Zombie movies have been a big screen favourite since the thirties and is still a film genre that thrills and terrifies audiences.
Dawn of the Dead
We have been treated to some great zombie movies over the years that have mixed horror, thriller, and comedy elements. To celebrate the release of comedy zombie film Cooties, starring Elijah Wood and available on DVD, Blu-ray and digital on 12th October, we look back at our five favourite zombie movies.
- Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Dawn of the Dead is the first, and some seem to think, the best, of George Romero's many follow ups to his hit Night of the Living Dead. Set against the backdrop of a shopping mall, survivors of a spreading zombie apocalypse take refuge as the outside world grows increasingly dangerous and chaotic.
The original black and white film was low budget with few special effects and simple make up. With Dawn of the Dead, Romero stepped things up and gear and hired special effects artist Tom Saini to create impressive levels of gore. The film is a firm favourite amongst die hard horror fans and has since spawned a remake from director Zack Snyder in 2004.
Dawn of the Dead is one of the most compelling and entertaining zombie movies of all time and is widely regarded as one of the best.
Not only did Romero deliver on the horror and the gore expected in a film like this, but Dawn of the Dead also had a social commentary that is unexpected in a film like this - which is what sets it apart from all the other movies in this genre.
- Zombieland (2009)
When it comes to more recent zombie movies, Zombieland remains one of the best - hard to believe that it was 2009 when the movie hit the big screen.
The winning combination of Jesse Eisenberg and Emma Stone star alongside Woody Harrelson in this comedy horror from director Ruben Fleischer. The film proved to be a huge cult hit with Zombieland 2 due to hit cinemas at some point in the foreseeable future.
Set in zombie filled America, a shy student trying to reach his family in Ohio (Eisenberg), a gun toting tough guy searching for the last Twinkie (Harrelson) and a pair of sisters (Stone and Abigail Breslin) trying to get to a zombie free amusement park join forces for a comedy filled road trip.
Zombieland is a movie that is so much fun as it as laugh out loud funny as it is packed with guts and gore. Zombieland was the movie that really did breathe new life into the zombie genre and it went on to enjoy critical and box office success when it was released back in 2009.
This is a movie that is packed with great dialogue, interesting and memorable characters, and plenty of action - it never tries to be anything other than want it is... and that is what makes it such a great watch and one of my favourites.
- Shaun of the Dead (2004)
When it comes to British zombie/comedy movies there are none better than Shaun of the Dead - I cannot believe that this movie celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2014. Yes, it really was 2004 when it was released.
Starring comedy double act Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and directed by Edgar Wright, Shaun of the Dead, takes a comical look at the prospect of a zombie apocalypse. The film earned critical acclaim when it was released in 2004 and was nominated for Best British Film at the BAFTA's, both Pegg and Wright also took home a British Independent Film Award for best screenplay.
When Shaun's (Pegg) day goes from bad to worse, he decides that convincing his ex-girlfriend to take him back will turn his life around. With zombies hot on his heels, Shaun sees the apocalypse as an opportunity to show just how heroic he can be. Can Shaun save the day and win his ex back?
Pegg and Wright teamed up to pen the screenplay and they have found the perfect mix between witty satire and the scares that you would expect in a movie like this. There is a real emphasis on humour with the great one-liners and funny banter, but that in no way detracts from the zombie/horror movie elements - in fact, the pair go beautifully hand in hand.
Shaun of the Dead went on to be both a critical and commercial hit and is widely regarded as one of the best British movies of all time, Wright, Pegg and Frost would go on to work together on Hot Fuzz and The World's End.
- 28 Days Later (2002)
When it comes to zombie movie, for me, there is none greater than 28 Days Later, a movie that really helped elevate the careers of director Danny Boyle and actor Cillian Murphy.
Murphy, Naomie Harris and Christopher Eccleston star in this Boyle award winning classic. Twenty eight days after a virus devastates London, the capital is swamped with zombified citizens looking to take down anyone in their pathway. A group of survivors, led by Murphy and Harris attempt to escape with terrifying consequences.
From start to finish Boyle just brought a freshness to it as he balanced, horror, gore and comedy elements to bring his own unique style to this genre. This is a film that pays homage to the horror movies of the past but still has a very contemporary edge - Boyle really does make you feel like you are watching something new.
The film featured some of the most iconic film scenes of the decade; the deserted streets of London being the one that particularly stands out. Boyle has always been able to capture and deliver such powerful images and seeing Cillian Murphy standing alone outside the Houses of Parliament really does send shivers down your spine.
The movie was a hit with the critics and went on to be a box office success. In 2007, sequel 28 Weeks Later hit the big screen but Boyle was not in the director's chair.
- Cooties (2015)
Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) stars as substitute teacher Clint Hadson whose first day on the job at his new elementary school turns a killer... Literally! A virus spawned from a diseased chicken nugget quickly spreads through the school turning all the children into a swarm of savages.
Hudson most unite a ragtag bunch of teachers who will have to band together in the fight of their lives in order to escape the school and the rampaging horde. Cooties is an infectious new comedy of epic proportions that also stars Alison Pill (Scott Pilgrim Vs The World) and Rainn Wilson (The Office US).
Cooties is released on DVD, Blu-ray and digital on 12th October.