Worst2First: My Top Ten Zombie Films

Worst2First:
My Top Ten Zombie Films

Most people take their thoughts of zombies from the classic films of George A. Romero or the pages of the wildly successful "The Walking Dead" series (as well as the waning popularity of the series), but the concept of zombies existed long before the late 1960s. The term itself is derived from Haitian folklore centering around people brought back to life with the practice of voodoo, and the first iteration of zombies in films was way back in 1932 with "White Zombie," but nowadays people are more aware of them in popular culture due to their resurgence in cinema and other entertainment avenues. Here are my personal top ten zombie films...

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

#10

One Cut of the Dead

Destined to be a cult classic as time goes on, "One Cut of the Dead" is incredibly innovative, undeniably hilarious, and unquestionably gruesome in equal measure and needs to be seen to be fully appreciated and believed - and that's if you can get through the first fifteen minutes, which feels like a cheaply done B-rated wannabe horror flick. If you can endure that, you'll be treated to the most unique zombie film ever crafted, with several twists and turns that'll have you guessing and thoroughly entertained from start to finish, as you follow a hapless group of actors who are filming a zombie movie when real zombies shuffle on set. It's also unique in that the first fifteen minutes was shot in one long continuous take, which in itself is a visual marvel to be seen.

#9

Braindead (aka Dead Alive)

The world now knows him as the famed director of "The Lord of the Rings," but way before exploring Middle Earth, Peter Jackson was exploring the undead with his New Zealand film "Braindead" (renamed "Dead Alive" in America). Taking from Sam Raimi, George A. Romero, and Alfred Hitchcock, Jackson formed "Braindead" as one of the goriest films of all time, a movie that's incredibly squeamish but done so in a humorous, brilliantly over-the-top way. When a man's mother is bitten by a Sumatran rat monkey, he finds that she's turning into something...undead - and it's spreading. Filled with glorious insane blood-filled carnage and humor, "Dead Alive" easily cemented itself as a cult classic for generations to adore as the years keep passing.

#8

The Serpent and the Rainbow

Focusing more on the Haitian folklore that zombies originated from, "A Nightmare on Elm Street" director Wes Craven crafted "The Serpent and the Rainbow" based off real-life accounts of the voodoo rituals done in Haiti to create these "zombies." Bill Pullman stars as an American man who's skeptical of the claims and travels to Haiti to find out the truth for himself, and finds it even more terrifying than anyone could've imagined. Filled with disturbing imagery and a foreboding setting, "The Serpent and the Rainbow" maintains its standing as one of the best zombie films out there due to its focus on the historical nature.

#7

Dawn of the Dead

The audacity to remake a beloved George A. Romeo classic seemed like the death knell for up-and-coming director Zack Snyder (of course in his pre-"300" and DCEU days), but lo and behold lighting can indeed strike twice, and the result is a remake that's every part as great as the original, plus with some wildly imaginative ideas, thanks in part to writer James Gunn (of "Guardians of the Galaxy" fame). When the zombie apocalypse strikes, a gang of survivors hole up in their local mall in hopes of awaiting rescue, while the undead gather outside and evil forces from within threaten to literally and metaphorically tear them apart. Featuring a stellar cast including Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer, Jake Weber and Ty Burrell, what sets "Dawn of the Dead" apart from other zombie films is the fact that these zombies run...fast, and throws a monkey wrench into anyone who's spent decades planning for a slow zombie invasion.

#6

28 Days Later

Delivered by future Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle and future writer of "Annihilation" and "Ex Machina" Alex Garland, "28 Days Later" showcases how both these future cinematic influencers were far ahead of their time. While some might not necessarily say this is a zombie movie, I feel it really is, except that people infected in this movie are infected with a rage virus that gives them an insatiable lust for murder and flesh eating, and they run with ridiculous speed. When Jim awakens to find a deserted London, he soon learns that this virus has ransacked the world, and joins a small group of survivors to reach a military safe haven, but as it is with most zombie movies, the undead aren't the only ones you need to be worried about. Starring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson and Christopher Eccleston, "28 Days Later" is filled with dazzling set pieces, intense action, and nail-biting horror.

#5

Shaun of the Dead

Edgar Wright's cinematic genius knows no bounds, as he effortlessly bounces from comedy to horror to action to thriller with ease, and "Shaun of the Dead" is a hilarious mix of all four, and one that's achieved more than cult status - it's legendary. When the zombie apocalypse hits, witless Shaun and his equally witness buddy gather their friends and loved ones and decide to hole up in their local watering hole until everything blows over - with hilarious results. Simon Pegg's first breakout role proves him to be a comedic tour-de-force, and the film as a whole is a rip-roaring good time filled with meme-tastic moments that'll continue to draw in a crowd.

#4

The Return of the Living Dead

In a world where "Night of the Living Dead" existed merely in the movies, "Return of the Living Dead" pays homage to George A. Romero's classic while also infusing its own unique blend of humor, horror, and gross-out practical effects. When a toxin is accidentally unleashed in a local cemetery, the dead rise up in search of one thing...brains. The film is unique in that the zombies can talk and aren't easily killed with a shot to the head, and it's also purely an 80s film right down to its punk rock soundtrack and carefree attitude. While it's terrifying, it's also a gory good time that you can sit back with some friends and enjoy the bloody, hilarious ride.

#3

Day of the Dead

The conclusion of George A. Romero's "Dead" trilogy, "Day of the Dead" is more preachy than "Night" and less humorous than "Dawn," but still manages to hold its own with state-of-the-art practical effects and a unique spin on the zombies themselves. As the human population continues to dwindle, a group of soldiers and scientists hide out in an underground bunker while trying to find a way to combat the zombies, and one of those ways is by studying them. Enter Bub, one of the most unique zombies ever put on screen, as it seems that he's cognizant and remembers his old life, leading to believe that not all the zombies are brainless, bloodthirsty creatures. Romero never shied away from mixing horror with politics, and "Day" shifts focus to the government and how much power a government agency should hold over the general populous, but told in a deliciously gory way.

#2

Dawn of the Dead

After the surprise hit "Night of the Living Dead," George A. Romero followed it up with a more lavish, more sizeable, and more colorful sequel "Dawn of the Dead," focusing on the issues of consumerism in America as well as dealing with the ravaging undead. After a group of survivors find refuge in a local mall during a zombie attack, they have to learn to work together and trust each other to make it out alive. They're hunted down by the zombies because, even though they're dead, they go to the one place where they were most happy in life - the shopping mall, and serves as Romero's assault on consumerism in America. Complete with Tom Savini's expert-level effects (drawing from the real-life horrors he experienced in Vietnam), "Dawn of the Dead" is stellar in every way, and serves as a more than appropriate sequel to the film that re-vitalized the zombie genre.

#1

Night of the Living Dead

The movie that (tongue-in-cheek) brought the dead concept of zombies back to life, George A. Romero's very small independent film (filmed in Pittsburgh for a little-to-nothing budget) remains as important and culturally relevant today as it did way back when. When a group of survivors cluster inside a small farmhouse, they find that the undead are waiting for them outside their well-barricaded doors, as well as dealing with the differences of each other. Despite the fact that the film featured an African American lead (a rarity during the time), Romero at first didn't intend for the film to focus on race - he just felt that actor Duane Jones was the best fit for the role, but the casting decision has left as an indelible a print in society as the concept for the movie itself, earning it a timeless feel that'll be appreciated, viewed, and studied for decades to come.