Halloween might be the season for horror, but every day is a good day for a chilling cinematic fright. Be it in movies, games, or comics, zombies have been done to exhaustion; in fact, for a while, the living dead seemed to shuffle their way onto the big screen every other month.
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. Thebest zombie filmsare also some of the greatest horror movies of all time.
Where to StreamDawn of the Dead
Where to StreamDay of the Dead
DirecTV,FuboTV,Kanopy,Peacock,PlutoTV,TubiTV
In horror zombie cinema, no franchise casts a wider shadow than George A. Romero’sNight 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.
RELATED:Best Zombie Games Ever, Ranked
More importantly for a marathon session, all three films are unique.Night of the Living Deadis a claustrophobic thriller filled with racial and social tension. Surprisingly,Dawn of the Deadopts 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.
91%
Where to Stream
Amazon Prime Video,Hoopla,PlutoTV,TheRokuChannel,TubiTV
WhileDawn of the Deadadded comedy elements to horror,The Return of the Living Deadwas the first proper zombiehorror 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 Deadsatirizes 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 Deadis the perfect film to throw on after completing Romero’s trilogy, and even its first two sequels are decent.
87%
Amazon Prime Video + Cinemax,DirecTV,HBO Max,
From the gritty realism ofShallow GraveandTrainspottingto the sci-fi epicSunshine, Danny Boyle’s filmography is diverse and, generally, high quality.28 Days Laterrepresents the director’s successful voyage into horror territory, and the 2002 film played a part in rejuvenating interest in zombies.
RELATED:The Best Modern Zombie Anime
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 Lateris also quite good.
89%
N/A
Peter Jackson’sBraindeadis acamp 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.
Braindeadis 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.
86%
Amazon Prime Video,DirecTV,Epix,FuboTV,Hoopla,Kanopy,Paramount Plus,Shudder,TubiTV
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 Zombiefeatures 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.
94%
Amazon Prime Video,DirecTV,FuboTV,Hoopla,Kanopy,Peacock,PlutoTV,Shudder,TheRokuChannel,TubiTV
A South Korean production,Train to Busanmight be thebest zombie movieof 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 Busanis 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.
Dark Matter TV,FuboTV,Kanopy,Shudder,TubiTV
Although far removed from the modern interpretation of a zombie,Frankensteinis the concept’s ancestor. Mary Shelley’s novel has inspired plenty of great adaptations or similar ideas, and 1985’sRe-Animatorstands above nearly all of them. Based on H.P. Lovecraft’sHerbert West: Re-Animator, Stuart Gordon’s movie is a pitch-black comedy with gore that could rival horror’s scariest stories.
RELATED:Best Frankenstein Movies, Ranked
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.
92%
Peacock
Edgar Wright’sShaun of the Deadis 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 Deadworks 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 Deaddoes not set a foot wrong.
