Top 20 zombie movies of all time

[Bianca Markos]

Top 20 zombie movies of all time

 Jesse Nunes, Boston.com Staff

   
As "Zombieland" hits the theaters, we're counting down the best zombie movies of all time - and by "zombie movies" we mean the films that deal with the dead returning to life, with only a few of notable exceptions. As such, we're not counting movies about demonic possession ("Evil Dead" franchise), vampire-like creatures ("Omega Man"/"I Am Legend"), or doctor-aided resurrections ("Frankenstein"/ "Re-Animator").

But if you've ever wanted to know where a zombie's love for brains came from, who wins a fight between a zombie and a shark, and a better use for your lawnmower, then check out the following films.

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20. Dance of the Dead (2008)



A surprisingly entertaining movie in the vast wasteland of modern zombie comedies, this one keeps the mood light while maintaining some good zombie-killing action. Most enjoyable were the scenes involving a punk rock band holding the living dead at bay and two teenage zombies overcoming their inhibitions and making out in a school bathroom. Perfect for the disaffected, high school zombie-loving crowd.

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19. Dead Snow (2009)



The best Nazi Zombie movie ever made. Granted, there are only two others, but this one's the best.

"Dead Snow" is a pretty straightforward modern zombie flick with equal parts gore and humor. It's like a twisted combination of the video games Resident Evil and Wolfenstein, with a dash of the movie "Evil Dead II" thrown in, and served over a bed of virgin Norwegian snow.

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18. Planet Terror (2007)



While "Planet Terror" didn't receive as much praise from the moviegoing public as its Grindhouse double-feature partner "Death Proof," Robert Rodriguez's over-the-top homage to the genre was still an entertaining ride. Though it doesn't really break any new ground, it does have some memorable moments... Hello, Rose McGowan's machine-gun leg! Nice to meet you, Quentin Tarantino's leprous body parts! Also top-notch: the use of a helicopter as a zombie-killing weapon.

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17. White Zombie (1932)



A very different film than many on the list, "White Zombie" is the grandfather of the American zombie film, whose influence is felt everywhere from movies to music (as the band with the same name can attest). The movie is highlighted by Bela Lugosi at his creepy best, surprisingly scary looking zombies, and an important lesson for all zombie movies to come: You can't kill - or even slow down - a zombie by shooting it in the chest.

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16. Land of the Dead (2005)


After two decades of waiting, many George Romero fans were somewhat disappointed in the horror icon's fourth installment in his zombie series. While it's true that it doesn't stack up to the previous three, "Land" nonetheless is a top quality zombie flick. Despite some disappointing performances by Dennis Hopper and John Leguizamo, the movie still packs in the thrills. Most notable: the ultimate zombie killing machine, Dead Reckoning.

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15. Versus (2000)



Can't get enough of martial arts movies? Have an undying love for zombies? Then look no further. The only Asian zombie film on the list, "Versus" is worth watching for the fast-paced Samurai-style battles between the living and the dead. Plus, there's a bad guy who looks and acts like a Japanese version of Benicio Del Toro.

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14. Zeder (1982)



(a.k.a. Return from the Dead)

This Italian horror classic, which was released on video in the US with misleading cover art and titled "Return of the Dead," is less a zombie movie and more a supernatural mystery, although it does feature the living dead so we're including it on the list. The movie can seem a bit slow at times, but if you're a fan of the show "Lost," some of the scenes and ideas explored in this film may seem a little familiar.

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13. 28 Days Later (2002)



Purists will likely argue against this movie on the technicality that the "zombies" are not really the living dead, but rather virus-plagued monsters. "28 Days Later" nonetheless deserves a spot on the list because of it's huge influence on the nature of zombie films that followed it. The movie not only popularized the fast-running zombie of many modern films, but was also a good post-apocalyptic survival story to boot.

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12. I Walked with a Zombie (1943)



Gorgeous little thriller from famed producer Val Lewton, filled with creepy black-and-white atmosphere and featuring Carrefour, the best zombie in any movie that you don't actually see gnawing on human gristle. Get past the formulaic romantic setup and the reward is riveting, quiet terror — 1940s style. The walk through the cornfield as the titular zombie is pulled toward the secret voodoo ceremony is good stuff.

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11. Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1975)



(a.k.a. The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue)

A straight-up zombie film for the zombie film lover. "Let Sleeping Corpses Lie" has fantastic and realistic zombies of the "freshly dead" variety. It also features some graphic and long sequences of them chowing down on human flesh like they're at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

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10. Fido (2006)



If you've ever fantasized about having your own zombie pet, zombie bodyguard, or zombie housekeeper, then "Fido" is your kind of movie. It's been described as a cross between "Night of the Living Dead" and "Lassie," although it is clearly a comedy film. Fido is a house-broken zombie thanks to a collar that renders him harmless and obedient - most of the time. Billy Connelly plays the title character, and offers probably the best acting job done by anyone portraying the living dead.

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9. Day of the Dead (1985)



Part three of what was once George Romero's zombie trilogy (he's made two more since), "Day" initially received tepid reception because it doesn't quite match the impact of the previous two movies ("Dawn" and "Night"). Nevertheless, time makes the heart grow fonder, and "Day" has stood up to be one of the genre's best films over the years. It is especially useful for one of the main characters' scientific examination of the zombies' physiology and psychology, providing more insight than any other film into what makes zombies tick.

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8. Dawn of the Dead (2004)


It's somewhat unfortunate that this film had to take place in a shopping mall and serve as a remake of Romero's classic, as aside from the setting it is a completely different movie - and a good one at that. If you're a Romero purist who is willing to suspend belief in the idea that zombies can't run, just imagine this film is called "Plague of the Quick" or something, and enjoy the thrills. Among some great scenes, this film provides answers to such burning questions as, "What happens if a pregnant woman becomes a zombie?" The DVD gets bonus points for its extra featurette following the gun shop owner's video diary of his daily survival.