Top 10 Zombie Movies

Let’s continue our Halloween week “best of” or “top 10″ movies in the horror genre discussion.  We’ve already tackled vampires so now let’s move on to what is a personal favorite of mine…zombies.  I don’t know what it is about this genre that I like so much, but zombie films are just plain tons of undead fun.

 10. Pet Sematary – This is one of the best Stephen King movies put to film (probably second to The Shining).  Although not traditionally thought of as a zombie film, it does most certainly qualify.  Many claim it doesn’t follow the book close enough, but that’s no reason to hate on the film as it is though.  How often do you get a film with a zombie cat anyway?  I cringe just thinking about the achilles tendon cutting scene.

9. Resident Evil – Yes it is a video game movie so by default it shouldn’t even make the list as pretty much all of them suck.  This one is a guilty pleasure for me though.  Hell, I actually like all three in the series.  Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez kicking the Umbrella Corporation experimental zombie ass…come on…what’s not to like about that.  Granted some of the special effects in this one are a little lame, but the doberman zombies are fun to see.

 8. Planet Terror – Really a film made as a homage to the zombie films of the 70s and 80s, but still holds up on its own even without the Death Proof addition in the Grindhouse duet.  The cinematography of this film is fantastic with the fake old drive-in theater film to it.  Rose McGowan looks great even without a leg and how can you go wrong with Bruce Willis getting in on the zombie fun.  Added bonus with this one is the fake trailer for Machette…friggin hysterical.  Srsly.

 7. Return of the Living Dead – Thanks to this film we get the classic zombie line “Braaaaaaains”.  This 80s knock off to the Romero series is certainly worthy of its own spot in the top 10.  This one goes for the releasing of the toxic gas into the air zombie creation approach and lets the dead rise directly out of the cemetary.  This film creates some really great and classic moments that are all intertwined with what is very distinctly an 80s film feel.  Spawned off 4 more sequels as well.

6. Dead Alive (Braindead) – Before Peter Jackson created Middle Earth and Golem…there was Dead Alive and the Sumatran Rat Monkey.  This not only is a fantastic zombie movie, it probably would be considered to be the bloodiest movie ever.  There’s excessive….then there’s excessive…waaaaaaay over there.  Kung fu priests, zombie baby, and the only movie where a lawnmower is picked up and used as a anti-zombie weapon.  This is a must see for not only zombie fans, but any self respecting fan of the horror genre.

 5. Shaun of the Dead – Brilliant merging of comedy and zombie action (although I must admit pretty much all zombie films are funny, but this one actually tries to be).  The best thing about this film is that they went for the comedy aspect spoof, but didn’t take it too far and was within check enough that they made a good zombie film to boot.  From the record scene in the backyard to Queen playing on the jukebox as they hit a zombie with pool sticks, this film is non-stop fun.  Simon Pegg really outdid himself with this film and probably set a bar so high with it that he will never make a better film (like Shamylan with Sixth Sense).

4. 28 Days Later – Enter…the Zoombies (zombies that can haul ass).  I guess not technically zombies as they are people so enraged that they attack anyone not infected and rip them to shreds, but it’s close enough for the Corndogger.  This film really was exceptionally well done and portrays an apocalyptic view of what could happen with continued research in bio-weapons.  The scenes showing an empty London are chilling and Cillian Murphy does a wonderful job in the lead role.  It certainly isn’t the most original film as it has a very Omega Man conceptual feel (and later copied by I Am Legend, but more than stands on its own two feet as a great contribution to the zombie genre.  The sequel is pretty good, but the kids in it kinda ruin that one for me.  Still worth the watch for sure as many like it just as much as the original.

 3. Evil Dead 2 – I can almost say the exact same thing here as Dead Alive with the second installment of Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead Trilogy.  This is must see horror 101 for anyone interested in the genre.  I have to admit this is probably the most non-zombie film on the list as technically they are deadites…so I’ll prob takes some heat for it, but come on folks…this film deserves a spot in the top ten of almost any horror list.  The deadite zombie lady in the cellar is hysterical.  Tons of splatter and gory fun for all the kids both young and old (ok well maybe not too young).  It is essentially a remake of the first Evil Dead film only with a little bigger budget.  This trilogy will make you a Bruce Campbell fan for life.

 2. Night of the Living Dead (1968) – This is the Romero classic.  Period.  The man that basically launched the modern era of zombie films.  This is a black and white masterpiece of American cinema and everyone should watch this film regardless if you are a zombie or horror fan.  Romero overlays his social commentary in this film and the sequels with precision.  If you just despise watching black and white cinema, then check out the 1990 remake staring the guy from Candyman.  No where even near as good as the original, but for some folks it may be the only way they will sit thru it is if it’s shown in color.  Avoid the 3-D remake with the clown dude from the Rob Zombie films as that version is a total joke and a complete waste of time.

 1. Dawn of the Dead (2004) – I know I’m going to get eaten alive (pun intended) by placing a remake in the number one slot instead of the original.  Folks this isn’t just a good remake…it is probably one of the best horror remakes out there today.  Yes, I totally love the original Romero Dawn of the Dead and if it were not for this remake, that film would be sitting in this slot.  I gotta say this is an exceptionally good zombie film.  The opening scene in the bedroom then her driving thru the neighborhood in chaos is a remarkable opening.  By far my favorite scene is when they are calling out celebrities for the gunshop owner to pick out the look-alike and then snipe from across the street.  Classic.  This is every bit as good as the original with some better special effects thrown in to boot, which is what pushes it over Romero’s Dawn.  It also doesn’t have as many down lagging moments that the Romero film has mixed in it.  If you want a good modern day intro into zombie movies then you should start here. 

If you like the Dawn remake then try the original “Night of” Romero next and work your way down the Romero line all the way to Diary of the Dead.  Follow those off with the “28″ films then try some of the others I have mentioned in the top 10 and in the honorable mentions based on what mood you are in at the time.

Honorable Mentions – let’s face it…10 just isn’t enough spots for all the zombie fun out there.  Any of these below could have been in the top 10 and are all worth a viewing.

• Zombie (Zombi 2) – Italian masterpiece from Lucio Fulci. really wanted to put this one in the top 10.  how many films have a zombie attack a shark?  exactly.
• Re-Animator – mad scientist at its best. lots of splatter fun.
• Night of the Creeps – this is pure 80s fun.  takes the alien approach to zombie creation with large slugs getting in the mouth of the victim which creates the zombie. total riot. unfortunately, it is only available as an out of print VHS tape.  use the link to find it.  totally worth the ordering.
• Serpent and the Rainbow – voodoo rooted more “realistic” zombie. Classic Wes Craven horror.
• Land of the Dead – not enjoyed by many hardline original trilogy Romero fans, but I liked it and believe it still delivers some good action mixed with the usual social commentary.  worth a watch.

Got an opinion on others that were left out or that my list is totally wrong (or right)? 

Drop in a comment and let’s discuss.

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