My Favorite Zombie Movies

 

1. 28 Days Later (2002)

Danny Boyle’s horror flick not only gives rise to the fast zombie, it also makes time in the midst of the violence to humanize the fellow travelers. Sandwiched between undead fists full of human meat are touching scenes in supermarkets ,where strangers learn to trust one another. And it only makes it that much more sad when they’re killed off. Honorable mention on this list: 28 Weeks Later.

2. Zombieland (2009)

Sassy and smart, Zombieland works because it addresses the many problems with so many zombie movies: Characters always break the most important rules. But not in this film, which follows a gaggle of strangers as they embark across country looking for a safe haven. Plus there’s a lot of audience wish fulfillment, as when the camp settles down in LA, invading the homes of the local celebrities and getting high on their stash.

3.Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Easily one of the very best meta horror movies ever made. Almost every single previous zombie movie is spoofed or name checked here (“they’re coming to get you Barbra!”) and it’s glorious. Plus there’s real horror. Characters die, families are destroyed. But in the end (almost) everyone becomes a better person for it. It’s a lovely film.

4. Death Becomes Her (1992)

Surprise! Didn’t think this story about two decomposing birds battling it out qualifies for the zombie label? I say it does, and will take it up in comments with anyone who wants to disagree with me. This is not only a great magic zombie movie with an excellent surprise (drink the magic potion and you live forever, but if you die you live forever too as the slowly rotting shell of yourself). They cannot die, and they do decompose, so they’re smarter than the average undead corpse and they don’t eat brains. In a nutshell, they’re more evolved zombies.

5. Army of Darkness (1992)

So they’re Deadites and not “zombies,” and Sam Raimi’s series stretches the traditional zombie definition. They’re still rotting bodies that come back to life, plus they’re hilarious. We really adored the silly skeleton army and their wacky antics. Also this movie asks the burning question, is a pile of bones a zombie? Do you have to have skin in order to be a zombie? For now, we say yes. Because we can.

6. Resident Evil (2002)

The movie that launched four more T-Virus movies and copious “Milla Jovovich has nice legs while kicking ass” shots. Say what you will about it being silly or simple, Paul W.S. Anderson struck gold turning the video game world into movie reality. Plus it’s fun — the combination of T-Virus monster with T-Virus zombie and plenty of additional evil Umbrella Corporation gadgets (like the wall of bone slicing lasers) keeps people on their toes, much like a video game. Note this was almost replaced with the very road warrior-esque Resident Evil: Apocalypse, but it was the first.

 

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