[Scotty_Soldier]

Excluding Shaun of the Dead, as that is by far one of my favourite films of any genre, so I'd be a bit biased towards it:

1. Zombi 2/Zombie Flesh Eaters
2. NOTLD (I really cannot decide between the original or the remake, both great films)
3. ROTLD

[ZombieKeeper]

Dawn of the Dead (the original)
Zombie (Zombie 2)
Day of the Dead

[KainDoshi]

My favorite Z-movie is Night of the Living Dead 90, because it shows how a good zombie must act and look like
Second comes the original Day of the Dead, because of the new "good" makeup (making an improvement from the crappy zombies from Dawn) and because of Rhodes
And finally comes the remake of Dawn of the Dead, because of the overall film quality (tho I HATE running zombies)

KainDoshi, on 20 June 2011 - 10:04 PM, said:

My favorite Z-movie is Night of the Living Dead 90, because it shows how a good zombie must act and look like
Second comes the original Day of the Dead, because of the new "good" makeup (making an improvement from the crappy zombies from Dawn) and because of Rhodes
And finally comes the remake of Dawn of the Dead, because of the overall film quality (tho I HATE running zombies)

Oh, and I'd like to give a special mention to "Children shouldn't play with dead things". It was a crappy film in every way possible, but the zombies and situation were oddly creepy and spooky.

[lavel]

Hi Everybody!

Mines would have to be:

Zombie
Return of the Living Dead
Day of the Dead

[JackRancid]

Gosh this is a hard list to come up with. I can't tell you folks how many times I've had to rework my top 10 favorite zombie films, let alone come up with an ultimate top 3.

But, for the sake of argument - I decided to give it a try.

If no one minds, I'll go backwards actually and give a bit of reasoning as to why I picked these particular 3 as my favorite top 3 Zombie Flicks.

3. THE VIDEO DEAD (1987) - Okay, yes, this is a bad film, yes it has many flaws and yes; it probably won't make anyone else's top 10, let alone their top 3 - however, there is something wildly unique and ambitious about this little film that keeps me coming back for more. The distinctive plot and original concepts were and still are a breath of fresh air - even if the air does have a bit of a funky after taste to it - this film works the way any bad film should work. Complete with over the top bad acting, piss poor dialog, cheesy effects and a rocking score that sadly hasn't been released to the public on any format, this one truly embodies the overall feel of a great "bad" film that becomes a wild, entertaining ride with a band of gruesome zombies that turn a suburban neighborhood upside down. A must own for the zombie aficionado.

2. THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985) - This one is a lot easier to explain. It's THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD folks! I mean right there, enough has been said to justify putting this classic on any zombie fan's list so I'm not sure what else I can add as to why this makes the #2 spot - but I'll give it a shot. A true classic in almost every sense of the word, spot on acting, a smart and wild script, fantastic soundtrack, hordes of brain eating zombies, and a very original twist on an otherwise repetitive genre. As much as I love zombie films, one cannot argue that a majority of zombie films - and in their defense, other films in the genre as well - have a tendency to repeat the same story over and over again. Here we do have the similar themes and situations, but these characters were nothing like anything we had seen in a film of this sort, not to mention the zombies were drastically changed from, the up until that point, the shambling flesh-eaters we all know and love to these unstoppable, fast moving, ravenous, brain-eating nightmares that would send any zombie fan running in the opposite direction of their rotted grip. While yes I am aware THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD was not the first film to feature running zombies, I believe GARDEN OF THE DEAD is the film that upholds that title, it was the first film to do it with such class and flair. So with that being said, it deserves points for bringing an otherwise, pardon the pun, dead concept back to life for a new generation. A definite classic and a must own.

1. DAY OF THE DEAD (1985) - Ah, the desolate streets, the vast caverns, the gloomy atmosphere and unending sense of dread - yes folks, George Romero's criminally underrated zombie opus DAY OF THE DEAD ranks at my #1 spot for my all time favorite zombie flick. The master of the sub genre brings his best foot forward here and spares no punches in his effort to shock and horrify his audience. We have hundreds of grotesque zombies, a tense script with brilliant acting by a stellar cast, a dark and moody atmosphere complete with one of the goriest finales to ever grace the silver screen. Yes sir DAY OF THE DEAD is truly Romero's unsung classic and one that hopefully someday will be recognized for the genius piece of work that it is.

So there we have it folks, my Top 3 Zombie Flicks with a brief explanation as to why they are there.

But with making a top 3, I have to give a shout out to the runner ups - because let's face it, there were some that almost made the cut but obviously didn't make it.

So here we go; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1990), ZOMBIE (1979), CEMETERY MAN (1995), SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004), and RE-ANIMATOR (1985).

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to throw this list out there to you fine folks, it was a blast.

[RIP]

JackRancid, on 03 August 2011 - 05:26 PM, said:

Gosh this is a hard list to come up with. I can't tell you folks how many times I've had to rework my top 10 favorite zombie films, let alone come up with an ultimate top 3.

But, for the sake of argument - I decided to give it a try.

If no one minds, I'll go backwards actually and give a bit of reasoning as to why I picked these particular 3 as my favorite top 3 Zombie Flicks.

3. THE VIDEO DEAD (1987) - Okay, yes, this is a bad film, yes it has many flaws and yes; it probably won't make anyone else's top 10, let alone their top 3 - however, there is something wildly unique and ambitious about this little film that keeps me coming back for more. The distinctive plot and original concepts were and still are a breath of fresh air - even if the air does have a bit of a funky after taste to it - this film works the way any bad film should work. Complete with over the top bad acting, piss poor dialog, cheesy effects and a rocking score that sadly hasn't been released to the public on any format, this one truly embodies the overall feel of a great "bad" film that becomes a wild, entertaining ride with a band of gruesome zombies that turn a suburban neighborhood upside down. A must own for the zombie aficionado.

2. THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (1985) - This one is a lot easier to explain. It's THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD folks! I mean right there, enough has been said to justify putting this classic on any zombie fan's list so I'm not sure what else I can add as to why this makes the #2 spot - but I'll give it a shot. A true classic in almost every sense of the word, spot on acting, a smart and wild script, fantastic soundtrack, hordes of brain eating zombies, and a very original twist on an otherwise repetitive genre. As much as I love zombie films, one cannot argue that a majority of zombie films - and in their defense, other films in the genre as well - have a tendency to repeat the same story over and over again. Here we do have the similar themes and situations, but these characters were nothing like anything we had seen in a film of this sort, not to mention the zombies were drastically changed from, the up until that point, the shambling flesh-eaters we all know and love to these unstoppable, fast moving, ravenous, brain-eating nightmares that would send any zombie fan running in the opposite direction of their rotted grip. While yes I am aware THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD was not the first film to feature running zombies, I believe GARDEN OF THE DEAD is the film that upholds that title, it was the first film to do it with such class and flair. So with that being said, it deserves points for bringing an otherwise, pardon the pun, dead concept back to life for a new generation. A definite classic and a must own.

1. DAY OF THE DEAD (1985) - Ah, the desolate streets, the vast caverns, the gloomy atmosphere and unending sense of dread - yes folks, George Romero's criminally underrated zombie opus DAY OF THE DEAD ranks at my #1 spot for my all time favorite zombie flick. The master of the sub genre brings his best foot forward here and spares no punches in his effort to shock and horrify his audience. We have hundreds of grotesque zombies, a tense script with brilliant acting by a stellar cast, a dark and moody atmosphere complete with one of the goriest finales to ever grace the silver screen. Yes sir DAY OF THE DEAD is truly Romero's unsung classic and one that hopefully someday will be recognized for the genius piece of work that it is.

So there we have it folks, my Top 3 Zombie Flicks with a brief explanation as to why they are there.

But with making a top 3, I have to give a shout out to the runner ups - because let's face it, there were some that almost made the cut but obviously didn't make it.

So here we go; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1990), ZOMBIE (1979), CEMETERY MAN (1995), SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004), and RE-ANIMATOR (1985).

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to throw this list out there to you fine folks, it was a blast.

So how do you rate Let Sleeping Corpses Lie aka Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue which is in my top 5 zombie films?

[JackRancid]

RIP, on 06 August 2011 - 03:07 AM, said:

So how do you rate Let Sleeping Corpses Lie aka Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue which is in my top 5 zombie films?

That would most def make my top 5. Would probably be #4 honestly. Such a fantastic film loaded to the brim with atmosphere. Wonderfully dark and genuinely scary film.

[zombie surfer]

Cool list JackRancid. Return is in my top 3. All this talk of The Video Dead has put me in the mood for it, i let my son watch it last night & he enjoyed it, i'll give it another viewing tonight.

[ZombieGravy]

Dawn of the Dead (original)
Night of the Living Dead
Shaun of the Dead

I thought the new Dawn of the Dead was especially good for a remake! I should watch all 3 of these in a row. Would make for an awesome zombie night.

[zombie surfer]

ZombieGravy, on 08 August 2011 - 09:02 AM, said:

Dawn of the Dead (original)
Night of the Living Dead
Shaun of the Dead

I thought the new Dawn of the Dead was especially good for a remake! I should watch all 3 of these in a row. Would make for an awesome zombie night.

Damn right, the Dawn remake was great, one of our faves in my house. Welcome to the site.

[paultagonist]

ZombieGravy, on 08 August 2011 - 09:02 AM, said:

Dawn of the Dead (original)
Night of the Living Dead
Shaun of the Dead

I thought the new Dawn of the Dead was especially good for a remake! I should watch all 3 of these in a row. Would make for an awesome zombie night.

You say Dawn of the Dead (original) but which NOTLD are ya talking about? Just curious.

[ZombieGravy]

paultagonist, on 08 August 2011 - 09:31 PM, said:

You say Dawn of the Dead (original) but which NOTLD are ya talking about? Just curious.

I was talking about the original Night of the Living Dead. Although I like the 90s version as well. It's about equally tied there.

[Zombie Slayer]

1. Dawn of the Dead (original)
2. NOTLD (remake)
3. Day of the Dead (original)

[zombiekilling101]

1. Day of the Dead
2. Dawn of the Dead
3. Return of the Living Dead

A top 3 is a hard thing to do. Dawn 04, NIGHT 68, NIGHT 90 can all mix in the top 3.

For the record. Army of darkness/evil dead are not zombies. They're demons....... in every single movie they are called demons or deadites. Even the book of the dead, which causes the whole situation, refers to them as demons. Id be like calling the NIght of the Demons demons zombies. CMONNNNN

[JackRancid]

zombiekilling101, on 16 August 2011 - 10:27 PM, said:

For the record. Army of darkness/evil dead are not zombies. They're demons....... in every single movie they are called demons or deadites. Even the book of the dead, which causes the whole situation, refers to them as demons. Id be like calling the NIght of the Demons demons zombies. CMONNNNN

This has always been a very heavy debated subject. Are the monsters in THE EVIL DEAD films zombies or demons?

Well I have to say, I've always considered THE EVIL DEAD films to be included in the zombie sub genre and more recently with Brian Keene's novel, "The Rising" I have been able to back my reasoning up. That's a zombie book yes? People don't question as to whether or not the creatures in that book are zombies...yet they are possessed by demons - it's right in the book, in fact, the gateway to hell being opened by scientists is what caused the outbreak; one of the zombies confirms this in a conversation with one of the remaining scientists. So are they not really zombies??? I don't think that's as debatable considering they are referred to as zombies in the novels, and obviously carry the characteristics of the undead.

But so do those possessed in THE EVIL DEAD films. Their bodies decay, they certainly carry the characteristic traits of zombies in terms of not being able to move very quickly - if you recall Ash's girlfriend in EVIL DEAD II lumbers towards him before her head is removed, and Cheryl from the first film takes her time getting to the front door after attacking Ash at the window and they most definitely have the murderous impulses zombies tend to have.

Now there is obviously doubt here because well, these things can not only talk, but don't feast on flesh like the typical zombie does. But I will remind everyone, the zombies in THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD not only talk, but run, and while now it is becoming more and more common - zombies back then weren't exactly known for their speed and brain power, but that didn't stop anyone from referring to them as zombies. Yes, they are more typically zombies in terms it's not something supernatural bringing them back to life but something chemical which brings me to my next point, the zombies in Fucli's ZOMBIE are brought back to life by supernatural forces, voodoo, which some believe when a body is brought back to life in the manner of voodoo - the body is possessed by a malevolent spirit; i.e. a demon. There's also the gut munchers featured in Umberto Lenzi's NIGHTMARE CITY that don weapons, plan attacks and drive vehicles - but we consider that a zombie film don't we? Even if the director doesn't, no one's ever questioned what kind of horror film that is.

There's also newer films like DEAD & BREAKFAST that people categorize as a zombie film and once again we are faced with supernatural forces at work to bring the dead back to a state of life, and in this particular case we have singing/dancing zombies who are clearly possessed - but no one's had any issues bringing that into the zombie sub genre.

As far as Sam Raimi referring to the creatures as "demons" or "deadites", well I believe in the script the spirit in the woods is referred to as a demon - not the victims and "deadite" was probably something he came up with to avoid calling them the typical zombie, you have to remember they weren't referred as that until the second film so it was an after thought on his part; not something he had planned since the first film. If he had - we would have heard it, it certainly would have made the film stand out a bit more to refer to the possessed as something new and original for the time, not just, well, there's no real reference as to what they are because I think with a title like THE EVIL DEAD - he felt it was pretty self explanatory. Even with the original title BOOK OF THE DEAD - thinking they're zombies shouldn't have been a stretch for many people.

So with that being said, I have no reason to conclude that THE EVIL DEAD films can't or shouldn't be included in the zombie sub genre. They're fantastic films, especially the first two - I have to admit, I'm not a fan of ARMY OF DARKNESS - so we really should be embracing them into this genre instead of repelling them into another sub genre.

Oh I do also want to point out, the director of NIGHT OF THE DEMONS Kevin Tenney, and the writer, do refer to some of the victims of the film as zombies. Angela, Stooge and Suzanne are most definitely possessed by demons as they carry on demonic characteristics; sharp teeth, demonic voice, etc. But the rest of the kids were referred to on set and since, as zombies as they basically were dead bodies that had just returned to life by a supernatural force. So technically NIGHT OF THE DEMONS could be lumped into the zombie sub genre but wouldn't rest entirely in it for the characters who obviously express more demonic traits.

[zombie surfer]

JackRancid, on 17 August 2011 - 01:49 AM, said:

This has always been a very heavy debated subject. Are the monsters in THE EVIL DEAD films zombies or demons?

Well I have to say, I've always considered THE EVIL DEAD films to be included in the zombie sub genre and more recently with Brian Keene's novel, "The Rising" I have been able to back my reasoning up. That's a zombie book yes? People don't question as to whether or not the creatures in that book are zombies...yet they are possessed by demons - it's right in the book, in fact, the gateway to hell being opened by scientists is what caused the outbreak; one of the zombies confirms this in a conversation with one of the remaining scientists. So are they not really zombies??? I don't think that's as debatable considering they are referred to as zombies in the novels, and obviously carry the characteristics of the undead.

But so do those possessed in THE EVIL DEAD films. Their bodies decay, they certainly carry the characteristic traits of zombies in terms of not being able to move very quickly - if you recall Ash's girlfriend in EVIL DEAD II lumbers towards him before her head is removed, and Cheryl from the first film takes her time getting to the front door after attacking Ash at the window and they most definitely have the murderous impulses zombies tend to have.

Now there is obviously doubt here because well, these things can not only talk, but don't feast on flesh like the typical zombie does. But I will remind everyone, the zombies in THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD not only talk, but run, and while now it is becoming more and more common - zombies back then weren't exactly known for their speed and brain power, but that didn't stop anyone from referring to them as zombies. Yes, they are more typically zombies in terms it's not something supernatural bringing them back to life but something chemical which brings me to my next point, the zombies in Fucli's ZOMBIE are brought back to life by supernatural forces, voodoo, which some believe when a body is brought back to life in the manner of voodoo - the body is possessed by a malevolent spirit; i.e. a demon. There's also the gut munchers featured in Umberto Lenzi's NIGHTMARE CITY that don weapons, plan attacks and drive vehicles - but we consider that a zombie film don't we? Even if the director doesn't, no one's ever questioned what kind of horror film that is.

There's also newer films like DEAD & BREAKFAST that people categorize as a zombie film and once again we are faced with supernatural forces at work to bring the dead back to a state of life, and in this particular case we have singing/dancing zombies who are clearly possessed - but no one's had any issues bringing that into the zombie sub genre.

As far as Sam Raimi referring to the creatures as "demons" or "deadites", well I believe in the script the spirit in the woods is referred to as a demon - not the victims and "deadite" was probably something he came up with to avoid calling them the typical zombie, you have to remember they weren't referred as that until the second film so it was an after thought on his part; not something he had planned since the first film. If he had - we would have heard it, it certainly would have made the film stand out a bit more to refer to the possessed as something new and original for the time, not just, well, there's no real reference as to what they are because I think with a title like THE EVIL DEAD - he felt it was pretty self explanatory. Even with the original title BOOK OF THE DEAD - thinking they're zombies shouldn't have been a stretch for many people.

So with that being said, I have no reason to conclude that THE EVIL DEAD films can't or shouldn't be included in the zombie sub genre. They're fantastic films, especially the first two - I have to admit, I'm not a fan of ARMY OF DARKNESS - so we really should be embracing them into this genre instead of repelling them into another sub genre.

Oh I do also want to point out, the director of NIGHT OF THE DEMONS Kevin Tenney, and the writer, do refer to some of the victims of the film as zombies. Angela, Stooge and Suzanne are most definitely possessed by demons as they carry on demonic characteristics; sharp teeth, demonic voice, etc. But the rest of the kids were referred to on set and since, as zombies as they basically were dead bodies that had just returned to life by a supernatural force. So technically NIGHT OF THE DEMONS could be lumped into the zombie sub genre but wouldn't rest entirely in it for the characters who obviously express more demonic traits.

Bud, you have just opened a big can of worms.

[Morbidfilm]

The Evil Dead is my favorite film of all time. And it is not a zombie movie. They are demons. Even though the possessed victim's bodies eventually die and rot, it is a demon inside propelling the body around. Once the demon leaves the body it ceases to move.

[JackRancid]

Morbidfilm, on 17 August 2011 - 01:04 PM, said:

The Evil Dead is my favorite film of all time. And it is not a zombie movie. They are demons. Even though the possessed victim's bodies eventually die and rot, it is a demon inside propelling the body around. Once the demon leaves the body it ceases to move.

So would you consider "The Rising" by Brian Keene to not be a zombie novel?

[zombiekilling101]

not this debate again!

[paultagonist]

Morbidfilm, on 17 August 2011 - 01:04 PM, said:

The Evil Dead is my favorite film of all time. And it is not a zombie movie. They are demons. Even though the possessed victim's bodies eventually die and rot, it is a demon inside propelling the body around. Once the demon leaves the body it ceases to move.

Totally agree. They're zombie-like and have zombie aspects, but zombies they are not.

JackRancid, on 17 August 2011 - 02:37 PM, said:

Morbidfilm, on 17 August 2011 - 01:04 PM, said:

The Evil Dead is my favorite film of all time. And it is not a zombie movie. They are demons. Even though the possessed victim's bodies eventually die and rot, it is a demon inside propelling the body around. Once the demon leaves the body it ceases to move.

So would you consider "The Rising" by Brian Keene to not be a zombie novel?

You have to take each story on its own merit; personally, I've never read the book so I cannot answer (the question wasn't directed at me anyway).

zombiekilling101, on 17 August 2011 - 02:45 PM, said:

not this debate again!

LOL, I know right...

For more in-depth conversation about what makes a zombie a zombie, see this thread.