Barely two months after he last released a movie, Zack Snyder is back. But this time, instead of re-cutting a movie, he’s going back to his zombie roots with his new flick Army of the Dead. So in honor of the latest release in the popular genre, we’re talking about zombie movies. Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a new release. So this week, we’re counting down our favorite zombie movies. Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
Romeo and Juliet meets zombies. That’s this movie in a nutshell, really. But where it has its merits is really in its small details and character beats that allow it to be so much better than it could or should have been. Starring Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer as the star struck couple, the movie’s message ultimately comes down to “believing in the power of love,” but it does so in a really nice and entertaining manner. It’s never too soppy, it always stops itself before it goes too far in either the Zom, Rom, or Com direction, and finds a happy middle, resulting in a really fun watching experience. Overall, this is a really great time for anyone who is remotely interested in any of the genres I just mentioned. Warm Bodies is an underrated flick that really should get more love. (Alice Micheli)
If there is one thing I love in horror, it is practical effects. Seeing a team of people working their butts off to make something lifelike and terrifying is a sight to behold. And no film has fueled my love than the ‘80s classic, Re-Animator, a Frankenstein-type story, but with a twist. Its over-the-top acting, corny dialogue, and gross and awe-inspiring effects still make this film one of a kind. Unfortunately, it gets cast aside among the other films in the body horror subgenre. They do not make films like these anymore. (John Bizub)
Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead is the first zombie film I ever truly loved. There are a lot of reasons to love this movie: Ving Rhames, Snyder’s direction, James Gunn’s screenplay, the use of Johnny Cash’s “The Man Comes Around” (reminiscent to “The Times They Are A Changin’ “ from Watchmen), the swing cover of “Down With The Sickness” executed perfectly, zombie executions that make you cheer in excitement, and last but certainly not least, humans that make every possible terrible decision. I’ve argued that this is Snyder’s best movie with the caveat that I need a rewatch, and after doing that this week, I certainly think it is in the conversation. If you’re new to the genre or trying to catch up on ones you may have missed or not seen in quite a while, then make sure this one is on your watchlist. (Aaron Schweitzer)
It surprises me that it’s already been a decade since 2009’s Zombieland first hit theaters and instantly became a classic in the zombie genre. And to be completely fair, the zombie genre can feel overdone here and there, but the thing that makes Zombieland stand out is how good the interactions are between our leads and the situations they’re put in throughout the film. I mentioned that this movie is a decade old, and back when it came out, I was around 10 years old. The reason I bring this up is because it’s one of those films that gets better for me as time goes on and I end up appreciating more about it. All four leads are great, but I’d have to go with Woody Harrelson as being my favorite of the cast. He’s got the best lines in the movies and I think you’ll walk away liking him the most out of the group. And for the few people that still haven’t seen the movie, this has the best film cameo of all time, and you cannot convince me otherwise. So strap in, lumber up, and go do yourself a favor by watching Zombieland. (Alex Henderson)
What makes zombie films so terrifying? Is it a being that cannot be reasoned with that will not stop until it is destroyed? Is it the potential of being ripped to shreds while taking breath by a horde of horrifying fiends? Especially in some circumstances, is it the relentless and sometimes racing manner in which you are stalked? Or maybe… just maybe… it is actually the humans left over that are the most bone-chilling. Not only do the flesh thirsty zombies lack humanity, but some of the survivors have fallen into such depths. This can be seen so clearly in Danny Boyle’s raw and aggressive zombie horror flick, 28 Days Later. From the moment Cillian Murphy wakes in an abandoned hospital, you know Boyle has a disturbing and emotionally affecting journey in store for you, filled with haunting thrill rides and heartbreaking failed connections with other humans. This filmed revolutionized what a zombie can be… have you experienced it yet? (Shane Conto)
What would be your first reaction if you see a dumpster track barreling through traffic and people running in the streets? Do you panic and do the same, try to find refuge with your family, or fight til the end? In World War Z, Marc Foster gave us a chaotic world of racing against time to stop the zombie pandemic. In a capable performance, Brad Pitt plays Gerry Lane, a man trying to save his family and the world before it’s too late. The film is non-stop as soon as it starts, with rage, panic, and destruction to the very end. Also, he didn’t make the typical, slow, and dumb zombies. They are psychotic, blood hungry, track stars waiting to sink their teeth into warm, healthy bodies. World War Z is full of scares and jumps, and is ready to make you a survival guide of your own. (Chantal Ashford)
Films about zombies are not my go-to when looking for films to watch, but I would be lying if I said Train to Busan didn’t pique my interest (mostly because I like trains. Remember watching Thomas the Tank Engine as a kid? Ah….good memories). Taking place on the Korean Peninsula, as you may have guessed, on a train to the city of Busan, a zombie outbreak threatens the lives of the passengers on the train. This film does amazing character development, as fund manager (and arguably worst father of 2016) Seok-woo grows from a selfish businessman to a selfless hero, and does a great job of pinning tension at just the right moments as you wonder who on the train will survive and who will be turned into the undead. The zombies in the outbreak feel real and terrifying, with a well-thought-out origin and a well-planned explanation of how they search for prey and detect humans, as each character tries to fight for not only their own survival, but for the others on the train. If you’re a fan of films set in the zombie apocalypse, Train to Busan is a ride you will not regret taking. Just don’t expect me to watch the sequel Peninsula anytime soon. Oh, and a word of advice: don’t make the mistake I did and watch the film while eating lunch if you want to keep your appetite. (Joseph Davis)
I wrote about a pretty generic zombie movie this week (Dawn of the Dead) and now I’m going to write about the complete opposite. I’ll be honest — when I started this movie, I had heard great things, and after about 40 minutes, I was just about to turn it off. I had literally grabbed the remote and was about to push exit, but then the movie did something that I didn’t expect and completely grabbed me for the remainder of its runtime. This movie is really split into three acts with the first being a pretty mediocre B-movie quality zombie film done in one take. The second act is where this film becomes special, as it goes back in time to the pitch and shows the assembly of how they make this thing work. The third act brings this home as you follow the behind the scenes to make everything happen, despite the many things going wrong and when it ends, you can’t help but stand up, cheer, and marvel at what you just witnessed. (Aaron Schweitzer)
Frank here from ModernHorrors.com (yeah, that’s right, I suckered two sites into affiliating with me!) to talk to you about Edgar Wright’s feature debut film Shaun of the Dead, starring Sir Simon Pegg. This 2004 horror-comedy was met with near universal acclaim. In 2004 we saw Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead, so the start of the Z boom was among us. We were living in a world of three Scary Movies but SotD wasn’t about parody. This film is a masterclass in showing you can be a horror movie with comedy and not rely on parody. Where movies were becoming about fast cuts, Wright was pulling off long takes with hidden cuts. Go back and watch Shaun’s walk to the store and back to his flat, which is an amazing shot that Wright pulls off twice. I could go on and on about this flick that I am sure most have already seen. It is out now on 4K UHD! (Frank Kemp)
The trailblazer for the modern zombie film can be traced back to one particular film, George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, the story of a group of strangers attempting to protect themselves from hostile, reawakened dead in a Pennsylvania farmhouse. Even today, this film provides the chills due to its shooting style and it comes off really grounded as a result. The score and the choice to have it shot in black and white really adds to the atmosphere of this film. Duane Jones as Ben is a powerful lead and is the voice of reason amongst the group. While being just as afraid as everyone else, his character always finds a way to be stable in spite of the grave situation they are all in and his confrontations with one of the other survivors is what really makes the film work. Harry Cooper (Karl Hardman) is at constant odds with Ben, and this tension throughout the film builds to a boil in splendid fashion. If you are looking to have a zombie marathon, this is truly a must to add to the lineup. (Joe Vargas)
Maggie
Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to Hollywood from the political arena with his usual brand of action flick. Post-governorship, the icon made films like Expendables 2, The Last Stand, Escape Plan, Sabotage, and Terminator Genisys. However, before Genisys hit theaters, he flexed his acting muscles with this smaller film. He plays the father of the titular character (Abigail Breslin) who is infected with a disease that turns people into cannibalistic zombies. It’s a small film with a largely isolated setting that puts the focus pretty much solely on the father-daughter relationship. In a role requiring more dramatic chops than his usual fare, the relationship between Schwarzenegger and Breslin at the heart of this movie works well enough to get the necessary emotional buy-in. Breslin’s transformation, much like the pace of the film, is deliberate. If you’re looking for something a little change of pace, both in the zombie genre and Schwarzenegger’s filmography, give this independent film a shot. (Jake Bourgeois)
Also See: The Dead Don’t Die, Dead Alive, Day of the Dead, Overlord, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, Planet Terror, Slither
If you’re interested in contributing to Best Ever Challenges or other entertainment-related articles for SiftPop, DM us on Twitter @SiftPop or email us at writersroom@siftpop.com!