Zombie Films – That Aren’t Resident Evil or World War Z…

We typically save our favourite things until last, but I genuinely couldn’t hold back my love for Zombie films.

Yes, it’s time for Zombie Movie Recommendations!

While I’m not listing any of the Resident Evil films, World War Z, or George A. Romero Zombie Films – I do recommend them. I’m not listing them because they’re already very popular. And while the following are, too, they need a little extra loving.

So, In a very particular order, here’s my recommendations:

Zombieland (2009)

This film is beyond a masterpiece. It’s got a phenomenal cast – Abigail Breslin (Little Rock), Emma Stone (Wichita), Jesse Eisenberg (Columbus), and Woody Harrelson (Tallahassee).
Zombieland is hilarious, with a fantastic opening sequence, and shows many ideas for surviving a Zombie Apocalypse in the long run.
I recommend that every horror fan watch this in a dark room and be ready for giggles.

Honourable Mention – Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)
The sequel we’d all waited for finally arrived, but it didn’t quite hit the same. I wished they’d added more substantial characters to the film, rather than the alternative love interest for Columbus that was just… a new cringe level. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic film and a great watch – even if it didn’t quite itch the scratch.

I Am Legend (2007)

Potentially my favourite Will Smith film, and it is not entirely a Zombie film in itself.
I Am Legend is more of a Vampire film, in the sense that they can’t come out during the day and don’t eat human remains like Zombies do. That said, they do hunt, horde, and are turned like Zombies.
It’s a genuinely heartbreaking film that I adore and has some good scary moments.

The Crazies (2010)

I would say this is a Zombie film, but I know that it’s technically supposed to be a bio-chemical warfare film that sends people into psychosis and psychotic rages.
Personally, it’s a fantastic film and horrifying. There are some moments when you will be on the edge of your seat.

Honourable Mention – Mom & Dad (2017)
It’s not technically a Zombie film, but it ties in with the bio-chemical warfare sending people crazy idea.
Mom and Dad is a film displaying how animal parents regularly kill their offspring, and this film shows parents killing their kids in pretty sadistic ways. So, while it’s not directly zombie, I still recommend it.

#ALIVE (2020)

A Korean Zombie Film based around a character who gets stuck in his apartment due to his building being overrun with zombie residents. 
It’s a little funny, a bit quirky, but has fast zombies.

Train to Busan (2016)

South Korea’s answer to World War Z is the best way to describe this film. But, as always, South Korea did it better.
Train to Busan is based on the idea of a chemical being released, turning people into speedy and ravenous zombies. However, it also displays the acts of humanity in a crisis: how horrible some people can be, and how kind others can be. 
It’s a heartwrenching story and full of horrific moments.
Be prepared to get attached to a fantastic character and have them ripped away from you.
This film truly got me into K-horrors like All of Us are Dead and #ALIVE.

Honourable Mention – Peninsula (2020)
Set in the same world as Train to Busan, it follows a set of characters trying to survive in a decimated Korea while trying to obtain money from a stranded truck.
While it’s from the same universe, it’s not a direct follow-on, which is a missed opportunity. I think it would’ve been better to have a direct follow-up with Su-an and Seong-kyeong – the soul survivors of the Busan train in the first film. 
That said, as a standalone film, it was great, and I would recommend it!

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

A parody of Dawn of the Dead – Edgar Wright, Nick Frost, and Simon Pegg made a fantastic Horror Comedy with this film. Besides the hundreds of references to other films in the genre, and producing some iconic lines, this film truly got me into Horror Comedy films. 
The Cornetto Trilogy requires a regular rewatch for this film alone. 

And finally, my favourite of all time:

28 Days Later (2002)

This is my favourite on the list.
28 Days Later was created by Alex Garland and Directed by Danny Boyle. It is potentially the most skillfully created horror film in British history, and I stand by that statement.
The Zombies are fast, ravenous, and begin to die after 28 days. The problem is that the virus is blood-borne and doesn’t require a living host. So, blood from a zombie corpse can mess up your entire survival plan.

Honourable Mention – 28 Weeks Later (2007)
Different cast, different director, but the same universe and fantastic story.
I can’t see a reason not to love it. And, honestly, it makes me excited for the next installation of the film.

And that’s it! 
Hopefully, there’s a recommendation or two that you’ve never watched; if there’s something I’ve not listed that’s not too popular – let me know! I always need more Zombie films to watch!

I’ll see you tomorrow for some more spooky season content.
Take care!