The Top 10 Best Zombie Movies
5. Train to Busan
If you thought snakes on a plane was scary, then you’ll love zombies on a train. This Korean horror movie might be the newest of the zombie movies to earn a spot on this list. Starring Gong Yoo, one of Korea’s most popular and rightfully celebrated actors, it is both intense and quietly heroic. As the title suggests, the movie takes place on a train filled with passengers who are initially unaware that anything is wrong until the zombie virus manages to make its way on board. The film follows the passengers trapped in tight quarters with an ever-growing number of zombies as they try to figure out just what the hell they’re going to do. It’s no secret that a lot of great horror movies come out of Asia these days and Train to Busan is definitely one of the best zombie movies I’ve seen in years.
4. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
I’ll probably get some flack for this but for my money, the Zach Snyder remake of Day of the Dead is a hell of a lot scarier than the original. Sure, the original is a classic that offers commentary on consumerism turning the American public into nothing more than mindless zombies, which is plenty scary in its own right. However, have you seen fast moving zombies? I personally don’t think I would have much trouble power walking away from a pack of slow-moving zombies. The fast ones though scare the absolute @#$* out of me though. The film follows the original pretty closely, as a group of survivors tries to outlast the zombie apocalypse in a mall. Not a bad idea, if I do say so myself.
3. Shaun of the Dead
It’s kinda funny how some of the best zombie movies ever made are actually comedies. Then again, it seems like scary zombies have been done to death. Like a few of the other films on this list, Shaun of the Dead takes place overseas as a zombie outbreak hits England. It’s up to a loveable slacker Shaun (Simon Pegg) and his goofy sidekick (Nick Frost) to get their acts together in order to survive and help Shaun save the love of his life. Of course, they’re hardly the heroes you would expect to set off on a bumbling adventure across London trying to outwit the army of undead that has taken to the streets. No matter how many zombie comedies come out, I don’t know if any will ever be better than Shaun of the Dead.
2. Night of the Living Dead
I know what you’re thinking and, no, I didn’t screw up by putting Night of the Living Dead in the number two spot. Look, I have nothing but respect for this cult classic. After all, George A. Romero single-handedly invented the zombie genre with it. However, just because something was first doesn’t mean it’s best. Cavemen who invented the wheel should get props, but I doubt that it was better than even the worst Firestone tire. That being said, Night of the Living Dead is perhaps one of the most influential horror films of all time. I mean, this entire list of zombie movies wouldn’t be possible without it. Hell, it was chosen to be entered into the National Film Registry and went on to earn back over 250 times its initial budget. There’s no arguing that Night of the Living Dead is the most important and influential zombie movie on this list. However, it’s not the best.
1. 28 Days Later
Despite the genre being founded in the U.S. the best zombie movie of all time comes to us from the U.K. courtesy of Danny Boyle. The film follows a man who awakens in a hospital to find that the world has gone to hell in a handbasket. Without a soul in sight, he sets out to figure out what happened when he stumbles across a horde of zombies. Now, these aren’t the stumbling, simple-minded zombies we had all seen up until this point. These were incredibly fast and vicious pack hunters filled with unquenchable rage. Needless to say, things weren’t looking too good for England by the end of the movie. While Night of the Living Dead might have given birth to the genre, 28 Days Later changed the face of it forever.
Honorable Mention: ParaNorman
I decided to give an honorable mention to the stop-motion animated movie ParaNorman, because it’s an awesome way for horror fans to introduce their kids to zombie movies. The film follows a kid who can see spirits as he tries to save his town from the recently risen undead. It’s fun, spooky, and not scary enough to traumatize kids. Definitely, a great family flick to round out this list.
Now is the part where all you zombie movie fanatics can have your say. What did you think of the movies that made my list? Were there any that you think are more deserving of a spot? Leave a comment below to let me know your thoughts! As always, I’ll be updating this list as new and improved zombie movies hit theaters. So, be sure to check back in the future to see how the rankings might change.