Top Ten Zombie Movies
Here it is. The last list for this Halloween themed blog series. And this time, since I'm covering my very favorite horror genre, I thought I'd go the extra few steps and make it a full Top Ten.
I love zombies. They are my favorite movie monster. They're not big, they're not evil, and they're not particularly crafty. But they have only one reason to exist, which is to eat human flesh. If you see one, it's easy to get away. If you have a hoard of them coming at you, pray they don't back you into a corner, 'cause then you're done for. The best zombie movies either show us how messed up we really are, how quickly our society can crumble, or are just good gory fun. The bad ones, well, they can just be hilarious.
So here it is, folks. The final list in my horror movie series. The Top Ten Zombie Movies.
10. Zombie
Lucio Fulci's unofficial sequel to Romero's Dawn of the Dead. It's not as good, but it has some great gore scenes (most famously the eye gouging), some cool zombie effects, shark vs. zombie, and, of course, topless scuba diving. For no reason at all.
9. Plan 9 From Outer Space
Not technically the types of zombies I'm thinking of, but Tor Johnson does return from the grave to terrorize the living. Often cited as the worst movie ever made, it features Bela Lugosi for about five minutes before switching to a double for the rest of the picture. Schlocky effects, terrible performances, laughable sets. This is Ed Wood's most famous film, his biggest achievement as a director, and, from what I've heard, we should be expecting a remake soon.
8. Zombie Nightmare
Featuring a heavy metal soundtrack (provided by the "star" of the movie John Miki Thor and his band Thorkestra), the film debut of flash-in-the-pan actress Tia Carerre, spaghetti throwing by unruly teenagers, voodoo, corrupt cops, and Adam West as the bad guy. It's terrible and amazing all at once. "Hey! Heeeyy! Hey!"
7. 28 Days Later
Yes, I know, I put this on my "most overrated" list. But I also said there that I do like this movie. I like the look of it, and I like how Danny Boyle handled the ghouls. I also like the cast. Cillian Murphy is fantastic in this movie. If he weren't so weird looking, he'd be a major star by now. And I like the energy of this movie, though I still feel like it loses its way in the last third. I also like the sequel, even if I seem to be alone on that.
6. Planet Terror
The only good half of Grindhouse (Tarantino's foot fetish porn was a waste of everyone's time, and of Kurt Russel's talent). Rodriquez does what he does best. Mixes classic homages to his favorite horror movies, throws together a great cast (Michael Biehn and Jeff Fahey the surprising standouts, with Bruce Willis and Josh Brolin to boot), and some intense gore and action. It's an entertaining ride from the start, especially if your a fan of classic 80s horror/ action movies.
5. Re-Animator
Headless corpse carries around its head in a pan, then strips a woman naked and attempts to go down on her. What more do I need to say?
4. Return of the Living Dead
Dan O'Bannon wisely made this film radically different from George Romero's zombie movies, going for broader comedy rather than smart satire. He ended up making a often funny and overall entertaining little movie. This picture has a little bit of everything. Creepy effects, zombie hoards, naked punk chicks dancing in a cemetery, and ends with a (literal) bang. Not as good as the Romero movies, but certainly worthy of the connection.
3. Braindead (a.k.a. Dead Alive)
What some might consider Peter Jackson's breakout movie, and what I think was probably his best and most original work. Sorry, Lord of the Rings fans, I've watched Lionel take the zombie baby to the park more than I've visited Middle Earth. This movie is hilarious and disgusting. There are so many great scenes. When Lionel's mother is falling apart and still has friends over for dinner. The aforementioned park scene. Zombie sex. The priest kicking ass for the lord. And it all leads up to an amazing orgy of violence. Jackson takes some liberties with the zombie idea, making some truly strange and interesting creatures along the way. And it's a love story. How precious.
2. Shaun of the Dead
This film has often been described as a parody. I don't see it that way. It's obvious, given the use of references and accuracy to the genre, that Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg are fans. What I always assumed was that Pegg and Wright attempted to make a romantic comedy, got bored, and decided to throw zombies in. In any event, Shaun of the Dead is gross, funny, and extremely entertaining. It's the only zombie movie in the last 10 years to really get it right.
And my favorite zombie movie of all time is....
Here it is. The last list for this Halloween themed blog series. And this time, since I'm covering my very favorite horror genre, I thought I'd go the extra few steps and make it a full Top Ten.
I love zombies. They are my favorite movie monster. They're not big, they're not evil, and they're not particularly crafty. But they have only one reason to exist, which is to eat human flesh. If you see one, it's easy to get away. If you have a hoard of them coming at you, pray they don't back you into a corner, 'cause then you're done for. The best zombie movies either show us how messed up we really are, how quickly our society can crumble, or are just good gory fun. The bad ones, well, they can just be hilarious.
So here it is, folks. The final list in my horror movie series. The Top Ten Zombie Movies.
10. Zombie
Lucio Fulci's unofficial sequel to Romero's Dawn of the Dead. It's not as good, but it has some great gore scenes (most famously the eye gouging), some cool zombie effects, shark vs. zombie, and, of course, topless scuba diving. For no reason at all.
9. Plan 9 From Outer Space
Not technically the types of zombies I'm thinking of, but Tor Johnson does return from the grave to terrorize the living. Often cited as the worst movie ever made, it features Bela Lugosi for about five minutes before switching to a double for the rest of the picture. Schlocky effects, terrible performances, laughable sets. This is Ed Wood's most famous film, his biggest achievement as a director, and, from what I've heard, we should be expecting a remake soon.
8. Zombie Nightmare
Featuring a heavy metal soundtrack (provided by the "star" of the movie John Miki Thor and his band Thorkestra), the film debut of flash-in-the-pan actress Tia Carerre, spaghetti throwing by unruly teenagers, voodoo, corrupt cops, and Adam West as the bad guy. It's terrible and amazing all at once. "Hey! Heeeyy! Hey!"
7. 28 Days Later
Yes, I know, I put this on my "most overrated" list. But I also said there that I do like this movie. I like the look of it, and I like how Danny Boyle handled the ghouls. I also like the cast. Cillian Murphy is fantastic in this movie. If he weren't so weird looking, he'd be a major star by now. And I like the energy of this movie, though I still feel like it loses its way in the last third. I also like the sequel, even if I seem to be alone on that.
6. Planet Terror
The only good half of Grindhouse (Tarantino's foot fetish porn was a waste of everyone's time, and of Kurt Russel's talent). Rodriquez does what he does best. Mixes classic homages to his favorite horror movies, throws together a great cast (Michael Biehn and Jeff Fahey the surprising standouts, with Bruce Willis and Josh Brolin to boot), and some intense gore and action. It's an entertaining ride from the start, especially if your a fan of classic 80s horror/ action movies.
5. Re-Animator
Headless corpse carries around its head in a pan, then strips a woman naked and attempts to go down on her. What more do I need to say?
4. Return of the Living Dead
Dan O'Bannon wisely made this film radically different from George Romero's zombie movies, going for broader comedy rather than smart satire. He ended up making a often funny and overall entertaining little movie. This picture has a little bit of everything. Creepy effects, zombie hoards, naked punk chicks dancing in a cemetery, and ends with a (literal) bang. Not as good as the Romero movies, but certainly worthy of the connection.
3. Braindead (a.k.a. Dead Alive)
What some might consider Peter Jackson's breakout movie, and what I think was probably his best and most original work. Sorry, Lord of the Rings fans, I've watched Lionel take the zombie baby to the park more than I've visited Middle Earth. This movie is hilarious and disgusting. There are so many great scenes. When Lionel's mother is falling apart and still has friends over for dinner. The aforementioned park scene. Zombie sex. The priest kicking ass for the lord. And it all leads up to an amazing orgy of violence. Jackson takes some liberties with the zombie idea, making some truly strange and interesting creatures along the way. And it's a love story. How precious.
2. Shaun of the Dead
This film has often been described as a parody. I don't see it that way. It's obvious, given the use of references and accuracy to the genre, that Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg are fans. What I always assumed was that Pegg and Wright attempted to make a romantic comedy, got bored, and decided to throw zombies in. In any event, Shaun of the Dead is gross, funny, and extremely entertaining. It's the only zombie movie in the last 10 years to really get it right.
And my favorite zombie movie of all time is....
VIEW 7 of 7 COMMENTS
user2938756:
I should have known that! I love Clockwork Orange. I haven't seen it in a couple of years... though I still play Beethoven's Ninth very loudly over my speakers every now and again.
user2938756:
I've tried to find a copy everywhere; the book stores (used and non) are terrible in this town. I'll have to break down and eBay it one of these times.