The Most Popular Zombie Movie, Ranked

Choose the zombie movie you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:54
Picture a Friday night with friends, all debating which zombie movie to watch next. Opinions fly as everyone claims their favorite is the best, leaving you unsure which to choose. A definitive ranking based on popular votes can quickly solve this dilemma, guiding your group to a crowd-pleasing choice without any fuss. This dynamic ranking system empowers you and others to have a say in what gets recognized as the most gripping zombie film. By casting your vote, you contribute to a real-time leaderboard that showcases which titles are resonating the most with audiences around the world. So, cast your vote today and see how your favorite stacks up against the rest.

What Is the Most Popular Zombie Movie?

  1. 1
    65
    votes
    Considered a classic and groundbreaking film in the zombie genre, "Night of the Living Dead" set the standard for future undead movies. It spawned numerous sequels and remakes and is still referenced in pop culture today.
    Night of the Living Dead (1968) is a black and white independent horror film that revolutionized the zombie genre. It follows a group of survivors who take refuge in a farmhouse while being attacked by reanimated corpses. The movie explores themes of race, social commentary, and the breakdown of societal norms in the face of a zombie apocalypse.
    • Release Date: October 1, 1968
    • Runtime: 96 minutes
    • Budget: $114,000
    • Box Office: $30 million (estimated cumulative gross)
    • Location: Primarily shot in Evans City, Pennsylvania, USA
    Night of the Living Dead (1968) in other rankings
  2. 2
    40
    votes

    Dawn of the Dead (1978)

    George A. Romero
    Another classic from director George A. Romero, "Dawn of the Dead" takes place in a shopping mall and explores the themes of consumerism and societal decay. It has also been remade in 2004.
    Dawn of the Dead (1978) is a classic zombie horror film. Directed by George A. Romero, it follows a group of survivors who take refuge in a shopping mall during a zombie apocalypse. As they try to secure the mall and survive, they face conflicts both from the undead and from other survivors. The film is known for its combination of horror, social commentary, and satirical elements.
    • Release Year: 1978
    • Genre: Horror
    • Director: George A. Romero
    • Running Time: 127 minutes
    • Language: English
  3. 3
    19
    votes

    28 Days Later (2002)

    Danny Boyle
    This film brought new life to the zombie genre by introducing the concept of fast-moving, infected humans. It also has a unique setting in London and explores themes of survival and human nature.
    28 Days Later is a post-apocalyptic horror film released in 2002. The story follows Jim, a man who wakes up from a coma to find London deserted and overrun by infected humans who are driven by rage. Jim joins a small group of survivors in their quest for survival and a potential cure.
    • Release Year: 2002
    • Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama
    • Director: Danny Boyle
    • Writer: Alex Garland
    • Main Cast: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston
  4. 4
    15
    votes
    A comedic take on the zombie apocalypse, "Shaun of the Dead" is a beloved cult classic that parodies the zombie genre while also paying homage to it.
    Shaun of the Dead is a British zombie comedy film directed by Edgar Wright. The movie follows Shaun, a directionless 30-something who must rise to the occasion and battle the zombie apocalypse in order to save his friends, family, and himself. Packed with humor, wit, and plenty of stylishly choreographed zombie kills, this film is a perfect blend of comedy and horror.
    • Release Year: 2004
    • Genre: Comedy, Horror
    • Duration: 1h 39min
    • Language: English
    • Country: United Kingdom
  5. 5
    21
    votes
    Another comedy-horror film, "Zombieland" features a cast of quirky characters trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. It was a box office success and spawned a sequel in 2019.
    Zombieland is a popular zombie movie released in 2009. It blends horror, comedy, and action into a thrilling post-apocalyptic adventure. The story follows a group of survivors who navigate through a zombified world, trying to find safety and create a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos.
    • Release date: October 2, 2009
    • Genre: Horror, Comedy, Action
    • Director: Ruben Fleischer
    • Writers: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick
    • Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin
  6. 6
    11
    votes
    While technically a TV series and not a movie, "The Walking Dead" has had a massive impact on zombie culture and has become one of the most popular shows of all time. It explores themes of survival, morality, and the human condition in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead.
  7. 7
    11
    votes

    World War Z (2013)

    Marc Forster
    Based on a novel by Max Brooks, "World War Z" follows Brad Pitt as he tries to find a cure for a zombie outbreak that is threatening to wipe out humanity. It was a commercial success and has a sequel in development.
    World War Z (2013) is a post-apocalyptic zombie horror film directed by Marc Forster. Based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Max Brooks, the movie follows former United Nations employee Gerry Lane, as he traverses the world in a race against time to stop a zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatening to decimate humanity itself.
    • Release Date: June 21, 2013
    • Running Time: 116 minutes
    • Budget: $190 million
    • Box Office: $540 million
    • Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror
  8. 8
    7
    votes

    Train to Busan (2016)

    Directed by Yeon Sang-ho
    A South Korean film that made waves in the international market, "Train to Busan" takes place on a train during a zombie outbreak and explores themes of family, sacrifice, and survival. It received critical acclaim and has a sequel in development.
    Train to Busan (2016) is a Korean action-horror film that follows a group of passengers aboard a train from Seoul to Busan as they fight for their survival against a zombie outbreak. The movie explores themes of humanism, family, and sacrifice while providing intense suspense and thrilling action sequences.
    • Genre: Action, Horror
    • Running Time: 118 minutes
    • Language: Korean
    • Country: South Korea
    • Release Date: July 20, 2016
    Train to Busan (2016) in other rankings
  9. 9
    12
    votes

    The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)

    Directed by Colm McCarthy
    Based on a novel by M.R. Carey, "The Girl with All the Gifts" is set in a dystopian future where a fungal infection has turned most of humanity into zombies. It follows a group of survivors, including a young girl with special abilities, as they try to find a cure. It received positive reviews and has a spin-off in development.
    The Girl with All the Gifts (2016) is a British post-apocalyptic zombie film based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by M.R. Carey. The story follows a young girl named Melanie, who possesses unique qualities that could potentially help find a cure for the zombie pandemic that has overrun the world. As she embarks on a dangerous journey with a few remaining adults, including her dedicated teacher Miss Justineau, they must confront both the horrors of the outside world and the ethical dilemmas surrounding Melanie's existence.
    • Release Date: September 23, 2016
    • Running Time: 111 minutes
    • Genre: Thriller, Horror, Drama
    • Language: English
    • Country: United Kingdom
  10. 10
    9
    votes
    Directed by Zack Snyder, "Army of the Dead" takes place in Las Vegas during a zombie outbreak and follows a group of mercenaries on a heist mission. It received mixed reviews but was a popular streaming success.
    Army of the Dead (2021) is a popular zombie movie directed by Zack Snyder. Set in a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas, the movie follows a group of mercenaries who plan a heist during a zombie outbreak. As they navigate the infested city, they encounter a range of challenges and unexpected twists. The movie combines elements of action, horror, and heist genres, offering a unique and thrilling viewing experience.
    • Release Date: 2021
    • Genre: Action, Horror, Heist
    • Director: Zack Snyder
    • Writer: Joby Harold
    • Language: English

Missing your favorite zombie movie?

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Ranking factors for popular zombie movie

  1. Box office success
    The financial success of a movie is a good indicator of its popularity. So, looking at box office figures can help rank movies based on their popularity.
  2. Critical acclaim
    Zombie movies that have received positive reviews from film critics might be considered more popular than those that have not, since they have been deemed to be of higher quality.
  3. Audience reception
    The reception of a movie by the audience can be a huge indicator of its popularity. Taking into account audience ratings on websites like Rotten Tomatoes or IMDb can help rank movies based on their popularity.
  4. Awards
    Awards like the Oscars, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs can also help rank zombie movies based on their popularity, as recognition from these award-giving bodies can increase a movie's overall appeal.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular zombie movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or zombie film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2215 views
  • 206 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each zombie film once every 24 hours. The rank of each zombie film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular zombie movie

Zombie movies have been a staple of the horror genre for decades, captivating audiences with their terrifying portrayal of the undead. From classic films like Night of the Living Dead to modern hits like World War Z, there's no shortage of great zombie movies to choose from. But what is the most popular zombie movie of all time? With so many options, it can be tough to decide. That's why we've gathered data from thousands of StrawPoll users to determine the top picks for the most popular zombie movie. Keep reading to find out which film takes the top spot!

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