Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — "Resident Evil: Retribution" opens this Friday and that makes the fifth Resident Evil movie. Yes, that's not a typo, this is number five.
So, while the Resident Evil films aren't exactly straight up zombie movies, they're close enough and that's why we have a list of five of the greatest zombie films.
"Let me begin my three-part apology by saying you're a wonderful human being."
It may be over the top and too clever for its own good at times, but "Zombieland" is one of the most enjoyable times you'll have watching a movie ever.
The 2009 hit came out of nowhere and became a box office smash and critics and audiences alike could not stop praising it. The film had heart, humor, wit and zombies. It's really a perfect combination.
Woody Harrelson steals the show as Tallahassee and Jesse Eisenberg is brilliantly obnoxious and loveable as Columbus. The movie is packed with humor, a few scares and one of the greatest cameos ever caught on film.
#poll
"You were thinking you'll never hear another piece of original music ever again. You'll never read a book that hasn't already be written or see a film that hasn't already been shot."
In 2002 director Danny Boyle and actor Cillian Murphy scared the dickens out of audiences across the world with "28 Days Later."
A virus hits the U.K and starts turning everyone into zombies and a small group of survivors start looking for refuge 28 days later.
The movie is sharp, modern and terrifying. The British film took the U.S. and the rest of the world by storm. 28 days helped vault Boyle into a new realm and introduced people outside of the U.K. to Murphy.
"28 Days Later" is a new take on the zombie genre and it delivers on just about every level.
"They're coming to get you Barbara."
This is the one that really started it all. Zombie films were made before George A. Romero's "Night of the Living Dead," but this film defined the genre.
Romero's 1968 classic terrified audiences and gave them a monster they'd never really worried about before. While some of the more than 40-year-old film now feels dated, much of it still stands and causes a tension that keeps you on edge of your seat throughout the film.
Romero is known as the king of the dead and this is the film that began his reign.
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
"There can be no more divisions among the living!" (1978)
"When there is no more room in hell, the dead walk the earth." (2004)
George A. Romero gave us "Dawn of the Dead" in 1978 and it is considered by many as his greatest work. When Zack Snyder remade the classic zombie movie in 2004 people were skeptical about redoing a classic, but Snyder did the work justice.
Romero's original had the pacing and uneasiness of a true masterpiece. Watching the survivors trying to outlast the undead and each other in a shopping mall is gripping cinema that affects you on all levels.
Snyder's update to the film is a real treat as well. He managed to capture the same foreboding tone as the original and also made some updates that enhanced the film and at moments improved upon the original.
This is really a package deal and both require a viewing if you're a zombie-genre fan.
"Take car. Go to Mum's. Kill Phil - Sorry. Grab Liz, go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all of this to blow over. How's that for a slice of fried gold?"
Here is the film the really re-sparked interest in zombies.
"Shaun of the Dead" is a U.K. import like "28 Days Later," but where 28 Days made you jump and cringe Shaun makes you laugh and cry.
"Shaun of the Dead" was the big screen debut of director Edgar Wright along with his mates Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The jokes will have you rolling and the zombie violence will have you turning your head from the screen.
The movie is a blast and manages to hit you on virtually every emotional level. Pegg and Frost are hilarious and Bill Nighy is a brilliant addition even though his screen time is limited.
"Shaun of the Dead" is a fun and at times heartbreaking film that gave us some of the best U.K. artists we've seen in a long time.
What do you think of the list? What films did I miss? Let me know on the comment boards and on "Facebook, or you can shoot me an email.
