1. Dawn of the Dead (2004 remake)
The remake of the Romero classic is both scary and adequately true to its original namesake. The zombies in this movie are among the most terrifying of the genre. Like the 28 Days/Weeks movies, these zombies are fast, they are mean, and they are fairly intelligent. Although there is something to say about the suspense of slow zombies, fast zombies are scary on a whole new level. With Ving Rhames and Mekhi Pfifer being the only notable (to me) names in this film, it still has twice as many famous actors as many zombie movies. Add great gore, a tricked out armored zombie horde killing ambulance, and a zombie birth and the classic mall vs. zombie setting can't be beat.
2. Night of the Living Dead
Both the original from 1968 as well as the remake from 1990 (which
follows the original VERY tightly) are classics. If the first thing you picture when thinking of zombie survival is barricading yourself in a remote farm house in Pennsylvania, this movie is why. The aspect of boarding up a normal house to fend off waves of zombies makes it much more real and imaginable. As with many zombie movies NOTLD takes time to explore human morality and interaction during the stresses of zombie attack and the ironic ending outlines the necessity of teamwork.3. 28 Days/Weeks Later
As I mentioned before, fast zombies are inherently scarier at a visceral level. Although the "28" series zombies may not be literal zombies because they are neither dead nor reanimated but simply infected with a "rage virus", they are still zombie-tastic and follow most of the basic zombie guidelines. With 28 Days Later, the beginning is really the best part. Waking in a post-infestation world that is devoid of survivors and having to figure out what's going on is a terrifying twist and a great introduction to the setting of the movie. Not to mention the freedom of an empty London before Jim realizes its empty for a reason. In 28 Weeks Later the broader explanation of global infection handling and the importance of biohazard control in post-infestation Britain is always interesting. Both movies are very suspenseful and full of great zombie gore, especially if you're a fan of eye-gouging. Still, both movies are mentionable because of their settings and their ferocious zombies. Plus, two terrifying dark tunnel scenes between them....
4. Dead Alive
Peter Jacksons foray into zombie movies is the prime example of a zombie "comedy". EXTREMELY gory, probably the goriest movie let alone zombie movie I have ever seen. We're talking rib cages being excised, baby zombies in blenders, zombie intestine chase scenes, and a climactic lawn-mower wielding ending. A great mix of vaudeville and the living dead with a healthy dose (buckets and buckets) of blood and guts splashing around the screen. Not very traditional zombies but interesting nonetheless, particularly the zombie boss battle between protagonist and his mother at the end of the movie.
5. Shaun Of the Dead
Half zombie movie half comedy, but not necessarily a zombie comedy, this feels like what would happen if me and my friends were personally put into the middle of a zombie outbreak. These zombies are slow, weak, and stupid, but still scary. They are easily dispatched with a cricket bat or blows to the head which is fortunate because the movie follows a fairly unskilled and inexperienced group of survivors.
6. I am Legend
The most recent, and perhaps only, zombie blockbuster is bound to be a classic. Similar to the opening of 28 Days Later, Will Smith is the sole
survivor in post-infection New York City which has gone feral. The zombies are mutated humans afflicted by a cancer vaccine and are allergic to light for some reason. While this makes them more like vampires, they are zombie like in other aspects and are super strong, fast, and intelligent. Legend explores the toll being alone would take on survivors that are barricaded by themselves.Now I know I neglected to mention any of the Return of the Living Dead series but as far as a basic zombie viewing goes, they are extracurricular. I also didn't choose any Leo Fulci zombie movies although they are certainly noteworthy, because their age and similarity to a foreign film make them uninteresting to newer zombie fans.
