Films about zombies delve into the fascinating realm of the undead, exploring scenarios in which humanity faces the apocalyptic threat of reanimated corpses. The genre has evolved from supernatural origins to include scientific explanations like viruses, creating a diverse landscape of horror, comedy, and drama. These films often explore themes of survival, societal collapse, and human nature under extreme conditions. Below is a selection of notable zombie films, each offering a unique take on the undead apocalypse.
“Night of the Living Dead”, 1968
Director: George A. Romero
Directed by George A. Romero, this film is considered a progenitor of the modern zombie genre. It tells the story of strangers barricading themselves in an old farmhouse in Pennsylvania to survive the attack of the undead.
Starring: Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Keith Wayne, Judith Ridley, Kyra Schon, Charles Craig, S. William Hinzman, George Kosana;
Production year: 1968;
Genre: horror;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
“Dawn of the Dead”, 2004
Director: Zack Snyder
Another influential work by George A. Romero, this sequel to “Night of the Living Dead” is set in a shopping mall, offering a satirical take on consumerism amidst a zombie outbreak.
Starring: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Weber, Mekhi Phifer, Ty Burrell, Michael Kelly, Kevin Zegers, Michael Barry, Lindy Booth, Jayne Eastwood;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: horror, action;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Dawn of the Dead” on the website imdb.com
“Shaun of the Dead”, 2004
Director: Edgar Wright
A horror-comedy directed by Edgar Wright, this film plays on traditional zombie movie tropes while following a group of friends attempting to survive the zombie apocalypse in suburban London.
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Penelope Wilton, Peter Serafinowicz, Bill Nighy, Jessica Hynes, Horton Jupiter;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: horror, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
“Zombieland”, 2009
Director: Ruben Fleischer
A comedic take on the zombie genre, this film focuses on a group of survivors traveling across a zombie-infested America, highlighting both the horror and humor of their situation.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Bill Murray, Amber Heard, Derek Graf, Cesar Aguirre, Jacob G. Akins, Hunter Aldridge;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: horror, comedy, action;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 84 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Zombieland” on the website imdb.com
“World War Z”, 2013
Director: Marc Forster
Based on the novel by Max Brooks, this film stars Brad Pitt as a former U.N. investigator who travels the world to find a way to stop a global zombie pandemic.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Sterling Jerins, Abigail Hargrove, Daniella Kertesz, Fana Mokoena, Pierfrancesco Favino, Peter Capaldi, Moritz Bleibtreu, Ruth Negga;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: horror, science fiction, action, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “World War Z” on the website imdb.com
“The Girl with All the Gifts”, 2016
Director: Colm McCarthy
Offering a unique twist on the genre, this British post-apocalyptic film centers on a young girl who is infected with a fungal disease that turns infected into zombies but retains her intelligence and humanity.
Starring: Sennia Nanua, Fisayo Akinade, Dominique Tipper, Paddy Considine, Anamaria Marinca, Gemma Arterton, Anthony Welsh, Glenn Close, Mia Garcha, Grace McGee;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: horror, science fiction, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “The Girl with All the Gifts” on the website imdb.com
These films represent a range of approaches to the zombie genre, from the socially critical to the outright comedic, demonstrating its versatility and enduring appeal.
In conclusion, the canon of films about zombies provides not only a mirror reflecting our societal fears, anxieties, and fascinations with life and death, but also a unique canvas for filmmakers to explore the bounds of humanity, morality, and survival. From the shambling corpses of George A. Romero's groundbreaking “Night of the Living Dead” to the fast-paced infected of “28 Days Later” and the humor-infused apocalypse of “Zombieland,” zombie films have continuously evolved, bending genres and expectations to speak directly to the era's collective psyche. As this genre matures, it pushes boundaries, incorporating advanced special effects, diverse narratives, and complex character development, encouraging audiences to confront not just the concept of death, but the qualities that truly define what it means to be alive. Amidst the decay and destruction, these films ultimately reveal an unyielding fascination with life, resilience, and the human condition, securing the zombie film's place as a versatile and enduring staple in cinematic history.
