28 Days Later (2002) 7/10

Danny Boyle’s intense and realistic zombie flick was one of the first mainstream movies to be shot digitally, and while it looks bad, it’s redeemed by its existential themes and performances.

Burial Ground: The Nights of Terror (1981) 5/10

No characters, no plot, but no problem – this is all about the zombies, who have appropriately grotesque make-up, while director Andrea Bianchi spices things up with sleaze. aka Burial Ground; The Nights of Terror

Cannibal Apocalypse (1980) 6/10

This can’t quite live up to its premise (Vietnam vets carry a dangerous virus back to the US), but there’s some enjoyable low-budget action, and John Saxon is good as always, playing it straight. aka Cannibals in the Streets; Invasion of the Flesh Hunters

Dawn of the Dead (1978) 10/10

George A. Romero’s zombie apocalypse masterpiece, just as effective as its predecessor, with the added impacts of shopping mall satire and Tom Savini’s astonishing gore. aka Zombi

Day of the Dead (1985) 9/10

George A. Romero’s bleak undead sequel did not have the budget it needed but remains a claustrophobic, gory and powerful horror classic that deserves its reappraisal.

Dead & Buried (1981) 8/10

This deserved its place on the video nasty list as it's a mean-spirited horror movie, which builds effectively to a dread-filled climax, with many atmospheric and gruesome moments along the way.

Dead Snow (2009) 5/10

Nazi zombie movies are nothing new, but this bloody Norwegian flick was well received despite its unoriginality and characters who are indistinguishable from one another.

The Ghost Galleon (1974) 5/10

The undead Knights Templar hunt for human victims on a 16th century galleon in this foggy sequel high on atmosphere but less ambitious than its predecessors. aka Horror of the Zombies

Hell of the Living Dead (1980) 4/10

Typical Bruno Mattei rip-off, this time of Dawn of the Dead, with outrageous use of Goblin, stock footage, and nothing much of its own. aka Virus

I Am Legend (2007) 6/10

A decent adaptation – in fact it’s probably the best film Will Smith has ever starred in – but it overdoes the action FX and falls apart by the third act; nevertheless, very watchable.

Land of the Dead (2005) 7/10

Latter-day George A. Romero zombie flick continuing the social commentary, dark humour, and gore of the series, but with a more endearing cast including Dennis Hopper.

The Last Man on Earth (1964) 8/10

A very scary movie, featuring Vincent Price’s best performance, this is also the best adaptation of Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend; post-apocalyptic dread of the highest order.

Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1974) 7/10

A couple are stalked by zombies across the English countryside in nifty horror flick with an ecological message; some memorable gore landed it on the video nasty list. aka Don’t Open the Window; The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue

Night Life (1989) 6/10

Archie must deal with his undead high school bullies in Revenge of the Nerds-esque comedy horror; undemanding fun that fizzles out before the end. aka Grave Misdemeanours

Night of the Comet (1984) 8/10

Favourite 80s horror comedy about two Valley Girls fighting against flesh-eating zombies; hilarious and full of heart.

Night of the Creeps (1986) 6/10

Alien parasites turn their human hosts into zombies in this amusing flick that wears its B-movie influences on its sleeve.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) 10/10

George A. Romero packed a wallop with this low-budget but highly effective horror allegory that has not faded with time.

Night of the Living Dead (1990) 6/10

Tom Savini’s only feature as director is surprisingly light on gore, leaving behind a dull-looking and somewhat conventional horror when compared to the shocking original.

Night of the Seagulls (1975) 6/10

Undead medieval knights plague a coastal village in worthy final instalment of an atmospheric series.

Nightmare City (1980) 6/10

Spirited Italian zombie flick directed without restraint by Umberto Lenzi, who ensures there’s enough blood and guts to keep fans of the genre entertained. aka City of the Walking Dead

[REC] (2007) 8/10

Spanish found footage zombie flick about a TV reporter who, with her cameraman, find themselves quarantined inside an apartment building; bloody, thrilling, and unsettling. aka REC See also Found Footage

Resident Evil (2002) 3/10

Video game adaptation that started a long-running series; loud, stupid, and unimaginative.

Return of the Blind Dead (1973) 6/10

The undead Knights Templar are back in sequel to Tombs of the Blind Dead which repeats the formula as before – strong atmosphere, great-looking zombies, and a slightly faster pace this time round. aka The Return of the Evil Dead

The Return of the Living Dead (1985) 10/10

Spectacularly entertaining zombie horror, hilarious without a hint of subtlety, with exceptionally ghoulish practical FX – just a non-stop riot of 80s fun.

Return of the Living Dead Part II (1988) 6/10

Same cast, plot, and practical FX – but less thrills, and more comedy, some of which is rather shrill. aka Return of the Living Dead II

Return of the Living Dead III (1993) 6/10

An angsty 90s tone sets this apart from the previous films, and while Brian Yuzna adds plenty of visceral moments, it’s missing the goofy fun that made the original so special.

Shaun of the Dead (2004) 7/10

A downtrodden London salesman is caught up in a zombie apocalypse, and with several British comedians in the cast, this is a funny thrill ride that also manages to explore some deeper themes.

Shock Waves (1977) 5/10

Aquatic Nazi zombie flick – “Once they were ALMOST human!” – with Peter Cushing in small role lending credibility, but a good idea is wasted thanks to an aimless script and bloodless action. aka Almost Human

Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972) 6/10

Medieval knights come back as slow-moving, ghoulish zombies in this atmospheric Spanish chiller that spawned three sequels; this one is spiced up by one or two moments of gore and lesbianism. aka The Night of the Blind Terror

Zeder (1983) 7/10

Ostensibly about a scientist who discovers earth that can revive the dead, this is an offbeat and original zombie flick without much gore that focusses instead on building genuine suspense. aka Revenge of the Dead

Zombie (1979) 7/10

Famous video nasty and unofficial follow-up to Dawn of the Dead, this shoddily paced zombie flick is all about the gore, which Lucio Fulci delivers in spades. aka Zombie Flesh Eaters; Zombi 2

Zombie 3 (1988) 5/10

A good bad zombie flick with messy production and three directors (Lucio Fulci, Claudio Fragasso, Bruno Mattei) – but the main problem is the low budget and poor FX (such as the flying zombie head!). aka Zombie Flesh Eaters 2; Zombi 3

Zombie 4: After Death (1989) 4/10

Zombie mayhem on an island with disjointed plot, 80s soundtrack, porn actor Jeff Stryker, and plenty of gore – for bad movie addicts only. aka After Death; Zombie Flesh Eaters 3

Zombie Holocaust (1980) 5/10

Featuring some of the cast, crew and locations from Zombie, this has terrible acting and dubbing but tons of gore, such as death by motorboat propeller – but is very messy overall. aka Doctor Butcher M.D.