Highlights
- Zombie films have become a cultural staple, ranging from comedies to action flicks to gory horror films.
- Non-English speaking countries have made some of the best zombie movies, refreshing the genre.
- These movies, like Wither, The Horde, and The Night Eats The World, offer unique takes on zombies and feature psychological aspects and social commentary.
Zombie films have long been an important staple of horror cinema. Ever since George A. Romero’s Night Of The Living Dead terrified audiences back in 1968, zombie movies have become a part of the culture. These films range from all-out comedies to over-the-top action films to gory horror flicks and often incorporate social themes into their narratives.
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A large assortment of zombie movies have been made in the English language and are most commonly from the USA. This trend hasn’t stopped the rest of the world from getting in on the undead action, though. Some of the best films in the genre are from non-English-speaking countries. They are a breath of fresh air to the zombie flick, reinvigorating the much-loved genre.
10 Wither
IMDb Rating: 5.0
- Directors: Sonny Laguna & Tommy Wiklund
- Release Date: 2012
- Language: Swedish
Heavily inspired by the classic Sam Raimi movie The Evil Dead. Wither is a Swedish horror movie that follows Ida and Albin, a couple that sets off into the wilderness with a group of friends for a fun getaway. This, of course, doesn’t last long, as the group is terrorized by a creature from Sweden’s ancient past, a spirit known as a Vittra.
Wither was released to mixed reviews, with many praising the atmosphere, acting, and effects of the movie, while many criticized it for a lack of originality. Either way, for fans of the genre, Wither is a worthwhile watch for viewers looking for some gory undead action.
9 The Horde
IMDb Rating: 5.9
- Director: Yannick Dahan & Benjamin Rocher
- Release Date: 2009
- Language: French
France’s La Horde is an action crime thriller, where a group of cops attempts to take down a violent gang of criminals who have taken over a large apartment block. Unfortunately for them, they attempt to do this in the middle of a zombie outbreak. With a more dangerous enemy to take down, both criminals and police find themselves in the same dangerous situation.
The Horde is a worthwhile watch for fans of the zombie genre. While not the most original film on the list, it brings enough action and undead mayhem to quench any zombie enthusiast's thirst.
8 The Night Eats The World
IMDb Rating: 6.0
- Director: Dominique Rocher
- Release Date: 2018
- Language: French
Holed up in his ex-girlfriend’s apartment in Paris, Sam is trapped as the world around him descends into chaos as a zombie outbreak takes over the city. The Night Eats The World is a post-apocalyptic zombie movie, where the central protagonist must survive in a world of isolation.
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The film follows the breakdown of Sam’s mind as he must contend with the ever-present threat of the undead and the loneliness of being one of the last men alive. The Night Eats The World holds off on the action and concentrates more on psychological aspects, creating an original take on the well-trodden genre.
7 #Alive
IMDb Rating: 6.3
- Director: Cho Il-hyung
- Release Date: 2020
- Language: Korean
#Alive tells the story of Oh Joon-Woo, a young man living alone in his parent’s home. Perpetually online, he rarely goes outside, which ends up saving his life, as a rampaging zombie outbreak consumes the city. As the food begins to run out, he must venture outside to search for any kind of help he can.
#Alive is a fun and topical zombie film that supplies a great mix of action, comedy, and horror. Its central protagonist is a loveable loser who discovers the importance of life when everyone around him is dead.
6 Dead Snow
IMDb Rating: 6.3
- Director: Tommy Wirkola
- Release Date: 2009
- Language: Danish
What could be more terrifying than an unending horde of ravenous zombies? The Danish horror-comedy Dead Snow answers this question with Nazi Zombies. This now cult classic breathed life into the ailing genre, becoming a must-watch film for horror fans around the world.
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A sequel to Dead Snow followed in 2016, with Tommy Wirkola returning to direct and many of the original cast reprising their roles. Titled Dead Snow 2: Red Vs Dead, the movie continued from the first film, expanding on what made the original such an instant highlight.
5 Juan Of The Dead
IMDb Rating: 6.4
- Director: Alejandro Brugués
- Release Date: 2011
- Language: Spanish
This Cuban zombie movie follows slacker Juan as he attempts to reconnect with his daughter amid a sudden zombie outbreak. With the government and media denying the truth about the threat, Juan must survive both the authorities and the hungry undead.
Juan Of The Dead is a comedy horror movie that, much like Romero’s classics, has a political undertone running throughout. Because of the title, many may think this is a simple knockoff, but in truth, it presents an original take that sits well next to the classics of the zombie genre.
4 [Rec]
IMDb Rating: 7.4
- Director: Jaume Balagiero & Paco Plaza
- Release Date: 2007
- Language: Spanish
A highlight of the ‘found footage’ horror movie genre that was popular in the early to mid-2000s, [Rec] tells the story of a news crew investigating a strange story in an apartment block. Finding themselves quarantined inside, they are soon attacked by the residents who have become possessed with a zombie-like curse.
[Rec] is a found footage film done right, using the style to create a claustrophobic and tense horror experience within the contained setting of the apartment block. The film spawned two sequels and has become a must-watch entry for fans of the genre.
3 The Wailing
IMDB rating: 7.4
- Director: Na Hong-jin
- Release Date: 2016
- Language: Korean
The Wailing is unlike any zombie movie on this list and is packed full of social commentary, folklore, and genuine horror. The main threat in The Wailing doesn’t come from the undead rising but from the paranoia and fear of the local population. As a virus spreads through the small community, the residents' anger soon boils over into a full-blown witch hunt.
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The Wailing is a two-and-a-half-hour, slow-burning horror movie that is well worth the time. South Korea has long been the center of unique movie making, and director Na Hong-jin continues this trend with an expertly made horror movie that fans compelling stories and zombies will love.
2 One Cut Of The Dead
IMDb Rating: 7.6
- Director: Shinichirou Ueda
- Release Date: 2017
- Language: Japanese
This clever Japanese zombie movie turns the cameras around onto the genre itself, creating a self-satirical classic in the making. One Cut of The Dead follows a film crew as they attempt to make their very own low-budget zombie movie. However, things go terribly wrong when the film shoot is disturbed by a horde of very real zombies.
One Cut of The Dead is a highlight of recent zombie movies, taking the common trend of meta or self-aware films into the zombie genre. With a few unexpected twists, One Cut of The Dead cements its place in zombie movie history.
1 Train To Busan
IMDb Rating: 7.6
- Director: Leon Sang-ho
- Release Date: 2016
- Language: Korean
Train To Busan was an international hit and once again brought the zombie genre to the forefront of horror cinema. The film follows a group of passengers on a doomed train ride to Busan as a zombie outbreak destroys the world around them, and the relationships of the passengers spiral into chaos.
At its core, Train To Busan succeeds because of the strong characterization of its central cast and the high-stakes drama of the setting. The film was a huge hit and received several awards. It also spawned an animated prequel in 2016 and a sequel, Peninsula, in 2020.