While some fatigue has set in, the subgenre has a knack for producing the occasional horror masterpiece, and these releases have cemented flesh eaters as staples of cinema. The best zombie films are also some of the greatest horror movies of all time.
Trilogy Of The Dead (1968-1985)
In horror zombie cinema, no franchise casts a wider shadow than George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. The 1968 movie shaped the modern image of the zombie, even if the story itself uses the term “ghouls” for its monsters. While the post-2005 sequels are all over the place in terms of quality, Romero’s original trilogy is a masterclass of suspense, practical effects, and social commentary.
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More importantly for a marathon session, all three films are unique. Night of the Living Dead is a claustrophobic thriller filled with racial and social tension. Surprisingly, Dawn of the Dead opts for a more comedic tone, all the while still retaining the nuanced themes and allegories of its predecessor. Although the worst of the three, Day of the Dead’s ambition is nevertheless apparent, and its final act brings the trilogy to a close on a high.
The Return Of The Living Dead (1985)
While Dawn of the Dead added comedy elements to horror, The Return of the Living Dead was the first proper zombie horror comedy. Even after all these years, an argument could still be made that the 1985 release started and perfected the concept. Directly referencing Romero’s universe, The Return of the Living Dead satirizes the zombie subgenre’s early conventions while telling a hilarious but dark tale revolving around human stupidity.
Well written and a blast to watch, this movie is a slice of ’80s goodness that is somehow both undeniably dated and timeless. The Return of the Living Dead is the perfect film to throw on after completing Romero’s trilogy, and even its first two sequels are decent.
28 Days Later (2002)
From the gritty realism of Shallow Grave and Trainspotting to the sci-fi epic Sunshine, Danny Boyle’s filmography is diverse and, generally, high quality. 28 Days Later represents the director’s successful voyage into horror territory, and the 2002 film played a part in rejuvenating interest in zombies.
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A man wakes up from a coma to find London has been turned into a wasteland due to a virus that transforms infected people into zombies. Unlike the walking dead that came before them, these flesh eaters can run, a small tweak to the lore that significantly enhances their fear factor. 28 Weeks Later is also quite good.
Braindead (aka Dead Alive) (1992)
Peter Jackson’s Braindead is a camp horror masterpiece, and the film has aged beautifully over the last three decades. Living under the thumb of his domineering mother, Lionel finds love in the form of Paquita, but their romance takes a turn for the peculiar once a rat-monkey comes into play.
Braindead is unapologetically gory. The zombie movie coats full sets in blood and body parts, and the visuals can be stomach-turning. These scenes are also grotesque works of art, showing that even gore can be done artistically.
White Zombie (1932)
Generally regarded as the first zombie movie, White Zombie’s place in this discussion is aided by its pop culture influence and significance. However, the film is an enjoyable watch even if removed from that context. Reminiscent of the beloved Universal monster movies, this classic follows a voodoo master who can turn people into zombies.
White Zombie features one of Bela Lugosi’s greatest performances as the evil zombie master. The iconic actor dominates each scene he is in, and his absence is always felt.
Train To Busan (2016)
A South Korean production, Train to Busan might be the best zombie movie of the 2010s. Like most of the subgenre’s crowning achievements, this film uses its horror setup to explore human nature; however, perhaps more importantly, Train to Busan is also a ridiculously fun action romp.
A divorced dad agrees to take his estranged daughter to visit her mother, a journey that requires completing a one-hour train trip. Unfortunately, a zombie outbreak happens, and a simple request suddenly becomes a battle for survival.
Re-Animator (1985)
Although far removed from the modern interpretation of a zombie, Frankenstein is the concept’s ancestor. Mary Shelley’s novel has inspired plenty of great adaptations or similar ideas, and 1985’s Re-Animator stands above nearly all of them. Based on H.P. Lovecraft’s Herbert West: Re-Animator, Stuart Gordon’s movie is a pitch-black comedy with gore that could rival horror’s scariest stories.
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A medical student, Herbert seeks to conquer death, and he will go to startling lengths to achieve his dream. Despite lacking a physically intimidating presence, Herbert is a genuinely terrifying mad scientist, and his obsession carves the lives of his closest companions.
Shaun Of The Dead (2004)
Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead is a modern classic that has attracted a substantial following over the last two decades. Similar to the other entries in the director’s Cornetto trilogy, the 2004 movie parodies its chosen subgenre (zombies) without stripping its inspiration of the strengths that define it.
Consequently, Shaun of the Dead works as both comedy and horror, although the film pushes the former more than the latter. From an iconic opening sequence to a surprisingly intense final act, Shaun of the Dead does not set a foot wrong.
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