The Dead Walk: 10 Iconic Zombie Movies

Zombies were my introduction to horror, and although the genre has become a little tiresome lately, some movies still carry the torch. However, they will never be as great as the glory days of zombie movies. That’s why I revert to my horror “safe place.”

So here it is, My top 10 ranked zombie movies.

10. Zombi 2

This face is as iconic as the eyeball scene. Directed by Lucio Fulci, the movie had no discernible limits. However, this photo has become part of horror culture and is recognizable by anyone interested in the horror genre. Though I do love this movie, I don’t watch it regularly.

9. Zombie Night

Though it’s a relatively new movie, it hit all the right buttons. I took a chance on this movie because it was free, and I was impressed. It cuts right into the chaos as night falls, but they return to the dead during the daytime. I like it because it’s an original take, plus it’s a SYFY movie, the first one I tended to like.

8. Dawn of the Dead (2004)

I am not a big reboot kind of guy. I think it’s a ripoff, whether it’s true or not. I first saw this movie when I lived in California. It took me by surprise because I had all the intentions in the world to boo this movie. After all, I was a snotty gatekeeper at one time; maybe it happens to the best of us. Either way, it was a fantastic zombie movie, and I still stand by that, even in my old grumpy years.

7. Return of the Living Dead 3

This movie left me severely on the fence. I waited until I got older to give it another chance. I realized it was as bad as I thought. The plot is a little dumb, but I understand that zombies are ravaging Twinkies and leaving the convenience store a mess. It would be best if you analyzed this movie as entirely different from the Living Dead zombie icons to appreciate it. It was original, but it still stands pretty far down my list. At least it made it to the rankings.

6. The Video Dead

Though I have seen it a million times, this is the zombie movie that keeps delivering. The comedy and campiness get me the most. I still watch it on a pretty regular basis. The plot is straight out of Demons 2 in some cases. Demons 2 is in my top 10 forever. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed both movies.

5. Shaun of the Dead

This is such an epic movie—I won’t deny that—but I stopped watching it for six months. Then I realized how much it was helping me. I can laugh, cry, be angry, or empathize, So it Still Remains a happy medium zombie movie.

4. Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Most people would consider this heresy, but although I would love this movie, it’s a movie I have seen so many times that it almost became boring. So, it touched a nerve, and I fell back in love with it.  The representation of a Zombie, no one will ever do better than George A. Romero.

3. Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things

What can I say? I happened to find this by accident while waiting to purchase other movies. I grabbed it on a chance, and now it’s in my hands. What makes me love this so much? It is almost number one. I love the entire plot of this story, which is “Don’t wake the dead.” But when the dead rose, the background noise was unnerving; even today, I still have that uncomfortable feeling through the end.

2. Day of the Dead

This movie still does it for me every time I watch it. It’s almost perfect, and the best movie George A. Romero has ever created. However, that’s just my opinion; everyone is different. This was a hard choice between one and two on my list. It’s just a masterpiece in my mind.

  1. Return of the Living Dead (1985)

I can’t help it. This movie made me a lifelong horror fan. My introduction to horror started when I was five years old, watching movies with my cousin. We watched this movie over and over. It holds a space in my heart. I can turn this movie on and feel safe from a bad day. I will always cherish this movie above all others.

That’s my list of the best zombie movies. I’m sorry if you disagree with it; this is only my opinion.

What do you think of my list? Sound off in the comments!

 

 

About Craig Lucas

I hail from rural PA where there isn't much to do except fixate on something. Horror was, and still is my fixation. I have 35 years of horror experience under my belt, I love the horror community and it loves me.

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