Browsing the zombie tag or zombie lists on the popular movie ranking site Letterboxd will pull up a plethora of fan-made content looking to catalog the undead. Even for the most die-hardhorrorfan with a soft spot for the walking dead, it can be a cumbersome task to pick out the best of the best, and to find out what films are considered ‘must watch’.
Thankfully, Letterboxd has various ways to sort movie lists, and one can look at the highest-ranked films on the site by changing their filters. To make it even easier for you to access, we have outlined the ten best zombie movies, ranked by Letterboxd, which takes us worldwide and across eras to craft the quintessential list of must-watch horror cinema.
10Cemetery Man (1994)
The dark romance/horror film from Italian director Michele Soavi, may not be a household name despite having its praises sung by critics and fans alike—director Martin Scorsese called it one of the best Italian films of the ’90s. However, with Letterboxd’s ‘by fans, for the fans’ image, it is unsurprising that this unique gem made it onto the list.
Cemetery Manfollows Rupert Everett as Francesco Dellamorte, a cemetery worker tasked with burying the dead and ensuring they get put down when they rise. However, when he meets ‘she,’ a woman who enchants him, Francesco embarks on a surreal journey of love and death. Rich with narrative and visual depth, the film is equal in horror and beauty.
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928 Days Later (2002)
The British post-apocalyptic zombie film28 Days Laterwas a smash hit for director Danny Boyle. It made $82.7 million worldwide on its modest budget of $8 million—all the more impressive considering the limited run in the USA. However, many may remember the film for bringing up the ‘running zombie’ debate once again, despite them appearing as early asThe Return of the Living Dead. Still, the story of Jim (Cillian Murphy), awakening from a coma to find the breakdown of society due to a deadly disease, is one of the most beloved and excitinghorror movies of the 2000s.
Bound to be the most talked about director in any zombie discussion,George Romero’sfirst entry in this list comes from his third film in the ‘Dead Trilogy.’ Taking place after the first two films,Day of the Deadfollows a group of scientists and soldiers at a point of desperation, with the end of humanity on the horizon. In an underground bunker, they conduct research to attempt to turn the tides, despite the hordes of zombies constantly trying to get in.
While less subtle than the other films in the series,Day of the Deadstill offers thoughtful reflections by utilizing the undead and the breakdown of society to explore culture. However, the draw to the third film rests in its slightly comedic approach, over-the-top characters (looking at you, Joseph Pilato), and being themost gory entry in the series. The film certainlyfits perfectly as the ’80s-era entry into the horror franchise, and fans over at Letterboxd love it for that very reason.
Dan O’Bannon’sThe Return of the Living Dead, may be the most quotable zombie movie of all time, thanks to itspunk-rock attitudeand dark comedic wit. Moreover, its influence on the zombie genre is comparable toNight of the Living Dead, when looking at how influential it became in the horror comedy genre—unsurprising when they share the same writer in John A. Russo. Like many other films on the list, getting together to watch TheReturn of the Living Deadhas become an annual tradition for good reason. The film’s cult status has made it one of the most beloved zombie films on the Letterboxd platform.
Braindead, for many, was almost a ritual, a coming of age for young horror fans to embraceabsolute chaos and gore. An early film from director Peter Jackson,Braindeadhad a reputed 300 liters (79.2 gallons) of fake blood used in a single scene alone! This has kept the movie in infamy and a fan favorite, thanks to its over-the-top gore and silly humor (who can forget the line “I kick a** for the lord”). While the gore is mainly used to comedic effect and the film acts better as a comedy, its spot as one of the highest-rated zombie films on Letterboxd is welcome.
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5Train to Busan
Taking place largely on a train,Train to Busanrevolves around a sudden zombie apocalypsethat sees South Korea swarmed with the undead. The movie is about the passenger’s struggle for survival in the chaos. If you want an explosive zombie movie chocked full of drama that will pull at the heartstrings, you need to watch the Korean horror filmTrain to Busan.While Korean horror movies and TVpopularity have always been persistent, Yeon Sang-ho’s zombie epicproved to be a bit of a phenomenon on release. It became one of the most beloved zombie movies ever, while also beating box office records in its native Korea.
Dawn of the Deadmay very well be the most analyzed and heavily discussed horror film of all time, thanks (in part) to its take on consumerism and obsession with materialism as highlighted in ‘mall culture’ compared to being a zombie. In addition, the second film in Romero’s ‘Dead Trilogy’ touches on themes of racism and classism as touched upon inNight of the Living Dead, making the film as powerful today as it was onits release in the ’70s.
The movie was also remade in 2004 by Zack Snyder with a much more violent and action-heavy plot. While the 2002 version is excellent, nothing beats the original, with a small group trapped in a mall representing a broad range of good and bad humanity.
This is where it all started: George Romero’sNight of the Living Deadinvented the modern interpretation of zombies. One of the most popular and influential horror movies ever made, the set-up is simple but brilliant as several people from different backgrounds and walks of life take to a house for shelter against a zombie attack, their only connection to the outside world coming through the TV.
Night of the Living Deaddoes not rate this highjust for being the ‘first,’ as the'60s horror filmstill resonates today with how it explores our relationship with media, racism, classism, and the horrors of war. The best part about the film (well, perhaps not for George Romero at the time) was that upon release, due to a mistake in the titling of the film,Night of the Living Deadwas instantly put in the public domain. You can watch it anywhere,including YouTube, without worrying about copyright.
Bringing that British comedic wit, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg’sShaun of the Deadbecame an instant cult classic on release. Following best friends Shaun (Simon Pegg) and Ed (Nick Frost), who get drawn into fighting a horde of zombies to save loved ones,the movie is comedy-horror at its peak.Shaun of the Deadis one of those films that people return to time and time again, granting it that high score on Letterboxd as the second highest-rated zombie film on the site.
Shaun of the Deadwas the first installment in the “Three Flavours Cornetto” trilogy and was followed byHot FuzzandThe World’s End. These are worth checking out if you loved Pegg and Wright’s irreverent take on the zombie genre.
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Amidst the classy accents and fancy tea parties, you’re able to find the British are also able to export memorable horror films like these.
At a time when most thought that the zombie genre was at a point of exhaustion for fresh and original ideas, Shinichiro Ueda’s indie horror filmOne Cut of the Deadcame in and gave a needed boost to the walking dead. Utilizing elements offound footageand alternating perspectives,One Cut of the Deadfollows a film crew whose shoot turns violent when a zombie outbreak happens on set.
Going into the film with any further knowledge beyond a basic plot and a nudge to ensure that you stick through till the closing frames, is the best way to experience thisJapanese horror masterpiece. Combine the structure with a sharp script, witty humor, memorable performances, and a wonderfully executed found footage aesthetic, and it is no surprise thatOne Cut of the Deadtops the Letterboxd list for best zombie movie.
