Summary
- Some of the best zombie horror films include World War Z, Shaun of the Dead, 28 Days Later and Train to Busan.
- Some of the best zombie horror shows include All of Us are Dead, The Last Us and The Walking Dead.
The zombie horror genre is one of the most popular genres of horror films worldwide. Given the genre’s popularity, it has been widely explored in mass media through films and TV shows.
If you’re a lover of suspense, gore, violence, and action, the zombie genre could offer you a lot. After the release of the critically acclaimed HBO series, The Last of Us, earlier this year, we’ve all been talking about the genre more than before.
I decided to make a list of the best zombie films and TV shows of all time so you can refer to it whenever you want to watch something new or want to start watching more zombie movies.
My list contains five films and five TV shows, although I included a couple of bonus recommendations, so you have enough options to start your apocalypse. If you’re looking for some amazing zombie films or show recommendations, this is the place to be in.
10World War Z (2013)
IMDb Rating: 7.0
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz
World War Z is last on the list, simply because there are better options. But that does not mean the film is not worth a watch. World Z focuses on the journey of a former UN investigator, Gerry Lane, as he tries to find the cure for a zombie pandemic.
The plot is similar to other popular zombie films, but the film stands out for its realistic portrayal of various world issues, such as climate change, the refugee crisis, and international politics.
If you’re looking for fast-paced action, gore, and some stunning visual effects, World War Z is a great watch.
9Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)
IMDb rating: 7.8
Starring: Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant, Liv Hewson
The first series recommendation in this list had to be a comedy! I personally love comedy, and zombie comedies are a rollercoaster ride if well made.
Santa Clarita Diet is a refreshing take on the zombie genre. It is short, so it is a great pick if you’re looking for a quick, fun watch. The series tells the story of a suburban couple, Joel and Shiela, who must tackle the problem of Sheila turning into a zombie in need of human flesh.
The chemistry between Barrymore and Olyphant is fun to watch, and the show includes various twists and surprises to keep you hooked.
However, if you’re looking for something very serious and need it to be full of bloodshed and gore, my other recommendations could be a better choice.
8Zombieland (2009)
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg
Zombieland is another zombie comedy that is a must-watch for all lovers of the genre. The film’s premise is that four survivors of a zombie outbreak use their city names as code names and team up to find a safe place to live.
The film explores how the survivors deal with various obstacles in their path, such as zombie clowns. The film gives you a good dose of original, hilarious comedy and some amazing action scenes. Watch out for a great cameo by Bill Murray, which is a cherry on top!
7All of Us Are Dead (2022- Present
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Starring: Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Kim Byung-chul
For all my fellow K-drama enthusiasts, we’ve got you covered, too. All of Us are Dead is one of the best South Korean dramas in the zombie genre in recent times.
When a deranged science teacher runs a catastrophic experiment, it causes a local school to be tormented and overrun by zombies. As the outbreak spreads across the city, a group of trapped students in the school must team up to survive the apocalypse.
The series offers a nuanced and realistic take on the zombie genre and deals with social and political issues arising from the crisis. As for the gore, there are plenty of great action scenes, visual spectacle, and raw gore in the series.
6 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007)
IMDb Rating: 7.5 and 6.9
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Idris Elba
I cheated a tad bit and clubbed both the ‘28’ series films together. Both films deserve to be on the list of the best zombie movies of all time.
The 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later duology is a pair of post-apocalyptic horror films that depict the aftermath of a viral outbreak that turns people into rage-filled zombies.
28 Days Later follows a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma to find that a deadly virus has infected the city. The film is inspired by classics such as Night of the Living Dead and is widely considered one of the best zombie horror films of all time. Although writer Alex Garland never considered the film a ‘zombie’ film, it is often credited for reviving the zombie genre.
The film is followed by the sequel, 28 Weeks Later, which is set after the events of the first film. It portrays how NATO tries to find a safe zone in London after the revival of the Rage Virus from the first film. Although the sequel could not match up to the legacy of its predecessor, it is still a great watch in the genre.
5Fear The Walking Dead (2015-2023)
IMDb Rating: 6.8
Starring: Alycia Debnam-Carey, Lennie James, Colman Domingo
A spin-off to the Walking Dead, Fear The Walking Dead could hardly ever reach the popularity and appeal of the original series. However, it is still worth a watch, especially if you’re a fan of The Walking Dead.
The first three seasons of the series serve as a prequel to The Walking Dead, while the next few seasons fall in the same timeline as the original series.
The series offers the usual elements of a zombie series, including suspense, gore, well-shot action scenes, and a good dose of emotional depth as well.
4Shaun of the Dead (2004)
IMDb Rating: 7.9
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Bil Nighy
Shaun of the Dead has several easter eggs, references, and homages for fans of the zombie genre. The film is one of the most popular zombie films of the 2000s solely because of its emotional angle. For a zombie movie, the film has a lot of heart, love, and emotion.
The film follows Shaun, an electronic store employee, who decides to get back with his girlfriend on the day a zombie apocalypse breaks out in London. Shaun and his friends must fight the zombies to save his girlfriend, Liz, and her mother.
Shaun of the Dead is a great choice if you want a perfect mix of horror, love, and comedy.
3The Walking Dead (2010-2022)
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Starring: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride
The Walking Dead needs no introduction for lovers of the zombie genre. The series is arguably the most popular zombie series of all time, spanning across 11 seasons.
The show includes an ensemble cast and various characters, most of whom go through a lot of development throughout the show. The series features a group of survivors trying to survive a zombie apocalypse, better known as the “walkers.”
If you want to get into a franchise and commit to a long series full of gore, violence, and some true zombie drama, there is no better choice than The Walking Dead.
2Train to Busan (2016)
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Starring: Goon Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-Seok, Kim Su-an
If you want to watch true gore violence and experience a visual spectacle, Train to Busan is the perfect choice. It is one of the best zombie movies of all time.
The film features Seok-woo and his daughter taking a train to Busan to see his wife when a zombie apocalypse breaks out in South Korea. The original story features a lot of character development, something that is a rarity in a horror film.
Train to Busan ticks the right boxes, as it includes great development while including a good dose of violence and bloodshed. The camera work compliments the excellent storytelling, making it a must-watch film even if you aren’t a zombie enthusiast.
1The Last of Us (2023-Present)
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey
The Last of Us had to make it to the first position, given that it is the best zombie-apocalypse series we’ve watched in a while. The series is unique as it has a perfect blend of character growth and development of the story, along with some intense action and bloodshed.
The story follows a smuggler called Joel, who is given the task of escorting a teenager, Ellie, across a zombie-infested United States. Ellie is humanity’s last hope for a cure to the zombie apocalypse.
The Last of Us gets everything right. The story is unique, with stellar performances by the cast. The series also deals with various other issues and features a beautiful father-daughter bond between Joel and Ellie. Season 2 is in the making, so I passionately recommend you watch season 1 as soon as possible!
Bonus Series: Kingdom (2019- Present)
IMDb Rating: 8.3
Starring: Ju Ji-hoon, Jun Ji-Hyun, Kim Hye-jun
I am only including Kingdom as a bonus series because it has not had a third season in over 3 years. Kingdom is a perfect blend of mythology, gore, and drama.
Based on a webtoon called The Kingdom of the Gods, Kingdom is set in the fictional town of Joseon in the 16th century. The series follows the Crown Prince of Joseon as he tries to find the truth behind the mysterious illness that the King has been suffering from.
Kingdom also had a special feature-length episode titled Ashin of the North. We’ve waited for season 3 for a long time. Let’s hope we get it soon.
Bonus Movie: I am Legend (2007)
IMDb Rating: 7.2
Starring: Will Smith, Alice Braga, Willow Smith
I Am Legend is set in a post-apocalyptic New York City where Neville is the last surviving human. Being immune to the virus that was originally designed to cure cancer, Neville must come up with a cure while fighting mutants.
Will Smith delivers a great performance in this film, and it’s a great watch if you’re looking for something serious. The film also has a scientific angle, making it a good choice for those looking for a realistic portrayal over mindless action.
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