In 2002, the film “28 Days Later” was produced using affordable video cameras, swiftly reviving the zombie genre by incorporating intense horror elements and a realistic, document-style feel. It prioritized narrative and character progression over other aspects.
28 Years Later, the much-anticipated film, made its theater debut in 2025, a full 23 years following the initial release of the original movie that sent shivers down spines in the U.K. (it premiered in the U.S. in 2003). This reunion project by director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, who were also involved in the first sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” explores how society might adapt if it was devastated by the Rage Virus, causing most of England’s population to transform into frenzied zombies.
Similar to the original, the film breathes new life into the zombie genre by depicting the mindless eating creatures as swift and aggressive rather than slow and eerie. The upcoming sequel titled “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is set for release in 2026, and a third installment featuring Cillian Murphy (who starred in the first film) is also planned. It appears that the planned “28 Years” trilogy will keep us on edge for years to come. To mark the arrival of this latest sequel, here are the top 10 zombie movies you should watch after seeing “28 Years Later.” (Since you’ve already watched “28 Days Later” and “28 Weeks Later,” neither of these will be on this list.)
Night of the Living Dead
Night of the Living Dead,” often referred to as the progenitor of zombie films, tells the story of a diverse group of individuals – guided by the level-headed Ben (Duane Jones) and the hot-tempered Harry (Karl Hardman) – who seek safety in a rural Pennsylvania farmhouse amidst an onslaught of mindless, cannibalistic creatures. Newcomer director George A. Romero, with backgrounds in commercial production and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” effectively utilized his unconventional filmmaking skills in his debut feature, paving the way for other emerging horror directors to create budget-friendly thrillers. Furthermore, Romero made a significant impact on the genre by casting Duane Jones, a daring decision given the limited acceptance of Black leads in theaters across the South during that era.
The historical importance of “Night of the Living Dead” would only make it a valuable artifact if it weren’t still terrifyingly effective. Reminiscent of its spiritual successor, “28 Days Later,” it thrives on its minimalist production values, lending an unsettling, found-footage feel that one can’t help but watch despite oneself. Its influence was so profound that it spawned numerous sequels directed by Romero (we’ll delve into some of those later), as well as remakes, reboots, and the entire zombie movie genre as we recognize today.
Cast: Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Marilyn Eastman, Karl Hardman, Keith Wayne, Russell W. Streiner
Director: George A. Romero
Runtime: 96 minutes
Year: 1968
Where to watch: Prime Video, Max, The Criterion Channel
Dawn of the Dead
In the decade following “Night of the Living Dead,” George A. Romero revisited the horror genre that ignited his career with the expansive sequel, “Dawn of the Dead,” teaming up with Italian horror maestro Dario Argento. As a zombie pandemic sweeps across the United States, Philadelphia traffic reporter Stephen “Flyboy” Andrews (David Emge) and his pregnant girlfriend, Francine (Gaylen Ross), flee in the radio station’s helicopter. Accompanied by two SWAT team members, Roger (Scott Reiniger) and Peter (Ken Foree), they seek sanctuary within an abandoned shopping mall to evade the relentless zombie horde.
In simpler terms, if “Night of the Living Dead” explored racial tensions during the Civil Rights era, “Dawn of the Dead” critiqued American consumer culture. This is evident in the choice of a shopping mall as the setting for humanity’s final stand. However, it’s important to note that Romero didn’t completely ignore race issues; characters like Roger and Peter turn their weapons against impoverished Black and Latino communities suffering from societal collapse. Fundamentally, “Dawn of the Dead” is a chilling film, known for its graphic violence that initially earned it an X rating (later released without a rating) and was a part of the “video nasty” debate in Britain during the 1980s. Unlike Zack Snyder’s 2004 remake, this original version can boast about this violent reputation as a point of pride.
Cast: David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger, Gaylen Ross
Director: George A. Romero
Runtime: 126 minutes
Year: 1978
Where to watch: Prime Video
Zombi 2
In 1979, George A. Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead” was released in Italy as a joint American-Italian production under the title “Zombie.” This prompted Lucio Fulci to create a film titled “Zombi 2” or “Zombie Flesh Eaters” as a sort of sequel, which hit theaters the following year. Produced in English within Italy, this horror movie follows British journalist Peter West (Ian McCulloch) who is sent to a Caribbean island by Anne Bowles (Tisa Farrow), whose father Dr. David Menard (Richard Johnson) is investigating a strange illness. Unfortunately, it’s discovered that the locals are being transformed into flesh-eating monsters, making the tropical vacation spot anything but peaceful.
During the 1970s, Italy gave birth to several notable horror directors (such as Dario Argento, Mario Bava, Umberto Lenzi), yet none were as brutally intense as Fulci, who earned the moniker “The Master of Gore.” Similar to “Dawn of the Dead,” “Zombi 2” was flagged by British censors in the 1980s during the “video nasty” controversy, which only amplified its allure among horror enthusiasts yearning for a gory spectacle. Like his fellow “giallo” filmmakers, Fulci pushes cinematic violence to its extreme, transcending reality and entering into something surreal and dreamlike. Be warned, the sensitive should steer clear: “Zombi 2” is definitely not for the fainthearted.
Cast: Tisa Farrow, Ian McCulloch, Richard Johnson, Al Cliver, Olga Karlatos
Director: Lucio Fulci
Runtime: 91 minutes
Year: 1979
Where to watch: AMC+, Shudder, and Tubi
Day of the Dead
In George A. Romero’s original zombie trilogy’s concluding part, titled “Day of the Dead,” we find the remaining fragments of humanity battling for survival amidst an ongoing apocalypse. Within a subterranean shelter nestled in the Florida Everglades, a compact band of scientists and soldiers grapple with finding solutions to combat the escalating zombie uprising. Dr. Matthew “Frankenstein” Logan (Richard Liberty) advocates for taming the undead through training, whereas Dr. Sarah Bowman (Lori Cardille) pursues a cure. The military personnel, on the other hand, contemplate employing their missile reserves effectively.
Despite his best efforts, Romero could never fully escape the realm of the zombie genre throughout his career, culminating in a trilogy of “Living Dead” movies titled “Land of the Dead,” “Diary of the Dead,” and “Survival of the Dead.” These films allowed him to delve deeper into societal issues, specifically focusing on how lack of communication leads to societal collapse. Although visually less innovative than “Dawn of the Dead,” this final installment is equally rich in themes as its predecessors. While modern technology may have enhanced the special effects in Romero’s later zombie films, nothing can surpass the original trilogy when it comes to sheer terror and thought-provoking horror.
Cast: Lori Cardille, Terry Alexander, Joe Pilato, Jarlath Conroy, Richard Liberty
Director: George A. Romero
Runtime: 100 minutes
Year: 1985
Where to watch: Peacock, Kanopy, Shudder, and Tubi
Re-Animator
In essence, ‘Frankenstein’ could be seen as an early version of the zombie story, given that it revolves around a scientist attempting to revive the dead. This theme has sparked creativity in many writers, such as H. P. Lovecraft, whose work ‘Herbert West — Reanimator’ served as the foundation for the movie ‘Re-Animator.’ Directed by Stuart Gordon and set in contemporary times, the film focuses on Herbert West (played by Jeffrey Combs), a medical student conducting experiments to reanimate recently deceased bodies using a special serum he’s invented. One of his subjects is Dr. Hill (David Gale), whom West beheads with a shovel before reviving his head.
One interesting aspect of zombie films is their ability to blend humor with terror, as seen in young Herbert’s darkly amusing mission to breathe life into others by taking it away from them instead. Similar to other horror movies, “Re-Animator” faced challenges with the MPAA due to its graphic violence, leading to some scenes being trimmed for an R rating. The film eventually gained cult popularity, spawning two sequels – “Bride of Re-Animator” (1990) and “Beyond Re-Animator” (2003). Additionally, a musical adaptation and a comic book series were also produced.
Cast: Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton, David Gale, Robert Sampson
Director: Stuart Gordon
Runtime: 86 minutes
Year: 1985
Where to watch: Buy on Amazon, Google Play
The Return of the Living Dead
Following the public domain status of “Night of the Living Dead”, George A. Romero and co-writer John Russo had creative disagreements regarding the direction for a sequel. To resolve their differences, each decided to develop their own distinct film series based on the original concept. Russo retained control over titles containing “Living Dead”, while Romero’s films would use just the “Dead” label.
The Return of the Living Dead” carries on many elements from its earlier counterpart, yet deviates from Romero’s sequels by charting its unique path. This film marks the directorial debut of Dan O’Bannon, who later wrote the script for “Alien.” The story revolves around two dim-witted characters, Frank (played by James Karen) and Freddy (Thom Mathews). In a rather unfortunate turn of events, they unintentionally revive the dead when they accidentally discharge a toxic gas hidden in the medical supply warehouse where they work. It’s hard not to speculate about the employment process at their workplace!
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but credit “Return of the Living Dead” for pioneering some iconic elements in the realm of zombie folklore. For instance, it’s known for introducing the idea that these undead creatures crave brains and appear nearly indestructible against gunfire, which, given their state, seems fitting. The film also offers a punk rock soundtrack from the time, veering more towards comedy than the dramatic tones found in Romero’s works, with an emphasis on visual flair over grand narrative themes. Over the years, four sequels unfolded between 1988 and 2005, and a reboot is slated for 2025.
Cast: Clu Gulager, James Karen, Don Calfa, Thom Mathews, Beverly Randolph
Director: Dan O’Bannon
Runtime: 91 minutes
Year: 1985
Where to watch: Prime Video
Braindead (Dead Alive)
Prior to becoming the Academy Award-winning director of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Peter Jackson initially garnered cult popularity through his production of gory comedies such as “Braindead,” originally titled “Dead Alive” in the U.S., to avoid confusion with the 1990 movie “Brain Dead” starring Bill Pullman. This New Zealand-set film follows Timothy Balme’s character, Lionel Cosgrove, a timid and submissive individual still residing with his overbearing mother, Vera (Elizabeth Moody). After Vera is bitten by a monkey-rat at the Wellington Zoo and transforms into a ravenous zombie, Lionel attempts to contain the virus by locking his mother in the basement. However, his efforts are futile as the chaos escalates during a comically violent dinner party hosted by his Uncle Les (Ian Watkin).
In various regions, the graphic violence of the movie “Braindead” was either heavily censored or completely prohibited due to its extreme nature. The level of violence is so exaggerated that it resembles a comical cartoon like “Looney Tunes.” There’s a delightful reference to Peter Jackson’s later “King Kong” remake, as the rat-monster originates from the same Skull Island where Kong and his monster companions live, hinting at the lighthearted tone of the film. Despite its grotesque nature, “Braindead” is daring in its grossness, suggesting that Jackson aimed to create the ultimate horror comedy.
Cast: Timothy Balme, Diana Peñalver, Elizabeth Moody, Ian Watkin
Director: Peter Jackson
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 1992
Where to watch: Buy on Amazon, YouTube
Shaun of the Dead
The movie titled “Shaun of the Dead” was the initial installment in what eventually became known as the “Three Flavors Cornetto” series (with “Hot Fuzz” and “The World’s End” being its subsequent films due to their symbolic ice cream connection). This film marked the launch of the careers of director Edgar Wright and actor Simon Pegg, who were both involved in writing the screenplay.
The movie, titled “Shaun of the Dead,” humorously resembles “Night of the Living Dead.” It revolves around Shaun, a laid-back London resident played by Simon Pegg, whose ordinary existence is turned upside down by a zombie outbreak. As the local pub becomes under siege from hordes of the undead, Shaun must take charge and protect his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield), his mother Barbara (Penelope Wilton), and his messy best friend Ed (Nick Frost).
In a similar vein to his dynamic, high-energy films like “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” and “Baby Driver,” Wright brings this style to “Shaun of the Dead.” Despite having a modest production budget, it cleverly employs its limitations much like other horror movies. The movie is heavily saturated with red, reminiscent of a cartoon’s intensity. Yet, in keeping with all of Wright’s works, it also carries a heartfelt message amidst the action and thrill. Notably, “Shaun of the Dead” was so well-received that it led to the creation of two comic book adaptations: “There’s Something About Mary” and “Plot Holes.
Cast: Simon Pegg, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Nick Frost, Penelope Wilton, Bill Nighy
Director: Edgar Wright
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2004
Where to watch: Prime Video and Starz
[REC]
The surge in popularity of found-footage films, spearheaded by “The Blair Witch Project,” had turned into a running joke by the end of the 2000s, as many low-budget horror movies began to emulate this format to save costs, claiming the footage was authentic. Some of these found footage films were of higher quality, and “[REC]” – a Spanish zombie movie – certainly falls into that category. Manuela Velasco portrays Ángela Vidal, a news reporter reporting on an emergency at an apartment complex. As Ángela and her camera operator follow the firefighters into the building, they discover a rapidly spreading infection causing residents to transform into cannibals.
Unlike many found-footage movies that feign being “documentaries” or “home videos,” continuing to record long past when they should have stopped, “[REC]” offers a unique twist by presenting itself as a local news report. Reporter Ángela discovers an extraordinary story and sees no reason to cease broadcasting, even when she and her team are confined. As it’s presented as “real,” the sudden appearance of zombies from unseen areas is all the more unsettling. The original film set a high bar for raw, intense fear, but its three sequels (with only the second one maintaining the found-footage style) failed to recapture that initial terror.
Cast: Manuela Velasco, Ferrán Terraza, Jorge-Yamam Serrano, Pablo Rosso, David Vert
Directors: Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza
Runtime: 78 minutes
Year: 2007
Where to watch: Tubi, Prime Video, Apple TV
Train to Busan
In “Train to Busan,” instead of humans hiding from hordes of reanimated corpses in a secure location, they find themselves trapped with the very zombies they’re trying to avoid inside a moving train. The movie uses this confined space effectively to create tension and fear. Initially, Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) and his estranged daughter, Su-an (Kim Su-an), board a train to Busan oblivious to the escalating chaos outside. However, when an infected woman bites a train attendant, a small-scale apocalypse unfolds on the speeding traincar.
Similar to the works of renowned South Korean directors Bong Joon Ho and Park Chan-wook, such as Bong’s “Snowpiercer”, “Train to Busan” cleverly disguises a commentary on class conflict within the framework of a genre film. The intricate social hierarchy that has suppressed countless people throughout history is ruthlessly overthrown in a zombie outbreak, transforming the struggle into a survival of the fittest. With its rapid pace mirroring the chaos of the train journey, “Train to Busan” delivers a nerve-wracking, gory, and ultimately heart-wrenching take on the traditional zombie genre. This film, which inspired an animated prequel, “Seoul Station,” and a spiritual sequel, “Peninsula”, is not just a thrilling horror movie but also a powerful social critique.
Cast: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok, Kim Su-an, Choi Woo-shik
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2016
Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, and Kanopy
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2025-07-03 22:02