10 Lesser Known Zombie Horror Movies – Ranked

Welcome to Ranking Horror. We wrapped last week up with 10 Awesome Asian Zombie Horror Movies. Today we are mixing things up a little by taking a look at 10 Lesser Known Zombie Horror Movies.

We sort of touched on this subject last week with our list of 10 Forgotten About Zombie Horror Movies. The truth is, however, those zombie movies were all pretty well liked and fairly well known about on their release. They just received less attention as they aged. The titles on this list don’t share that same privilege.

All of the movies here went truly under the radar. Whether it is due to releasing during a packed schedule like some movies in 2024 or simply being ahead of their time. The titles here are truly lesser known zombie horror movies. Hopefully I can open your eyes to a new favourite or two that you missed. Without further ado, let’s take a look at 10 Lesser Known Zombie Horror Movies.

10. What We Become (2015) – Suburban Lockdown

Why it Ranked: What We Become (Sorgenfri) enjoys the privilege of being Denmark’s first ever Post Apocalyptic zombie movie. Pretty awesome! A lot of what takes place in What We Become is going to feel eerily reminiscent of events that took place in the actual world in 2020. Most of the film focuses on the main family here and acts as something of a drama, occasionally interspersed with some action and scares. It’s a great alternative to more traditional zombie horror movies, though some may find it a bit slow moving.

Synopsis: The story follows a family on a Danish housing estate who are forced to quarantine after the outbreak of a deadly virus. What initially seems like a bleak situation gets even worse when the family’s now mutated neighbours begin roaming the streets looking for blood.

Where to Watch: AMC+, Shudder

9. Valley of the Dead (2020) – Civil War of the Dead

Why it Ranked: We are off to Spain for this next entry with Valley of the Dead (Malnazidos) from 2020. Strangely enough for a movie about a deadly virus, Valley of the Dead‘s Spanish release was delayed multiple times by the 2020 pandemic. Despite the subject matter, Valley of the Dead doesn’t take itself tremendously seriously and has enough action to support its rather unique setup. Well worth checking out as a lesser known zombie horror movie.

Synopsis: The story takes place in the late stages of the Spanish Civil War and follows a group of Nationalist soldiers being forced to team up with a group of Republican soldiers to fight of a horde of zombies created by the German SS.

Where to Watch: Netflix

8. Virus 32 (2022) – The Calm Before the Bite

Why it Ranked: We have a pretty interesting concept in this fairly obscure zombie horror movie that comes by way of Argentina and Uruguay. Directed by Gustavo Hernández. Obviously this movie is highly inspired by the 28 Days Later series, with the zombies here being very reminiscent of the hyper aggressive sprinter zombies in that movie. The “32 seconds” gimmick is used as a tool to mix things up a little to make the film a little more unique. The big budget of Hollywood horror is lacking and Virus 32 is pretty formulaic for the most part. But it is very cool to see South America’s take on Zombie Horror.

Synopsis: Virus 32 sees a mother and daughter’s day of fun ruined after the outbreak of a virus transforms the city’s residents into violent, mindless killers. The thing that makes this movie a bit different is that the zombies, though initially hyper aggressive, have a period of 32 seconds after attacking where they are unable to move.

Where to Watch: Shudder, AMC+

7. Dead Shack (2017) – Kids vs The Undead

Why it Ranked: Peter Ricq directs this 2017 zombie horror comedy that really went under people’s radars quite a bit. This movie has a fairly decent cast and even features Dumb and Dumber‘s Lauren Holly in a starring role. Dead Shack flips the script on this type of setup a little as the teens here are the heroes tasked with trying to save their hapless parents. It’s pretty fun stuff if you just want to switch your brain off and have a good time. Expect some juvenile humour thanks to the age of the leads. Not a bad zombie horror comedy at all.

Synopsis: It follows the story of a family who head out for a weekend away in a remote cabin. Only to find themselves in a fight for their lives when it turns out the neighbour is feeding people to her zombie family.

Where to Watch: Shudder, AMC+

6. Here Alone (2016) – Survival in Silence

Why it Ranked: Here Alone is another interesting, and fairly different, approach to the zombie horror genre. Directed by Rod Blackhurst, Here Alone is one of those movies that is absolutely fantastic until it isn’t. The first three quarters are impactful, atmospheric, tense and completely engrossing. The last quarter, however, feels like the writer wasn’t quite sure how to end the movie. It becomes very predictable and, frankly, a bit silly. Still, there is tons to like here. It’s cool to see a survival style, obscure zombie movie with a woman in the lead, as well.

Synopsis: It follows the story of a woman who is forced into the wilderness to attempt to survive after the world is struck by the outbreak of a virus that turns people into zombies.

Where to Watch: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video

5. Ravenous (2017) – The Art of the Undead

Why it Ranked: Definitely a lesser known zombie horror. The thing that really stands out about Ravenous is how much of a stunningly beautiful movie it is for such a dark subject matter. Director Robin Aubert approaches the zombie horror genre in a very slow and considered manner in Ravenous. Using the medium of mindless zombies to attack issues of a societal and political nature. Particularly where the culture of Quebec itself is concerned. There is less action and more of a focus on the hopelessness of the predicament the characters find themselves in.

Synopsis: Ravenous (Les affamés) follows a group of people in a small rural village in Quebec. After many of the residents of the village begin to transform into mindless killers, the survivors decide to head out on a journey to find help, little realising that the situation in their village may be far more widespread than they realise.

Where to Watch: Netflix

4. The Returned (2013) – Living on Borrowed Time

Why it Ranked: This is another lesser known zombie horror movie with a very interesting plot. The Returned approaches the subject of zombie epidemics in a very unique way. Instead of focusing on action or survival, it focuses on the societal issues caused by a world that has learned to live with the epidemic but at tremendous cost. Though there are some thriller elements, the movie is far more concerned with how the situation impacts the people in the world and how they cope with the ever present fear that the virus still lurks. Fascinating stuff but not for everyone.

Synopsis: The Returned follows a man and a woman who live in a world that was recently ravaged by the outbreak of a virus which turns people into zombies. After a cure was found, people who were once infected can live normally simply by injecting themselves with a special medicine every 36 hours. The only problem is that the medicine is beginning to run out and the man needs some desperately.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy)

3. The Battery (2012) – A Zombie Road Trip

Why it Ranked: Director, and star, of The Battery Jeremy Gardner has a knack for creating great indie horror movies with strong comedy elements, naturalistic dialogue, and great character interactions. That’s exactly what he has done with 2012’s The Battery. It’s a zombie movie, yeah, but it is also a fun road trip film with plenty of laughs. The budget for this film was tiny which makes it all the more impressive. Loads of fun and well worth checking out as a lesser known zombie horror.

Synopsis: The Battery is a low budget, indie, comedy horror movie that follows two former baseball players who embark on a journey across New England. The only problem is that the whole country has been overcome by an epidemic that has turned people into blood thirsty zombies. Oh, and even worse than that, the two men couldn’t be any more different if they tried.

Where to Watch: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video

2. Versus (2000) – Zombies, Guns, and Yakuza

Why it Ranked: We are off to Japan and going all the way back to 2000 for this entry with Ryûhei Kitamura’s Versus. Despite the plot breakdown, the story is of no real concern when it comes to Versus. You certainly won’t be thinking too much about it with the constant action taking place. This is a typically maniacal and insane J-Horror from the director of Midnight Meat Train. Tons of gore, lots of silliness, chaotic fight scenes and barely a single free minute to catch your breath. An excellent obscure zombie horror movie.

Synopsis: The story is pretty straight forward. A pair of prisoners make a deal with a group of gangsters to help them escape from prison. When they meet up in a forest, a dispute erupts which results in one of the gangsters being killed. Not completely, though, as this isn’t just any forest. It is a forest which can resurrect the dead resulting in him coming back to life and attacking the group.

Where to Watch: Tubi, AsianCrush

1. MadS (2024) – A Trip You Won’t Forget

Why it Ranked: By the time you are reading this, this movie may not be all that lesser known anymore. I have a funny feeling it will explode in popularity pretty soon. Directed by David Moreau who also directed the fantastic French horror movie Ils (Them). MadS puts a new spin on the zombie horror genre by presenting the entire events of the story in one long continuous shot. It’s a bold decision but lends the movie a brilliantly unique, and impressive, style. Horror fans know this one quite well but, for many more casual viewers, it has gone under the radar quite a bit which is a shame. Definitely worth checking out.

Synopsis: It follows a teen who, after taking a mysterious pill, finds a badly injured woman on his way home. Kicking off a chain of events that hint at a zombie epidemic but is it all in his head?

Where to Watch: Shudder, AMC+

Infectious Gems You Need to See

And there we have it, 10 lesser known zombie horror movies that deserve way more attention than they get. Whether it’s the innovative camera work of MadS or the adrenaline-fueled chaos of Versus, these films prove there is plenty of life left in the undead genre. Hopefully, you’ve found a few new titles to add to your watchlist.

We are always digging up hidden gems, so be sure to check back for more obscure lists. If you enjoyed this deep dive into the undead, why not check out some more of our zombie horror rankings? I’ll be back soon with more lists. Stay spooky.

🧟 Quick Picks: Underrated Zombie Flicks

• 🏆 The Must-Watch: MadS (2024)
• 🩸 The Action Fest: Versus (2000)
• 🚗 The Indie Gem: The Battery (2012)
• 🎨 The Artistic Choice: Ravenous (2017)
• 💉 The Unique Twist: The Returned (2013)