10 Gruesome Zombie's Films Made AFTER 1969
Published in Film & Animation at March 29th, 2017 at 4:38 AM
Now it's pretty safe to say that the Zombie genre has become way too over saturated over the last decade as it seems like every other week there's a new film being released that follows a very specific formula. It's become stale and as much as we love the zombie genre, we've grown tired of it ourselves. However there's a lot of gems hidden away in this genre that either get over looked are are seen as the gold standard to follow. This list is dedicated to those films. Here's 10 Gruesome Zombie Films Released AFTER 1969. (NOTE: Night of the Living Dead will not be on this list as it essentially reinvented the genre).
George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead / Zombi - 1978
What else could have taken the number one spot? Okay probably a ton of other films could have taken this spot but you've got to admit that George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead is more than deserving of the number 1 spot for this list! So If Night of the Living Dead redefined the genre, Then it’s pretty safe to say that Dawn of the Dead perfected it as they took the lore and formula of a group of survivors holed up in a building, defending themselves from the undead and expanded on that concept drastically.
The Story of Dawn of the Dead follows a group of survivors who are simply looking for a place survive the incoming epidemic. On their journey, They find a shopping mall in the center of Pittsburgh, PA that is surrounded and infested with the undead.
What makes this film so great is the message that George Romero is putting across to his audience by saying we’re all essentially zombies as a majority of us are drawn towards consumerism as well as the fact everyone looks like zombies when shopping anyway.
Dead Alive / Brain Dead -1992
Now believe it or not, Not a lot of people know of this film which came as a surprise to us as this is probably one of the best and most original films within the Zombie Sub-Genre. Released as Brain-Dead in New Zealand, Dead Alive is a contender for one of the goriest films ever made. With this being one of Peter Jackson's first directorial works (having directed 4 films previously with 2 of them being short films), You can expect that the film is going to be very lively in terms of camera work judging from his later work in films such as "The Frighteners" and the action scenes in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Well you are right to assume that because this film is just absolutely nuts!
Dead Alive takes place in New Zealand's as a zombie epidemic sweeps the country. This reason for this outbreak is because a group of explorers captured an ancient animal called the Sumatran Rat-Monkey who has venomous bites and scratches that can turn the living into zombies. The film features a man by the name of Lionel Cosgrove who lives at home with his overbearing mother who falls in love with a local florist girl. Because she starts losing Lionel's attention, the mother makes sure that Lionel has no time to go out with her and to instead look after her instead.
In an attempt to get his attention during a scene at the zoo, The mother is scratched and bitten by the Sumatran Rat-Monkey, Thus infecting her. Following this is hilarity and some of the most gruesome visuals that still hold up well visually to this day. This film itself is just absolute insanity!
Day of the Dead - 1985
Although considered the black sheep of the original 3 “of the dead” films, Day of the Dead is still a competent zombie flick. The film takes place some time after Dawn of the Dead. At this point, The undead plague has consumed the populace of the world with only a few living left to fend for themselves.
This group of people consist of scientists as well as military who have been given the task of protecting the group of scientists who are working on eradicating the zombie plague. Scientists suggest either finding a cure to reverse the infection or train the zombies to live alongside the living.
The military however are sick of living in a bunker and want to escape, taking out as many zombies as the can in the process. This film is accompanied with some amazing special effects for its time as well to make the experience that much more enjoyable.
28 Days Later - 2002
In 2002, the zombie genre was once again reinvented with this flick. Although most people would not class the infected in this film to be zombies, The core concept of both the Romero Zombie and the Rage Infected Patient in 28 Days Later are pretty much the same. What sets these creatures apart from the more traditional zombie is that they are extremely agile rather than being the now standard slow, decaying type of zombie.
The film follows a man called Jim who awakens from a Coma only to find that the world he once knew is no more. After seeing that most of London's population has fallen to a viral infection, Jim, A female survivor by the name of Salena and a Father and his Daughter group together and travel from the heart of London to Manchester in hopes of finding sanctuary.
This film is just non-stop, Heart-pounding horror through and through and it simply doesn't let up one bit as every action sequence has you gripping the edge of your seat with how many close calls these survivors have when encountering the infected.
Zombi 2 / Zombie Flesh Eaters / Zombie - 1979
Although this film started off the whole unofficial sequel fiasco during the 1980’s, Zombi is one of the only films that is worthy of being called a true sequel to the film series they’re adding to.
Zombi was made by Lucio Fulci and was intended as a sequel to Dawn of the Dead. This film uses very similar themes with how the zombies act but changes the setting to the Caribbean.
Because of this change in scenery, This allowed Fulci to give the film a sort of “Voodoo” vibe as it is implied that these zombies have returned to life due to some sort of black magic.
This film is know for some of its sick special effects but more importantly it had a scene in the film where a zombie fights a shark underwater. As silly as it sounds, The scene itself shows how dangerous the undead can be by showing it take on one of natures biggest predators.
H.P Lovecraft's The Re-Animator - 1985
So if you're a fan of H.P Lovecraft and his dark and brooding work, you'll want to check this one out. Based on his collection of stories released back in 1922, The Re-Animator follows the lore of the original story fairly closely while also making the story more modern in the process (Unlike the books which were set during the Prohibition Era).
Unlike most zombie films, The focus isn’t on the zombies themselves but it is more based on the characters who've created the situation at hand. The film stars Jeffery Combs as the Brilliant, yet Narcissistic doctor, Herbert West. Although he is a genius, He has no respect whatsoever for the living and the undead. This is made abundantly clear with the experiments he conducts.
West is also credited as the creator of the Reagent; A serum that has the ability to bring the dead back to life as unholy abominations. That's not all though as this serum also has the ability to bring single body parts back to life and even in the film's sequel "Bride of the Re-Animator" has the ability to combine multiple body parts to create one single being. On top of all this, these monsters also retain their intelligence after reanimation making them more unpredictable that your standard zombie.
If you haven't seen this film, Then you're doing yourself a disservice. Track it down and give it a watch. We promise you, you'll enjoy it. This H.P Lovecraft story is one you simply cannot miss!
Shaun of the Dead - 2004
Of course you can’t mention a zombie comedy film without Shaun of the Dead. I mean, I'm sure most of us have seen this film by now and most of us absolutely love it! Hell, Even George Romero himself,The guy who pretty much reinvented the whole genre back in the 60's loved this film. That alone is impressive considering he's a hard person to please.
The film revolves around a group of friends who live in the center of London. Shaun's relationship with his girlfriend, Liz has become rather stale over the last few years as their weekly nights out always tend to be at the exact same place: The Winchester Tavern.
After failing to book a table at fancy restaurant, Liz breaks up with Shaun. After a heavy night of drinking (And singing like a bunch of lunatics), Shaun and his best friend, Ed wake up only to find that a zombie epidemic has swept London (Although they are completely oblivious to it at first). In an attempt to survive the apocalypse, Shaun and his friends all decide to go to the safest place they know. The Winchester! Shaun of the Dead is a critically acclaimed, cult classic comedy films that mixes humor and horror perfectly. It's fairly easy to see why so many people put this film up on their top 10 lists and honestly it deserves it.
Dead Snow 2: Red Vs. Dead - 2014
Although many people would take the first film over this one, It should be said that Dead Snow 2 Red or Dead is one of the most original zombie films to have come out in recent memory as it takes everything the first film did so well and essentially injects those ideas with a dose of steroids. This film is absolutely crazy! Don't believe us, Well let us explain.
Much like it’s predecessor, It involves to use of Nazi Zombies. The film itself is a direct continuation from the previous film as it picks up directly where the last one left off. Due to a series of events that happen in the opening act, The main zombie loses his arm and is accidentally mistaken to be the main protagonist's arm (Which was chopped off in the previous film). Because of this, The main protagonist unwillingly has the main zombie's arm reattached to him, thus giving him the power to raise the dead back to life.
In addition to this original but insane premise, the film also includes the use of Soviet zombies.....That's all i need to say really. The Soviet Zombies in this film are just badass! All in all, This film is just absolute insanity and we love it!
City of the Living Dead / Gates of Hell - 1980
Although not his first outing in the zombie genre, Lucio Fulci manages to do something original with it. This film treads more on the supernatural rather than the unknown and biological aspects that most zombie films have.
These zombies are literally from hell and have no interest in human flesh. These zombies just want to kill. They’re also written to have more supernatural powers such as teleportation and causing their victims to hallucinate.
It should be said however that this film goes above and beyond when it comes to gore so be warned when checking this film out.
Slither - 2006
Slither is a film that doesn’t get enough recognition. When it was first released, It was a commercial flop at box office as it only earned 12.8 million dollars on a budget of 15 million. In recent years however, the film has gained a cult following as it has been said to be a perfect blend between george romero’s zombie films and the classic sci-fi horror film, The Blob.
The story is as follows. A meteorite collides in a small town. A man by the name of Grant sees the weird egg shaped meteor on the grass, and when he touches it, the egg releases a sort of sparrow with an alien parasite that dominates Grant's brain.
Along the next day's, Grant has an insatiable hunger for meat, and while his hostage body is transforming, he builds a nest of slugs in his cellar. Grant infects Brenda and the slugs attack the human beings in Wheelsy, possessing their bodies. Starla, the local sheriff Bill Pardy and the survival Kylie Strutemyer try to find a way to stop Grant, the leader of a new breed of starving zombies.
It really is a shame that this film didn't take off at the box office as it would be great to see not only an original take on the zombie genre but also a resurgence of the old school, 50's Sci Fi genre. All in all, this film is gruesome, horrifying and a riot of laughs! Definitely check it out.
