Zombies and the Zombie Apocalypse
So this lens is ALL about zombies, so enjoy!
The Rules For a Zombie Movie
Because too many film producers are breaking the rules of how to make a zombie film
So screw you 28 Days Later, Resident Evil Apocalypse, and Return of the Living Dead (see rule #2). Good, bad, or otherwise (and that's exactly how I feel about those movies, one good, one bad, one eh), they break the basic rules of zombie movies.
ZOMBIE MOVIE RULES:
1) Zombies have to be dead before becoming zombies. Coming back from the dead is mandatory, none of this instantaneous infection stuff, or animals becoming zombies by eating zombie flesh. Dead, then living dead. That's a zombie.
2) Zombies can only be killed by damaging the brain, and they ALWAYS die by damaging the brain. None of this re-animated skeleton stuff.
3) Zombies are not very smart or coordinated (this one can be altered a little bit on the coordination level since there are running zombies, but they shouldn't be able to scale ten ladders, fit through a crawl space, and leap down on unsuspecting victims).
4) To be a zombie movie, the main focus has to be zombies vs. the living.
Because of the above rules, I'm disqualifying "Return of the Living Dead," (I don't care if it's a satire, a zombie with a pick through its brain should die, see #2) "Return of the Living Dead II" (see #2 again), "Evil Dead" (#4-demon possession doesn't count), and "28 Days Later" (see #2-there is a very active argument over whether they are even zombies or not).
With those movies and other similar ones disqualified, let's move on to the list of top zombie movies.
Zombie Survival Gudies: They're a Must!
The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead
The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks was the first book to record all the incidents of zombie attacks, and a guide for the common citizens to protect themselves from the impending invasion.
The Zombie Survival Guide: 2008 Day-to-Day Calendar
Let the zombie survival guide wall calendar remind you day to day to keep ever vigilant of the impending zombie apocalypse.
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
The world almost died, most people forgot when the zombies became too many...remember so history doesn't repeat itself.
Dead Alive (1992), Best Zombie Movie Ever?
Maybe the best zombie movie ever - also known as "Brain-Dead" in the United States
This movie also bragged about being the bloodiest in the history of cinema. The final scene was said to take over 300 liters of fake blood - still a record.
This film is gory on such a level that no one has managed to match it. In fact, the gore factor is so high that this movie remains banned in some countries, and was originally banned in Germany and Korea, only being released in a heavily edited version.
The movie starts fast and then doesn't let up. While the special effects are amazing, what really makes this a winner is the large doses of humor and weirdness in this film are what will remain with you.
Some of the things you will learn about zombies in this film include:
1) Zombies can get it on...and zombie dads do have to worry about child support (because apparantly they can have zombie babies)
2) Priests are awesome at totally kicking zombie ass because apparantly in their shady past they were all kung fu masters
3) Lawnmowers make great weapons against zombies (also something you learned if you played the video game Dead Rising
4) Zombies like to party, too. They throw one hell of a keggar.
This film is darkly funny, if not outright hilarious, and there are tons of quotable lines that will stay with you long after watching the film, and the final scene had fake blood pumping at over 5 gallons a second.
This gore, with the incredibly dark humor, and expert direction from Peter Jackson makes this arguably the best pure zombie movie of all time.
Arguments will surely remain, but if you take away the "legacy" value of Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, then "Dead Alive" clearly comes out as king of them all, and deserves its rightful place on top of the throne.

Buy Dead Alive - One of the Best Zombie Movies, Ever!
Dead Alive
To this day, this zombie movie has the world record for most fake blood used in one scene
Night of the Living Dead - The Movie That Created Modern Zombies
George Romero's vision comes to full light in this zombie movie
This was a pivotal film that changed how zombie movies would be filmed forever afterwards. Though not very scary by today's standards, you can still admire the skill of directing and acting (minus the ever screaming Barbara) in this film.
This also started the tradition of horror films that made major social commentary, and this is one of the earliest movies to have an African-American as the main star. This movie is the first in the Romero trilogy (I refuse to accept "Land of the Dead"), and is the beginning of the entire zombie infestation.
Every modern version of a zombie owes itself to this black and white film, which also shows how a quality movie can be made on a limited budget. In fact, the choice to shoot in black and white was in part to save money, and also because he found that in black and white, Hershey's chocolate syrup looked just like blood.
That's right - all the blood in the original classic is actually Hershey's cholcolate syrup. That's how the gore of zombie movies was born.
Night of the Living Dead - Own a Copy of the Original Classic!
Night of the Living Dead (Millennium Edition)
The new milennium edition of this timeless zombie classic.
Original Dawn of the Dead - George Romero's Finest Zombie Movies
The zombie movie that set the bar for all other zombie movies
This horror film was George Romero's finest zombie movie and one that completely re-defined both the horror and the zombie genre (again).
This film paved the way for the great zombie movies to follow. "Dawn of the Dead," is the second part of the trilogy and begins with the zombie infestation being fought, but mass hysteria and the continuing spread shows that it is a losing effort. No matter how much the police, military, and beer drinking hillbillies try, the zombies keep multiplying.
A few heroes get together with a helicopter pilot, and land on a mall for supplies, only to find it has all they ever need. All they have to do is barricade it.
So they block it off from the outside, exterminate the zombies inside, and settle into a normal life, though one dies while trying to block off the outside doors with semi trucks.
The one day a biker gang shows up. Then, as with any good zombie movie, all hell breaks loose. The gore in this film set a new level for what was "allowed" in films, and helped to create the term "splatter film."
This movie is very political, epitomizing the mindless consumerism of America that "makes zombies" of us all, and of the always present danger of living humans not able to cooperate in a world where this is mandatory for survival, a theme that Romero loves to hit home with in every one of his movies.
The Original Dawn of the Dead - How Can You Not Have It???
Maybe the most important zombie movie ever made
Dawn of the Dead [Blu-ray]
You can now get the original "Dawn of the Dead" on Blu-ray disc. It proves that zombies just won't die...
Dawn of the Dead - The Original Director's Cut (Collector's Edition)
Get the original Romero classic on DVD, or they'll come for your brains...
28 Days Later--Zombie Movie, or Not?
I thought this was a good movie either way you cut it, but the argument continues...
Is 28 Days Later Really a Zombie Movie?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes! This is a great zombie movie!
Zac says:
You are all forgetting one important idea of an idealistic zombie, the bite. Throughout the 28 series it was a bite and a biological pathogen, just like every other zombie movie, do your homework boys. Here is a tip, look at the eyes
Posted February 28, 2009
Logan says:
technically speaking, I suppose it isn't. But it meets the requirements of gore, apocalyptic setting (which it does better than any other movie in the genre, in my opinion), and humans v. "zombies". It also includes the cliches of utilizing a small band of survivors, other humans eventually becoming a more worrisome enemy, one of their own becoming a "zombie". So technically I'd say it isn't, but looking at it holistically, I'd definitely classify it in the genre.
Posted January 26, 2009
Mike says:
it is but it isnt. ARG! it is. in all but biological phenomina. Phycologically, if someone didnt tell me it was rage id say they were zombies...hence zombie movie.
Posted June 25, 2008
No! They're not dead, so they're not really zombies!
Dynomoose says:
They're not dead. They're not really zombies. And the fact that these, supposedly enraged, people only go after the uninfected is a fatal plot hole.
Posted May 02, 2009
Monteath says:
You have to die to become a zombie. They are really nasty human beings, but not zombies. This is the best "zombie movie" that's really not a zombie movie.
Posted March 13, 2008
Dawn of the Dead - 2004 Remake
Dawn of the Dead remake - also a classic zombie movie
I know that 99 out of 100 times it is blasphemy to even compare a re-make to being as good as the original, but this is a great movie with what you would call "motivated zombies."
No agile side stepping and accurate close range shooting is going to help you here. In fact, unless you're a track star, you mine as well call yourself lunch because you can't outrun any of these zombies. This re-make is not a complete re-make, since the beginning and ending are different, the zombies are fast, strong, and true predators.
This is a terrifying film that brings fear of zombies to an entirely new level where it hadn't gone before-to the forefront of a modern horror fan's mind. It's one thing to have ten zombies shuffling awkwardly towards the house when you have a hand gun.
It's something else completely to have ten zombies running at you full speed that would have a Marine Sniper screwed. The gore in this film is extremely realistic, and the opening sequences of the zombie attack are fantastic.
The acting is great, and this is what can happen when a zombie flick finally gets a big budget. This film may not be as sharp as the original, but it still has had the effect of transforming the modern zombie genre by taking it to terrifying new places-just like Romero's original visions.
Besides, for a can't miss memorable moment: "Jay Leno." If you've seen the movie, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If not, it's a nice light moment in a scary and depressing film.
As an interesting side note, this film's dark ending is more similar to what Romero wanted to do in the original "Dawn of the Dead," which initially had an ending where Peter shoots himself and Fran pushes her face into the back rotor of the helicopter.
Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead - A Worthy Zombie Remake
Dawn of the Dead (Unrated Director's Cut) [HD DVD]
The new "Dawn of the Dead" zombie movie on HD DVD.
Dawn of the Dead (Widescreen Unrated Director's Cut)
The new "Dawn of the Dead" remake on DVD.
Movie Trailer to the Original Dawn of the Dead
Trailer to the original Dawn of the Dead zombie movie
Shirts Prove, it's Not so Bad Being a Zombie
Zombie Valentine Greeting Cards 10 pack
Zombie Valentine cards...what could possibly be better for horror freaks, goths, or people like me who just don't like the sappy crap associated with Valentine's Day?
I'm With Zombies Halloween Women's Raglan Hoodie
Maybe you can fit in until you can hit safety...like Shaun of the Dead
Zombies Dark T-Shirt
Worry about zombies? Smart man...the zombie apocalypse is coming. It's only a matter of time...
Shaun of the Dead - A New Classic Zombie Movie!
Shaun of the Dead, a great zombie comedy
This zombie movie makes fun of the genre while still paying heed to the blood and gore that makes up a zombie film. In addition, it makes reference or pays homage to virtually every major zombie movie before it, takes a hilarious swing at "28 Days Later" at the end, and addresses the fact that early on no one believes in zombies, so no one realizes what's going on.
"Shaun of the Dead" is a great zombie movie that is enjoyed by both long time fans of the genre, and also by many movie fans who aren't usually horror movie fans.
This is a top notch comedy, but it also takes the zombies seriously and there is a lot of blood and a lot of death. Despite this (or because of this) the humor works through out the movie.
This is a very unique film that serves as a great bridge to get new fans to zombie movies. If you have a friend who wants to get into zombie movies, but has never seen one, no question this should be first on the list to bridge the gap.
Shaun of the Dead - A Fantastic Comedy/Satire
Shaun of the Dead [HD DVD]
Shaun of the Dead on HD DVD, a great zombie movie and satire
Shaun of the Dead Set to REM
Great Shaun of the Dead clips set to "The End of the World" by REM
Favorite Zombie Movie Ever?
Judging zombie movies can be very difficult, but which one is your favorite?
The Best Homemade Zombie Movie I've Ever Seen
"Zombie" or "Zombi 2," Either Way It's a Great Zombie Movie!
Who would win: zombie or shark?
The zombies that come out of these graves actually look like decomposing corpses that should be staying in their graves, as opposed to normal bloodied people.
Much of the action takes place on an island, focusing on a doctor who wants to be "logical" and wants to refute all voodoo.
But the walking dead aren't cooperating, and while he tries to find a cure, the walking dead continue to increase. In addition, this movie has the classic mixes of a beautiful woman, a doctor in completely over his head, and the gore that comes with zombie movies.
Also there is a pretty famous scene with a zombie taking on an irritated shark.
Zombi 2, A Great Italian Zombie Movie
Zombies versus sharks, what a match up!
"Zombies Ate My Neighbors" YouTube video game review
The IRATE Gamer: Zombies Ate my Neighbors
Episode #12 http://www.theirategamer.com The Irate Gamer Show! Don't watch this episode unless you've watched the Super mario review first, or you might be alittle lost. half review, half special, This is one halloween the IG won't soon forget.
Runtime: 510
544518 views
Comments:
curated content from YouTube
Cemetery Man - A One of a Kind Zombie Movie
The caretaker of the cemetery finds himself in an intense sitation as he struggles every single Sunday because the dead keep waking up and prepare to attack the living. So he takes it upon himself every week to kill the zombies in order to prevent them from assaulting the town.
This movie the caretaker is constantly trying to find love, and his first time falling in love is with the widow at a funeral. They decide to show their new found love for each other by "coming together" over the grave of her former husband.
He has an issue with this, as he comes back as a zombie and kills her. Amazingly enough, this scene is not even the weirdest part of the movie.
This film was very popular in Italy, but with only a small cult following in the United States. This movie is one of the most overlooked and underrated zombie films out there, but as a warning if you have kids who like horror movies: this film does have an awful lot of sex scenes, so be aware of everyone in the room before viewing.
Cemetery Man - The Cult DVD Classic on Amazon
Cemetery Man
Explicit and gory, this is a smartly written film that is incredibly unique and one of a kind.
Links All About Zombies
- Best Zombie Video Game Ever
- Great page with a collection of amazing videos from Dead Rising
- Could a Zombie Apocalypse Actually Happen?
- According to this article, here are five reasons why in a worst case scenario that yes, zombies actually could become a real threat.
- George Romero
- George Romero on Wikipedia.
- Quality Horror Blog
- Excellent horror blog.
Day of the Dead - Great Zombie Film by Romero, the Master
The 3rd movie of the George Romero Trilogy
"Day of the Dead" is the third of the original zombie trilogy by George A. Romero, all three movies of which make this list. The beginning wastes no time in revealing that zombies outnumber humans 400,000 to 1 (basically us breathers are screwed).
This movie introduces the most famous single zombie, "Bub," who is being experimented on in an underground bunker. The head scientist ends up being off his rocker, and after a horrifying discovery of him feeding dead soldiers to his "pet zombie," the military takes over and all hell breaks loose.
The end result is that the zombies overrun the compound and the few survivors having to flee for their lives. Filled with gore, guts, and a nearly heart attack causing opening scene (truly one of the best opening scenes in a horror movie ever), this film is well deserving of its place among the hearts of zombie fans.
Day of the Dead DVD - the Classic Zombie Movie Is Available
Day of the Dead [Blu-ray]
The newest release of "Day of the Dead," on Blu-ray for optimal horror.
What Makes a Great Zombie Film?
Great Zombie Stuff on eBay
Zombie costumes? Zombie movies? Zombie survival guides? They're all for sale on eBay!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by"Re-Animator" Is A Low Budget Cult Classic Zombie Flick
Shows what some creativity by independent film directors can do
"Re-Animator" is a very unconventional horror movie that opens with a strange and gory scene and keeps on punching all the way through. This is a great movie that succeeds with horror fans by still fulfilling all the conventions of a good horror flick, even while showing some hilarious scenes that are unconventional.
Herbert West is a young med student who creates a serum that re-animates the dead when you inject it into their brains. He uses this to make zombies, and even after a few people are murdered, he'll sometimes re-animate the heads, separate from the bodies.
This type of bizarreness leads to an original story that is utterly strange, and full of the gratuitous violence, and yes, nudity, that many "classic" horror movies are known for.
This is a one of a kind film that will always have its fans, and often times is often liked even more than the later movies in Romero's trilogy.
The Re-Animator on DVD: See What the Fuss Is All About
Re-Animator (The Millennium Edition)
Re-Animator remains a classic decades later, and any want to be horror movie maker should watch this film to see what can be done.
Sequels to "The Re-Animator"
There were 2 seqels made to "The Re-Animator"
Bride of the Re-Animator was made in 1990 and follows the main doctors who were experimenting with the undead in the original movie, and managed to survive. This is a pretty good movie, and is the direct sequel to the first movie.
Beyond Re-Animator was made in 2003 and is a comedy/horror flick that continues along the same lines as the first two.
Re-Animator Sequels
Bride of Re-Animator
The sequel to the highly popular original Re-Animator zombie movie.
Beyond Re-Animator
The final movie in the Re-Animator trilogy.
Zombies, Without Michael Jackson's Thriller?
Hey, zombies dancing are still zombies!
Survive the Zombie Onslaught
The zombie apocalypse is going to happen, let no one kid you...
These are well written books, going over the gambit of important details from avoiding zombies in travel, to good and bad close quarter weapons, to the important details like why not to use a fire or wear a pony tail. A large section of recorded zombie attacks teaches you to be weary and ever vigilant.
If you want to be prepared to survive the oncoming onslaught, these books are must reads!
Max Brooks on Amazon
The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead
Max Brooks wrote this survival guide for the good of us all. If you don't buy it, don't blame us when the zombies are munching on you...
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
Max Brooks, zombie historian.
Zombies Wiki
Zombies according to the online encyclopedia.
Category: File - :Zombie costume portrait.jpg|thumb|right|A person costumed as a zombie for a Halloween zombie walk.
A zombie is a creature that appears in books and popular culture typically as a reanimated dead or a mindless human being. Stories of zombies originated in the Afro-Caribbean spiritual belief system of Vodou, which told of the people being controlled as laborers by a powerful wizard. Zombies became a popular device in modern horror fiction, largely because of the success of George A. Romero's 1968 film Night of the Living Dead.
New Amazon Voting (Plexo)
Dawn of the Dead [Blu-ray]
Anchorbay Dawn Of The Dead (Blu-ray) In 1968, dire more...1 point
Dawn of the Dead (Unrated Director's Cut) [HD DVD]
Are you ready to get down with the sickness? Movie more...1 point
Night of the Living Dead (Millennium Edition)
We can hardly imagine how shocking this film was w more...1 point
Shaun of the Dead
British horror/comedy Shaun of the Dead is a screa more...1 point
Night of the Living Dead
We can hardly imagine how shocking this film was w more...0 points
Zombi 2 (25th Anniversary Special Edition 2-Disc Set)
In Lucio Fulci's genre classic Zombi 2, the dead r more...0 points
Day of the Dead [Blu-ray]
Chapter three of George Romero's mighty zombie tri more...0 points
28 Days Later (Widescreen Edition)
The director/producer team that created Trainspott more...0 points
Beyond Re-Animator
After causing the Miskatonic University Massacre, more...0 points
H.P. Lovecraft's Bride of Re-Animator
The mad Dr. Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs), the torm more...0 points
Resident Evil - The High-Definition Trilogy (Resident Evil/ Resident Evil: Apocalypse/ Resident Evil: Extinction) [Blu-ray]
Sony Pictures Resident Evil 1-3 (Blu-ray) Collecti more...0 points
Resident Evil / Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Resident Evil: Something rotten is brewing beneath more...0 points
Resident Evil - Extinction (Widescreen Special Edition)
The third installment in the massively popular fil more...0 points
Kung Fu Zombie
You're not interested in a kung fu zombie? Really? more...0 points
Land of the Dead (Unrated Director's Cut) (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]
Bolstered by the success of 28 Days Later, Shaun o more...0 points
I Am Legend (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Will Smith stars in the third adaptation of Richar more...0 points
The Last Man on Earth
Vincent Price gives an atypically restrained perfo more...0 points
Zombie Fans Sound Off!
Did I get everything? What am I missing? What else do you want to see?
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- Dynomoose Dynomoose May 2, 2009 @ 5:54 am
- Awesome Zombie lens. I just started working on mine and thought it was good until I saw this one! http://www.squidoo.com/zombiefic
I'll be lensrolling you when my Zombie lens is no longer work in progress.
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Reply
- LethalDos LethalDos Apr 19, 2009 @ 11:29 pm
- Excellent run down! Lensrolled. You might like to check out my Zombie Movie write up!
http://www.squidoo.com/zombie_movies
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Reply
- Betsi_Goutal Betsi_Goutal Feb 11, 2009 @ 11:36 am
- Nice! Lensrolling it. :)
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- robert robert Jan 11, 2009 @ 3:59 am
- Well you forgot Xombie, which is a great Flash cartoon and the tons of ombie novels out there that arn't max brooks if you want some good ones try the rising while not a TRUE zombie book according to your rules its a great book none the less,
Zombies Online Blog Presence
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- Financial Skeptic: Fedex Energizes Guidance Zombies
- Fedex Energizes Guidance Zombies. Fedex (FDX) popped its guidance and drove its stock to a 52 week high. If you are a guidance zombie and just react to any damn thing any damn management says then go ahead and trade your brains out. ...










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