10 Zombie Horror Movies People Need to Talk About More – Ranked

Welcome to Ranking Horror. Just a few days ago we took a look at 10 Lesser Known Virus and Infection Horror Movies. Today, we are going back to the basics when it comes to this brand of horror and taking a look at 10 Zombie Horror Movies People Need to Talk About More.

We all know the usual suspects when it comes to zombie themed horror movies. If you ask someone for recommendations, you are mostly going to hear the same old names: Shaun of the Dead, the Living Dead series, Zombieland, 28 Days Later, etc. But what if you have watched all of those movies and want something new?

Well, in this list we are taking a look at 10 forgotten about zombie horror movies that may have flown under your radar. Sure, most of these titles have received tons of praise, but they don’t seem to come up in recent discussions when people talk about the genre. These films are all well worth checking out and some are among my favourite zombie horror flicks of all time. They aren’t obscure (that’s a list for another day), but they don’t get as much attention now as they did on release.

10. Contracted (2013) – A Visceral Transformation

Why it Ranked: Director Eric England takes the idea of becoming a zombie and turns it into a visceral and rather disgusting body horror in 2013’s Contracted. Gross out scenes of skin peeling, nails falling off, and teeth falling out are the order of the day here. You know what to expect. Contracted does a lot right, particularly when it comes to examining the actual process of changing from a human into a zombie like being. It slips up frequently, though, thanks to utterly stupid character reactions and a go nowhere ending. Still worth checking out for the body horror stuff, though.

Synopsis: A young woman is drugged and assaulted at a party before contracting a horrible disease which begins to transform her body into something unrecognisable. Body horror has become a packed genre in the years since this movie released, meaning Contracted is a somewhat forgotten about zombie movie.

Where to Watch: AMC+, Shudder, Tubi

9. Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015) – Merit Badges for Bloodshed

Why it Ranked: You probably know what to expect with this type of movie: teens acting stupid and embarrassing themselves before eventually resolving to fight back against an otherwise hopeless situation. Freaky‘s Christopher Landon directs this comedy horror that’s loved by fans a lot more than critics, meaning it may have slipped your attention. Definitely worth checking out for some fun laughs and some utterly ridiculous, R-rated zombie madness. Just have a look at the trampoline trailer and you will have a good idea of whether or not you will enjoy this.

Synopsis: Three scouts, on the eve of their last camp out, discover the true meaning of friendship when they become unlikely heroes attempting to save their town from a zombie outbreak.

Where to Watch: Paramount+, Amazon (Rent/Buy)

8. The Sadness (2021) – A Masterclass in Depravity

Why it Ranked: Like most splatter horror, The Sadness is hyper violent and features a few scenes that are beyond depraved. The story takes a back seat to the brutality. There’s some vague attempts at social commentary, but much of that is drowned out by just how ridiculously gory this movie is. Definitely not the best movie on this list but, as far as Splatter Horror goes, it might be the best zombie splatter horror of all time. In terms of forgotten about zombie movies, it is right up there.

Synopsis: Taiwan has become infected by a horrifying virus that turns humans into blood thirsty maniacs in 2021’s The Sadness. A couple fight to reunite against a backdrop of violence and brutality before they too succumb to the mystery virus. The Sadness takes the usual violence and gore you see in zombie movies and turns it up to 11.

Where to Watch: Shudder, AMC+

7. Maggie (2015) – A Father’s Impossible Choice

Why it Ranked: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Abigail Breslin star in this unexpectedly deep zombie horror movie from 2015. Maggie is slow moving and rather drama heavy. It is less concerned with scaring the viewer and more interested in telling a story of love and grief. Gorgeous cinematography and a great performance from Arnie help the film tremendously. The problem is, however, Maggie is ruthlessly poorly paced. It can be a bit of a chore but still a great option for a different approach to the whole zombie thing.

Synopsis: Maggie follows the story of a teenage girl who has become infected with a virus that will soon transform her into a zombie. Staying by her side throughout the whole ordeal, her dad realises that he will soon find himself pressed to make an impossible decision.

Where to Watch: Max, Amazon (Rent/Buy)

6. Rampant (2018) – Joseon Dynasty Undead

Why it Ranked: Rampant released at the same time as the similarly themed television series Kingdom, meaning it went under the radar quite a bit and now stands as a forgotten about zombie horror movie. With that being said, it’s still a fantastic movie that does the whole zombie thing in a very different way from most similar titles from the genre. The first half is a bit of a drag but, once the action gets going, things pick up a lot. The rope fighting and sword play are fantastic and there is a ton to like about Rampant.

Synopsis: South Korea is at it again with another brilliant zombie horror movie that doesn’t get enough love. The story follows a prince who is kidnapped and taken to the Qing Dynasty, before being forced into a fight for his life against rampaging monsters hellbent on consuming blood. Sword play, rope fighting, horses, archery, zombies… what more could you want?

Where to Watch: Shudder, Tubi, AMC+

5. The Cured (2017) – The Stigma of Survival

Why it Ranked: Elliot Page stars in this zombie horror movie that turns the idea of the apocalypse on its head. The Cured is completely different from every other movie on this list, throwing away the usual idea of a zombie movie and portraying it in a deadly serious manner that relates back to the civil rights movement of yesteryear. Well acted and quite moving in parts, The Cured is a very interesting take on a massively overdone formula. It demands a watch from anyone who is tired of the same old thing.

Synopsis: Instead of marauding groups of killer zombies, The Cured focuses on people that were once zombies but have now been cured. Resulting in them living a life full of discrimination and social segregation. The Cured was well liked when it released, but I really don’t see people discuss it much anymore.

Where to Watch: Tubi, AMC+, Shudder

4. Cargo (2017) – A Journey of Hope

Why it Ranked: Coming by way of Australia and starring well liked British actor Martin Freeman, Cargo is very similar to the ultra popular post-apocalyptic movie The Road in the way it plays out. Slow, deliberate, extremely miserable, and quite moving. It approaches the whole zombie horror thing with a far more personal touch, telling an intimate story of love, grief, and struggle. It’s massively underrated and goes well under people’s radars, so check it out if you are looking to feel a bit sad.

Synopsis: Cargo takes place in a world that is suffering from an epidemic that is transforming humans into violent, mindless killers. It follows a man who, after his wife is killed and he becomes infected, goes on a journey to find someone willing to care for his daughter after he has transformed.

Where to Watch: Netflix

3. The Crazies (2010) – Remaking a Legend

Why it Ranked: The Crazies is quite a rare thing in the modern age of horror movies: a remake that is actually worth watching and might even surpass the original. I rarely see The Crazies mentioned now, which is something of a shame. Its different approach to the whole tried and tested zombie thing is quite a lot of fun. The “crazies” don’t feel like traditional zombies; they are more like horribly angry and aggressive people which makes them all the more threatening. Director Breck Eisner simply chooses to rely on tried and tested horror formulas to make this movie work, and it is immensely enjoyable in its simplicity.

Synopsis: Based on George Romero’s 1973 hit of the same name. The Crazies follows a group of people as they try to escape town after a plane crash leaks toxic chemicals into a small community’s water supply, transforming the residents into maniacal killers.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, MGM+

2. Slither (2006) – A Slimy Retro Tribute

Why it Ranked: James Gunn came out of nowhere with this fresh take on the zombie genre back in 2006. Slither is an extremely effective horror movie that does things a little different. Slither almost feels as though it has been pulled out of a different era. Gunn pays homage to many of the greatest horror movies of all time, channelling elements of The Thing, The Fly, The Blob and other great science fiction horror to make something that is rather timeless. It’s legitimately tense and scary, pretty funny in parts, and entertaining throughout. Well worth checking out.

Synopsis: Slither follows the story of a small community that are infested by an alien plague which quickly begins transforming them into mindless zombies. Much like The Crazies, Slither doesn’t seem to get talked about a great deal nowadays, which is a real shame.

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

1. Final Cut (2022) – The Meta-Z-Movie Masterpiece

Why it Ranked: 2017’s One Cut of the Dead might be my favourite zombie horror movie of all time. Did you know, however, that there is a remake? Well, there is and that remake comes in the form of Final Cut from 2022. Coming by way of France and well known director Michel Hazanavicius, Final Cut captures a lot of what made the original movie so much fun. If you haven’t seen the original, avoid the trailer, whatever you do. The best part of this movie is in the twist. It’s a real shame that it is flying under people’s radars as it is definitely one of the better forgotten about zombie movies to release in the last few years.

Synopsis: A film making crew are producing an ultra low budget zombie horror flick in an abandoned facility when, suddenly, they are attacked by actual zombies. Is it real, or just the director taking things too far?

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla

Dead But Not Forgotten

There we have it: 10 zombie films that prove there is still plenty of life left in the undead sub-genre if you look beyond the mainstream hits. From the social commentary of The Cured to the outrageous meta-humour of Final Cut, these titles offer a refreshing alternative to the usual shuffling corpses. Hopefully, you’ve found a new favourite to bite into.

As we continue to dig through the graveyard of horror history, I’ll be back soon with even more lists. If you enjoyed this undead deep dive, why not check out some more of our zombie rankings? I’ll be back soon with more lists. Stay spooky.

🧟 Quick Picks: Undead Gems

• 🏆 The Clever Choice: Final Cut (2022)
• 💥 The Action Pick: The Crazies (2010)
• 🧪 The Body Horror Fix: Contracted (2013)
• 🤣 The Horror Comedy: Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015)
• 🛡️ The Period Piece: Rampant (2018)