Everyone…autumn is almost upon us. This time of year has me fully in spooky mode (not that it ever really ends), and it felt like the right time to write about a sector of horror that I have not featured in this blog much yet: zombie movies. As I mentioned in a previous post, I went through a hardcore zombie phase years ago. I am always down for revisiting that fixation. Please enjoy my curated list of my favorite zombie films of all time:
#5: World War Z (2013)
This may not be the most renowned zombie film of all time, but it is a lot of fun to watch. Starring horror film alum Brad Pitt (Interview with the Vampire), this story shows a zombie apocalypse on a global scale and how survivors adjust to their new reality.
#4: Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Shaun of the Dead is a go-to fall movie night favorite among my friends and family. Not only is it a great zombie movie, but it is also one of my favorite comedies. It features beloved zombie movie tropes, and that English humor throughout takes it to another level.
#3: Zombieland (2009)
Super-fun zombie action AND practical advice for surviving a zombie apocalypse? Zombieland delivers on everything. This is the movie that really got me into zombies years ago. Also, it’s one of the few horror movies that actually has a great sequel (Zombieland: Double Tap).
#2: Train to Busan (2016)
I watched this for the first time several months ago after seeing the poster around Instagram, and I am so glad it appeared in my life. This story lays into the emotional turmoil that would undoubtedly accompany a zombie outbreak. Every time you think the tension is going to ease, a new twist occurs. This movie shows the impact a sudden zombie infestation would have on both a large and small scale. The reason this one is so high on my list is its success in connecting the viewer to the situation. It focuses on the humanity of the characters, infected or otherwise.
#1: Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Quite simply: nothing beats Night of the Living Dead. The story, cinematography, performances, and artistic choices make it unlike any other horror film I have seen. It was a game-changer for horror cinema in its time, and it is still influential today. The line, “They’re coming to get you, Barbara” will never cease to freak me out every time I hear it. This is a movie with which I notice something new each time I rewatch it. Night of the Living Dead should be on every horror fan’s watchlist for its artistry and undeniable impact on social issues as well as cinema.
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Until next time,
Jordan
By Night 