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The Top 10 Zombies of All Time

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“Mom, I’m hungry! Do we have any leftovers of Uncle John from last night?”

With so many hordes of zombies constantly running at you on both the big and small screens, it can be easy to forget that not all zombies are created equally. They are all unique, and were all once humans just like you and I (or at least, I hope only humans are reading this.) Although the foundations of being a zombie hinge on some specific, defining characteristics; rotting flesh, hunger for human flesh, and just generally being undead, certain make up artists and directors have made a conscious effort to create some that are truly unique. The zombies on this list all stand out for their own  reasons, be it their look, demeanor, or anything else that could constitute a truly memorable zombie in film or TV. Here are my top 10 picks of the best zombies in horror.

10. Cemetery Zombie, Night of the Living Dead (1968)[youtube id=”Od2i5PretU8″ align=”right”]

Romero’s Night of the Living Dead is basically the blueprint for the modern zombie film. It introduced a new breed of monster into our world; the slow, lumbering zombie that craved human flesh. The first of these creatures that we see is in the first sequence, when Barbara arrives into the cemetery with her brother Johnny. Played by S. William Hinzman, this zombie is memorable for being the first of all zombies to appear in Romero’s “Dead” franchise.

9. Hannah, The Walking Dead Season 1 (2010) [youtube id=”2ZpN-y4qhYY” align=”right”]

Whether you love the show or you hate the show, there is no denying that the make up effects in AMC’s The Walking Dead are phenomenal. And how could they not be, with Greg Nicotero or KNB fame? Once again, this is the first zombie that we encounter in a series. This zombie is memorable for that and also for the sequence in which protagonist Rick Grimes comes back when he is more prepared so he can kill the zombie, and take it out of its misery. This draws a clear line in the sand to differentiate the humans from the monsters in the series. For more information about KNB, you can visit their website here and view their seriously impressive resume; you’re bound to find some awesome creatures you may not have known they created.

8. Chain Zombie, 28 Days Later (2002) [youtube id=”OyL2AO-Xo3k” align=”right”]

The chained up beast in 28 Days Later is absolutely terrifying. There are a lot of reasons that add into the scare factor for the zombies, called The Infected, in this film. First of all, they are fast; really fast. And second of all, they don’t seem to need to eat flesh. In fact, they seem to kill on rage and anger alone. The image of a zombie chained up like an animal vomiting is disturbing in many ways, which I don’t really need to explain. This movie changed the rules for the zombie, making them stronger, and way more pissed than ever before.

7. Tarman, Return of the Living Dead (1985) [youtube id=”wV1FKU9Oihw” align=”right”]

BRAIIINS!!! This one is just awesome. He’s a disgusting, dripping mass, that’s just a little bit hungry. His voice is crazy and his movements are as well. The Tar Man is not only one of the best zombies of all time, he is probably one of the best monsters to come out of any film from the 1980’s. Tar Man is awesome. That’s not up for debate; it’s undeniable.

6. Clown Zombie, Zombieland (2009) [youtube id=”n3yaZ-pjR2M” align=”right”]

This one is anyone suffering from Coulrophobia‘s worst fear come true; not only is it a terrifying looking clown, it’s also dead and wants to kill you. This is the stuff nightmares are made of, people. Whoever came up with this one is a sick bastard, and I love him for it.

5. Shark Fighting Zombie, Zombi 2 (1979)[youtube id=”uOSN2s8FY8Q” align=”right”]

Fun fact: Although Lucio Fulci was behind most of the film, he had nothing to do with the shark fighting zombie, and in fact was not keen on the idea. Instead, Ugo Tucci, the producer, was the brainchild behind the iconic scene. It was inspired by Renè Cardona, who was known for making low budget knock offs of Jaws. The actor who had the unfortunate task of fighting with the shark was actually not that unfortunate, for it was played by a local marine trainer where the scene was shot in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Bet you didn’t know that, did you?

4. Zombie Baby, Dead Alive (1992)[youtube id=”i4dlZzNv-Lk” align=”right”]

This is possibly the most messed up and hilarious babies of all time. Dead Alive is a film that aims to just take it way too far, and what better way to do that then including an undead baby? This was the last shot that was filmed for the movie, and director Peter Jackson had a lot of excess money in his budget. Therefore, he took two days to film it and get it as perfect as possible, then going on to say that it is the best and funniest scene for him in the movie. I agree.

3. Big Daddy, Land of the Dead (2005) [youtube id=”NDuORNjFJJ4″ align=”right”]

This zombie is pretty complex for a dead person. He feels empathy towards his fellow flesh eaters, and anger towards the living for making his kind suffer. Any zombie can run around killing people, but it takes a special kind of zombie to teach others how to use weapons and even unite to form an army under the same cause. Big Daddy is a force to be reckoned with, and one of my all time favorites of any of Romero’s zombies.

2. Karen Cooper, Night of the Living Dead (1968) [youtube id=”uBPUvsudXmE” align=”right”]

Karen Cooper is a sweet girl who dies and then comes back to live to eat her father and stab her mother to death with a trowel. Although Romero has been mentioned many times on this list for his unique and often copied brand of zombies, he is never credited for his heartwarming scenes of family values such as this one. I aim to change that with this post.

1. Bub, Day of the Dead (1985) [youtube id=”VeaxfJhNwOU” align=”right”]

One zombie to rule them all; Bub is the number 1 most iconic zombie of all time. He was successfully domesticated and possessed the ability to use problem solving skills, speak a small amount, and interact with humans without the overwhelming desire to absolutely devour them. Plus, come on, he’s definitely a little cute. The fact that he goes on a rampage when he finds his mentor dead is just adorable. You go, Bub. I’m proud of you.

BONUS:

Bill Murray, Zombieland 

“Yep. I’m the man.”

Best. Cameo. Ever. So what if he’s not a real zombie in the movie? I’m still keeping him on the list.

There you have it, the 10 Best Zombies of All Time. I know there are way more zombies, so which ones would you add to this list? There is no denying that this could have just been a list of Best Romero Zombies, because let’s face it; he is the master. I would hate to live in a world where George A. Romero never existed. I think all readers of this site can say the same.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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