Planet Terror

Let’s start with the sexiest film here. Rewind to some point three years ago, and I’m disillusioned with the whole zombie genre, mainly due to the bad cash-ins and remakes following the success of 28 Days Later, and the fact that the number of zombie films being made was increasing, but the quality across the board was doing the opposite.

When I saw Rodriguez’s nuclear infection-inspired gem, I instantly declared it both a modern classic and great kick up the arse for the genre. Clichéd plot, excellent location, sexy ladies, lots and lots of gore, and a ridiculous twist that only someone like Robert Rodriguez is capable of pulling off, Planet Terror is easily the most fun film on this list.

Top all this off with arguably the best set of film posters from the last decade, and a face-peeling-off Bruce Willis, and you have a film that you’d be silly to miss.

28 Days Later

I am arguably one of the most pedantic people in the world, but this still goes in as a zombie film, if only because the rage-infection sub-genre doesn’t exist.

Besides, it’s appropriately apocalyptic, terrifying, violent and utterly beautiful. The shots of Jim walking through a deserted London in the early stages of the film should go down in history the best portrayals of an post-apocalyptic world ever. I think I saw this film at the cinema three times; an undisputed modern classic. Just don’t talk to me about the trying-to-do-something-different sequel.

Shaun of the Dead

When the initial trailer spots for Shaun of the Dead started hitting cinemas I was already going around telling anyone who would listen that it would be the best British film of all time*.

Not only does it get top marks for the comedy aspect (“He’s got an arm off!”), it’s also well up there regarding the horror and zombies. It features arguably the best zombies in this little list, and possibly ever. Being modern, British versions of the Romero shufflers, the zombies in Shaun of the Dead are slow, lumbering and stupid, subsequently lulling the survivors into a false sense of security. Classic zombie film behaviour.

* Incidentally, I still think it is. It easily makes my Top 5 films of all time, let alone this rather genre-specific post. I’ve watched it so many times I can blurt out the classic lines before they happen, but I never get bored of it.

Zombie

Also known as Zombi 2 or Zombie Flesh Eaters (catchy title eh?), this relatively underrated film by Italian director Lucio Fulci easily deserves a place in this Top 5. The plot is pretty basic, involving boats and tropical islands, and the character development, if at all evident, if largely unnecessary. It features some great scenes though, including a zombie pulling a woman’s eye onto a splint of timber (pictured), and a zombie fighting a tiger shark (yep, you read that correctly). It also has a really creepy and original musical score. Well worth it’s spot on this list, this one.

Dawn of the Dead

(George A. Romero’s, naturally)

Name me a better concept for a horror story and I’ll buy you a pint, you can even cite comic books. Free fact: this film is a highly satirical, marvelously gory, beautifully crafted piece of genius.

I love the moment the bikers break in, letting hundreds of zombies into the mall, starting the slow process of impending doom that increases until the end of the film. An ending that is shrouded in mystery, but also doesn’t suffer from any Hollywood cliché that plagued so many horror films of the 70s.

The alternate ending, which would have seen the last two humans commit suicide by pistol and helicopter blade respectively, would have been even better, but I guess you can’t have everything.

23 comments for:

Top 5 zombie films

1. Nice article.
   I’m a huge fan of zombie movies too and completely agree with your top five.

   I also love the styling you applied to this article, very fitting.

   ximi — 26/02/10 at 18:48

2. That is awesome!
   Love the design!

   Azzrizal Zolhaili — 26/02/10 at 21:31

3. You were right, Planet Terror is top drawer. Cheers for the loanage.

   Wil — 27/02/10 at 16:27

4. I think Zombieland deserves a place in this list…

   bruno — 28/02/10 at 01:36

5. No Evil Dead movies?

   Microphenia — 28/02/10 at 23:17

6. Choice design, choice list. I can’t argue one iota with these. Bravo.

   Webslung — 01/03/10 at 14:03

7. Thanks for your comments everyone. You’re all very kind.

   @Bruno, Zombieland was considered, but I don’t think it would make it into my Top 10, let alone Top 5. Besides, what would it replace?

   @Microphenia, Evil Dead is perhaps my all-time favourite films, but it’s arguably less of a zombie film than 28 Days Later. It’s too ghosts and/or ghouls related.

   Gregory — 01/03/10 at 17:12

8. I find the center-fold style creases in the Rose McGowan pic (through the arm pit and just above the knees) to be an absolutely awesome detail… not sure if you did that or if it was in your source image, but kudos to whoever thought of it.  Nice list here, but I think I squeeze Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” in front of “Zombie” or “Dawn of the Dead”... the black and white just seems to make it that much more epic, and the rural setting is more my style having grown up in small towns throughout the U.S.

   Kevin — 02/03/10 at 23:39

9. the 1990’s remake of “Night of the Living Dead” wasn’t half bad either in my opinion…

   Kevin — 02/03/10 at 23:41

10. I totally would agree with this list and everything said here.

    And I’d have to say that the original Night of the living dead should be added to this list…because even though the effects would now be terribly outdated the classic plot and characters basic characteristics are often copied now in zombie Film.

    Nice background.

    Corinne — 03/03/10 at 03:08

11. I love the design and I like the list, but I’d change it up. 28 days later would be number one, Resident Evil 2, Dawn of the dead, Shaun of the dead, and finally 28 weeks later. I’d also have to ask everyone where they draw the line between rage and zombie. It seems like many “zombie” movies have not in fact been true zombies. For instance, I am legend. What would you consider that? The zombies weren’t true zombies, but of a new Hollywood breed.

    Zombie films are my favorite to watch and I’m interested to know what the directors will come out with next.

    Michael Stone — 03/03/10 at 15:33

12. off topic sort of, but with St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, I’d love to see a list of your favorite Irish music… personally I can’t find enough of the stuff to celebrate the drunken endeavor with my friends and could use a little help discovering more bands.  Currently I’m limited to Pogues & the Dubliners, Flogging Molly, and Dropkick Murphys and a couple other scattered ones.  What do ya say laddy?

    Kevin — 03/03/10 at 22:30

13. @Kevin(1) that was the genius of the poster designer I’m afraid. As I said, the best set of movie posters I’ve seen - you should have a look. Night of the Living Dead is of course a classic, but in comparison to DotD, the zombies just look like humans behaving weirdly, and I can’t get over that.

    @Corrine, see the above statement, and thanks about the background. It derived from some TV static textures I found on Google.

    @Micheal thanks mate, my Top 5 lists aren’t ordered though (although this one is in reverse chronological order). Regarding I am Legend, the orignal novel by Richard Matheson is actually about vampires, so I see them as weird adaptions of the blood-suckers, rather than the flesh-eaters.

    @Kevin(2) hmm possibly. I’m not massively into Irish music though, having only really listened to the bands you’ve mentioned.

    Thanks for your comments everyone.

    Gregory — 04/03/10 at 16:26

14. admit it Greg, you’re just loving Shaun of the Dead because of Nick Frost’s “I Got Wood” t-shirt

    PS if it were needed I fully support your inclusion of 28 Days Later in this rabble

    Cole — 08/03/10 at 15:26

15. @Cole haha, I think I’d scribble out the “Got” and replace it with “Am” with a Sharpie. It’d look fit.

    Gregory — 08/03/10 at 17:21

16. Question all: what makes a good zombie movie so enjoyable?

    Andre — 09/03/10 at 15:58

17. I also love 28 Days Later!

    Daus — 12/03/10 at 08:13

18. Ah, Zombie Flesh Eaters. I watched that when I was way too young, maybe 7 or 8, and it scared the poop out of me, especially the scene you mention here with the woman and the splinter. I haven’t seen the film since, but it’s as vivid now as it was then.

    I do remember the cover for the video featuring a rotten hand reaching out of the earth, but being 7 or 8 I wasn’t allowed to rent it out.

    Thanks for the memories, Greg.

    Jim Moran — 21/03/10 at 14:20

19. Ooh! I’d better get out and see Planet Terror. I love Shaun of the Dead! That + Hot Fuzz = much funny.

    kristarella — 24/03/10 at 10:48

20. Watched Planet Terror on the basis of this post. Was not too bad. I liked the style of it, but it was almost too cliched.

    Peter Johnstone — 22/04/10 at 15:21

21. This layout is amazing!! I’m not a big fan of zombie movies, I think I’ve only ever watched like two, and that is I am Legend and REC.

    But just wanted to say, you’re journal is incredible :D *bookmarks*

    Nancy — 28/06/10 at 23:09

22. Yes, yes, yes and YES!!

    Zombie films are SO good and, you’re right, I was getting pretty bored of the monotonous rubbish being pumped out but Shaun of the Dead and Planet Terror both clawed zombie films back from the brink of collapse.

    Both are absolutely hilarious, although in very different ways, yet both retain enough creepy moments and shocks to remind you that you’re watching a horror film.

    28 Days Later is great also, as is Dawn of the Dead but I’ve never seen “Zombie” - an omission which I am now determined to make up for.

    Are we allowed to classify “Braindead” as a zombie film? I’m not sure if the humans are “dead” or just infected with a monkey virus but I guess if 28 Days Later can be included, then Braindead has surely got to be included in at least a shortlist, purely due to sheer comedy value and gore!

    I’d just like to say that your journal thing here is INSANELY entertaining - it’s great to see someone moving away from the traditional blog design and creating something so engaging! Thank you very much.

    Luke Sheppard — 30/06/10 at 18:55

23. @Luke – I love Braindead too;  I was very close to including it here, but I thought I’d stick rigidly to my Top 5 label.

    Thanks very much for your comment, I’m so glad people are enjoying what I’m doing.

    Greg — 20/07/10 at 21:14

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