10 Best Zombie Horror Movies From Around The World – Ranked

Welcome to Ranking Horror. We are always looking to add to our Zombie Horror catalogue at Ranking Horror. With that in mind, let’s explore some more international zombie horror. Today we are checking out the 10 Best Zombie Horror Movies From Around The World.

Zombie horror movies are some of the most popular in the entire industry. So much so that practically every prolific horror movie making nation in the world has produced their own take on the zombie genre. Hell, there are a few nations that put out multiple zombie horror movies every year. The dead coming back to life to feast on the still living is an idea that resonates worldwide, regardless of language or culture.

Today we are checking out 10 of the greatest international zombie horror movies from all around the world. Each nation gets one entry to keep things fair. Otherwise places like South Korea would be eating up this whole list like it was the still fresh brains pulled out of the head of a still blinking corpse. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the 10 Best Zombie Horror Movies From Around The World.

10. Cargo (2017) – A Father’s Undying Love

Why it Ranked: Australia is kicking off this list of international zombie horror movies with their most significant entry into the zombie horror genre. This film is, actually, a collaboration with the US, UK, and UAE. Cargo is, probably, the slowest movie on this list and fairly atypical as far as this theme goes. Instead of focusing on the actual marauding zombies and the chaos they cause, Cargo is far more keen to put the attention on the human element of post-apocalyptic life. It’s not going to be for everyone as it is incredibly slow and far more interested in telling a tale of the human condition than scaring the viewer. For something different, however, Cargo may be a fantastic option.

Synopsis: The story follows a family as they flee from a zombie epidemic. After a crash sends their journey into chaos, the man finds himself in an urgent search to find someone that can help him and his daughter in their time of need. This is a touching story of grief and survival that feels far more like The Road than it does traditional zombie flicks.

Where to Watch: Netflix

9. Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead (2014) – Nazi Zombies vs Soviet Zombies

Why it Ranked: When it comes to Norwegian zombie horror, there was one very obvious choice and that is 2014’s Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead. Can you believe that the Dead Snow series wasn’t the first to do the whole zombie Nazi thing? Pretty crazy, right? I chose to go with the second movie in this series here because I think it is far superior to its predecessor. Dead Snow 2 takes everything that worked with the first outing and doubles down on it. The violence is far more over the top, the laughs are more frequent, and the special effects are much better. It isn’t just a great zombie horror movie, it’s one of the best zombie horror movies in a very long time.

Synopsis: The movie follows the survivor of an attack by Nazi zombies as he, once again, finds himself in a fight for his life. This time he teams up with a group of American zombie lovers to find a new way to put the hurt on the undead. As far as politically incorrect, absolute chaos goes, Dead Snow 2 is at the top of the list.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy), Google Play (Rent/Buy)

8. Juan of the Dead (2011) – Slacker Revolution in Havana

Why it Ranked: Juan of the Dead is, as you may have guessed by the name, a zombie horror comedy from Cuba and Spain. Taking obvious inspiration from the UK’s Shaun of the Dead, Alejandro Brugués mixes a bunch of different elements here to create an almost slapstick parody of the zombie horror genre. For the most part, it works incredibly well. Expect some fantastic kills, some surprisingly decent effects, a likable cast of characters and a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. It might not be bringing much in the way of new ideas but that isn’t a big problem at all. Juan of the Dead is simply a very enjoyable zom-com with loads to like.

Synopsis: The story follows a pair of hapless slackers who, after the outbreak of a virus which transforms people into zombies, concoct a plan to make a nice little profit. They little realise that money will soon be the least of their concerns when they find themselves in a fight for their lives, with our charming loser protagonists finding their situation going from bad to worse in the most comical ways possible.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy), Apple TV (Rent/Buy)

7. The Sadness (2021) – Depravity Unbound in Taiwan

Why it Ranked: Taiwan is a fairly prolific horror nation as you can see by checking out our lists on Taiwanese horror. As far as zombie movies go, however, there is only one that is of any real note and that is The Sadness from 2021. This movie is slightly different from a lot of the movies on this list in that it doesn’t try to add much, in the way of depth, to the zombie horror genre. Instead, it is very content to take all the visceral, bloody elements and focus in on those. This is a splatter horror with a capital splatter. It’s not going to be for everyone but for those of you who want your zombie movies with a liberal helping of ultra-violence, The Sadness is essential viewing.

Synopsis: Directed by Rob Jabbaz, the movie follows a couple who find themselves in a desperate fight to reunite in a city that has been torn apart by the outbreak of a virus that has turned people into crazed killers.

Where to Watch: Shudder, AMC+

6. MadS (2024) – One Shot of Viral Chaos

Why it Ranked: When it comes to international zombie horror movies, France is one of the most prolific creators. There are a number of different movies from the last few years alone that could have made an appearance here. I chose to go with 2024’s MadS, however, because it feels quite unique. As you can probably imagine, the plot here is very much of the “is it all in the character’s head?” variety. Something which may leave a few people less than enthusiastic. The unique way this movie is filmed, however, makes it well worth checking out. MadS takes place in one long, drawn-out shot that is supposed to be taking place in real time. It’s a daring move and makes this film feel very different from most Z-horror. Well worth checking out.

Synopsis: Directed by David Moreau, who you may know for the brilliant Them (Ils). The story follows a teen who experiences a night of horrifying encounters with mutated people after consuming an unknown drug.

Where to Watch: Shudder, AMC+

5. REC (2007) – Terror Live on Tape

Why it Ranked: When it comes to Spanish zombie horror movies, there is one title that clearly stands above the rest and that is Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza’s REC. This is a classic zombie horror movie in a more modern format. REC falls foul of some of the early found footage tropes and annoyances. Namely the shaky camera and constant movement. With that being said, REC is still an incredible achievement; particularly given the budget. It’s intense, scary, and the action doesn’t let up. Hollywood quickly picked it up and remade it in the form of 2008’s Quarantine but you can safely skip that. REC is the greatest found footage zombie horror movie of all time.

Synopsis: The story focuses on a group of reporters who follow emergency workers into a building to report on their work. Only to find themselves at the mercy of violently mutated humans that have locked them inside.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy), Google Play (Rent/Buy)

4. I Am a Hero (2015) – Manga Madness Come to Life

Why it Ranked: One Cut of the Dead was the obvious J-Horror zombie flick choice but I chose to opt for 2015’s I Am a Hero (Ai amu a hîrô) because it is a far more traditional zombie movie as opposed to One Cut‘s atypical presentation. Shinsuke Satô brings us a ton of action, a bunch of laughs, and a whole lot of silliness in this fantastic international zombie horror movie. I am a huge fan of J-Horror so, perhaps, I am biased but I thought the combination of Japanese zaniness with some very unique portrayals of zombies made this movie feel very refreshing. It’s quite touching in parts, too. Awesome stuff.

Synopsis: I Am A Hero is based on the manga of the same name and follows a manga artist’s assistant who finds himself in a fight to save the city after a viral outbreak transforms the people there into mindless zombies.

Where to Watch: Fandango At Home (Rent/Buy), Amazon (Rent/Buy)

3. Pontypool (2008) – Words Can Kill

Why it Ranked: Canada’s Pontypool is one of my, personal, favourite zombie horror movies. In fact, if it nailed the ending a little better, it might be number two on the list next to One Cut of the Dead. Stephen McHattie is absolutely sensational as radio host Grant Mazzy in Pontypool. It plays out as something of a film version of the War of the Worlds radio broadcast. The majority of the outbreak takes place off screen, with Mazzy relating the events as he learns about them. It’s an utterly compelling story and a brilliantly creative way of doing things. It comes undone, a little, towards the end with the events starting to feel a bit forced but, for the most part, Pontypool is an incredible experience.

Synopsis: Directed by Bruce McDonald, the story follows a radio host as he relates the story of a zombie outbreak in a small Ontario town. As news reports come in and the chaos grows, Grant Mazzy, and his crew, find themselves in a dire situation as the epidemic begins to creep closer to their doorstep.

Where to Watch: AMC+, Shudder

2. Train to Busan (2016) – High Speed Survival

Why it Ranked: South Korea absolutely loves all things undead but the most important zombie horror movie from there is, very clearly, Train To Busan from 2016. Train to Busan is another one of those movies that changed the zombie horror genre, proving that it doesn’t have to be just mindless violence. The subject can be approached on both an exhilarating survival level and on an emotional level exploring the human condition. Train to Busan is one of those films that will surprise you with just how moving it can be. This movie does very little wrong and stands as, potentially, one of the greatest zombie horror movies of all time.

Synopsis: Directed by Yeon Sang-ho. The story follows a group of passengers attempting to survive a zombie outbreak on a train.

Where to Watch: Peacock, Shudder, Amazon Prime Video

1. 28 Days Later (2002) – The Rage That Started It All

Why it Ranked: It would probably be fair to say that two of the most popular zombie movies ever came from the UK and entirely changed the game: 2007’s Shaun of the Dead and 2002’s 28 Days Later. I have decided to go with 28 Days Later here as it is a far more serious movie than Shaun of the Dead. Some may argue that Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later is the greatest modern zombie horror movie of all time. At the very least, it spawned a whole new approach to Z-Horror as ambling, clumsy zombies were out and rage fuelled, sprinting killing machines were in. This movie was ground-breaking and set off a whole new wave of copycat films.

Synopsis: The story follows the survival efforts of a man who wakes from a coma to find the entirety of London deserted after the population is afflicted by a mystery virus.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy)

The Dead Walk the Earth

There we have it: 10 films that prove the zombie genre is alive and kicking all over the globe. From the high-speed terror of Train to Busan to the claustrophobic dread of REC, these movies demonstrate that the fear of a viral apocalypse is a universal language. Hopefully, these entries have given you plenty of new titles to add to your watchlist.

As we continue to explore international horror, I can’t wait to see what other undead nightmares directors have in store for us. If you loved these flesh-eating picks, why not check out some more lists? I’ll be back soon with more rankings. Stay spooky.

🧟 Quick Picks: Undead Horror for Your Vibe

• 🏆 The Must-Watch: 28 Days Later (2002)
• 🚄 The Adrenaline Rush: Train to Busan (2016)
• 📻 The Cerebral Chiller: Pontypool (2008)
• 📹 The Found Footage Classic: REC (2007)
• 🤣 The Zom-Com Choice: Juan of the Dead (2011)