anderson
Votes: 128,634 | Gross: $39.12M
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