10 best zombie movies of all time

Zombies have shambled their way into our hearts ever since George A. Romero unleashed Night of the Living Dead on unsuspecting audiences in 1968. Since then, the ravenous undead have starred in countless films, shows, books, and video games, cementing their place in pop culture history.

But what are the best zombie movies of all time? Let’s count down the greatest films featuring everyone’s favorite brain-eaters.

1. Train to Busan (2016)

This South Korean thriller breathed new life into the zombie genre. It follows a father and his daughter on a train from Seoul to Busan as a zombie outbreak sweeps across the country. The film mixes thrilling action with emotional drama as the survivors on the train try to make it to safety while avoiding both zombies and dangerous humans. Thanks to compelling characters and claustrophobic train setting, Train to Busan proves that there are still new ways to approach zombie films.

2. Zombieland (2009)

A horror comedy starring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin, Zombieland brings plenty of laughs to the apocalypse. The film follows a nerdy college student making his way through zombie-infested America, who eventually joins forces with a pair of con men and a young woman on a quest to find her family. Zombieland stands out for its original rules for surviving the zombie apocalypse, as well as its charismatic cast and stellar Bill Murray cameo.

3. Evil Dead II (1987)

This comedic horror sequel is arguably better than the original Evil Dead. Bruce Campbell returns as Ash, who once again must battle with the evil Deadites at a remote cabin. With over-the-top violence, wacky humor, and Campbell’s iconic performance, Evil Dead II strikes the perfect balance between scary and silly. Its influence can be felt in many horror comedies that followed. Groovy!

4. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Britain’s finest zombie spoof stars the brilliant Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as two slackers attempting to survive and rescue their loved ones during a zombie outbreak in London. With tons of witty pop culture references, a Queen soundtrack, and clever foreshadowing gags, Shaun of the Dead is a riot from start to finish. And despite all the laughs, it still brings some fun zombie action sequences, including the characters’ fight against a zombie horde armed only with pool cues, darts, and records.

5. Dawn of the Dead (1978)

George A. Romero’s seminal sequel is arguably better than his groundbreaking Night of the Living Dead. This time, the survivors hole up in a shopping mall, allowing for biting satire on consumer culture. Tom Savini’s gory practical effects are astounding, pushing the boundaries of onscreen violence. Dawn features the most fully realized world in any Dead film, showing in gruesome detail just what happens when the dead walk.

6. 28 Days Later (2002)

Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland re-energized the zombie genre for the 21st century with this chilling tale. 28 Days Later ditches the slow, shuffling corpses of old for living “infected” that sprint after their prey. When a man wakes from a coma to find a desolate, post-apocalyptic London infested with the infected, he bands together with other survivors to find sanctuary. Their terrifying journey depicts how quickly civilization can collapse, creating an eerie atmosphere and some genuinely shocking moments.

7. Return of the Living Dead (1985)

Punk rock and zombies collide in Dan O’Bannon’s horror comedy classic. When a contaminated military corpse reanimates at a medical warehouse, it spreads undeath throughout the area. Return of the Living Dead treats audiences to a slew of punk teens battling zombies while cracking wise. Along with the hilarity, the film featured gruesome effects by genre legend Don Beuchel and introduced the idea of zombies craving brains. The soundtrack, featuring songs by The Cramps and T.S.O.L., rocks as hard as the visuals shock.

8. Re-Animator (1985)

Re-Animator launched the career of Jeffrey Combs as Herbert West, an ambitious medical student who creates a glowing green serum able to re-animate the dead. Directed by the great Stuart Gordon, Re-Animator blends dark humor and body horror into the ultimate mad scientist film. The movie’s Lovecraftian gore has to be seen to be believed, especially in the notorious head-giving-oral-sex scene you’ll never forget.

9. Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Zack Snyder’s kinetic remake of Romero’s classic might even improve on the original. Sarah Polley and Ving Rhames headline a cast of survivors who take refuge in a shopping mall as the world descends into zombified chaos. With breakneck action, badass characters, and more arterial spray than a ketchup factory explosion, Snyder’s Dawn thrills from bloody start to finish. Not just content to mimic Romero’s consumerist themes, this update explores ideas like over-militarization in smart, action-packed ways.

10. Day of the Dead (1985)

George A. Romero’s third Dead film is the masterpiece of zombie cinema. A small band of military and scientific personnel resides in an underground bunker, with tensions running high between the ruthless Captain Rhodes and the researchers trying to study the zombies above. Day presents complex characters with no clear good guys, only flawed people trying to survive. Tom Savini’s effects work is more gruesome than ever. While all of Romero’s Dead movies are worth watching, Day tops them all with the most nuanced social commentary, thought-provoking themes, and devastating gut-punches of any zombie film. When it comes to crafting real human drama against the backdrop of apocalyptic horror, nothing beats Day of the Dead.

So there you have the 10 best zombie movies of all time, from chilling horror to hilarious comedy to insightful art. When the dead walk, these are the flicks you want queued up. Stay scared…and stay human.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Greatest Zombie Movies

Still craving more shambling corpse action? Check out these commonly asked questions.

Q: What was the first ever zombie movie?

A: The first widely recognized zombie film was 1932’s White Zombie starring Bela Lugosi, about Haitian voodoo zombification.

Q: Which movie popularized fast-moving zombies?

A: That would be 2002’s 28 Days Later. Its infected frenzied runners inspired the sprinters in 2004’s Dawn of the Dead remake.

Q: Is Shaun of the Dead a spoof?

A: Shaun of the Dead affectionately spoofs zombie films while also serving as a legitimate entry into the genre. Call it a spoof with brains.

Q: Why are zombies so popular?

A: Zombies tap into our fears of death, disease, and the fragility of civilization. Their mindless hunger reflects our primal anxieties. Plus watching humans battle hordes of the undead makes for great entertainment!

Q: What country produces the most zombie movies?

A: The United States leads in zombie output, followed closely by Japan and South Korea in Asia. Italy produced numerous zombie films in the 70s and 80s during the European horror boom.