In modern fandom, there’s something of a battle being waged between fans of Zack Snyder and his previous DC movie universe, dubbed the Snyderverse, and the new DCU being created by James Gunn. One might think there was some level of animosity between the two, but Zack Snyder just reminded everybody that before either of them were making comic book movies, they were making zombie movies, and they were doing it together.

Zack Snyder made his directorial debut as a feature film director over 20 years ago on the remake of George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. Snyder recently shared some (slightly gross) images from the set of the film, which was written by James Gunn, to Instagram. Fans are really appreciating both the men and the movie, with comments that include…

• I love how they are friends while fandoms are fighting over on twitter lol - michaelvincabardo
• Dawn of the Dead The Best Zombie Movie Of Alltime ❤️🔥🙌 - zacksnyderfans
• Can we get a new Snyder Directed + Gunn written movie in the DCU 🙏🏽 @jamesgunn - lightskinbaka
• You two need to work together again. Seriously!! Doesn’t have to be DC. - lionrises_media
• y'all should team up again to make another classic - twinpumpkin
• 🔥🔥🔥 - frankgrillo1

Many fans are pointing out, as the one above does, that Gunn and Snyder are in the middle of a sort of proxy fan war, as many are upset that Zack Snyder’s time controlling DC movies is over and he’s been supplanted by Gunn. To be sure, there are plenty of “Restore the SnyderVerse” comments and calls to fire James Gunn among the comments, but the vast majority of those responding are positive, with love for both men and the movie they made together.

The most interesting comments may be the calls for Gunn and Snyder to make another movie together. Many would love to see Snyder direct another Gunn screenplay, or even to see Snyder direct a new DC movie as part of James Gunn’s DCU. If people are blown away by the fact that Snyder and Gunn once worked together, any plan to do so in the future would throw people for a loop.

Zack Snyder calls the experience of making Dawn of the Dead a “fun time.” In his post. That sentiment was echoed by James Gunn himself, who posted his own comment:

While seeing these two work together again feels like the longest of long shots, there’s little argument that the time they did was pretty incredible. Clearly, the two filmmakers had a lot in common, based on the fact that they found themselves in similar places years later. Maybe that’s why it all worked so well.

Some moviegoers are absolutely against, or simply exhausted by, the idea of remaking a classic film or rebooting a hit TV show, and I absolutely sympathize with that, given how many lackluster remakes Hollywood has delivered. However, I am open to the idea of reimagining a beloved title, as long as the new version offers some reason to justify its existence by not simply hitting "copy, paste" and calling it a day. See what I mean by taking a look at some of these cinematic remakes and TV reboots that either surprised audiences with something or at least managed to stand on their own.

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

The Rat Pack-led original Ocean's 11 from 1960, which sees a group of World War II veterans reuniting to rob five Las Vegas casinos in one night, just for fun. Steven Soderbergh's remake reimagines the heist (involving only three casinos in one vault) as Danny Ocean's (George Clooney) act of revenge against casino magnate Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), who is dating his ex-wife, Tess (Julia Roberts).

Teen Wolf (2011-2017)

Instead of following a high school student who inherits a family curse that makes him half-man, half-animal like the 1985 comedy, Teen Wolf, MTV's more earnest series adaptation starred Tyler Posey as a wolf bite victim who ends up using his lycanthropic abilities to protect his community from supernatural forces with the help of his friends, Buffy style

The Invisible Man (2020)

Considered one of the best horror movie remakes ever made is writer and director Leigh Whannell's reinterpretation of the classic Universal Monster Movie, The Invisible Man. The acclaimed Blumhouse thriller introduces a more plausible explanation for the eponymous villain's transparency and tells the story from the perspective of the victim, his tormented wife (played by Elisabeth Moss), resulting in a powerful and frightening commentary on gaslit abuse victims.

Westworld (2016-2022)

Michael Crichton's 1973 film Westworld was almost a precursor to Jurassic Park, taking place at a high-tech tourist attraction with an Old West aesthetic and highly realistic androids that go haywire. Decades later, an acclaimed HBO drama of the same name would expand on the concept in much darker, timely, and thought-provoking ways.

Scarface (1983)

Howard Hawks' 1932 gangster drama Scarface follows an Italian immigrant (played by Paul Muni) who rises to power in Chicago's criminal underworld. Director Brian DePalma's 1983 classic, which many may not realize is a remake, follows a Cuban immigrant (played by Al Pacino) and his rise to power in Miami's criminal underworld.

War Of The Worlds (2005)

There has never been a truly faithful adaptation of H.G. Wells' seminal novel, but the two best-known alien invasion movies it inspired could not be more different from one another. The 1953 version follows various residents of a California town and shows things from a governmental perspective, while Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds is told entirely from the point of view of a divorced father (played by Tom Cruise) and his two children as they travel the country searching for sanctuary. The remake even subverts expectations by having the evil extraterrestrials rise from the ground as opposed to coming down from the sky.

The Mummy (1999)

Universal's 1932 monster movie, The Mummy, starring Boris Karloff, is an undisputed classic of the studio's seminal creature feature era. When the story was updated in the late '90s, it took a more action-adventure approach, with Brendan Fraser leading the cast as a stand-in for Indiana Jones.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Joss Whedon took the basic premise of his screenplay for the 1992 Kristy Swanson-led horror-comedy movie, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and revamped it (no pun intended) as a more earnest monster-of-the-week thriller, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as the teen monster hunter, that became a cultural phenomenon.

A Star Is Born (1976)

Bradley Cooper's Oscar-winning 2018 directorial debut, A Star is Born, is a wonderful achievement in spite of its many similarities to the late '70s hit of the same name starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. However, that film is a wholly original take on two other synonymous dramas that came before it in 1937 and 1954, both of which revolve around the movie business instead of the music industry.

Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)

The main differentiator between Glen A. Larson's classic '70s sci-fi series, Battlestar Galactica, and Ronald D. Moore's SyFy original reimagining is how it drops the campy tone. However, the contrast is unquestionably dramatic, resulting in one of the most celebrated cosmic TV shows of its time, or any time, and a benchmark for reboots done right.

The Thing (1982)

It is almost cheating to refer to John Carpenter's classic horror movie, The Thing, about an Arctic research crew that can't tell who among them is a shapeshifting alien, as a remake. It could more accurately be described as a far more faithful adaptation of its source material, a novella called "Who Goes There?" than producer Howard Hawks' 1951 thriller, The Thing from Another World, which is a relatively by-the-numbers creature feature.

Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018-2020)

Archie Comics character Sabrina Spellman became a household name when Melissa Joan Hart portrayed her on the very lighthearted ABC sitcom, Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Years later, Netflix released Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, in which star Kiernan Shipka's iteration faces mystical situations of a far graver matter.

The Nutty Professor (1996)

In the original The Nutty Professor from 1963, Jerry Lewis plays the clumsy, unsophisticated, but brilliant Julius Kelp, who develops a serum that alters his personality, creating a more suave and well-kept alter ego he calls Buddy Love. In director Tom Shadyac's remake, Eddie Murphy plays the perfectly sophisticated, but vastly overweight Sherman Klump, whose revolutionary serum initially serves as a temporary, instant weight loss solution, and his thinner self, also named Buddy Love, eventually begins to take on his own persona over time.

The Magnificent Seven (1960)

Many of the best Western movies are reimaginings of classic Japanese action films. One of the best-known examples of this is The Magnificent Seven, which is merely an Americanized update of Seven Samurai, which trades swordfights for gunfights.

Pete’s Dragon (2015)

Co-writer and director David Lowery did not bother rewatching 1977's Pete's Dragon, which follows the friendship between an orphaned boy and a mystical creature that can turn itself invisible. He updated the Disney film into something that is not a musical nor a broad comedy, and goes for a more dramatic, atmospheric fantasy adventure for all ages, with great results.

Bel-Air (2022)

The classic NBC comedy The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air stars Will Smith as a young man taken out of his Philadelphia neighborhood to live with his wealthy California relatives after a violent encounter. This premise worked well as the set-up for a sitcom, but is also well-suited for a drama, as demonstrated in Morgan Cooper's 2019 short film that became the basis for Peacock's darker reimagining, Bel-Air, from producer Smith and starring Jabari Banks.

The Fly (1986)

The original 1958 adaptation of George Langelaan's short story, The Fly, involves an instantaneous transportation experiment gone wrong when an insect gets in the machine, causing a scientist (played by David Hedison) to come out the other end with a fly's head and arm. David Cronenberg's reimagining takes that same transportation device setup, but Jeff Goldblum's Seth Brundle comes out the other end seemingly fine, before his body slowly begins to deteriorate as a result of his DNA being fused with the fly.

Beetlejuice (1989-1991)

The animated series adaptation of 1988's beloved Tim Burton movie, Beetlejuice, is still a story told from a ghost's perspective and retains the same one-of-a-kind, maniacally macabre aesthetic. However, it reimagines the title character as a lovably goofy ghoul who, instead of manipulating Lydia Deetz into marriage, makes friends with her and takes her on various wondrous adventures in the afterlife.

Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)

Jack Finney's classic alien invasion story has been adapted into multiple Invasion of the Body Snatchers movies, all of which are really no different in concept, but differ from each other in various stylistic and thematic ways. For instance, the original 1956 film is a commentary on fears of McCarthyism, while director Philip Kaufman's adaptation instead comments on blind consumerism and boasts not just a bleaker ending, but one of the most devastating endings in horror history.

A Fistful Of Dollars (1964)

At the time A Fistful of Dollars was released, few people realized the first installment of director Sergio Leone and star Clint Eastwood's "Man with No Name Trilogy" was a remake. That is because, while the film is a Western-style, beat-for-beat reimagining of the 1961 samurai classic Yojimbo, which is also about a drifter who protects a village by playing two oppressive gangs against each other, Akira Kurosawa never received any credit for inspiring the story, leading production company Toho to file a lawsuit.

RoboCop (2014)

While some might say that José Padilha's RoboCop is a remake that should have never been made, it at least tried to be different in some respects. In particular, Peter Weller's Alex Murphy from the original has almost no memory of his life before becoming a hybrid of man and machine, but the version played by Joel Kinnaman is fully aware of the person he was before and forced to undergo his unusual procedure against his will, which is quite a bit darker.

Dragnet (1987)

One of the first films to honor the bewildering tradition of adapting earnest TV crime dramas into feature-length comedies was director Tom Mankiewicz's Dragnet. This slapstick parody of detective stories is set in the world of Jack Webb's seminal police procedural, featuring Dan Aykroyd as the nephew of Sgt. Joe Friday (who is also named Joe Friday) and Tom Hanks as his partner, Det. Pep Streebek.

Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans (2009)

Director Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, starring Nicolas Cage, boasts an entirely different story from Abel Ferrara's 1992 crime drama, Bad Lieutenant, starring Harvey Keitel, despite also focusing on the exploits of a corrupt cop.

Disturbia (2007)

Director D.J. Caruso's Disturbia is recognized as an unofficial reimagining of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. It stars Shia LaBeouf as a teenage boy who suspects his neighbor is a murderer while confined to his home under house arrest, as opposed to a grown man (played by Jimmy Stewart) recovering from an injury.

Suspiria (2018)

Luca Guadagnino's reimagining of Dario Argento's 1977 Giallo-style supernatural thriller, Suspiria, has the same setting (a German ballet studio run by witches), but has none of the same eye-popping production design, incorporates a tangentially connected detective story B plot, and boasts a bleak twist ending.

Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

While also set in a mall this time, writer James Gunn and director Zack Snyder's take on the second installment of George Romero's revolutionary zombie movie franchise from 1978, Dawn of the Dead, makes the cast bigger, the zombies faster, the comedy more overt, and the subtle satirical nuances non-existent.

Death Race (2008)

Producer Roger Corman's 1975 B-movie Death Race 2000 takes place in a futuristic, totalitarian United States that holds an annual cross-country racing competition in which the object is to run over as many random pedestrians as possible. Paul W.S. Anderson's reimagining softens the dystopian angle, makes the race exclusive to incarcerated convicts on a single island, and challenges the racers to only kill each other, crowning the last person standing.

Velma (2023-2024)

In the HBO Max original animated prequel series, Velma, starring Mindy Kaling in the title role, the meddling kids from Mystery Inc. are nothing like who they used to be. There is also no Scooby-Doo, which was probably the last straw for all the haters.

When A Stranger Calls (2006)

The Camilla Belle-led update of When a Stranger Calls takes the first 20 minutes of the original 1979 suspense thriller, in which a babysitter discovers her unsettling phone calls are coming from inside the house, and extends that to its own 90-minute feature.

Beauty And The Beast (2012-2016)

From 1987 to 1990, CBS aired a modernized, crime drama-style take on the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast, depicting a romance between a lion-man living underneath New York City (played by Ron Perlman) and a beautiful ADA (played by Linda Hamilton). When The CW developed its own version, the series dropped the mystical half-man, half-animal creature aspect in favor of making the Beast a normal man who goes feral when angered after being subjected to a government experiment.

Paws Of Fury: The Legend Of Hank (2022)

The original title of the animated comedy Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, about a dog who becomes an unlikely hero to a village of cats, was Blazing Samurai, to reflect how Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles served as its structural inspiration.

Mockingbird Lane (2012)

Mockingbird Lane, which aired on NBC as a Halloween special, was developer Bryan Fuller's failed attempt at reimagining the spooky, silly sitcom The Munsters into a modern supernatural dramedy.

Over the years, countless filmmakers have given us movies where almost no one makes it out alive (or no one at all). We’ve seen it in some of the best horror movies, a few Best Picture winners, and in oh so many crazy disaster films. There’s just something about the whole “safety not guaranteed” aspect that keeps drawing us in.

That said, if you want to check out 32 movies where almost no one makes it out alive, stick around because we’re about to break it all down…

Titanic (1997)

Rose DeWitte Bukater (Kate Winslet) and several historical figures who survived the real-life 1912 sinking survived Titanic, but the vast majority of the characters we met during James Cameron’s massive box office hit sank with the doomed ship. Only if the epic’s protagonist had saved some room for her third-class lover on the infamous door.

Scarface (1983)

As soon as Al Pacino’s Tony Montana was introduced in Scarface, we all knew this rags-to-riches story was going to end in a hail of gunfire. And it did just that, as the film’s antihero is massacred alongside most of his men in his massive Miami estate in the film’s explosive and bloody final scene. Tony wasn’t alone, as all but a few of the characters introduced in this iconic crime film bite the dust before it’s over.

Much like the book on which they are based, the various adaptations of All Quiet on the Western Front have all been dark, terrifying, and heartbreaking antiwar films that show the true cost of combat. Edward Berger’s 2022 take on Erich Maria Remarque’s landmark novel is particularly harrowing, especially in the final moments when a last-minute charge of death and destruction shatters hope and survival.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, one of the best movies in the franchise, is admittedly a little bleak with its depiction of a doomed band of spies trying to steal the plan for the Death Star, but there is some hope in their act of sacrifice. The blast of an operational battle station in the final moments is an awesome show of power and a dreadful end for characters we came to know and love.

The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter’s The Thing is a masterclass in tension and paranoia, with its story about a remote research base being taken over by a mysterious shape-shifting alien. If that wasn’t bad enough, the main characters begin getting picked off one by one as the survivors (it ends up only being two in the end) are left trying to make sense of the madness and not knowing if they can trust each other or themselves.

Night Of The Living Dead (1967)

George A. Romero put himself on the map in 1967 with the transformative zombie movie, Night of the Living Dead. On top of introducing heroes that go against the status quo in ‘60s Hollywood, the start of Romero’s legendary horror franchise ended with one of the bleakest moments in horror history.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

It’s hard to say how many of the thieves from the ill-fated diamond heist in Reservoir Dogs make it out alive, but we know that the vast majority of the color-coded crew don’t make it out alive. Either at the hands of their former partners or the police chasing them down, these lowly criminals meet a violent yet unsurprising end in Quentin Tarantino’s directorial debut.

The Grey (2011)

Joe Carnahan’s 2011 survival thriller, The Grey, is honestly one of the most intense movies to come out in the 2010s. Starring Liam Neeson as a sharpshooter at an oil facility in Alaska, the movie follows the grieving man and a group of other roughnecks as they attempt to survive a plane crash in a remote part of the state. If that’s not bad enough, the wounded and weary men are targeted by a pack of hungry wolves.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Thanks to a clever and very impressive marketing campaign, The Blair Witch Project felt less like a found-footage horror movie and more like a documentary about a trio of filmmakers getting lost and dying in the woods. With one of the most shocking endings in horror history, this trailblazing 1999 movie left no one alive.

Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1968)

Though we never see Paul Newman or Robert Redford’s characters die in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, it’s all but guaranteed that these two outlaws die in the final shootout. With figures like this, did anyone expect there to be survivors?

The Departed (2006)

Martin Scorsese’s 2006 crime epic is a remake of a Hong Kong movie called Internal Affairs, but it totally feels like a modern take on a Greek tragedy. Before this one comes to a close, all but a couple of the main characters are in the grave. Heroes, villains, and random characters in one or two scenes, they are all taken down in this Oscar-winning classic.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

A movie primarily set in one location, The Hateful Eight doesn’t hold back with the violence and mayhem. Quentin Tarantino’s 2015 Western introduces and kills characters at such a high rate of speed that you’ll find yourself pausing and rewinding to make sense of all the carnage.

The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

One of the best examples of a disaster film, The Poseidon Adventure follows a group of survivors as they attempt to escape a capsized cruise ship. Though there are thousands aboard the ship before a wave tips it over, only a handful of passengers and crew make it out of this race against time.

Dawn Of The Dead (1978)

George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead introduces some of the best zombie movie characters of all time, but going in, you know most are going to either die or turn into an undead ghoul. By the time everything is said and done, only two survivors make it out, which is far cheerier than what Romero originally had planned.

The Northman (2022)

Based on the ancient legend that inspired William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Robert Eggers’ 2022 epic revenge film, The Northman, is a bloody, violent, and mind-bending experience. And just like any tale of vengeance, it’s not one with a happy ending or a lot of survivors.

Alien (1979)

One of the best things about Ridley Scott’s Alien is how the crew of the Nostromo is picked off one by one by the mysterious and deadly xenomorph after each of the Weylan-Yutani employees is introduced and given time to shine on screen. In fact, it’s only Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley and Jones the cat who make it out alive.

Sunshine (2007)

Sunshine, an oft-forgotten collaboration by director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, follows eight astronauts as they try to reignite a dying sun. Though the movie does give you some hope that the core cast – Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Rose Byrne, and Michelle Yeoh – will survive the mission, it becomes clear that this is a one-way trip to save humanity.

Hereditary (2018)

Ari Aster’s Hereditary is one of the most traumatizing and terrifying horror movies of the past decade, and one that doesn’t leave a whole lot of survivors. In fact, pretty much the entire Graham family is killed in some bloody, fiery, or devastating fashion by the time this is over and done with.

Cloverfield (2008)

When it comes to disaster films with the largest body count, Cloverfield has to be up there on the list. Not only do all the main characters get squashed, eaten, mutated, or killed by the invading alien creatures, but pretty much all of New York City is wiped off the map once the military gets involved.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Don’t let Don’t Look Up’s darkly comedic tone fool you; the 2021 Netflix satirical end-of-the-world disaster film is full of death, destruction, and heartbreak. Even as the members of the ruling class learn centuries after the destruction of Earth, there’s no escaping death.

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is one of the funniest satirical dark comedies of all time. It’s also a political movie with a whole lot of death, especially with the whole ending sequence of atomic warheads detonating around the world, sending what survivors are left into a nuclear winter of epic proportions.

The Alamo (2004)

Before even pressing play on The Alamo back in 2004, we all knew how John Lee Hancock’s historical drama was going to end. One of the most told stories in American history, the Battle of the Alamo in the Texas Revolution, has become the stuff of legends (just don’t ask about the basement). Some 200 Texans, including Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton), Jim Bowie (Jason Patric), and Bill Travis (Patrick Wilson), sacrifice themselves for freedom in this epic.

300 (2007)

Few movies kill off the main character like 300, which sees Gerard Butler’s King Leonidas (and his Spartan soldiers) go out looking awesome. Yeah, it’s sad to see these brave warriors get defeated by the Persian army, but it took A LOT to bring down this king.

The Return Of The Living Dead (1985)

The Return of the Living Dead has to be one of the best horror comedies of all time, as well as a movie that doesn’t end on the happiest of notes. After a zombie outbreak turns Louisville, Kentucky, into a wasteland of brain-eating ghouls, the military gets involved in an attempt to sweep it all under the rug.

Knowing (2009)

Blending elements of sci-fi, thrillers, and disaster films, the 2009 Nicolas Cage movie, Knowing, centers on the discovery of a manuscript that can help predict various disasters in the future. Those familiar with this setup know that survival isn’t likely in this scenario, and that’s what happens when a solar flare turns everyone on the planet into ash.

The Cabin In The Woods (2012)

The Cabin in the Woods is one of the wildest, silliest, and most unique horror movies of the 21st century, and one that kills a lot of people. One by one, a group of college students is killed off by different monsters as they unknowingly become part of a plan to save the world from old gods.

Open Water (2003)

Inspired by true events, Open Water follows a couple as they are mistakenly left behind while scuba diving on vacation. Left alone in shark-infested waters and deteriorating conditions, the couple attempts to survive the situation, which is no easy task.

Silent Night (2021)

Camille Griffin’s Silent Night is one of the funniest, strangest, most brutally honest, and unsettling dark comedies of the past decade. When a deadly fog rolls into England and offers no chance at survival, a group of friends decides to have one final holiday party before dying. But there’s a twist…

Final Destination 5 (2011)

Like its predecessors, Final Destination 5 is a movie about cheating death and what happens if you evade the grim reaper’s touch. Well, in this 2011 installment, a group of survivors think they’ve cheated death for good when they board a plane. However, it’s not just any plane but instead the doomed flight from the first movie.

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World (2012)

With a title like Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, it should be no surprise that this 2012 romantic comedy starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley was going to end with everyone dying. Despite the obvious ending, this charming little movie has a whole lot of heart and soul.

Melancholia (2011)

There are disaster movies and then there’s Melancholia, Lars von Trier’s 2011 drama about two sisters coming to terms with their lives and past decisions days, hours, and minutes before a planet crashes into Earth. With a heavy focus on the inner and more psychological aspects of impending doom, opposed to the collapse of society outside their picturesque escape, this frightening yet awe-inspiring meditation on life and death is a sight to see.

This Is The End (2013)

This is the End, an over-the-top end-of-the-world disaster film starring Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, and some of the biggest comedians of the late 2000s and early 2010s, is an absolute bonkers movie. Going in, you know everyone and their mother is going to die. But it’s what comes after death in this one that’s so much fun.

The genre of horror has existed since the beginning of film. While it's certainly grown more intense or psychological as time has gone on, it's always been there, scaring audiences in their seats one way or another. A pivotal time for the genre was in the 2000s when so many horror films came out that made an impact. Here are some that I'm sure we all remember very well.

Final Destination (2000)

I'm 99% sure that the Final Destination movies perpetually scarred most Millennials. Now, I look at everything as if it could kill them because it could, as this movie has shown multiple times. Final Destination gave a new idea that death will always come when it's meant to come, and you can't avoid it, no matter how much you try.

Cloverfield (2008)

The marketing for Cloverfield was out of this world. Even when I was a little kid at the age of ten, I remember seeing billboards and trailers for this and not knowing what the heck was going on. Only after I watched it years later did I truly understand. It's still a great found-footage horror film and one that defines the genre.

The Strangers (2008)

So many people forget The Strangers because other films have been released with the same basic concept, but this was the original. Inspired by real-life events, the movie is about a couple enjoying a vacation when three masked intruders break into their home and ruin everything. It's eerie and creepy, and it became a colossal hit.

Zombieland (2009)

When you think of some of the best horror comedies out there, I can think of no better than Zombieland. It was released during a massive intake of zombie content within the media but only cemented that we love those brainless monsters and that, sometimes, horror can seriously make us laugh.

Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

Directed by Zack Snyder and written by James Gunn, two big shots in Hollywood nowadays, Dawn of the Dead was when these two were starting in the industry and trying to make it big. The film, based on the original Dawn of the Dead by the same name, brought the creepiness of zombies back to the big screen and added plenty of gore to it.

Lake Mungo (2008)

If you're looking for a good psychological horror film from the 2000s, Lake Mungo certainly made its impact. Hailing from Australia, the film follows the story of a young woman who drowns and the family who must deal with her death while experiencing supernatural events. It just gets more twisted as time goes on. Australian horror films have certainly made an impact over the last few years, but this is one of the best.

American Psycho (2000)

I can't have a list of the most impactful 2000s horror films without including American Psycho. Based on the novel of the same name, this film follows the life of a Wall Street investment worker by day and a serial killer by night. It was a game-changing film for female directors, with Mary Harron at the helm. To this day, people believe this to be one of Christian Bale's best performances.

Saw (2004)

Do you want to talk about changing the game? Saw is definitely one of those horror films that made an impact. While the Saw franchise has existed for two decades now, the first film redefined what it was like to witness blood, death, and horror on the big screen. And from there, the movies only got bloodier.

The Ring (2002)

If you're a fan of horror movies from Japan, then The Ring is really the movie to thank for that. While this movie itself is a remake of another Japanese film, Ring, it ended up bringing a lot of attention to Japanese horror films across the sea and allowing people to really expand their mindset when it came to what horror is. Also, an entire franchise followed after its success.

Drag Me To Hell (2009)

While Drag Me To Hell is the kind of film that isn't necessarily groundbreaking, it certainly made an impact when it first came out. The idea of something happening so suddenly just because you're trying to prove yourself at work and then being sentenced to hell because of it – now that is just terrifying. Of course, when Sam Raimi directs it, one can only wonder what will come from his twisted mind.

The Descent (2005)

The Descent is another film that really tests the limits of what you can do with a horror film. With plenty of gruesome moments, the film follows six women who are trying to make it out of an underground cave system to escape cannibals. It's really the ending that makes it such a great film and something that I won't spoil if you've never seen it.

Slither (2006)

Slither is really the reason we were given James Gunn as a director in the first place and why we've gotten so many amazing films from him since. It was his directorial debut and followed the story of a town getting infected by a parasite. This is a body horror movie to the max, but it's an excellent one at that.

Wolf Creek (2005)

Wolf Creek is an Australian movie about three backpackers who are held captive and hunted down by a serial killer in the outback. If you've never seen this movie, you're probably wondering how it made an impact, but let me tell you—this film is violent. It's perhaps one of the most violent Australian movies out there, and for that, I have to give it the warped flowers it deserves.

The Devil's Backbone (2001)

Oh, you knew I'd find a way to put Guillermo del Toro on here. He's a master of horror and fantasy; it would be a sin for me not to place him on this list. The Devil's Backbone is a fantastic horror film that follows a boy who a dead child haunts as he stays at an orphanage during the Spanish Civil War. It was a great gateway into the world of Mexican horror films – many of which are excellent.

The Mist (2007)

Frank Darabont is a king of horror, and The Mist is one of his subjects, which brings one of Stephen King's most beloved novels to life. What really makes The Mist have such a profound impact is the ending. If you haven't seen it, I won't spoil it, but it packs a hard, Karate Kid-style punch that will knock you on your back for 5-7 business days. It's painful in so many ways – and brilliant in a horror movie aspect.

The Cell (2000)

If you're looking for other movies that really made a dent in what you can show on screen and can't, then The Cell is an excellent choice. Starring Jennifer Lopez, the movie really tests the boundaries of horror and its strange stylistic choices while also emerging into the world of sci-fi. Its plot centers on a social worker entering into the mind of a serial killer.

Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

There are so many great horror comedies out there, and Shaun of the Dead is really the blueprint for many of them. I feel like many of the horror parody movies we have now would not exist if not for Shaun of the Dead. It's hysterical in many ways, with some kills I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams, and unlike many other horror movies, it is a film that I will willingly rewatch.

Hostel (2005)

When I first watched Hostel I regretted everything, I knew I'd never watch it again because this film is just…gory. It's very gory, but what else could you expect from Eli Roth? The movie takes leaps and bounds for its gruesome tale and certainly made an impact with two sequels and a TV show that is reportedly in the works. But if you're looking for impactful films, this is the one to glance at.

Insidious (2009)

I genuinely don't think a movie franchise from the 2000s has made more of an impact than the Insidious movies. These films opened up a whole new interest in the paranormal landscape of horror, and now, years later, we are still getting Insidious films. There's nothing quite like that red demon jumpscare.

The Loved Ones (2009)

Hailing from Australia, The Loved Ones is a mix between horror and campy at specific points, but it paved the way for many other films with similar styles to come out. The movie follows the story of a high schooler who now has to attend a twisted party when he doesn't accept a dance date and the twisted adventures he goes on. It's harsh in its delivery of gore, and I loved watching it.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

While found-footage films existed before Paranormal Activity, this movie sky-rocketed into fame and led to several other Paranormal Activity films. It really renewed the entire genre of found footage and gave us many good—and bad—films from that subdivision. We haven't gotten a new film in some time, but it's only a matter of when.

Martyrs (2008)

Coming from France this time around, Martyrs is one of those movies that really paved the way for horror films to take a step back from just pure gore and scares and really dig deep into the mind of the subject we are viewing. The film focuses on the story of a young woman who was tortured as a child and seeks revenge against those who did it alongside her friend. While it does take twists, it's the message beyond that which genuinely made an impact and gave us very great emotionally-driven horror movies.

Ginger Snaps (2000)

I sometimes forget that Ginger Snaps came out in the 2000s just because of its '90s aesthetic, but it did, back in 2000, and it really was a great werewolf movie. It felt like, for years, we weren't getting the kind of werewolf films we deserved from what I've seen of the 1990s, and this was the kind of refresh that we needed for the genre.

Orphan (2009)

Oh, you knew I'd put Orphan on here. Orphan is the kind of film that makes you rethink everything. Children were already creepy in horror movies, but the one in this? Esther? Ooooh, keep her away from me with a ten-foot pole. Orphan redefined how to use children as a scare tactic within horror movies, and I can't complain one bit.

Trick 'R Treat (2007)

While it bombed at the box office, this is the type of film that has gained a cult following over the years and has only gotten better with age. Trick 'r Treat is an anthology movie that follows several different people on Halloween, and all run into Sam, a trick-or-treater who enforces the rules of Halloween. Without this film, there wouldn't be as many anthology horror movies as we have now. We may not have even gotten the Terrifier series.

Jennifer's Body (2009)

The Jennifer's Body cast is freaking iconic, and I will not stand for any other slander against them. This movie is what I would define as girl-boss horror – because who doesn't want to watch a girl kill literally the words kinds of men? All right, jokes aside, Jennifer's Body is the kind of film that made it possible for other movies to really dig deep into the comedy aspect of horror while also creating a film that is undeniably sexy in its delivery as well as its kills.

Let The Right One In (2008)

When you think of the best vampire movies out there, Let The Right One In is probably one of the first that pops up. The film, telling the story of a friendship between a boy and a vampire girl, is one of the first that really allowed for emotionally driven vampire stories to become as big as they did, and it's something I can appreciate.

The House Of The Devil (2009)

Before the X franchise, Ti West directed The House of the Devil, a horror film that follows a college student who takes a babysitting job but forces her life out of her control in the house. This movie is the definition of a slasher but also dares to combine that with paranormal aspects that make it such a fun watch. If you haven't seen it, check it out.

The Others (2001)

While Nicole Kidman is known for plenty of other roles nowadays, her starring part in The Others is one of my favorites. When a mother and her children arrive at a new manor, they start to experience supernatural events, but the scares are delivered in such a way that they make me jump even now, years later.

28 Days Later (2002)

If you think of some of the best zombie films of the last few decades, one that always comes up is 28 Days Later. Focusing on someone who wakes up from a coma and now suddenly has to deal with a virus that has broken his society, the movie uses interesting filming techniques and horrifying zombies that truly up the scare game.

REC (2007)

Found footage horror really hit its stride back in 2007, and REC was a great example of that mixed with zombies. It follows the story of a reporter who goes with her camera crew to an apartment that is festering with a zombie infection. It's creepy and scary and gets your heart pumping in the best way.

Inside (2007)

Coming from France, Inside was a big step in the right direction for women-leading horror films. It details the story of a pregnant widow whose life is threatened on Christmas Eve by an intruder. It's scary in all the right ways and makes you double-check every time you lock your door.

There are so many other horror films that made an impact, but these are just some that will get you interested. Now it's time for a horror movie marathon. It's time to get my blanket and snuggle up with popcorn.

The best uses of music in movies and TV shows have typically changed the way we perceive the songs in question forever, especially if the normally jovial tune is heard during or relates to a particularly intense or disturbing scene. Because of the way the following titles used some of the happiest radio hits of all time, we can never hear them again without our hearts skipping a beat.

Zodiac ("Hurdy Gurdy Man" - Donovan)

The opening scene of Zodiac depicts a horrifying crime by the eponymous killer, accompanied by an otherwise relaxing folk ballad from 1968 called "Hurdy Gurdy Man." Coincidentally, Ione Skye, the daughter of the song's writer and performer, Donovan, makes an uncredited appearance in David Fincher's great true crime movie from 2007 as Zodiac Killer witness Kathleen Johns.

Black Mirror ("Anyone Who Knows What Love Is Will Understand" - Irma Thomas)

In one of the best episodes of Black Mirror (Season 1's "Fifteen Million Merits), Abi (Jessica Brown Findlay) auditions for Hot Shot by singing "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is Will Understand." Following this memorable scene from the sci-fi anthology series, the 1964 Irma Thomas hit would be featured in some capacity in every season since, offering plenty more reasons to feel unsettled by the feel-good romance tune.

The Silence Of The Lambs (“Goodbye Horses” - Q Lazzarus)

According to the original writer of "Goodbye Horses," William Garvey, the 1988 one-hit-wonder performed by Q Lazzarus is about “the ability to lift one’s perception above [their] physical limitations." In that case, its inclusion in the terrifying Best Picture Oscar winner, The Silence of the Lambs, as serial killer Jame “Buffalo Bill” Gumb (Ted Levine) embraces his femininity through dance is a perfect match.

Halloween ("(Don't Fear) The Reaper" - Blue Öyster Cult)

To be fair, the lyrics to Blue Öyster Cult’s signature 1976 hit “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” are not the happiest, referencing a romance destined to end similar to that of Romeo and Juliet. However, the world might have been less receptive to its creepier themes if not for its inclusion in one of the best horror movies of all time, 1978's Halloween, as Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Annie Brackett (Nancy Kyes) are unwittingly being tiled Haddonfield’s own “reaper,” Michael Myers.

Watchmen ("The Times They Are A-Changin'" - Bob Dylan)

There is a dark thematic tone to most of Bob Dylan's earlier work, especially his 1962 breakthrough hit, "The Times They Are A-Changin'." The folk ballad's message of a society experiencing a revolution comes through effectively while playing over the opening titles of 2009's Watchmen, which traces the ups and downs of superheroes' contributions to history in the world Alan Moore's seminal graphic novel.

American Psycho (“Hip To Be Square” - Huey Lewis And The News)

Pop culture's most famous Huey Lewis and the News fan would have to be Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), who provides an impassioned analysis of 1986's "Hip to Be Square," and the Fore! album in general, as he prepares to murder his colleague, Paul Allen (Jared Leto) in his apartment. Lewis himself would pay tribute to the memorable moment from American Psycho in a Funny or Die bit in which he exuberantly analyzes the 2000 psychological thriller as he prepares to murder “Weird Al” Yankovic.

Insidious ("Tiptoe Through The Tulips" - Tiny Tim)

For years, the only creepy aspect of Tiny Tim's version of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" was that the high-pitched vocalist was actually a lanky, 6'1" man. These days, since its prominent use in the first Insidious movie from 2011, audiences cannot help but picture the demonic "Man with Fire on His Face" when the romantic ukulele ballad plays.

American Horror Story ("Tonight You Belong To Me" - Patience & Prudence)

The best-known version of writers Billy Rose and Lee David's "Tonight You Belong to Me" is by young sisterly duo Patience & Prudence, which became even more famous in 2011, thanks to American Horror Story. The playful 1956 tune about making the most of your time with a loved one appeared in four episodes of the horror anthology TV show's premiere season from 2011, taking place in a haunted house with an extensive history of murders.

Beetlejuice ("Banana Boat (Day-O)” - Harry Belafonte)

In 1988's Beetlejuice, the ghostly Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis) attempt to scare off the Deetzes (Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O’Hara) by possessing them and their party guests into dancing and lip-synching to Harry Belafonte’s “Banana Boat (Day-O).” While the scene did not necessarily make the 1956 Calypso hit creepy, it would be forever entwined with the classic horror-comedy movie – a fact that Belafonte told Pitchfork he enjoyed.

Reservoir Dogs ("Stuck In The Middle With You" - Stealers Wheel)

The first of many iconic musical moments in Quentin Tarantino's movies occurs in 1992's Reservoir Dogs, when Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) puts on K-Billy's Super Sounds of the '70s (which starts playing "Stuck In The Middle With You") and proceeds to torture Officer Marvin Nash (Kirk Baltz). We doubt there is a single person who can listen to Stealers Wheel's upbeat, 1973 rock single without imagining the criminal slicing the cop's ear off, even though that moment is thankfully kept off camera.

A Clockwork Orange (“Singin' In The Rain”)

If there is one cinematic use of 1929's "Singin' in the Rain" as, if not more, iconic as Gene Kelly's performance in the eponymous 1952 musical, it would be the rendition heard in A Clockwork Orange. As Alex DeLarge, Malcolm McDowell belts out the song about happiness that even weather cannot deter during one of the most unspeakably brutal moments from the 1971 Stanley Kubrick movie.

Stranger Things ("Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" - Kate Bush)

There have been many memorable musical moments from Stranger Things but none as impactful as its uses of "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)" in Season 4, which made Kate Bush's definitive track more popular than ever. The English art pop queen’s 1985 ballad first helps rescue Max (Sadie Sink) from Vecna's trance before a remixed reprise accompanies the disparate gang's multi-faceted defeat of the villain in the action-packed finale.

10 Cloverfield Lane ("I Think We're Alone Now" - Tommy James & The Shondells)

While it experienced a new life in the 1980s with Tiffany's cover, the original version of "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tommy James & The Shondells was reintroduced to modern audiences via 10 Cloverfield Lane. The cute pop tune about a couple enjoying their time on their own took on a whole new meaning when it appeared in the 2016 thriller, which takes place in an underground bunker inhabited by survivors of an unknown disaster.

Supernatural ("Carry On, Wayward Son" - Kansas)

"Carry On, Wayward Son" by Kansas would become the de facto theme for Supernatural after it was used in the season finale following the first one. In fact, the series finale of the hit series, following the adventures of paranormal hunters Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki), was named "Carry On," after the 1976 rock epic.

Get Out (“Run Rabbit Run” - Flanagan And Allen)

Originally released in the late 1930s and a hit during World War II, "Run Rabbit Run" became iconic to modern horror movie audiences as the first song featured in Jordan Peele's Oscar-winning 2017 thriller Get Out. The song is heard coming from the car that sneaks up on Andre Hayworth (LaKeith Stanfield), who tries to walk in the opposite direction before getting abducted.

Halloween II (“Mr. Sandman” - Chordettes)

The second installment of the Halloween franchise from 1981 opens in an unexpected manner. Instead of John Carpenter's unmistakable score, we hear the Chordettes' endearing doo-wop hit, "Mr. Sandman," which might have had a more endurable reputation as a retroactively creepy song if not for its use in the time travel movie classic, Back to the Future, four years later.

Kill Bill Vol. 1 ("Woo Hoo" - The 5.6.7.8's)

Before blood hits the screen at the House of Blue Leaves in 2003's Kill Bill Vol. 1, things are peaceful at the Japanese eatery. One major reason why is because the guests are treated to the head-knocking rock 'n roll song, "Woo Hoo," by The 5.6.7.8's, whom Quentin Tarantino discovered while shopping in Japan and wound up casting in the violent revenge movie.

Jeepers Creepers ("Jeepers Creepers" - Paul Whiteman and His Swing Wing)

The lyric "Jeepers creepers, where'd you get those eyes?" takes on a more frighteningly literal meaning in Jeepers Creepers. The eponymous love song by Paul Whiteman and His Swing Wing plays during the final moment of the 2001 horror flick as the grotesque, villainous "Creeper" (Jonathan Breck) shows off his new "peepers," which he stole from Darry (Justin Long).

Shaun Of The Dead ("Don't Stop Me Now" - Queen)

Like most Edgar Wright films, there are many moments from Shaun of the Dead in which music plays a large role but the best takes place at the Winchester. Nearly every move Shaun (Simon Pegg) and the gang make when battling the bar's undead owner is in near-perfect sync with Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now," which randomly starts playing from the jukebox as they are desperate to stay undetected from the horde outside.

The Shining ("Midnight, The Stars And You" - Ray Noble And His Orchestra)

The final moment of Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining slowly zooms into a photo taken at the Overlook in 1921 with a man resembling Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) shown front and center. The chilling shot is accompanied by 1934's "Midnight, the Stars and You" –performed by Ray Noble and his Orchestra with vocals by Al Bowlly – which is most notable today for its inclusion in the 1980 horror classic.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe ("Open Up Your Heart (and Let the Sunshine In)" - The McGuire Sisters)

In The Autopsy of Jane Doe, the titular corpse (actually a witch capable of nearly anything but moving a muscle) likes to taunt the father-son coroners examining her by playing the McGuire Sisters' version of "Open Up Your Heart (and Let the Sunshine In)" on the radio. The otherwise "shiny" tune makes a devasting reprise near the end when Austin (Emile Hirsch) believes he is being rescued by Sheriff Burke (Michael McElhatton) who repeatedly tells him to "open up" the stuck cellar doors until he hears him belt the song's chorus, indicating his nightmare is not yet over.

The Strangers ("My First Lover" - Gillian Welch)

Sometimes turning a happy song into nightmare fuel takes a little manipulation, such as how Gillian Welch's "My First Lover" appears in The Strangers. At one point in the 2008 home invasion thriller, a record scratch causes the romantic folk ballad to repeatedly loop on the lyric, "Quicksilver girl," which is enough to create relentless tension.

Us ("Les Fleurs" - Minnie Riperton)

Sung from the perspective of a flower, Minnie Riperton's 1969 hit "Les Fleurs" is a beautiful song about spiritual renewal. However, when it begins playing as the twist from the ending of Us is revealed and reaches its invigorating crescendo during the apocalyptic final shot, it creates a chilling juxtaposition for Jordan Peele's sophomore hit.

A Quiet Place Part II ("Beyond The Sea" - Bobby Darin)

In A Quiet Place Part II, Emmett (Cillian Murphy) tells Regan (Millicent Simmonds) that he has heard a radio station playing Bobby Darin's scintillating swing hit "Beyond the Sea" on repeat. She correctly deciphers this as a code sent from an island safe haven, which she and Emmett eventually find and, unwittingly, lead a sound-hunting alien to.

Candyman ("The Candy Man" - Sammy Davis Jr.)

Some might argue that 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory has its creepy moments, but Aubrey Woods' performance of "The Candy Man" is not one of them. However, by playing Sammy Davis Jr.'s rendition of the song and slowly fading it out with the sound of buzzing bees during the production logos serves as a perfect way to set the tone for the 2021 Candyman requel.

Annabelle: Creation ("You Are My Sunshine" - Charles McDonald)

The end of Annabelle: Creation from 2017 leaves off where the rising action of its 2014 predecessor begins, revealing how Malthus entered the creepy doll. Playing over the closing credits is Charle McDonald's rendition of "You Are My Sunshine," making it the ironic defacto theme of the Conjuring Universe movie.

The House Of The Devil ("One Thing Leads To Another" - The Fixx)

Ti West's 2009 breakthrough feature, The House of the Devil, is a slow-burn horror film that waits to reveal its visceral frights with masterful pacing. During that time, he finds ways to catch you off guard with moments of levity, such as when Samantha (Jocelin Donahue) tries to distract herself from her creepy "babysitting" gig by dancing around her clients' house to The Fixx's "One Thing Lead to Another" on her tape player.

Dawn Of The Dead ("The Man Comes Around" - Johnny Cash)

Upon deeper examination, Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around" is a song about Jesus Christ's return to Earth on Judgment Day. Its foreboding apocalyptic message is greatly emphasized by its inclusion over the opening credits of Zack Snyder's 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead.

The Handmaid's Tale ("Cloudbusting" - Kate Bush)

Despite boasting one of Kate Bush's most cheerful melodies, "Cloudbusting" is actually one of her darkest hits, inspired by the true story of a boy whose father was taken away from him when he was abruptly arrested. However, that tale is far lighter than the story of The Handmaid's Tale, which uses the song in a scene from Season 3 in which evidence of a character's brutal murder is removed.

You're Next ("Looking For Magic" - Dwight Twilley Band)

Director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett are known for using comedy in their horror movies, including their otherwise brutal 2013 home invasion thriller, You're Next. Much of the humor comes from the ironic use of the Dwight Tilley Band's "Looking for Magic" in two scenes, due to one victim of the masked assassins putting the 1977 pop tune on repeat accidentally before his death.

Final Destination ("Rocky Mountain High" - John Denver)

The uplifting music of John Denver has been used for ironically dark purposes in several movies and the most iconic example comes from the first installment of the Final Destination movies. Any time "Rocky Mountain High" is heard in the 2000 teen thriller is a signal that Death is near.

Nope ("Fingertips" - Stevie Wonder)

To be fair, Stevie Wonder's "Fingertips" never actually appears in Jordan Peele's third feature, 2022's Nope. However, a remixed version of it provides an ominous aura for the alien invasion movie's trailer.

George A. Romero’s Living Dead franchise gave audiences some of the best horror movies of all time and helped revolutionize the zombie film genre. Romero, who passed away in July 2017, with his knack for storytelling, increasing levels of tension, a love of gore, and a biting satire that was unmatched during his day, ushered in a new era of horror movies, films that weren’t afraid to take chances and give underrepresented voices and characters a place to shine.

Just like how the “Godfather of Zombies” wrote some truly badass female characters for his various horror films, Romero’s iconic films also featured some all-time great Black heroes of not only the horror world, but of cinema in general. Here’s a history of those unforgettable characters (both living and undead) who helped turn Romero’s socially-conscious series into one of the best horror franchises of all time. 

Ben (Night Of The Living Dead)

Back in 1968, a Black hero in a movie with a predominantly white cast was rare outside of those played by the legendary Sidney Poitier, especially in horror movies. However, that all changed when George A. Romero cast Duane Jones to play Ben, one of the leads in his landmark zombie film, Night of the Living Dead. 

Throughout the movie, Ben is an incredibly resourceful character who keeps his head together and wants to come up with a plan to survive the night and the scores of undead corpses pounding on the doors, windows, and walls of the crudely fortified farmhouse. But it isn’t just the zombies that Ben fights over the course of the night, as he also has to combat the anger and prejudice of Harry Cooper (Karl Hardman), one of the most hostile characters in the franchise.

Though Romero would later reveal in a Telegraph interview that Ben was originally written as white in the original script and that Jones was simply the best actor to play the role (the late filmmaker also revealed that the film’s wild and iconic ending wasn’t a response to the MLK Jr. assassination), strong Black characters would become a critical part of all his zombie movies that followed. 

Peter Washington (Dawn Of The Dead)

Dawn of the Dead has long been considered the best entry in the franchise for a myriad of reasons, one of those being Peter Washington. Portrayed by the legendary Ken Foree, who would go on to play Kenan Thompson’s on-screen dad on Kenan & Kel two decades later, this Philadelphia SWAT officer has a certain presence and energy about him that makes him not only the best character in the 1978 zombie movie but also one of the most beloved in the genre’s history.

One thing I love about revisiting this influential horror movie is watching Peter’s character develop as the story progresses. He starts as this physically imposing, no-nonsense cop focused on surviving the zombie apocalypse as well as the more reckless members of his group (especially David Emge’s Stephen “Flyboy” Andrews) but then transforms into a warm, open, and knowledgeable friend who cares deeply about those trapped in the mall with him.

Peter is the backbone of the group of survivors and helps put plans in motion to ensure their survival in the massive mall, first by getting rid of all the zombies walking through its stores and then later by constructing a hidden entrance to their hideout. And then when the gang of bikers comes in and destroys the paradise he and the other characters worked so hard to create, Peter rises to the occasion and takes care of the marauders and the legions of undead storming through the now-open doors.

On top of all of that, he also utters one of the most iconic horror movie quotes with his “No more room in Hell” line.

John (Day Of The Dead)

Day of the Dead is one of the more complicated films in Romero’s Living Dead franchise, considering that so much of the scope and scale of the movie was changed in the development phase and its tumultuous production. However, it’s still one of the highest-rated zombie movies ever made, and it features some of Romero’s best social commentary with its story focused on the fight between scientists and soldiers living in an underground storage facility and mine. 

Do you know what else is great about this 1985 horror flick? Well, that would be John (Terry Alexander), perhaps the most reluctant hero of the whole saga. At the beginning of the movie, he appears to be nothing more than a nihilistic and pragmatic helicopter pilot who sees no cure for the zombie plague on the surface, going so far as to call it a form of divine retribution and punishment for humanity’s sins. 

He does make plans for escape before the already ill-tempered soldiers finally turn against the scientists (which they do), but John makes it so that Dr. Sarah Bowman (Lori Cardille) and Bill McDermott (Jarlath Conroy) don’t end up as zombie food.

John, along with McDermott, was a continuation of Romero’s trend of having unlikely heroes be the ones who save the day, or at least offer a hand to those in need. Is he a little self-serving? Yes. Is he a little self-righteous? Yes. But his outlook on life is honestly one of the most realistic in the movie, and his actions go beyond survival and instead are heroic.

Big Daddy (Land Of The Dead)

I know, Big Daddy (Eugene Clarke) is a zombie and spends all of Land of the Dead trying to eat flesh, but he’s honestly the hero of Romero’s 2005 horror film. One of the most iconic zombies of all time, this former gas station attendant becomes the leader of the undead army marching toward Pittsburgh and the Fiddler’s Green luxury high-rise where society’s elite live under the facade of safety and security while the underprivileged of society live in a constant state of fear. 

Sure, there are non-zombie heroes featured throughout this movie, but Big Daddy is different in the sense that he is incorruptible and never loses focus of his mission: usher in a new era, one in which the patriarchy and corrupt 1% of society finally face consequences for their actions. The determined zombie and leader of the rebellion also shows signs of increased intellect, which essentially makes him the first in a line of smarter, more thoughtful ghouls.

All of these Black heroes in George A. Romero’s Living Dead movies were great in one way or another, even if one was a flesh-eating zombie. While the famed director has since passed away, there’s still the long-in-the-works Twilight of the Dead project to look forward to down the road.

Zombie movies have become one of the most beloved genres of films today. With hit shows like The Walking Dead dominating the ratings in recent years, it's no surprise that the genre has an enduring legacy that goes back decades. Rotten Tomatoes is a great resource for finding out what the critics think, but we've added our own flavor to this list of the best zombies out there. 

1. One Cut Of The Dead (2017) - 100%

It's a little bit of a surprise to see One Cut of the Dead at #1 on the list, but that's not because it's bad. It's a great movie, a very meta movie. It's a low-budget movie from Japan about the cast and crew filming a low-budget zombie. As the crew starts to turn, they decide to use the "real" zombies for the film. It's a great commentary on the genre and landing at #1 shows just how well done it is, despite the minuscule budget. 

2. Night Of The Living Dead (1968) - 95%

You can't argue with a classic, and there isn't a more classic zombie movie, or indeed, horror movie, than George A. Romero's Night Of The Living Dead. It's the movie that really invented the modern genres. It may have been controversial in its day, but there is nothing controversial about calling it one of the best of all time today. 

3. Train To Busan (2017) - 95%

In what has to be one of the deadliest zombie movies of all time, the Korean movie Train to Busan comes in at #3 on the list of Rotten Tomatoes' best zombie movies. The entire movie takes place on a train as the zombie apocalypse breaks out. It adds an element of claustrophobia to the already terrifying situation and it's remarkably effective, as are the zombies. 

4. Re-Animator (1985) - 94%

1985's Re-Animator is a stone-cold classic when it comes to low-budget horror. It's had an enduring legacy, including sequels and spinoffs in other media. It's funny, and gory in the best ways. It fits right in with movies like Evil Dead and The Toxic Avenger from the same era and should considered a must-see for fans of zombie flicks. 

5. Dawn Of The Dead (1978) - 91%

George A Romero is the godfather of the zombie genre, and his follow-up to Night of the Living Dead is an excellent example of why. It took him ten years to get the sequel made, but it was worth the wait, as it's at least as good, if not better than the first movie in the series.  

6. Shaun Of The Dead (2004) - 92%

As much a love letter to George A. Romero and a comedy as it is a zombie movie, Shaun of the Dead became an instant classic when it was released. It's not about being scared, it's about a deep appreciation for the genre and how funny it can be when presented in the abstract. Simon Pegg, who co-wrote the movie with director Edgar Wright, stars alongside his pal Nick Frost in a movie sure to have you rolling on the floor, laughing. 

7. The Return of the Living Dead (1985) - 91%

The Return of the Living Dead is notable for lots of reasons, but the biggest one has to be that it's the first to introduce what has since become a classic trope – brain-eating zombies. Believe it or not, it's considered the first to introduce the idea that has become standard fare for the genre, and even if it wasn't as funny and as cool as it is, it would be on any list of the best. 

8. Blood Quantum (2019) - 89%

It's rare for zombie movies to mix in political messages, but Blood Quantum does it, and does it well. Set in Canada, Blood Quantum's twist is that the indigenous First Nations people are immune to the disease that causes the zombie outbreak, so while there is plenty of good zombie action, there is an underlying message that sets it apart from much of its brethren.  

9. Rec (2007) - 90%

Zombie movies aren't just a North American thing, of course. From Spain comes 2007's Rec which uses the idea of "found footage" much like The Blair Witch Project. It's pretty much all contained in one apartment complex in Barcelona, Spain and is full of jump scares and thrilling moments. 

10. Zombieland (2009) - 89%

Director Ruben Fleischer hit one out of the (amusement) park with his debut film Zombieland. Not only is the movie a hilarious take on the genre, but it features one of the most out-of-blue appearances by Bill Murray, playing a zombified version of himself. Without Murray it's an A+ movie, with him, it's simply out of this world. 

11. Dead Alive (1992) - 89%

Right before director Peter Jackson hit the big time with Heavenly Creatures in 1994, he directed the low-budget zombie flick Dead Alive, which was originally called Braindead in his native New Zealand. The movie bombed at the box office but has since gained a huge cult following, hence its inclusion on this list. 

12. 28 Days Later (2002) - 87%

If you are director Danny Boyle, how do you follow-up to Trainspotting and The Beach? With a zombie movie, naturally.  28 Days Later is a terrifying movie, starring a young Cillian Murphy as one of the few survivors of the zombie apocalypse in London. The deserted streets of London were as spooky as anything ever done on film. 

13. The Girl With All The Gifts (2016) - 85%

One thing you have to love about a good zombie movie is what they call the zombies. In The Girl with All the Gifts, they are called "hungries" which has to be one of the best names ever. The other cool twist is that a zombie is also a savior, one that can save the world, or destroy it. 

14. The Autopsy Of Jane Doe (2016) - 86%

The Autopsy of Jane Doe is unique for zombie movies in that it's almost completely contained in one place, and really just one zombie, Jane Doe, who has been a zombie for centuries, presumably taking regular people out for all that time, including the two protagonists here, doing the autopsy. 

15. Day Of The Dead (1985) - 87%

When it comes to zombie movies, George A. Romeo's movies still remain the king, even Day of the Dead, which is generally considered one of the "weaker" movies in his zombie series but is still one of the best of the genre. There is nothing weak about it when you aren't comparing it to some of his other masterpieces. 

16. I Walked With A Zombie (1943) - 85%

Taking it way back, I Walked with a Zombie, is one of the earliest zombie movies out of Hollywood. The low-budget horror flick wasn't appreciated in its day but has since been regarded as a pioneer in the genre. The zombies come from voodoo rituals, rather than the more recent tradition of a disease or something more sci-fi-based, but that only makes it scarier in a way. 

17. Warm Bodies (2013) - 81%

Warm Bodies has two of the best twists on the zombie genre we've ever seen. First, it's from the zombie's perspective, and two, the zombie heals and becomes more human. R (Nicholas Hoult) is a zombie who falls in love with Julia (Teresa Palmer) and after saving her, they begin a romance, humanizing R along the way. A zombie love story, if you will. 

18. Little Monsters (2019) - 79%

There might be a little recency bias with the Rotten Tomato ranking of Little Monsters. It's a fun movie, no doubt, and it's funny, but it's not bringing a lot of new ideas to the genre. Lupita Nyong'o and Josh Gad are great, no question, and mixing rom-com tropes into a zombie movie is interesting, but it's not as good as some of the others on this list if you love zombie movies. 

19. Dawn Of The Dead (2004) - 76%

Remakes are always a little hit or miss. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. For the 2004 remake of George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead, first-time director Zach Snyder teamed up with James Gunn to make one heck of a good remake. It's not quite as classic as the original, but it's still well worth any fan of the genre's time. 

20. Wild Zero (1999) - 100%

The Japanese film Wild Zero is, frankly, wild, as the name implies. The zombie part kind of comes out of nowhere, and while it fits in the madness of the movie, it adds a strange dimension to it. Rock 'n Roll zombies will save the world. 

21. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998) - 88%

Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island is easily the most innocent and kid-friendly entry on this list. That said, it's a little different than traditional Scooby fare, as there are actual monsters, or zombies, not just the old man living in the abandoned amusement park. It's also notable and it kicked off the new era of Scooby movies and shows that have continued to this day. 

22. Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1974) - 86%

Let Sleeping Corpses Lie is a classic that many fans of the zombie genre may have overlooked. The Italian film, set in England was released in 1974 and has a very European take on the genre. The unique spin here is that it's essentially set up as a murder mystery, with the undead as the murderers, not the innocent living who are suspected. 

23. Deathdream (1974) - 85%

Deathdream is unique in that it's a zombie movie with a political message. Released in 1974 towards the end of the Vietnam War, the movie is about an undead son who is struck down in Vietnam but returns home, seemingly ok. He's not ok, but it takes some time for his family to realize it. 

24. Juan Of The Dead (2010) - 83%

Great zombie movies can come from just about anywhere, including Cuba, as is the case of Juan of the Dead. It follows two men who discover the first walking dead while fishing, but not the last, as a zombie apocalypse breaks out on the island, mirroring in some ways the past revolution, as they see it, anyway. 

25. Night Of The Comet (1984) - 79%

Anyone who grew up with cable TV in the 1980s knows, and probably loves, Night of the Comet. The movie aired on cable all the time and while it was a huge box office hit, it really found its stride later, when it became a cult classic. It tells the story of the last few survivors of an apocalyptic event when Earth passes through the tail of a comet, rendering most of the world's population dead or undead. 

26. Planet Terror (2007) - 77%

Robert Rodriguez's take on zombies, Planet Terror, is exactly what you would expect from the From Dusk Till Dawn director. It's funny and full of wild, over-the-top action. Released as a double feature with Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof, it is sublimely silly and action-packed. 

27. Night Of The Creeps (1986) - 73%

The best thing about Night of the Creeps is that it doesn't try to be something more than it is. It's a first-rate B movie that doesn't pretend to be anything different. It's the directorial debut of one of the best horror creators of his generation, Fred Dekker, and is worth seeking out if you love campy B movies.  

28. Versus (2000) - 75%

Japan has produced some great, campy zombie movies, like 2000's Versus. It combines the best of horror and king fu movies, resulting in a cult classic that has stood the test of time. 

29. 28 Weeks Later (2007) - 75%

Normally, when a sequel comes around that doesn't include the creators of the original, it's best to steer clear. 28 Weeks Later is an exception to that rule, though. Even though Danny Boyle doesn't direct it, and Cillian Murphy doesn't star in it, the sequel to 28 Days Later brings all the same vibes and scares that the original does. 

30. Final Cut (2022) - 72%

Final Cut is a remake of a movie, in which a movie crew is remaking a movie of the fictional movie that the crew in the original was making. Got it? Very meta, right? This French remake of the Japanese zombie film One Cut of the Dead isn't as good as the original, but it's still really funny. 

31. Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) - 68%

Zombieland: Double Tap is about what you would expect from a sequel of this kind. It's not as good as the original Zombieland, it doesn't quite have the charm, nor the originality, but it's a worthy successor in the series. Is it a must-see? Only if you really love the first one.

32. Army Of Thieves (2021) - 68%

Critics of Army of Thieves called the film's plot unoriginal, and that's fair. It's not the unique zombie flick on this list, nor is close to the best. It's a prequel to Army of the Dead directed by, and starring, Matthias Schweighöfer, alongside Nathalie Emmanuel. They both do a great job with it, and it's worth watching if you love zombie movies, but it doesn't need to be at the top of anyone's list. 

It's a little surprising that some of the more well-known zombie movies like Army of the Dead, World War Z, and Resident Evil don't make this list, but then again, there are a lot of great zombie movies out there. 

There was a time when seeing iconic horror movie villains such as Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees slashing up young, defenseless civilians was the genre’s main draw. However, these days, audiences have come to better appreciate the Scream Queens and Scream Kings who know how to hold their own against the likes of masked killers, vicious extraterrestrials, mischievous demons, and more. With that in mind, let’s take a minute to shine the spotlight on the clever and courageous heroes from the best horror movies of all time and point out what makes them worth rooting for.

Ash Williams (The Evil Dead Movies) 

The Ash we meet in 1981's The Evil Dead is completely in over his head, struggling desperately to defend himself against his possessed friends in whatever way he can find. However, by the end of 1987's Evil Dead II, when he replaces his severed hand with a working chainsaw, Bruce Campbell's most iconic role becomes one of the horror genre's grooviest heroes… even if he is prone to a few flubs and mishaps here and there.

Laurie Strode (Halloween) 

Out of all of the babysitters working in Haddonfield on All Hallow’s Eve, Laurie Strode is the only one who manages to survive the escaped Michael Myers' killing streak in 1978's Halloween. The young woman’s courage and avoidance of distracting vices in John Carpenter's quintessential slasher made the character the ultimate “final girl” and Jamie Lee Curtis the quintessential Scream Queen.

Ben (Night Of The Living Dead) 

Duane Jones made history as the first Black actor to play the lead hero in a horror movie with his role in 1968's Night of the Living Dead. Ben is the one character in George A. Romero's groundbreaking thriller who manages to keep a level head when struggling to survive against hungry reanimated corpses.

Nancy Thompson (A Nightmare On Elm Street) 

Played by Heather Langenkamp, Nancy Thompson certainly takes a little while to figure out how to defeat the subconscious-haunting Freddy Kreuger (Robert Englund) in writer and director Wes Craven’s supernatural slasher classic. Near the end of A Nightmare on Elm Street, when she realizes that bringing him into reality is the key, she turns the tables on him with a series of elaborate traps that predate Home Alone.

Ellen Ripley (Alien) 

Sigourney Weaver’s career-defining role of Ellen Ripley became the sole survivor of  1979’s Alien and, as a result, one of the most inspirational female heroes in horror movie history. Her previous experience contending with the Xenomorph provided her with the resilience and wherewithal to ensure there would be more survivors in 1986’s Aliens, making her one of the greatest female action heroes of all time.

Sidney Prescott (Scream) 

When you have been targeted by masked killers as many times as Sidney Prescott, you tend to pick up on a few helpful tips and tricks for survival. Even before the original Ghostface first struck in 1996's Scream, the tragic murder of her mother a year prior prompted Neve Campbell's character to be prepared for such things.

R.J. MacReady (The Thing) 

Easily one of Kurt Russell's best roles is R.J. MacReady in John Carpenter's The Thing. The pilot brings a well-conceived, no-nonsense approach to weeding out who among his fellow researchers is a shape-shifting alien in disguise while stranded at their outpost in the Arctic.

Elise Rainier (Insidious)

When your house (or, maybe, your child) is haunted, the first person you should call is someone with a direct line to the afterlife, such as Lin Shaye's Elise Rainier from the Insidious movies. The medium comes to the Lambert Family's aid after young, unwitting astral traveler Dalton (Ty Simpkins) flies too far into "The Further" — a spiritual realm she named herself.

Chris Washington (Get Out)

Jordan Peele made a point to have a protagonist capable of making intelligent decisions for his Oscar-winning directorial debut, Get Out. He achieved that goal beautifully with Daniel Kaluuya's Chris Washington, with his adept suspicions of unusual circumstances and ingenious plan to escape the Armitage Family’s clutches.

Grace (Ready Or Not) 

Samara Weaving's newlywed in Radio Silence's breakthrough hit, Ready or Not, proves to be an ideal Hide-and-Seek player when her in-laws forced her to play it to the death as part of a matrimonial ritual. While she does get spotted a few times, it is in those moments when Grace also proves to be quite the fighter.

Dutch (Predator) 

Even the biggest fans of the Predator movies seem to forget that, when it comes to defeating the cunning, titular extraterrestrial, being the toughest, strongest, and best marksman is nowhere near as important as being the smartest. Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character from the 1987 original) realizes this after becoming the last of his crew and taking him on with old-school hunting tactics.

Sienna Shaw (Terrifier 2) 

Played by Lauren LaVera, the hero of Damien Leone's sequel to his shockingly brutal, old-school slasher throwback, Terrifier, is not just a final girl by circumstance. As foretold in artwork crafted by her late father, it is Sienna Shaw's destiny to cross paths with and defeat the sadistic Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton).

Clarice Starling (The Silence Of The Lambs) 

Jodie Foster won her second Academy Award for her performance in Jonathan Demme's adaptation of Thomas Harris' novel, The Silence of the Lambs. Her role as Clarice Starling — an FBI trainee seeking help from a manipulative, cannibalistic psychiatrist (played by Anthony Hopkins) — is one of the most intelligent and inspirational heroes in cinematic history, regardless of whether or not you want to call the Best Picture Oscar winner "horror."

Casey Cooke (Split, Glass) 

In M. Night Shyamalan’s Split, it eventually becomes known that Casey Cooke's calm demeanor and resourcefulness when she and her friends are kidnapped by a DID patient (James McAvoy) are the result of years of abuse from her uncle. Her trauma also allows Anya Taylor-Joy's character to have a unique connection with her captors' core identity, Kevin Wendell Crumb, that helps bring him back to earth in the 2019 sequel, Glass.

Randy Meeks (Scream)

The only original Scream cast member as resourceful as Sidney (if not more) is Randy Meeks, whose obsession with horror movie tropes allows him to, successfully, figure out at least one of Ghostface's true identities. Even though Jamie Kennedy's movie buff does not survive 1997’s Scream 2, his prime suspect in that sequel also turns out to be halfway correct.

Chief Martin Brody (Jaws)

Roy Scheider's Brody is the one member of Jaws' heroic trio with the least amount of experience with sharks. Yet, he makes up for it with the courage and skill needed to rid the waters of that man-eating beast.

Erin Harson (You're Next) 

When masked assassins turn an already bitter family reunion into a bloody nightmare in You're Next, the first one to take charge (and take out these adversaries) is Sharni Vinson's Erin, who is dating one of the family members. It is later revealed that she was trained for situations like this when she was a child, having grown up on her father's survivalist compound.

Peter Washington (Dawn of the Dead)

In the midst of the apocalypse, there is no one better to have in your crew than a member of SWAT, like Peter Washington. Ken Foree's role in George A. Romero’s 1978 zombie movie classic, Dawn of the Dead, is not only a master at slaying zombies, but a devoted survivalist and clever strategist.

Mindy Meeks-Martin (Scream, Scream VI) 

Like uncle, like niece. You would not be able to tell that Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) never got to meet the slain Randy based on how remarkably similar she is to him, particularly in her wide range of horror movie knowledge that proves to be very beneficial for the Scream franchise's new generation of targets.

Dr. Sam Loomis (Halloween) 

In Halloween, Laurie Strode manages to defend herself against Michael Myers, but is unable to expect when, where, and how he might strike — unlike the killer's psychiatrist. Donald Pleasence's Dr. Loomis is not necessarily one step ahead of his former patient, but is not too many steps behind him either, and there might have been fewer casualties in Haddonfield if more people actually accepted his advisement.

Marty (The Cabin In The Woods) 

Fran Kranz's character in the 2012 horror-comedy movie favorite The Cabin in the Woods, Marty, is chosen to represent the "Fool" archetype by The Organization, but they largely misjudged him. He is the first among his vacationing friends to pick up on the strange circumstances surrounding them and call them out on poor decisions often made in less self-aware horror movies.

Maddie Young (Hush) 

In Mike Flanagan's Hush, when a masked killer (John Gallagher Jr.) discovers his target, Maddie Young (Kate Siegel), is deaf, he takes advantage of that fact to intimidate, manipulate, and trap her in her secluded home. What he does not expect is that, as an author, she possesses a sharp analytical mind that keeps her one step ahead of her adversary.

Naru (Prey) 

In Dan Trachtenberg's 2022 Predator prequel, Prey, Amber Midthunder's aspiring Comanche warrior, Naru, proves her worth as a hunter by besting the greatest hunter in the universe. Much like Arnold Schwarzenegger's Dutch from the original classic, she manages to take out the hulking extra-terrestrial with her wits.

The Janitor (Willy's Wonderland) 

Similarities between 2020's Willy’s Wonderland and the popular Five Nights at Freddy’s series are allegedly coincidental, but there are some audiences who believe that said recent underrated horror movie is a better cinematic counterpart than Blumhouse’s official feature adaptation. The reason is that Nicolas Cage's silent, unnamed drifter manages to absolutely lay waste to a rundown family entertainment center's evil-possessed animatronics with his bare hands, all while cleaning the place up to an immaculate degree and scoring big in pinball.

Tess Marshall (Barbarian) 

In 2022’s Barbarian, Tess Marshall (Georgina Campbell) wastes no time scoping out the strange man she finds staying in her vacation rental home (played by Bill Skarsgård) — asking for his ID, avoiding a drink he prepares for her, etc. — which is only the first sign of her wisdom. The most definitive sign is when she finds a creepy hidden room in the basement and, instead of taking a look inside, her first instinct is one big, "Nope."

Scarlett Marlowe (As Above, So Below) 

Scarlett Marlowe (Perdita Weeks) proves her worth as a Final Girl hall-of-famer in one pivotal scene from the 2014 found footage favorite, As Above, So Below. She single-handedly runs all the way back through the, literally, devilish caverns she and her comrades have traveled through to find a mystical artifact that will save a man's life.

The Abbott Family (A Quiet Place) 

A post-apocalyptic world overrun with aliens that hunt by sound is the ingenious concept behind 2018’s A Quiet Place from director John Krasinski, who also stars alongside his real-life wife, Emily Blunt, as a family struggling to stay undetected. For the most, the Abbotts manage this pretty well with tricks like creating paths of sand for quieter walks, building a soundproof bunker for their newborn, and speaking exclusively in American Sign Language.

Lionel Cosgrove (Dead Alive) 

While initially known for his clumsiness, Lionel (Timothy Balme) proves to be a real hero in Peter Jackson's comedic classic, Dead Alive, by making mincemeat about out of a zombie horde with a makeshift lawnmower. What an ingenious idea!

Sang-hwa (Train To Busan)

It is no wonder Don Lee went on to star in Marvel's Eternals cast after playing Sang-hwa in Train to Busan. Fewer characters might have survived the onboard outbreak in the South Korean zombie movie favorite if not for his remarkable skills as a strategist and a bare-knuckle brawler.

Cecelia Kass (The Invisible Man) 

Writer and director Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man is an ingenious modernization of H.G. Wells’ novel for multiple reasons — including its narrative from the perspective of the victim, and a very bright and cautious one at that. Elisabeth Moss' Cecelia Kass is one of the few horror movie characters who leaves absolutely no stone unturned in a fierce battle of wits against her adversary — in this case, her manipulative former husband, Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), whom she suspects has figured out a way to stalk her without being seen.

Blade (Blade) 

What makes Blade — originally played by Wesley Snipes in his own trilogy — the ultimate vampire hunter? He technically is one himself. The Marvel Comics hero is known as a Daywalker, having been born with vampire blood and similar abilities that allow him to think just like his prey.

Tommy Jarvis (Friday The 13th Movies) 

Few of Jason Voorhees' targets have been about to successfully outsmart the hockey-masked killer like Tommy Jarvis. In his debut appearance in 1984's Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, the young man (played then by Corey Feldman) shaves his head to appear like a young Jason, disorienting the killer and giving him a clear shot to defeat him.

Tired of watching horror movies and getting frustrated over the characters’ ill-advised decisions? You shouldn’t have that problem with these characters.

There have been some totally wild movie endings over the years, and others that many remember more than their respective movies, so much so that they’ve entered the zeitgeist even for those who’ve never watched them before. However, some of those iconic Academy Award-winning films almost had alternate endings that differed drastically from what we saw, that were either originally a part of the movie or written or shot as a back-up plan if the director and cast didn’t stick the landing.

Here are 32 movies that almost ended in a completely different manner…

Titanic (1997)

We’re all familiar with the Titanic ending: Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) dies, Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) survives and lives a long and fulfilling life. And while that aspect didn’t change in the film’s alternate ending, the scene where the present-day Rose (Gloria Stuart) drops the Heart of the Ocean into the Atlantic played out differently. Instead of being on her own and never revealing she had the diamond all along, Rose is caught by Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton), who gets to touch the necklace before the elderly woman drops the stone below.

Alien (1979)

Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror classic, Alien, ends with Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) defeating the Xenomorph once and for all before going into cryo-sleep. However, the filmmaker revealed in an interview with EW that his original vision saw the movie ending on a much more somber note with the heroine having her head ripped off by the alien creature.

Seven (1995)

Is there a movie ending more memorable than the Seven finale with its painful “What’s in the box?” scream from Brad Pitt’s David Mills? Well, David Fincher’s 1995 thriller could have gone in multiple directions, according to the Telegraph (via SlashFilm). In fact, there were seven alternate endings, including one where William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) kills John Doe (Kevin Spacey), one where Mills shoots Somerset to prevent him from killing Doe, and one including a dead dog in the box.

Get Out (2017)

The Get Out ending leaves things on a relatively high note with Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) being rescued by his best friend, Rod Williams (Lil Rel Howery), but there’s an alternate scene that is more devastating than anything in the final film. In the Get Out alternate ending, it isn’t Rod who shows up but instead a police officer who arrests Chris for the murder of Rose Armitage (Allison Williams).

28 Days Later (2002)

Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later is one of the most transformative zombie movies of the 21st century and one of the best 2000s movies. The movie’s main ending wraps up with a suggestion that Jim (Cillian Murphy), Selena (Naomie Harris), and Hannah (Megan Burns) will be saved after escaping the fortified mansion. However, the 28 Days Later alternate endings are far more grim and over-the-top, with one wrapping up with an ambiguous car crash, another where Jim dies, and another with a wild blood transfusion sequence.

Fatal Attraction (1987)

The 1987 erotic thriller, Fatal Attraction, ends with Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) being shot and killed by Beth Rogerson Gallagher (Anne Archer), Dan’s wife. However, according to Vanity Fair, the alternate -- well, original -- ending saw Alex die after slashing her own throat, which didn’t work with test audiences.

I Am Legend (2007)

The I Am Legend alternate ending is one that provides a lot more context for the overall story than the version we saw in theaters. In this version, Will Smith’s Robert Neville discovers that the Alpha Male Hemocyte was trying to save his mate the whole time and that the creatures see the human as their boogeyman. This completely changes the way you look at the “monsters” while also keeping the humans alive. 

Clue (1985)

John Landis’ legendary murder mystery comedy, Clue, has not one, not two, but three different endings before the credits roll. And unlike a lot of movies where the alternate conclusions aren’t seen until put on DVD years later, moviegoers get to see the “Miss Scarlet” ending, the “Mrs. Peacock” ending, and the “real” ending in one viewing.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day, one of the best action movies of all time, ends with T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) sacrificing himself to save Sarah (Linda Hamilton) and John Connor (Edward Furlong) who then drive down an open highway. The alternate ending ends on a different note with an older Sarah Connor talking about John becoming a Senator instead of a soldier in the war between man and machine.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) 

We all know how National Lampoon’s Vacation ends: Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) buys a BB gun and forces his way into Walley World after driving 2,400 miles across the country. The original version of the movie, however, never saw the family enter the park. Instead, they confronted Roy Walley (Eddie Bracken) at his home, as detailed in an EW oral history of the massive change. 

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

Though George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead doesn’t end on the happiest of notes – Peter (Ken Foree) and Fancine (Gaylen Ross) escape in a helicopter with limited fuel and a zombie-infested landscape – it’s far more uplifting than what the late horror master originally had in store. According to ScreenRant, the original version in the script saw both of the survivors kill themselves before they could be eaten by zombies.

First Blood (1982)

First Blood ends with Johnny Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) tearfully lamenting his Vietnam War experience and the treatment he received upon returning home before being taken into federal custody. However, according to EW, the movie was going to originally end with the hero taking his own life.

Little Shop Of Horrors (1986) 

Frank Oz’s Little Shop of Horrors ends with Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis) and Audrey (Ellen Greene) getting married after destroying Audrey II, but the musical comedy’s original, and far more depressing ending, was a different story. In this version, the man-eating plant eats its owner and begins to take over the world, toppling (and eating) everything in its path.

Clerks (1994)

Nearly 30 years after the release of Clerks, Kevin Smith took to Twitter to share a scene from the original script that would have had his directorial debut end on a different note. In this alternate ending, Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) is shot and killed instead of taking the next day off.

Blade Runner (1982)

Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner has long been known for its various different cuts, each of which has a slightly different ending. The theatrical cut ends with Deckard (Harrison Ford) and Rachel (Sean Young) driving away from Los Angeles with a voice-over track, the director’s cut ends much earlier in the story and gets rid of the narration. This latter version was enhanced in the “Final Cut” years later, according to SlashFilm.

The Butterfly Effect (2004)

The 2004 psychological thriller, The Butterfly Effect ends with Evan (Ashton Kutcher) going back in time to make a bad impression on Kayleigh (Amy Smart) so they won’t be together later in life. However, the director’s cut features an ending that sees the protagonist go back and prevent himself from being born to save everyone from the fallout of his actions.

Army of Darkness (1993)

Army of Darkness ends with Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) being sent back to the present where he recounts his story to a coworker before killing a Deadite and saving the day. Sam Raimi’s original ending instead sees Ash oversleeping and waking up in a post-apocalyptic world instead of his own.. 

Pretty Woman (1990)

Pretty Woman, one of the best romantic comedies of all time, ends with Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) and Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) living happily ever after. However, as noted by Vanity Fair, the original ending in the script was much darker, and ended with the female character essentially having a stack of cash thrown at her while the male lead drove away.

The Descent (2005)

Neil Marshall’s 2005 British horror movie has two endings, one that was shown around the world during its initial release and another for American audiences in 2006. In the original ending, Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) seemingly escapes the cave only for her departure being revealed as a hallucination before she is devoured by crawlers. The alternate ending shown in the states doesn’t include the revelation that her escape was a fantasy, as pointed out by Vulture.

Die Hard With A Vengeance (1995) 

Did you know there’s an alternate ending for Die Hard with a Vengeance, one where Simon Gruber (Jeremy Irons) evades capture and doesn’t die in a helicopter crash? Well, that’s the case. In the alternate version, which was filmed, John McClane (Bruce Willis) is blamed for everything before losing his job, pension, and marriage. However, McClane eventually gets revenge on the man who took everything from him, just much later in a bar in Hungary.

Election (1999) 

Alexander Payne’s Election ends with Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) leaving Nebraska for New York City and becoming a tour guide at the American Museum of Natural History while Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) starts a new life in Washington, D.C.. However, an alternate version covered by The Atlantic, wraps up with Jim and Tracy meeting again at a Nebraska car dealership where they settle their differences.

Pineapple Express (2008)

Pineapple Express has a hilarious ending where Dale Denton (Seth Rogen), Saul Silver (James Franco), and Red (Danny McBride) sit in a diner discussing everything that went down hours earlier. But there is an alternate ending to David Gordon Green’s 2008 action comedy that is much more violent than what we saw in theaters. 

Dr. Strangelove (1964) 

Stanley Kubrick’s black comedy, Dr. Strangelove ends with one of the most iconic shots in film history, but it almost ended in a far sillier and less destructive way. According to SlashFilm, the movie was originally set to end with a pie fight. Yes, a pie fight. Though campy, the raucous affair was to serve as a metaphor for the unnecessary violence of war. 

Sweet Home Alabama (2002) 

Sweet Home Alabama ends with Melanie (Reese Witherspoon) and Jake (Josh Lucas) meeting on the beach during a rainstorm before returning to the Carmichael estate to finally have their first dance. However, when speaking with Insider, director Andy Tennant revealed there was a different ending in which everyone is made to believe Melanie was struck by lightning on the beach. This had to be reworked after test audiences thought the character died on her wedding night.

Paranormal Activity (2009)

Paranormal Activity, one of the best found footage horror films, ends with Katie (Katie Featherston) killing her husband, Michah (Micah Sloat) before going missing. However, there are two alternate endings that didn’t make the theatrical cut. Per EW, the first ended like the theatrical release except for the fact that Katie is shot and killed by police. The second ends with Katie taking her own life after killing her husband.

Thelma & Louise (1991) 

Thelma & Louise ends with the titular heroines (played by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon) driving their car off a cliff instead of surrendering to authorities. There’s an alternate ending where the aftermath of the wreck is shown with a lot of focus put on Hal Slocumb (Harvey Keitel) and other law enforcement officers.

Boiler Room (2000) 

The theatrical version of Boiler Room ends with the J.T. Marlin firm being swarmed by FBI agents, but an alternate version ends much differently. Instead of the feds coming in and arresting everyone, it is implied that Harry Reynard (Taylor Nichols), who lost everything because of the company’s scheme, shows up and shoots everyone. Well, except for Seth Davis (Giovanni Ribisi), who escapes in time. 

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) 

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial was supposed to have a much different ending one in which Elliott (Henry Thomas) was still in contact with his alien friend, based on what Robert MacNaughton, who played the older Taylor brother, revealed to Yahoo! Movies. The scene was scripted, but luckily Steven Spielberg went with the more emotional sendoff. 

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) 

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ends with the titular heroes (played by Paul Newman and Robert Redford) going out in a blaze of glory before the credits roll. And while the picture stops just before the shooting begins (only the audio can be heard), there’s an alternate cut where the scene is shown in full, according to SlashFilm.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a strange case as its two post-credit sequences weren’t shown in all screenings during its 2009 release, per IGN. Both scenes – Logan (Hugh Jackman) drinking in a bar and Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) shushing the audience – ended up on the home release, but audiences didn’t really know which one they were going to get back in the day.

Eternals (2021) 

The Eternals ending did a lot to set up the future for the titular group of Marvel heroes, but Chloé Zhao originally had a much bleaker conclusion for her first MCU film. When speaking with Empire, the Oscar winner revealed that she initially planned on the surviving members of the team ending up on the ship where their memories were zapped before being sent to a new planet.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 almost ended in an entirely different way, one that would have seen the return of Peter Parker’s (Andrew Garfield) dad (played by Campbell Scott). The scene, which was filmed, was  not used in the theatrical cut.

Should these alternate endings have been used, or did the filmmakers and producers make the right decision in giving audiences what we ended up seeing on the big screen? It’s a mixed bag, but these movies would have been drastically different if they made the final cut.

It's time to dust off those old DVD and VHS collections and rediscover the hidden treasures that made the 2000s a standout era in horror cinema. (Some even earned a spot on our list of the top 100 movies from the decade.) While there have been some amazing horror movies over the years -- see our list of the best horror movies of all time for evidence of that -- the early aughts marked a period of innovation and growth in the genre, thanks to filmmakers pushing boundaries, blurring the line between reality and nightmare, and crafting unforgettable spine-chilling experiences. 

Whether you're into paranormal thrillers starring Harrison Ford, or the emergence of "torture porn" in James Wan's Saw and others, this was a time when horror took on more captivating and diverse forms as it left the '90s behind. So, dim the lights, grab your popcorn, and join me as we explore the 15 best horror movies of the 2000s. (Note that the list is ordered by year of release, and is not ranked by quality.)

What Lies Beneath (2000)

Let's kick off our spooky journey with Robert Zemeckis' What Lies Beneath, a suspenseful masterpiece starring the charismatic Harrison Ford and the ever-enchanting Michelle Pfeiffer. The story follows Claire Spencer (Pfeiffer), who suspects her dream house by the waterfront is haunted. Zemeckis skillfully weaves through the atmospheric thriller with expertly built tension in a way that straddles the line between psychological and supernatural horror. Pfeiffer's captivating performance and Ford's descent into madness help cement What Lies Beneath as an enduring classic, keeping viewers on edge until the chilling climax. Unsurprisingly, this movie ranks among the highest-grossing supernatural horror movies of all time.

American Psycho (2000)

Another standout horror film in 2000 delved deep into the darkest recesses of the human psyche. American Psycho, directed by Mary Harron, introduced moviegoers to Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a wealthy New York investment banker who may or may not be a completely unhinged serial killing sadist, depending on your interpretation of the chilling ending. Christian Bale's unforgettable portrayal of Bateman, a charismatic and profoundly disturbed character, cements American Psycho as a horror classic, with the actor earning his place as a genuinely terrifying modern horror villain. The film, adapted from Bret Easton Ellis' novel of the same name, hinges on a satirical exploration of materialism and the superficiality of society, adding layers of depth to its disturbing narrative.

The Others (2001)

The Others, directed by Alejandro Amenábar and starring the incomparable Nicole Kidman, earns its spot on our list as one of the best one-off horror films, as well as one of the most atmospheric flicks of the early aughts. Kidman takes on the role of Grace Stewart, a woman who becomes increasingly convinced her house is haunted. Amenábar's masterful storytelling weaves a tale brimming with suspense and dread, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The confirmation dress scene is one of the scariest scenes in cinematic history, and the highly lauded shock of a twist will leave you speechless.

Frailty (2001)

The late, great Bill Paxton wears multiple hats in this 2001 thriller. Not only does he star alongside Matthew McConaughey, but he also steps into the director's chair. The story revolves around a father who becomes convinced he has a divine duty to eliminate demons hiding among ordinary people. Frailty stands out for its deep exploration of faith, morality, and the hazy boundaries between good and evil. Paxton's direction and the exceptional performances by the cast elevate this film to the status of an underrated gem, one certainly meriting a revisit.

May (2002)

Lucky McKee's May invites us on a chilling exploration of its eponymous protagonist, brought to life by the talented Angela Bettis. This film unfolds as a dark character study, delving into the unsettling depths of isolation and the powerful yearning for human connection. Through the lens of a lonely young woman, we witness her obsessive quest to craft the ultimate companion. Angela Bettis, who impressively portrayed Carrie in a less-remembered Stephen King adaptation the same year, delivers a genuinely Award-winning worthy performance in this gripping psychological horror.

One Hour Photo (2002)

One Hour Photo, directed by Mark Romanek, deviates from supernatural horror, diving into the unsettling world of obsession and voyeurism. Robin Williams crushes it in this unexpected role, giving a chilling performance as Sy Parrish, a photo technician obsessed with a family whose pictures he develops. It's a slow-burning psychological thriller, capitalizing on Williams' ability to play charming and deeply disturbed characters. The film's exploration of loneliness and the consequences of obsession lingers long after the credits roll.

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Before Zack Snyder embarked on his ambitious Star Wars-inspired two-part saga, Rebel Moon, he breathed new life into the zombie genre with Dawn of the Dead. This reimagining of George A. Romero's iconic classic thrusts a band of survivors into a shopping mall, where they face relentless waves of the undead—only this time, the zombies are sprinters! Snyder's dynamic direction and the film's unrelenting momentum combine to deliver a heart-pounding and spine-tingling zombie adventure, an exhilarating rollercoaster of survival horror.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

While Shaun of the Dead is often celebrated for its comedic elements, it's also a love letter to the zombie apocalypse movie genre. Directed by Edgar Wright, the film stars Simon Pegg as Shaun, a slacker who must save his loved ones from a zombie apocalypse. Shaun of the Dead blends humor and horror, delivering a unique and delightful experience. Wright's sharp wit and clever references to classic zombie films make this a must-watch for horror fans with a sense of humor.

Saw (2004)

James Wan's Saw ushered in a fresh era of horror, blending intricate puzzles with challenging moral choices, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. At its core, the film follows two men trapped in a harrowing room by the sadistic Jigsaw killer. Saw reshaped the horror landscape thanks to its complex narrative and bone-chilling traps, and even after two decades, it continues to captivate fans. Saw X promises to keep the terror alive on the big screen this Halloween season. Tobin Bell's iconic portrayal of Jigsaw still lingers in our nightmares, and the film's unparalleled ability to grip viewers in suspense remains undiminished.

10. The Descent (2005)

Neil Marshall's The Descent takes us underground into claustrophobic terror. A group of friends explores an uncharted cave system, but their adventure takes a horrifying turn when they encounter deadly creatures. The movie is a masterclass in tension-building and creature features and is one of the best horror movies of the century.  Marshall's direction, combined with solid performances from the female-led cast, makes this film a nail-biting and unforgettable experience.

11. Trick 'r Treat (2007)

It's rare for a more modern movie to join the esteemed ranks of great holiday classics, but Trick 'r Treat manages to do so. This horror anthology skillfully interlaces a collection of stories all unfolding on the mystical night of All Hallows' Eve, firmly establishing itself as a contemporary Halloween masterpiece. Directed by Michael Dougherty, the film delves into the traditions, legends, and supernatural phenomena that define the holiday, all while paying homage to Halloween folklore through a series of clever and spine-tingling tales. Its anthology format keeps the audience engaged, and Dougherty's genuine affection for the holiday radiates from every frame. We eagerly await the long-anticipated sequel to manifest.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

After its release, Oren Peli's found-footage horror film Paranormal Activity became a cultural phenomenon. The film follows a couple, Katie and Micah, as they document their haunting experiences at home. A low-budget triumph, this movie proves sometimes less is more. With its deliberate pacing, steadily mounting tension, and authentic chills, the film unexpectedly struck a chord with audiences, morphing into a sleeper hit. It left an indelible mark on the found-footage subgenre and stands tall among the best demonic possession films ever made.

The Mist (2007)

Frank Darabont, known for his exceptional Stephen King adaptations, continues his streak of excellence with The Mist. In this film, we follow a group of townspeople who find themselves confined within a supermarket, surrounded by an enigmatic mist teeming with lethal creatures. The Mist skillfully merges creature horror with a profound examination of human psychology and morality. Darabont's talent for crafting well-rounded characters and weaving suspenseful narratives elevates this movie to remarkable heights, delivering some of the most bone-chilling content ever seen in a King film.

The Strangers (2008)

According to director Bryan Bertino's claims, The Strangers delves deep into the primal terror of home invasion, drawing inspiration from real-life events. The film revolves around a couple, portrayed by Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, who masked attackers hunt at their remote vacation residence. This movie is an unrelenting and atmospheric thriller, capitalizing on the unsettling vulnerability of one's home and the sheer dread of arbitrary acts of violence. Its minimalist style and chilling authenticity deliver a genuinely harrowing cinematic experience.

Jennifer's Body (2009)

Megan Fox faced heavy criticism upon the release of Jennifer's Body in 2009, but over the years, the movie has discovered its dedicated following. Under the direction of Karyn Kusama, the film features Megan Fox in the role of Jennifer, a high school student possessed by a malevolent entity. Penned by Diablo Cody, the writer of Juno, Jennifer's Body seamlessly combines elements of horror and dark comedy, all while delving into themes of female camaraderie and empowerment. Megan Fox's captivating and wicked portrayal adds a unique dimension to this horror-comedy blend, making it a perfect choice for a revisit during this Spooky Season.

Honorable Mentions

These honorable mentions may not have made it into the top 15, but they each bring something unique and memorable to horror cinema. If you want to expand your horror watchlist, remember to try these chilling titles.

• 28 Days Later (2002) - Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later reinvigorated the zombie genre by introducing fast-moving, rage-infected zombies. The film follows Jim (Cillian Murphy) as he wakes up in a post-apocalyptic London and must survive the infected hordes. It's a pulse-pounding and intense survival horror film that explores themes of isolation and societal collapse. 
• Wrong Turn (2003) - Directed by Rob Schmidt, Wrong Turn is a gruesome and unapologetic slasher, taking us on a terrifying journey through the backwoods of West Virginia, where a group of friends encounters a clan of deformed and cannibalistic mountain men.
• Hostel (2005) - Eli Roth's Hostel is not for the faint of heart. It follows a group of backpackers who fall victim to a sinister organization, offering wealthy clients the opportunity to torture and kill tourists.
• The Hills Have Eyes (2006) - Alexandre Aja’s remake of Wes Craven's classic, The Hills Have Eyes, follows a family stranded in the desert who becomes the prey of a group of mutated and cannibalistic mutants and is a brutal, unrelenting survival horror film that doesn't pull any punches.
• 1408 (2007) - Directed by Mikael Håfström, this Stephen King adaptation centers on Mike Enslin (John Cusack), a skeptical writer who checks into a notoriously haunted hotel room to debunk its supernatural claims. John Cusack's stellar performance and the film's mind-bending narrative make it a standout in the haunted hotel subgenre.

And there you have it, a chilling journey back in time through the 15 best horror movies of the 2000s. Whether you prefer jump scares, psychological dread, or eerie atmospheres, the 2000s had something to offer every horror enthusiast. So, the next time you're in the mood for spine-tingling entertainment, consider revisiting these timeless classics from a bygone era of fear.

Horror hounds should make sure to check out our schedule of upcoming horror movies, so that the future can always remain filled with promising new flicks.

There’s no single CinemaBlend opinion on anything. Through countless arguments over the years, I’ve learned we’re not even on the same page about how to define the word best, from our choices for the top 100 '90s movies to our picks for the best horror movies of all time. What makes a movie the best is impossible to nail down from one person to the next, though it's perhaps easier to consider when thinking about a decade of movies that came and went and can't be added to anymore. But for the most part, it's all about what you like.

It’s because of those clashing perspectives that this Best Movies Of The 2000s list is unlike any list that a single person from our team could have crafted, taking into account both Oscar-worthiness and popcorn-friendliness. The list accounts for movies that have aired 5,000 times on cable, and movies that have been shared lovingly from generation to generation. It’s a retro-hodgepodge of what we loved then and then, from Adam Sandler's raunch to Daniel Day Lewis' aplomb.

This list is CinemaBlend’s collective celebration of the 2000s, in all its neon-hued glory, and we hope everyone will find plenty to love, though a few disagreements and good-natured debate never hurt anyone. Let the arguments begin…

100. Avatar (2009)

While it's the last on this list, there's no denying Avatar's impact on the film industry back in 2009. The movie is a sci-fi masterpiece that features incredible visuals, mainly following the tale of Jake Sully, a human who finds love and acceptance within the world of the Na'vi, the native people of Pandora.

The film takes the audience on a wild ride for two and a half hours. While the story of saving a planet from foreign invaders could be more groundbreaking, the unique visual effects that fans get to see are. And now, with a successful sequel out more than ten years later, it's the perfect chance to revisit the original.

99. Erin Brockovich (2000)

Julia Roberts had established herself as one of the most beloved actors in the world in the 1990s, and as calendars flipped over to the year 2000, she didn’t waste any time starring in yet another critically acclaimed box office hit. Hitting theaters in March 2000, Erin Brockovich tells the story of the titular lawyer who started a landmark case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company for groundwater contamination, and it’s a stellar work that further cemented the clear talents of director Steven Soderbergh. It’s thrilling and dramatic, but also funny and fun – in large part due to Roberts’ charm and charisma.

98. The Hangover (2009)

The Hangover is part travelogue and part comedic shitshow. It races its characters through what feels like an entire TV season’s worth of odd locations and ridiculous scenarios, somehow finding time for hospital visits, naked gangsters, weddings, Blackjack heaters, stolen tigers, missing babies and stun gun demonstrations. It sounds like way too much plot for an hour and forty minute movie, but the key to a good comedy isn’t the situations the characters find themselves in, it’s the rapport and natural chemistry between the actors/characters going through those situations. And Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms are fantastic together. Their clashing vibes, energy levels and comedic sensibilities somehow blend into a perfect cocktail, and with Oscar-nominated director Todd Phillips stirring the drink, The Hangover is able to turn its B-movie premise into one of the funniest comedies of the 2000s.

97. Cloverfield (2008)

The first decade of the Aughts saw one word playing into many of its most cherished cinematic successes: reinvention. For director Matt Reeves’ Cloverfield, two different types of genre favorites were mashed together to create a wildly new, very mysterious product: monster movies like Godzilla and found footage pictures such as The Blair Witch Project. 

Amping up the scale of what a handheld camera could cover, Cloverfield’s ingenious marketing campaign kept audiences guessing about what its true intentions were. In the wake of a mysterious/title-free teaser, it was anyone’s guess what writer Drew Goddard’s movie was about. To live up to the hype after stoking such anticipation for an unknown quantity only cemented Cloverfield as a certified success. In a market where it felt like the trailers gave everything away, a major studio movie broke with the norm, all in the name of a monstrous triumph. 

96. National Treasure (2004)

The race to steal the Declaration of Independence was on in 2004 as Nicolas Cage and his team of treasure hunters went on a high stakes mission to find the greatest treasure. This story sweeps across American history, and is held together by Cage’s protagonist and his drive to find this great prize, and protect the Declaration of Independence by stealing it, of course.

This Disney staple is a family classic, and an action adventure bound to entertain just about anyone. It was such a success that a sequel soon followed, and maybe, someday, National Treasure 3 will happen. However, let us not forget the majesty that is the original National Treasure. 

95. The Notebook (2004)

There’s a reason that when one thinks of the genre “romance” The Notebook instantly comes to mind. The 2004 Nicholas Sparks adaptation is nothing short of a timeless classic that gracefully dances between being a forbidden and second-chance love story. It’s the movie that made Ryan Gosling a Hollywood hunk matched by a passionate yet grounding performance by Rachel McAdams. Together they are a firecracker of chemistry who left a generation longing to kiss in the rain. Cliché and mushy as The Notebook can be, when the music swells on the final scene, it never ceases to remind us why it’s one of the most endearing and cathartic love affairs we’ve ever seen. 

94. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Though it's been nearly two decades since its release, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy still stands as one of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s greatest collaborations. The 70s-set movie marked McKay’s directorial debut and, with it, he masterfully injects humor and social commentary into a satirical workplace comedy set within the world of broadcast news. His screenplay is funny and occasionally, downright hilarious, but the cast truly makes the movie shine. Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell and more are just flawless. And of course, it’s Ferrell’s portrayal of the titular character that really puts it over the top.

93. Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Anyone angling for a great sports drama that not only delivers sheer emotion but also captures the spirit of the pastime it’s tackling should check out Million Dollar Baby. Director Clint Eastwood’s Best Picture-winning film tells the story of an aspiring boxer (played by Hilary Swank), who teams up with a veteran trainer (Eastwood) in the hopes of achieving in-ring glory. The result is an emotionally affecting – and sometimes brutal – story about resilience and parental bonds. This boxing flick won Swank, Eastwood and co-star Morgan Freeman all Oscars and, when you see the movie, you’ll understand why.

92. Saw (2004)

2004's Saw revitalized the horror genre years ago, thanks to James Wan and Leigh Whannell, with its shocking twists and equally astonishing violence. But while the movie did include some truly grotesque “games” for Jigsaw’s victims, this was more than the mere “torture porn” that plagued the aughts. There was intention behind Jigsaw’s pain — making people think about the lives they’d led before forcing them to, “Live or die, make your choice.” 

The audience was along for the ride, trying to figure out why Adam (Whannell) and Dr. Gordon (Cary Elwes) were chained up in a bathroom and how they could escape before it was too late. Thanks to some brilliant misdirection, the ensuing plot twist was truly gasp-inducing. These days you might not be able to get away with that ending, but don’t say you saw it coming back in 2004.

91. Super Troopers (2001)

Super Troopers From a plotting and acting perspective, Super Troopers isn’t exactly The Departed. Its basic premise, and even many of its specific scenes, are just nimbly bimbly excuses for the cast to make raunchy jokes about the natural absurdities of being a cop. That works, though, because the movie understands what we want as an audience: non-stop jokes and shenanigans about liters of cola, littering and smokin’ the reefer. From cat game to syrup fights to biker confusion, Super Troopers has its own vibe and unique sense of humor. It’s just out there, doing its own thing, and that’s why, more than two decades later, fans are still pulling over to watch it… even if they’re already pulled over and they can’t pull over any further.

90. War of the Worlds (2005)

Steven Spielberg wouldn’t be the first to adapt H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds novel for the screen, nor would he be the last. But his modern-day take on the 19th Century sci-fi novel certainly made an impression. From the main characters — led by Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier, father to Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin) — to the various settings, to the unnerving sight (and sound) of the tripods emerging from below the ground to decimate or capture any humans in their path, War of the Worlds made its mark as an epic sci-fi action movie about survival and the choices a struggling parent has to make to protect his children from a worst-case-scenario. In true Spielberg fashion, the movie is thrilling and occasionally chilling, but also offers that added layer of a family element to keep us invested from beginning to end. 

89. Sin City (2005)

Most comic book adaptations aim to reimagine the characters and events of the source material in a way that more closely resembles reality. However, when director Robert Rodriguez teamed up with famed author and illustrator Frank Miller (acting as co-director) to bring his graphic novel series, Sin City, to the big screen, they did more than just adapt it. They brought it to life.

This anthology-style collection of three interconnected stories — all of which take place in the same hopelessly down-trodden, crime-ridden metropolis — is a masterclass in noirish storytelling (the razor sharp dialogue is straight out of a Raymond Chandler classic), astonishingly unique visual design (every beautifully grayscale frame resembles a comic book panel), and flawless acting from the entire Sin City cast, including Bruce Willis, Rosario Dawson, Mickey Rourke, and so many more amazing A-listers. When it comes to non-superhero-related comic book movies, this might be the best of them all.

88. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Anticipation for the feature adaptation of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary — itself a reinterpretation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — was high, to say the least, for those of us who adored the book, when it finally made its way into theaters in 2001. Renee Zellweger’s mix of charm, determination for romance and occasional awkwardness alone are reason enough to love the adaptation. Then factor in the excellent chemistry she shares with both love interests — Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver and Colin Firth as Mark Darcy — not to mention the fantastic supporting cast, well-timed bits of hilarity and genuinely heartfelt moments of romance and what’s not to love about Bridget Jones’s Diary? 

87. Taken (2008)

Taken isn’t the most emotionally complicated or the most realistic movie, but it has a really good sense of its own strengths and leverages that particular set of skills perfectly. Liam Neeson might not be the prototypical action star, but he’s an Oscar-nominated actor uniquely good at portraying single-mindedness and determination. Taken is able to harness the badass fatherly intensity of a desperate man searching for his daughter and pair it with ruthless action sequences that rely more on craftiness than brute strength. The result is one of the best and most rewatchable action movies of the 2000s, a tight 90 minutes that’s so much fun it produced two sequels, a TV series and an unexpected late career resurgence for Neeson.  

86. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Before Will Smith earned his third Oscar nomination for King Richard, and after his nomination for Ali, he received his second Academy Award nod for The Pursuit of Happyness. Based on the real story of Chris Gardner, the movie follows Gardner's struggle to find a job to provide for his son during a year when they are homeless. 

The movie is inspiring for anyone, featuring an uplifting and memorable story. That, paired with an incredible performance from Will Smith and his son, Jaden Smith – who made his acting debut in the film – makes this the perfect movie to watch on any given day. 

85. The Bourne Identity (2002)

Before Daniel Craig came along and ushered in a new era for the James Bond movie franchise a few years later, Doug Liman’s The Bourne Identity welcomed audiences to the 21st century with this fresh, unique, and action-packed spy thriller. Matt Damon, who had already shown a great deal of depth in movies like Good Will Hunting and The Talented Mr. Ripley a few years earlier, became a bonafide action star with his portrayal of Jason Bourne, a trained killer with no recollection of his dark past.

There are few early 2000s action sequences as memorable as the movie’s iconic car chase through the streets of Paris. Audiences, used to seeing spies and assassins whipping around in souped-up sports cars were in for the ride of their lives with Bourne behind the wheel of a weathered Mini Cooper.

84. Love Actually (2003)

Love Actually has become annual holiday viewing for many since its premiere in 2004. Renowned rom-com filmmaker Richard Curtis struck gold with an A-list cast, as ten loosely connected plotlines each portray a different kind of love. Everybody’s sure to have their favorite stories within the movie, but they all strike an emotional chord, albeit in different ways. 

As these characters navigate the holidays, Love Actually tackles themes of grief, infidelity, unrequited love, workplace romance and more, while never losing its charm and eliciting tons of laughs. Throw in infinitely quotable dialogue (“Let’s get the shit kicked out of us by love!”), an infuriatingly hilarious cameo by Rowan Atkinson, and one absolutely iconic dance from Hugh Grant, and you’ve got yourself a classic.

83. (500) Days of Summer (2009)

In a decade greatly defined by bubblegum romantic comedies where audiences can take comfort in the same three act structure often ending in wedding bells, (500) Days Of Summer flipped the genre on its head. Romance and love can be a tricky, complicated thing that not only may be finite, but clouded by one’s fantasies, projections of potential and manic pixie dream girls. Marc Webb’s indie rom-com announces up front that it is “not a love story” and cleverly plays with structure as Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Tom falls for Zooey Deschanel’s Summer. Between its stunningly memorable soundtrack, creative use of mixed media against its gorgeous L.A. backdrop, (500) Days Of Summer is a dark horse of a romantic comedy that tackles the expectations vs. reality of love with a sharp wit. 

82. Knocked Up (2007)

Most romantic comedies try a lot harder at one of those two things. They’re either romantic movies with a few solid laughs sprinkled in or they’re clearly comedies that shoehorn a romance in there as an afterthought. Knocked Up works so well because it tries really hard at both. It succeeds a little more as a comedy, given it has Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, Craig Robinson, Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd, but it also takes a lot of time and care with its love story and has many thoughtful things to say about relationships and parenting. It never takes the easy way out or betrays itself for a cheap, inauthentic laugh, which lets the natural chemistry between Rogen and co-lead Katherine Heigl grow into a budding relationship you actually root for. 

81. Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

As proven decades ago by George A. Romero, slow zombies are quite scary – but in 2004, director Zack Snyder and screenwriter James Gunn teamed up to show us just how freaky fast zombies can be. Dawn Of The Dead is a movie that stays true to its source material, gathering a bunch of strangers in a shopping mall as the dead come back to life, but it has its own energy and no shortage of standout moments. The beginning is a terror, the ending is deeply unsettling (including the material in the end credits), but the baby is where this one hits its peak.

80. Remember the Titans (2000)

Remember the Titans will make you laugh, cry, cheer and feel a whole range of emotions as you go on a journey with newly integrated T.C. Williams football team to win the state championship. This incredible movie about bringing a football team together is led by Denzel Washington, and it’s not only regarded as one of his best movies, but it’s also widely known as one of the greatest sports films. 

Washington and Will Patton lead the stacked cast of Remember the Titans, which includes Wood Harris and Ryan Hurst as the team’s leaders. Along with them, the movie also features Donald Faison, Craig Kirkwood and Ethan Suplee as well as a very young Ryan Gosling and 10-year-old Hayden Panettiere, among many others. Overall, it’s an inspiring and moving movie about acceptance and determination. Let’s just say Remember the Titans always has us saying “We want some more!” 

79. Juno (2007)

While Elliot Page was an actor at a young age, Juno was the movie that made him into a household name. And for good measure, as Jason Reitman’s quirky 2007 flick delivers in both comedy and heartfelt, human moments. Page earned an Academy Award nomination at the time for his performance, which surely feels justified. 

2007's Juno centers around its title character, a teenage girl who accidentally gets pregnant. She decides to carry the baby to term, arranging an adoption with a married couple (played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman). After being filled with plenty of funny moments (and a killer soundtrack) the ending provides an emotional catharsis that puts Juno above many movies around its time.

78. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

It’s no wonder that Disney has been trying for 20 years to recapture the lightning in a bottle that was Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Inspired by a theme park attraction, but blazing its own trail, Pirates created one of modern cinema’s most iconic characters in Captain Jack Sparrow. But the rest of the cast, including Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and a scene-stealing Geoffrey Rush, is no less compelling. From sword fights to ship battles, Black Pearl’s action is near perfect, with the Johnny Depp vs. Orlando Bloom duel a textbook example of how to tell a story with an action scene. It set a bar so high that even its own sequels were never going to clear it.

77. Ray (2004)

Cinema lovers have been graced with plenty of great biopics over the decades, and Ray certainly stands as one of the best. Directed by Taylor Hackford, the movie chronicles the life and career of the great Ray Charles. James L. White’s screenplay effectively tells Charles’ story, chronicling his professional and personal highs and lows in the process. And of course, the production is (appropriately) infused with incredible music. There are plenty of great performances on display, but it’s Jamie Foxx’s uncanny – and Oscar-winning – turn as the titular musician that really makes this period drama worth a watch or two.

76. Unbreakable (2000)

M. Night Shyamalan had an unenviable task in 2000 – following up his overnight sensation, The Sixth Sense. Was that movie a flash in the pan? Or would Shyamalan live up to the billing he was receiving in the press as, “The next Spielberg?” Remarkably, Shyamalan came up with a deeper, more meaningful film that also started the bandwagon for superhero-movie fascination, only with a meditative origin story for a strong man (Bruce Willis) who doesn’t recognize his invulnerability. Pulp Fiction co-star Samuel L. Jackson tapped into his fiendish side to play Willis’s nemesis, a man plagued with brittle bones who assumed that his opposite had to exist in the world. But it was Night’s ability to generate an intense mood that boosted Unbreakable. We rode a wave of increasingly suspenseful tension until the moment Willis donned his raincoat and embraced his destiny. Unbreakable started a trilogy, but also guaranteed that Shyamalan was here to stay as one of our most original and effective storytellers. 

75. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall occasionally gets overlooked as being just another rom-com from the aughts – specifically the rom-com featuring the oddball pairing of Mila Kunis and Jason Segel, but I can’t imagine that anyone who’s lumping this movie into just another group of rom-coms has seen it recently because it is profoundly and consistently weird. 

Segel’s TV composer main character dreams of creating a Dracula musical featuring puppets called A Taste For Love. He also wants to get over his titular ex-girlfriend - hilariously played by Kristen Bell, who somehow ends up in the hotel room next to him having loud sex with her new rock star boyfriend. That messy journey of acceptance and moving on, amidst all its weirdness or maybe because of all its weirdness, never feels like a cliche. It’s consistently funny and has so many thoughtful things to say about relationships, break-ups and finding yourself. Don’t write it off.

74. School of Rock (2003)

Jack Black was many things in 2003, though many wouldn’t have considered his comedic stylings family-friendly until School Of Rock. Black’s musical abilities from his band Tenacious D paired with the wholesome story of teaching some kids how to rock, was fun for everyone and really skyrocketed him further into the mainstream and into more roles for younger audiences like Kung Fu Panda and Nacho Libre. Sure, he’d still do raunchier stuff like Tropic Thunder, but this movie was imperative to show the range he had as an actor. 

Let’s also not forget this movie boasted other celebrities who are notable talents in 2023, like Miranda Cosgrove and The White Lotus showrunner Mike White. Oh, and the music is still as great as it was then, even decades later. There’s a strong message here about the importance of teaching children about music and helping them follow their passion, and it’s that message that will keep this movie relevant for decades to come. 

73. Up (2009)

Pixar Animation Studios, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, has always been known for its films that have reached a broad audience, starting with their debut full-feature film, Toy Story. However, in 2009, the studio released Up, the first Pixar film to receive a nomination for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Up is mainly about Carl, an older man living a lonely life, and to fulfill his promise to his late wife, he travels across the world in a floating house to South America – with the help of a local wilderness explorer who tags along for the ride. 

A lot can be said about Up, from its stunning animation to the beautiful soundtrack, but nothing beats the story. It's a tale of a found family and of finding love and compassion in places you would never expect. And you must always remember – the wilderness must be explored!

72. District 9 (2009)

Coming in at 72 on the list might just be an indicator of how underrated District 9 is, considering it’s one of the best science fiction movies of the 2000s. Neill Blomkamp’s feature walks the line between messaging about the various mistreatment marginalized groups are subjected to, to how humanity would respond if aliens were really discovered to be on Earth. Given recent reports at government hearings, it isn’t all that unbelievable that it wouldn’t take long for humanity to get back to normal after finding a bunch of alien refugees on Earth. 

Perhaps the best compliment to pay District 9 is that it’s a phenomenal standalone sci-fi movie with no sequels or prequels. This could be why it’s typically lower on the sci-fi lists as there may be a community of people that simply forgot about it as the years went on. Now is the time to revive the credit it deserves and maybe bump it up a few notches on future top lists. 

71. Shrek (2001)

Think of every DreamWorks Animation movie you can think of – I bet Shrek is one of the first that pops into your head. 

Shrek was a momentous occasion for DreamWorks Animation when it was released. It was a huge box office success, received rave reviews, and was even the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature winner. The movie mainly follows Shrek, an ogre whose swamp is suddenly overrun with fairytale creatures, and to get them out, he must save Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a dragon on a mountain of lava and bring her to Lord Farquad. 

The DreamWorks Animation film created an empire of Shrek success. With numerous sequels and spinoff movies, Shrek is one of the most successful animated franchises ever. The first film featured some great CGI animation for 2001 but also had the hilarity of adult jokes that parents would get while their kids enjoyed the fantasy, animation, and love story. Besides, who wouldn't love listening to Eddie Murphy crack jokes as Donkey for an hour and a half? 

70. Mulholland Drive (2001)

There are two sides to David Lynch: the fairly normal filmmaker who wants to tell a linear story in a somewhat straightforward manner (examples include The Elephant Man and The Straight Story), and the absolute bonkers off-the-wall batshit fever dream of an avante-garde video artist (examples include Eraserhead and Inland Empire). What makes Mulholland Drive such a beautiful film, is that it’s the perfect balance of these two sides of the iconic writer/director. In fact, without spoiling anything, the film even has a pivotal moment where it completely changes tonally, effectively showing these two distinct sides of Lynch. Perhaps more importantly, this tonal switch is expertly pulled off by the film’s star Naomi Watts, who, between this and 2001’s 21 Grams, was at a point in her career where she was showing off her chops with an authenticity that was hard not to notice. Mulholland Drive will show you the full range of skill you need to see from both Watts, and the legendary auteur that is David Lynch. 

69. Watchmen (2009)

“Unadaptable” is a word that’s been used when approaching the most ambitious literary adaptations. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ landmark graphic novel Watchmen was one such project, earning that brand after decades of potential adaptations failed to tackle the ambitious superhero narrative properly. 

Even in light of multiple cuts, and the ending being substantially altered from what was depicted in the 1985 source material, Watchmen is a miracle to behold. Somehow, the complicated narrative told through various mediums in that graphic novel was streamlined into a product that didn’t water down the full story. 

Only Zack Snyder’s third directorial effort, Watchmen is a powerful statement of the man’s developing skills in that point of his career. Arriving in the wake of Iron Man and The Dark Knight, it proved comic adaptations could be more than market-driving crowd pleasers. In the case of Watchmen, such movies could also be masterpieces.

68. Sideways (2004)

How the hell did Sideways, a dialogue-driven dramedy about a schoolteacher who loves wine, become such a mainstream pop-culture phenomenon? Try going wine-tasting without hearing a joke about drinking from the spit bucket, or somebody saying, “I am not drinking any fucking merlot!”

Sideways’ writer and director, Alexander Payne, has always told stories that are rather grounded in reality. Aside from Downsizing where he literally shrank Matt Damon, these are movies about common issues that most folks can relate to. The Descendants is about grief, About Schmidt is about aging, and Sideways is about letting go. With the script came Payne’s first Academy Award, a life-changing role for Paul Giamatti, and one of the best films of that decade. The bleak nature of the ending with just a dash of hope is a testament to real-life, and relatable for the average person. That is how a movie about a failed middle-aged writer with a drinking problem managed to cement its place in film history. 

67. Lost In Translation (2003)

Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is an American actor past his prime. Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is a young, married, recent college graduate. Both are in Tokyo — Bob to shoot promos for a Japanese whiskey and Charlotte to follow her photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi) on his latest assignment — and overcome with feelings of loneliness and disillusionment until a chance meeting at their hotel bar gives the unlikely duo a sense of fulfillment when they both need it most.

Lost in Translation is one of the first films produced by Focus Features and is still considered to be one of the production company’s best releases two decades later for the refreshingly unique — albeit, unlikely — love story that still manages to warm hearts from its unforgettable opening shot to its cryptic, much-debated final moment. The charming, invigoratingly honest dramedy also managed to be a major turning point for Murray (who earned his sole Academy Award nomination), Johansson (a breakthrough performance), and second-time writer and director Sophia Coppola, who earned a well-deserved Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

66. The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

In the mid-2000s, big screen comedy underwent a titanic shift. Through the late ‘90s and the turn of the century, the genre was dominated by the so-called Frat Pack (Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson)… but then along came The 40-Year-Old Virgin, the directorial debut from Judd Apatow. The film is hilarious and sweet, with a collection of wonderful characters exploring the high highs and low lows of sexuality and romance in the 21st century – and while not everything about it has aged perfectly, it does a tremendous job at leaning into the talents of its stars. And it’s a game-changer.

While it’s Steve Carell’s movie, a huge part of its legacy is featuring the breakout performance by Seth Rogen. In the wake of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Rogen and Apatow became the biggest names in funny, with not just their own comedic voices becoming popular, but also their improvisation-heavy styles.

65. Hot Fuzz (2007)

Hot Fuzz is the kind of action movie where every second feels crafted by a team of action movie fans, as opposed to a cast and crew just going through the motions. Co-written by the A+ pair Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, starring Pegg opposite frequent co-star Nick Front, Hot Fuzz is mostly set far from metropolitan skylines and endless high-rises, and its quaint Wicker Man-esque village makes for a wildly unique setting for any story filled with this many Point Break references.

As the second film in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, Hot Fuzz built on Shaun of the Dead's already stellar cast with a host of UK legends such as Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Bill Nighy, Edward Woodward, Billie Whitelaw, Olivia Colman, Bill Bailey, and the list goes on and on. (When you have Cate Blanchett making uncredited appearances, you're doing something right.) Unlike the other two Cornetto films, though, Hot Fuzz probably deserves another straightforward sequel set in this universe, with a new killer crime for Nicholas Angel and Danny Butterman to get crackin’ on.

64. Walk The Line (2005)

Music biopics might feel like they’re a dime a dozen, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t gems to behold in the genre, and one of those is absolutely James Mangold’s Academy Award-winning drama, Walk the Line. In it, Joaquin Phoenix portrays country music legend Johnny Cash through his tumultuous rise to fame, which includes his relationship with eventual wife, June Carter (Reese Witherspoon).

Sure, on one hand, we’ve seen music’s superstars descend into alcoholism and drug addiction on the big screen time and time again, but it’s how all the pieces of Cash and Carter’s story are put together that make the film a must watch. As such, the performances of the leads are everything here, and seeing June attempt to staunch her feelings for her married co-performer, while also trying to knock some sense into him as she watches his addictions grow and Johnny become more erratic, are some of the best parts of the movie. Witherspoon didn’t win a Best Actress Oscar for nothing, and Phoenix is at his peak here, as well.

63. Lilo & Stitch (2002)

With Walt Disney Animation fresh out of its renaissance after the ‘90s, the 2000s were a particularly experimental period for the studio which, looking back, found inspiration from numerous science fiction classics. The best 2D animated movie from the House of Mouse of the decade is a lively spin on E.T., but this mysterious alien is an intergalactic fugitive with a bad temper who falls to the Hawaiian Islands, becomes best friends with a young orphaned girl who teaches him the gospel of Elvis Presley. 

Not only is Lilo & Stitch an incredibly quotable, fun, family adventure, it’s one of Disney’s most authentic and original films that speaks to finding one’s ohana in unexpected places amidst great loss. Few Walt Disney Animation movies have felt as simultaneously intimate and commercial as Lilo & Stitch. Experiment 626 remains a gem that made Disney’s growing pains of the 2000s worth the while. 

62. Monsters, INC (2001)

Before Up, The Incredibles and even Finding Nemo, there was Monsters, Inc. Pixar’s decision to make its fourth feature a story about a company that generates scream-based power in a world inhabited by ferocious creatures may have seemed odd at the time. However, it ultimately turned out to be an inspired (and very) lucrative decision. Set in the world of Monstropolis, the film centers on two pals – both employees of the titular corporation – who must return a human child to her world in order to keep her out of harm’s way. And the result is a hilarious and heartwarming romp about loyalty and tolerance.

Pete Docter – who’d go on to direct Up, Inside Out and more – really proved himself as a filmmaker with this directorial debut. The flick is beautifully animated and populated with plenty of lovable characters. Speaking of which, John Goodman’s James P. “Sully” Sullivan and Billy Crystal’s Mike Wasowski still stand as two of Pixar’s most popular creations. The interactions between the two sometimes mirror the interplay of some of cinema’s best comedic duos. Monsters, Inc. would spawn a sequel and TV spinoff, but it’s the 2001 movie that’s truly an eclectic piece of storytelling.

61. The Hurt Locker (2008)

Best Picture award, but the voters got it right when it came to the prize handed out at the end of the 21st century’s first decade. Director Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker is a heart-stopper that tears down the wall between film and audience: when Jeremy Renner’s Staff Sergeant William James is suited up and defusing bombs, you hold your breath in fear, terrified to feel the heat of the fiery explosion that will result with one false move by the protagonist.

Screenwriter Mark Boal’s work puts us directly in James’ mind – a soldier who is incapable of leaving the battlefield behind – and Jeremy Renner’s turn is a career best. In retrospect, it’s wholly understandable why Renner’s performance changed the trajectory of his career and turned him into the Marvel-bona fide star that he is today.

60. Moulin Rouge (2001)

On paper, Moulin Rouge is a movie that just should not exist. The premise alone, a modern jukebox musical set in 1890s Paris, creates a level of cognitive dissonance on its own that suspension of disbelief should be impossible. It’s the sort of thing that only a director like Baz Luhrmann would even try, but somehow, he not only makes it happen, he makes it work.

Everything about Moulin Rouge goes hard. The performances, the songs, the sets. It creates its unreality so perfectly that it’s near-impossible to avoid being swept up by it and brought along for the ride. And the absinthe-infused magic is so far removed from reality that even 20 years later Moulin Rouge feels just as fresh. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor are perfect as the star-crossed lovers. We know how the story will end before it begins, but it doesn’t make any of it less heartbreaking. Luhrmann’s films can sometimes focus on style over substance, but there’s no lack of substance here. 

59. Elf (2003)

Elf is probably the most recent Christmas movie that became an instant classic. Jon Favreau crafted a delightful and bonkers story for the 2003 movie, with Will Ferrell offering one of his most iconic performances of all time. And it’s a movie that’s re-watched annually by countless families every Holiday Season… or other times in the year when you need a good laugh.

Elf’s concept is both ridiculous and simple; Buddy is a human raised by elves who eventually goes to New York City to find his birth father (played by Godfather icon James Caan). The juxtaposition between Buddy’s eternal optimism and the hard streets of the Big Apple is fodder for countless funny bits throughout its runtime. There’s also a touching story about family and the holiday spirit that makes Elf a true beloved Christmas movie. Plus, it’s got a pre-Game of Thrones appearance by Peter Dinklage. And of course, Santa (I know him!).

58. Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)

In the 1950s, few people were as outspoken about the threat of Communism than Wisconsin senator Joseph McCarthy, whose blacklisting of anyone he deemed suspicious was so notoriously frequent that “McCarthyism” — a term associated with fear mongering — was coined after him. One of the few people brave enough to take a stand against him was CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow, whose defiance of the politician and the Red Scare nearly cost him his career, but also made him into one of the most influential icons of his craft.

This monumental moment in journalism history is dramatized with nearly the same level of passion for truth and justice in Good Night, and Good Luck. — named after the famous concluding catchphrase of Murrow, portrayed here in an Academy Award-nominated performance by David Strathairn. George Clooney, who also plays Murrow’s producer, Fred Friendly, earned his first Oscar nominations as a director and co-writer for this riveting history lesson, made even better with Robert Elswit’s gorgeous cinematography and exquisite acting from the star-studded ensemble, which also includes Jeff Daniels, Patricia Arquette, Robert Downey Jr., and Frank Langella.

57. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Wes Anderson’s style is so distinct that it has become something of a joke in pop culture, frequently being parodied on shows like Saturday Night Live. When folks reference Wes Anderson, and the trademarks of a Wes Anderson film, they’re primarily lifting it from The Royal Tenenbaums. The point is, Tenenbaums is by far the most Wes Anderson-y film to ever Wes Anderson; absolutely jam-packed with quirkitude, a variety of eccentric characters and deadpan dialogue delivery. This is the quintessential hipster flick that helped to define a generation of indie millennial film buffs.

Aside from The Royal Tenenbaums’ effect on pop culture, it truly exists as a wonderful, honest, hilarious, and heartbreaking film. Over twenty years ago when the film was released, there wasn’t a lot like it in mainstream American cinema, with the somewhat privileged (yet painfully relatable) themes it explores being limited to conversations had by those gathering to watch Jean-Luc Godard in their NYU dorm rooms. With his first Oscar nomination, The Royal Tenenbaums introduced much of the world to Wes Anderson, and many still consider it to be his finest work to date. 

56. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Oftentimes sequels don’t measure up to their predecessor, but Spider-Man 2 is one of the exceptions. Director Sam Raimi and screenwriter Alvin Sargent kept the best elements from the first Spider-Man movie and improved upon them, with the follow-up doing an excellent job exploring how Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker handles the burden of heroism and trying to balance his web-sliding activities with his civilian life. However, Spider-Man 2’s MVP is Alfred Molina, whose more sympathetic take on Doctor Octopus quickly cemented him as one of the best superhero movie villains of all time. It’s no wonder we still have yet to see another actor play the tentacled antagonist in a live-action movie. As a bonus, I love how the movie recreated the panel from 1967’s The Amazing Spider-Man #50 of Peter Parker leaving his costume behind in the garbage. A touch like that is a great Easter egg for Marvel fans, but is also just a gorgeous shot for the casuals watching the tale unfold.

55. Ratatouille (2007)

Pixar Animation’s eighth feature film, Ratatouille, is as surprising as its premise. It came at a time when the studio was high on a winning streak, redefining how we looked at toys, bugs, monsters, cars, superheroes and fish. Sure, making an audience empathetic to rats feels like a stretch, but the 2007 movie had a fresh and quirky way in that kept Pixar at an all-time high. What if one rat was secretly a gourmet cook in Paris, France? The results are so charming. 

Fronted by a charismatic voice performance from Patton Oswalt as Remy, packed with decadent and often mouth-watering animation greatly displayed inside a top-tier French kitchen and beautifully underlined by an all-time great score from Michael Giacchino, Pixar told a hilarious underdog story with the creativity and wonder the studio remains beloved for. It’s one of those movies that has one doing a double take at every human and animal you encounter next time you walk outside in playful curiosity about the world thinking “Anyone Can Cook.” 

54. Superbad (2007)

Seth Rogen has touted himself as a “permanent teenager,” and never has that title been truer than in the 2007 teen buddy comedy Superbad. The movie — which he penned with Evan Goldberg and stars a number of the regular Judd Apatow players — carries the funky vibe of the 1970s throughout, but its story is timeless. The only thing more relatable than high-school seniors Seth and Evan (played perfectly by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera) trying to get to a party to impress some girls was their underlying anxiety over not knowing what would happen to their friendship after graduation.

The laughs come a mile a minute — some may say it’s the funniest movie of all time — with an impressive cast that also includes Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio, Emma Stone and, of course, Seth Rogen. But in the end it’s the friendship at the heart of the story that makes this one worth watching again and again. Superbad is also responsible for giving us “McLovin,” for which we should be forever grateful.

53. Catch Me If You Can (2002)

One of the most intriguing stories related to the crime of check fraud is that of Frank Abagnale Jr., who impersonated various professions, passed off millions of dollars worth of phony checks, and outran the FBI between the ages of 16 and 21. At least, that is what the fraud prevention consultant claimed in his memoir, Catch Me If You Can. The book inspired an excellent movie of the same name.

This 1960s-set crime drama stars future Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio as the young, elusive con artist, who enters an intense, enduring game of cat-and-mouse with two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks as a veteran FBI agent who will stop at nothing to bring him to justice, even if he becomes friends with him in the process. Following Minority Report, director Steven Spielberg completed his one-two punch of masterfully entertaining films in 2002 with this dazzling, devilishly charming, and even heartwarming tale. 

52. Cast Away (2000)

Everybody scream “Wilson!” with me! Now, let’s all break into violent sobs as we remember Tom Hanks losing his best friend… a volleyball with a face painted on it. Cast Away is a miracle. It’s essentially a one-man show that you can’t pull your eyes off of, because you root so hard for Hanks and want to see how he’s going to get off the deserted island on which he is stranded. Director Robert Zemeckis places us in Hanks’ sandals, so we feel frustration as he fails to get a makeshift raft over the incoming tide, and elation when he figures out how to start a fire. Hanks already was viewed as one of our greatest actors before he single handedly carried this survival story, but the gripping performance earned him his fifth Oscar nomination. (He lost to Russell Crowe in Gladiator.) Listen to this remarkable stat: Zemeckis filmed Cast Away’s first half with a chunky Hanks, then had to pause production while his leading man lost enough weight and grew enough hair to play his marooned self in the movie’s second half. During that pause, Zemeckis filmed an entire feature: 2000’s marital thriller What Lies Beneath, with Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford.

51. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

One thing to know about Ang Lee is that he keeps audiences guessing when it comes to his projects. And given his body of work leading up to the 2000s, not too many people might’ve expected him to helm a wuxia martial arts epic with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Yet movie lovers should be so glad he did. His seventh directorial effort is a masterpiece featuring beautifully choreographed fight sequences, impeccable production design, imposing performances and more.

Based on Wang Dulu’s 1942 novel of the same name, the highly ambitious production centers on a seasoned warrior and his equally skilled ally (and love interest), who aim to hunt down the former’s fabled sword so it can be delivered for safekeeping. Their quest ultimately leads them down a path neither could’ve ever imagined. Ang Lee assembled a highly formidable ensemble of actors led by Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi, who all give career-best performances. The martial arts genre features a wide array of movies, but few can meet the standard set by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

50. Legally Blonde (2001)

“What? Like it’s hard” to be one of the top 50 movies of the 2000s? It’s not for Legally Blonde, that’s for sure. Casually going to law school at Harvard to win back your ex-boyfriend is a far-fetched idea, but Reese Witherspoon’s Elle Woods doesn't just pull it off, she succeeds in grand fashion, obviously.  

Elle Woods is such an icon, she’s funny, gorgeous, and hyper-intelligent, and seeing her harness all of that to succeed at Harvard was empowering. Reese Witherspoon and the cast of Legally Blonde are also on their A-games in this movie, creating a hilariously smart and unique story. From Jennifer Coolidge’s “bend and snap” moment with our leading lady to the adorable rom-com subplot between Elle and Luke Wilson’s Emmett, the film is packed with memorable stories from fabulous characters.

Since then, Withersoon’s lawyer’s story has expanded into a sequel and a Broadway musical, because a world with more Elle Woods in it is “So Much Better.” 

49. Tropic Thunder (2008)

Tropic Thunder is a relentless and vicious commentary on the motion picture industry and all the absurdities associated with it. For two unyielding hours, Ben Stiller’s satirical action comedy mercilessly skewers the executives, the actors, the directors, the writers, the agents and even an explosives coordinator, painting them as deeply flawed and emotionally unstable people who will do anything to stay relevant and protect their own fragile egos. From blackface to stolen valor to exploiting the mentally handicapped, there’s no line they won’t cross in pursuit of their next award, their next paycheck or their next high.

Tropic Thunder shouldn’t work. From one angle, it’s a big budget, big studio action comedy filled with explosions, fart jokes and Tom Cruise dancing to Flo Rida. From another angle, it’s a deeply clever satire that repeatedly and without apology seeks out complicated and problematic subject matter. It’s a movie within a movie disguised as another movie, but instead of a disorganized mess, it somehow all comes together thanks to a fantastic script, an Oscar-nominated Robert Downey Jr. performance and the greatest little kid reaction shot in the history of movies.

48. Gladiator (2000)

Russell Crowe went on an absolute tear in the 2000s with a number of memorable movies, so it’s no surprise that the one he won the Best Actor Oscar for is on this list. Gladiator is an absolute triumph from start to finish, with knockout performances led by the direction of Ridley Scott. Maximus is an immediately likable character brought down to the lowest point of his life. He keeps fighting and survives solely because of the revenge he hopes to deliver to Commodus. 

And while Joaquin Phoenix did not win an Oscar for his nominated performance as Commodus, Maximus’ journey isn’t quite as sweet without him being every bit as unlikable as he should be. When the big scene finally comes for Maximus and Commodus to square off, how can you not be on the edge of your seat? Without a doubt one of the best gladiator movies of all time.

47. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

While not strictly a love story, Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire definitely owes a lot to the genre, as Jamal’s (Dev Patel) lifelong love for childhood friend Latika (Freida Pinto) drives much of what he does. The drama follows Jamal as he relays the events of his young life that have led him to correctly answering questions on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, after he’s arrested and tortured for cheating.

As Jamal takes us through the harrowing events of his childhood that led him not only to fall for Latika, but to compete on the show in an effort to find her again, we’re taken through an action-packed tale of survival under extreme circumstances, what a young man will go through to save the love of his life, and how we all probably know a lot more than we think we do. Definitely hard to watch at times, but inspirational nonetheless.

46. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

On one hand, Jonathan Daylon and Valerie Faris’ Little Miss Sunshine is one of the funniest movies of the 2000s, but on the other hand it’s one of the most tragic stories to come out of the decade. The “road trip from Hell” setup had been done countless times prior to the film’s 2006 release, but rarely had the subgenre been as effective, emotional, or laugh out loud funny.

Michael Arndt’s hilarious, heartbreaking, and nuanced screenplay, which earned him an Oscar, doesn’t play it safe by avoiding life’s tragedies (both major and minor), but instead faces them head-on, creating a cathartic experience for his characters and audience alike. Transformative performances by the late Alan Arkin (he also won an Academy Award), Abigail Breslin, Toni Collette and the rest of the Little Miss Sunshine cast make you feel their characters are family, which is the heart and soul of this outstanding film.

45. Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Keira Knightley’s Pride & Prejudice is hardly the first take on the novel of the same name, but the 2005 film arguably set the standard for modern Jane Austen movie adaptations. The love story between Elizabeth Bennet (Knightley) and Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) is beautifully told, and made all the more memorable for the cinematography, soundtrack, and chemistry between the stars. In fact, the cast was stacked with stars who either already had or would become big names, including Donald Sutherland, Judi Dench, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Carey Mulligan, and Kelly Reilly in addition to Knightley and Macfadyen. 

The world of the Bennet family in this Pride & Prejudice feels lived in and domestic in a way that adds a touch of modern realism to a Regency-era period drama and contrasts the more austere beauty of Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley estate. The film isn’t as faithful to the book as the beloved 1995 BBC miniseries, but it hits the important beats of the original Jane Austen story in just over two hours while also being completely accessible to viewers who haven’t read the book, with moments like the iconic hand flex of Mr. Darcy that fans far and wide know well. 

44. Adaptation (2002)

Adaptation is a book adaptation about the adaptation process. Understood? Wonderful. 

Nicolas Cage plays dual roles as the most neurotic possible version of screenwriter Charlie Kauffman, as well as his fictitious twin Donald Kauffman. Originally hired to write the film adaptation for Susan Orlean’s bestseller The Orchid Thief, Charlie Kauffman experiences a debilitating case of writer’s block, stemming from a slew of mental health issues including social anxiety, body dysmorphia and depression. This sends him on something of a tortured artist’s odyssey that leads him to write himself, and the experience, into his script. Thus, we get Adaptation, a hybrid of both the story of The Orchid Thief, and Kauffman’s experience adapting it.

These days, such a meta concept is somewhat commonplace, but over 20 years ago, this was the most bonkers script since Kauffman’s Being John Malkovich. Malkovich was even worked into Adaptation’s storyline, with John Cusack, Catherine Keener and the titular John Malkovich playing themselves. The point is, this film is WEIRD in the best of ways, yet still managed to grab Oscar nominations for Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep, as well as a win for Chris Cooper. Adaptation is perhaps the greatest cinematic insight into the creative writing process, and the effect it has on one’s psyche, ever made.

43. Love & Basketball (2000)

The best romantic comedies might get a lot of attention from fans of lovey dovey stories, but romantic dramas deserve our eyeballs as well, and Love & Basketball is one that really should be praised. This romance (which is also a fantastic sports drama) tells the story of Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps), two talented, basketball-obsessed kids who bond over their love of the sport, but have several trials as they attempt to take their relationship from friends to lovers in their high school and college years and, later, in their twenties.

Gina Prince-Bythewood’s feature-length directorial debut does an amazing job of showing how hard it can be for two people who are so dedicated to their craft to make time for one another, especially as the pressure to succeed in their sport pulls them in different directions. But, it goes much further than that, with each of their complicated family dynamics and emotional wounds taking this love story to the next level.

42. Minority Report (2002)

If you had the chance to predict and prevent a tragic crime, the choice sounds obvious, right? That is until you are faced with the possibility that the prediction is wrong and your arrestee was destined to be innocent. That provocative idea was the basis for a 1956 short story by prolific science-fiction writer Philip K. Dick, which was later adapted into one of director Steven Spielberg’s most exciting films of the decade, if not his full career.

Tom Cruise stars as John Anderton — the chief for a special police unit that uses a trio of clairvoyant siblings to detect future murders — who begins to question their seemingly “perfect” system when he makes the horrifying discovery that the potential perpetrator of his next case is himself, forcing him to go on the run. The truth behind this prediction revealed in the brilliant twist ending of Minority Report is one of the many fascinating and thought-provoking aspects of this astonishingly inventive sci-fi masterpiece that is not quite dystopian, but far from utopian either.

41. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Over the past few years, there have been great strides for representation and diverse stories in Hollywood. But back in the early 2000s, this wasn’t exactly the case. Which is why Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain was such a groundbreaking movie upon its release. Hollywood simply wasn’t telling queer love stories through major blockbusters, let alone honoring them with major Awards Nominations.

While there’s been some backlash about straight actors playing LGBTQ+ roles, Brokeback likely only got produced because of its bankable (and yes straight) lead actors. For their part, both Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger offer moving and complicated performances that still stand up today. Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway also really deliver, which is par for the course for those talented actresses. This quartet of performers tell their characters’ stories through decades of time, and to devastating results. And the acclaimed film is still so beloved that it’s being adapted for the stage on the West End, starring Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges. 

40. American Psycho (2000)

Author Bret Easton Ellis’ novel American Psycho is a shocking literary experience. There are scenes in it that will make even the most seasoned horror fan blanche – and reading it, you can understand why it was deemed unadaptable for a time after its publication. When it did finally get brought to the big screen, co-adapted by screenwriter Guinevere Turner and director Mary Harron, the material was understandably pulled back a bit, but the movie still remains a scary and biting satire that takes aim at the hardcore capitalism in the 1980s.

Years before he became a big screen legend playing Batman, Christian Bale became a horror icon with his performance as Patrick Bateman – a white, rich sociopath who enjoys torturing and slaughtering women… but who nonetheless blends in with all the rest of New York’s white, rich sociopaths. It’s a rich cinematic experience that manages to be both satisfyingly scary and surprisingly funny.

39. 28 Days Later (2002)

Certain movies can be credited as causing shifts so powerful, an entire genre felt its influence. Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland’s 28 Days Later is one such film, as this lo-fi British horror-thriller would go on to see interest in movies like Dawn of the Dead (2004) and Shaun of the Dead being boosted. 

Revitalizing the zombie genre, while not calling its own creatures by the Z-word, the normal rules didn’t apply in this horror masterpiece. In the world of the previously coma-ridden Jim (Cillian Murphy), the vicious “infected” could come from anywhere, with blazing speed. Survival, in some situations, could be measured in a heartbeat, with a drop of blood or saliva making the difference. 

Stocked with a who’s who of actors like Brendan Gleeson, Christopher Eccleston, and Naomie Harris, 28 Days Later did for zombies what Scream did for slasher films. Challenging the status quo with relentless energy, the film is all at once terrifying, heartbreaking, and hopeful. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland resurrected the undead genre with stunning results.

38. Amelie (2001)

One of the most delightful stories committed to film. French ingénue Audrey Tautou was perfectly cast as the title character Amelie, who is believed to have a delicate heart condition and so is overprotected by her doting parents. As a result of her gently-imposed isolation, Amelie develops an overactive imagination, which leads her on a series of whimsical adventures. Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet embraces magical realism as a style, with Tautou basically gliding through this giddy fantasy as she works to make the lives of everyone around her happy, and possibly find love on her own in the process. Amelie seems to transmit joy, and if you aren’t uplifted by Tautou’s effervescent performance, you might want to check to ensure you still have a pulse. Now, go borrow someone else’s lawn gnome, photograph it in front of a celebrated vacation spot, and spread the joy of Amelie with anyone who hasn’t yet seen this delightful gem. 

37. Donnie Darko (2001)

There may not be a more aggressively strange and maddeningly perplexing movie on this list than Donnie Darko. Yet, its mysterious and nearly off-putting nature may be the reason why — despite nearly becoming a cable TV movie (if not for Christopher Nolan’s praise) and ultimately bombing at the box office — it remains an enduring cult hit.

At its core, writer and director Richard Kelly’s feature-length debut is the story of an emotionally troubled young man (Jake Gyllenhaal) whose struggle to navigate adolescence in the late 1980s is worsened by visions of an apocalyptic soothsayer in a horrifying rabbit suit, but it is much more than that. It is a sharp coming-of-age satire on par with some of John Hughes’ films, a classic time travel movie, and a pervasively grim fantasy tale that serves as a perfect Halloween tradition, among other things. Above all, however, Donnie Darko is unique enough to defy categorization, resulting in a one-of-a-kind experience. 

36. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

If we’re only including one adaptation of the Harry Potter series on this list, it has to be Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The source material has our lead trio entering into their teen years with more studies than ever and higher stakes all around. New characters are introduced, major reveals transpire and there’s also that twisty bit of time travel. Oh, and let’s not forget the bone-chilling Dementors, whose powers include dredging up a person’s darkest memories and fears. 

Those things on their own give Prisoner of Azkaban an edge over some of the other books, but Alfonso Cuarón’s adaptation does more than just bring one of the best installments of the series to life. New layers of the magical world emerge on the screen thanks to the cinematography, not to mention Cuarón’s vision and patient approach to the pacing, which gives us the chance to really soak in the surroundings in any given scene. Whether it’s showing the change of seasons at Hogwarts or the stunning sight of Harry soaring over the lake on the back of a Hippogriff, it’s more than enough to set the film above its predecessors and raise the bar firmly for the adaptations that would follow. 

35. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

The Devil Wears Prada is already a classic. While the film quality itself is high, the movie has also become part of the fabric of pop culture, thanks to its quotable lines and the unbelievable performance of one Meryl Streep. Anne Hathaway is regularly transformed into a meme thanks to the scene where Annie shows up to work post-makeover in Chanel Boots.

Aside from the pop culture of it all, The Devil Wears Prada is a delightful movie romp. The fashions are aspirational, and the cast is truly on top of their game. Special points to Emily Blunt, who became a household name following her performance as Emily. And considering how light and frothy even the movie’s drama is, the rewatchability of this book to movie adaptation cannot be understated. If you haven’t watched Devil Wears Prada recently, by all means move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.

34. The Lord Of The Rings Movies (2001-2003)

There are very few fantasy movie franchises out there that have been great all the way through. They have their dips and slides, but if there’s one major fantasy franchise to rule them all, it has to be The Lord of the Rings movies. 

The film franchise mainly follows Frodo Baggins as he travels with the Fellowship on a quest to destroy the One Ring in order to take down the person who made it, Sauron. But don't take that premise at face value – there is so much more to this story than meets the eye. 

The Lord of the Rings movies are perfect in every shape and form. From the battle sequences to the visual effects to the acting, there is much to love and adore about these films. The Lord of the Rings delivers in ways fans can't even imagine. There's a reason why the franchise is so popular years later – and how spinoffs, such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, have been released in recent years. The love keeps pouring in. 

33. Casino Royale (2006)

When James Bond was given his iconic Walther PPK in Dr. No, Sean Connery’s initial incarnation is told the weapon has “a delivery like a brick through a plate glass window.” The same could be said for 2006’s Casino Royale, as the introduction to Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies wasn’t shy about changing things up, and surprising even the most experienced 007 fans with how it would depict Commander Bond’s exploits.

Director Martin Campbell’s franchise reboot was as lean and mean as they come. Casino Royale showed 007 getting his ass handed to him, and his heart broken. Such vulnerability didn’t weaken the character, but rather it humanized him and added a suspense that the Bond movies had lost for some time.

Daniel Craig stepped into the role of the modern James Bond as if it were a tuxedo perfectly tailored for his presence. Wryly funny, yet cold and calculating when he had to pull the trigger, Craig made the role his own from frame one. To see such an iconic series redefined so perfectly, after 20 movies and over four decades of history before it, is something that still astonishes as much now as it did upon initial viewing.

32. Batman Begins (2005)

One of the most notorious bombs in Hollywood history is 1997’s Batman & Robin — a movie that, despite having some fans, is so cartoonishly absurd and dismissive of the source material’s essential themes and tone that it would be the last we would see of one of DC Comics’ most important characters on the big screen for years. The Caped Crusader’s resurgence in cinema — and in modern pop culture — can be traced back to when director Christopher Nolan went back to basics and all the way back to the beginning of his war on crime in Batman Begins.

Christian Bale immediately asserted himself as one of the best actors to play Batman with his grounded and stoic performance as a Bruce Wayne desperate to rescue his beloved Gotham City — one of the most stunningly realistic and effectively grimy depictions of the burdened metropolis — from the cesspool of crime and corruption it has become. While it is not widely considered to be the absolute best of the live-action Batman movies so far (more on that one later), most would agree that Batman Begins is one of the best superhero movies in general for its refreshingly earnest and complex approach to comic book lore, exhilarating action sequences and technical mastery, and reinventing the Dark Knight for a new generation without losing sight of what made him an icon in the first place.

31. Children of Men (2006)

In a dystopian future, environmental malpractice has led to constant war, famine, and total human infertility. So imagine the surprise felt by former political activist Theo Faron (Clive Owen) when he learns that a young female refugee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) is pregnant, and is poised to deliver the first natural childbirth in eighteen years. 

Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron was coming off of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (considered by many to be the best film in that saga) when he unleashed his talents on Children of Men. His breathtaking approach to editing and cinematography propels the action forward at a feverish pitch, with Cuaron often choosing to stage his movements in long, eye-popping, unbroken shots that lure the audience to the edge of their seats. Cuaron says this is a movie about hope, but you have to endure a lot of credible despair to finally unearth it. It’s worth the effort.

30. Ocean's Eleven (2001)

As times change, what’s considered popular is as fluid as water itself. Sometimes a movie can be ahead of the curve in that respect, dictating a whole era of cool in its very existence. Director Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven did just that, as both an uber slick heist movie, and as a modernized remake of a pre-existing film. 

The 1960’s Rat Pack extravaganza about war veterans looking for one big score was turned into a gathering of thieves, assembled by one man (George Clooney) looking for something more than cash. While the stakes were changed, and the number spelled out in the title, this film nailed the breezy energy that made the original so lovely.

Be it an all-star cast including Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Andy Garcia, and Julia Roberts, the insanely slick soundtrack, or even just the way George Clooney could rock a suit without a tie, Ocean’s Eleven doesn’t telegraph its style. It presents it with great confidence, and allows you to decide if it’s worth your while. It’s a love letter to the past, while playing to the viewer of today; with a result as cool as that drink you just ordered at the bar.

29. Chicago (2002)

If you look at just about any list of the best musicals of the 21st century, it’s basically a guarantee that Chicago will be there. The adaptation of Bob Fosse’s long-running musical is one of few musical films to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Catherine Zeta-Jones took home a trophy as well for her stellar performance as the “All That Jazz” singer who killed her husband and sister, Velma Kelly. This film has intrigue, sex, murder, genius performances and a whole lot of jazz, and it's truly a masterful musical adaptation.

Rob Marshall ultimately made a musical that stays true to its stage roots, but also heightens the entire story through movie magic. Take “Cell Block Tango” for example, the majority of the song is performed on a stage, and the women singing about murdering their husbands are in black costumes similar to the wardrobe from Broadway. However, it’s bigger as a whole, and it flashes between the actual prison, and this staged dream-like sequence. By doing this for every number, the film both elevated and paid homage to its predecessor, which is just one of the many reasons it’s so incredible.

28. Iron Man (2008)

From being the first self-financed Marvel Studios production, executives initially being opposed to casting Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, and most of the dialogue being improvised since the script wasn’t finished when production began, there was a lot that could have gone wrong with Iron Man. And yet, the end result stands as a triumph in large part due to Downey’s performance as the genius/billionaire/playboy/philanthropist.

But of course, one can’t discuss Iron Man without addressing how it changed the film franchise game. Once Nick Fury emerged from the shadows and mentioned the Avengers Initiative in the post-credits scene, that was the first big tipoff that this movie was the first chapter in a shared universe, just like in the original Marvel comics. More than a decade later, the MCU still stands as a Hollywood powerhouse, and many franchises, both superhero and from other genres, have followed in its footsteps. 

27. Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

The slacker bastard child of George Romero's Dead films and Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later, Shaun of the Dead is a rarity in cinema, and not just for having the gall to sacrifice the soundtrack to 1989's Batman. It's a largely perfect amalgam of authenticity and parodical storytelling, anchored to the comedic whims and wiles of  director Edgar Wright, his co-writer Simon Pegg,  and Pegg’s co-star Nick Frost. As it goes with that trio’s other film on this list (see #65), Shaun’s biggest strength is its characters who feel real enough to legitimize the zombie apocalypse chaos, while also making viewers care about them even when the gory threats aren’t around the corner.

Shaun of the Dead may go down as the funniest horror movie to have ever existed, while also delivering some genuinely disturbing moments throughout that keep the adventure from falling too far into the funnies. Simon Pegg even transcends the dual genre description by spinning palpable emotion out of his struggle to prioritize the safety of his relationship, his BFF, and his mom. And if that wasn’t enough, it allowed moviegoers to spend some time in the Winchester, and that’s a slice of fried gold that makes everyone’s life better.

26. Moon (2009)

Whenever we sit down for a sci-fi film, especially one that takes place on a remote station somewhere away from our planet, we all know that we’re in for a twisty tale, and Moon certainly fulfills that promise. Duncan Jones’ 2009 directorial debut (he also came up with the story) focuses on Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), the lone human working a mostly automated mining facility on the far side of the moon, who begins to have troubling hallucinations as he nears the end of his work contract.

What follows is surprising, as not only does the story take several intriguingly unexpected turns, but it also examines what it’s like to be isolated from others (including loved ones), holding on to a sense of community, and one’s willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. Throw in a creepy AI, which can’t quite be determined as a helper or a hindrance for a time, and you get science fiction gold.

25. The Incredibles (2004)

Released during the early years of the superhero movie’s surging popularity, The Incredibles still holds up tremendously after all this time, despite so many other offerings from Marvel, DC and other studios being delivered nearly two decades after its release. To be sure, Pixar’s sixth full-length feature does a spectacular job at both honoring classic superhero stories and tropes, as well as poking fun at them, including the hilarious ‘no capes’ gag. But The Incredibles’ greatest feat isn’t how it handles these larger-than-life elements, but rather how it makes these characters feel relatable and complex in the midst of the action.

From Bob and Helen Parr being concerned about their children’s welfare, whether they’re living everyday life in suburbia or fighting bad guys in costume, to understanding that Syndrome’s sinister motivations stem from the hurt he endured as an adolescent, The Incredibles never pushes aside its humanity in favor of spectacle; instead, they compliment each other quite nicely. Throw in outstanding vocal performances from actors like Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter, and Brad Bird excelling as both the director and screenwriter, this movie stands out not just as a superhero movie, but as one of the greatest entries in Pixar’s library.

24. Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Join Us In Creating Excellence. More powerful than any anti-drug ad, Requiem for a Dream hit theaters in 2000 and has stood the test of time as possibly the most affecting portrayal of addiction to date. Based on the Hubert Selby Jr. book of the same name, Darren Aronofsky’s film explores more than just the heroin addictions of Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans’ characters. Ellen Burstyn’s obsession with being on television and fitting into her red dress is haunting, and there’s no questioning why the role earned her an Academy Award nomination.

The work behind the camera was equal to the all-around horrifying performances, as Darren Aronofsky and cinematographer Matthew Libatique added to the story in how every shot was framed, the choreography of the characters’ movements, and the use of sound effects and split screens. The score was worthy of praise all on its own, with "Lux Aeterna" — the song that played over the climax of the film — leaving such an impression that it has gone on to be re-orchestrated for several other movie and video game trailers. 

Combine all of this and add a little of Christopher McDonald’s Tappy Tibbons J.U.I.C.E., and you’ve got a real feel-bad movie that may never fully leave you.

23. Oldboy (2003)

Because many have such good storylines, South Korean films have become some of the biggest international movies.. A few examples could be Parasite and The Wailing. One movie in particular stands above many of them, and that's Oldboy. 

Directed by Park Chan-wook, the film is loosely based on the Japanese manga of the same name and focuses on Dae-su, a man imprisoned in a cell that looks like a hotel room, for fifteen years, without knowing who the person was behind his capture. But when he gets his chance at freedom, he makes it his mission to find out who committed the crime all those years ago – only to find out there is much more to his imprisonment than he thought. 

Oldboy is incredible. The action scenes are probably some of the best recorded on a movie screen and have been imitated many times – just the corridor fight scene itself is enough to satisfy any action-movie fan. The story is intriguing all the way until the end, which will blow the minds of first-time viewers. Truly, Oldboy is a staple of the South Korean film industry – and a fantastic movie of the 2000s. 

22. Collateral (2004)

Michael Mann had already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest directors in the world of crime thrillers, but he further made a case for himself with his 2004 thriller, Collateral. Clocking in at exactly two hours, this cool, violent, and ruthless neo-noir classic not only sees one of the best Jamie Foxx performances with his portrayal of cab driver Max (a role that should have earned him an Oscar), it also introduces one of Tom Cruise’s most unhinged characters: Vincent, a mysterious and deadly assassin.

Cruise, who was coming off movies like Minority Report and The Last Samurai, is incredibly refreshing as the film’s antagonist, and it shows a side of the star that audiences don’t get to see as much. Seeing the actor’s undeniable charm and big-screen energy used to breathe life into someone who is pure evil is quite the experience, and really messes with the viewers’ mindset. In addition to actors like Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, and Jada Pinkett Smith, the movie also treats the city of Los Angeles less like a backdrop and more as another character, one that feels more alive as the story goes on, much like Mann’s 1995 heist film, Heat.

21. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Since the early days of moviemaking, Walt Disney’s viewpoint of the fairytale has had a stake in popular culture. It’s G-rated, soft and sweet, and there’s always a happy ending. Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth brings to life a fairytale that redefined what a fantasy movie can look like with its distinct and unforgettable vision. Set in 1944 Spain as the country picks up the pieces of the Spanish Civil War, the R-rated fantasy film follows a young girl named Ofelia as she faces the violent reality of the Francoist period and stumbles upon a dark wonderland in the shadows (or at least the shadows of her imagination). 

As del Toro was coming off two more commercial movies in Blade II and Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth is a breathtaking highlight in an all-time great filmmaker’s career. Across two hours, the Spanish-language movie brings to life an extraordinary vision that beautifully balances being twisted and innocent all at once with memorable horror, gore, mythical creations and a ton of gorgeous practical creature effects. How does he balance a magical quest with political drama? Some especially memorable words in Pan’s Labyrinth answers that question: If “door is locked,” one must “create your own.” In a landscape where fairytales can be predictable, del Toro opened a wonderfully defiant world of his own with Pan’s Labyrinth.

20. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) And Vol. 2 (2004)

After turning the heist movie on its head with 1992’s Reservoir Dogs, and changing the way audiences perceive movies in general (and winning a screenwriting Oscar) with 1994’s Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino very quickly made himself into one of the most unique and esteemed icons of the medium. However, after releasing his 1997 Elmore Leonard adaptation, Jackie Brown, we would not see him direct anything for another six years. Little did we know that he was planning to come back with something big — so big, that just one movie was not enough to tell the story. Based on a character Tarantino created with star Uma Thurman on the Pulp Fiction set, Kill Bill follows a deadly assassin initially known only as The Bride — one of the greatest female action heroes — who wakes up from a four-year coma with a furious urge to punish those who tried to put her to sleep permanently, with her former boss (David Carradine) being the primary target. 

For years, it was debated whether or not the stylistically disparate halves of the story — with Vol. 1 being an ode to ‘70s kung fu movies and Vol. 2 counting as Tarantino’s first western, essentially — should count as one film. Well, even if the director had never officially clarified that he does see Kill Bill as one movie, we still would have designated one spot for both volumes of this exquisitely crafted, gorgeously choreographed, visually and emotionally breathtaking epic on this list, because that is the only way to experience "the whole bloody affair.” 

• A Kill Bill Quote To Remember: “That's right. I killed your master. And now I'm gonna kill you too, with your own sword, no less, which in the very immediate future, will become... my sword.” (The Bride)

19. Training Day (2001)

In 100 years, when film historians look back to determine why Denzel Washington was considered one of the best actors of his generation, director Antoine Fuqua's Training Day should be at the top of any screening list. Detective Alonzo Harris is a special kind of monster, and Washington’s work offers incredible escalation and power. At first, he just seems like a hardened detective who has made some scary discoveries about how best to patrol the city of Los Angeles, but he becomes a whole different kind of beast by the end – one that King Kong ain’t got nothin’ on.

But while Training Day features an all-time great performance from one of the all-time great actors, not to be ignored is just how terrific the movie as a whole is. Ethan Hawke is also at the top of his game as up-and-coming officer Jake Hoyt, who faces death and peril as he slowly understands the real game that Alonzo is playing, and David Ayer’s screenplay is special – packing the believable character arcs and growing stakes into a limited 24-hour time frame. Even on the tenth viewing it is successful at raising your pulse and getting you to invest in the protagonist’s peril, and that’s the mark of a truly great thriller.

• A Training Day Quote To Remember: “You gotta control your smiles and cries, because that's all you have and nobody can take that away from you.” (Jake Hoyt)

18. The Wrestler (2008)

Still considered one of the best movies of 2008 more than a decade later, Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler is a grueling battle royale of emotions that doesn’t pull any punches with its story about a broken-down professional wrestler looking for one last shot at redemption. Channeling both the triumph and tragedy, and the agony and ecstasy of putting one’s life on the line day-in and day-out for decades, Mickey Rourke gave audiences the performance of a lifetime with his portrayal of washed-up wrestler, Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a one-time larger-than-life titan caught somewhere between his past and uncertain future.

There are a lot of parallels between the character and Rouke’s own journey in this semi-autobiographical drama, which adds a tremendous amount of depth to not only his performance, but also the movie in general. Though wrestling is often considered a fake sport, Rourke’s performance and Aronofsky’s commitment to portraying the industry in an honest and genuine light is incredibly real. The physical, mental, and emotional pain can be felt in each of Randy’s movements, heard in his voice, and seen in his eyes as the former champ wrestles in high school gyms and attempts to make ends meet by taking on shifts at a local grocery store deli. Then there are the religious allegories that are explored through Randy’s character, as well as Marisa Tomei’s Cassidy, which make it all even more potent.

• A The Wrestler Quote To Remember: “I'll tell you somethin', I hate the fuckin' 90's.” (Randy Robinson)

17. Finding Nemo (2003)

Pixar has created some of the greatest animated films of all time, and Finding Nemo may be the studio’s true crowning achievement. It is as beautifully animated as it is emotionally powerful. The undersea world of Nemo is gorgeous simply to look at, and that’s just as true today as it was when the film was released. 

2003's Finding Nemo’s voice casting is second to none. Nobody does neurotic like Albert Brooks. Nobody can play clueless like Ellen DeGeneres. Nobody plays a tough guy of questionable sanity like Willem Dafoe. These are the actors you would cast if you were telling this story in live-action, and they bring it all to the voice performances in a way that truly brings these characters to life.

And Finding Nemo is able to balance its emotional extremes perfectly. We’re used to Pixar movies making us cry but years before Up, Finding Nemo opened with an incredibly heartbreaking moment. But after that, it’s able to be hilarious, scary, and even exciting. Finally, it concludes with the sort of resolution that stands the test of time, as young children will see the film and relate with Nemo, then grow up, and begin to understand Marlin in a new way.  Nemo does it all, not bad for a clownfish with a bad fin. 

• A Finding Nemo Quote To Remember: “Of course I like you. It’s because I like you, I don’t want to be with you. It’s a complicated emotion.” (Marlin)

16. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

“I think this just might be my masterpiece.” That’s the final line in writer/director Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, and coming as it does at the end of 153 minutes of perfection, it’s hard not to read it as a message directly from the filmmaker to the audience. In 2009, Tarantino was coming off of a low point in his career with the disappointing theatrical release of Grindhouse, but his follow-up is a phenomenal World War II epic that only he could make: Nazi-killing action packaged in a love letter to cinema.

Two stories – the revenge of Mélanie Laurent's Shosanna Dreyfus and the mission of the titular troop – play out in parallel with equal captivating energy right up until they collide in the (literally) explosive finale. While there isn’t a star in the expansive ensemble who doesn’t deliver a memorable performance (from Brad Pitt to Michael Fassbender to even Mike Myers), there isn’t a person who can watch the film and not walk away mesmerized by the work done by Christoph Waltz in his star-making turn as Hans Landa. It’s not an easy thing to blend a vibe of dastardly evil with sharp charisma, but Waltz is a force in the role, and it remains the best thing he has done in his career.

• An Inglourious Basterds Quote To Remember: “Well, you don't got to be Stonewall Jackson to know you don't want to fight in a basement.” (Lt. Aldo Raine)

15. Spirited Away (2001)

Studio Ghibli is one of the world's most-known anime film studios. Co-founded by legendary anime director Hayao Miyazaki, the studio has created some of the best anime films of all time, one of which is Spirited Away – which Hayao Miyazaki directed. 

Spirited Away is about a journey into the spirit world following the young Chihiro. Taking place in Japan, we follow the little girl, who happens to be moving to a new neighborhood with her family. When her parents decide to take a shortcut to their new home and explore what looks to be an abandoned amusement park, Chihiro is forced to go along. However, there's magic everywhere, and her mom and dad turn into pigs against their will for eating a gluttonous feast. For her to get them back, she must work for the spirits in the bathhouse, so they can return to the human world. 

The premise itself sounds like a lot at first, but it's become Studio Ghibli’s – and Hayao Miyazaki's – highest-grossing film. It’s also the only anime film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the only hand-drawn film (so far) to accomplish the task. The movie features themes about love and learning to grow up and be brave. It's the perfect gateway movie into the anime film – indeed, one of the best movies of the 2000s. 

• A Spirited Away Quote To Remember: “I don't need any help; this place is full of soot.” (Kamaji)

14. The Prestige (2006)

The Prestige is a battle of wills between two talented and irreparably flawed magicians, who can’t stay out of each other’s lives. Their differing roles in a shared tragedy push them apart and then repeatedly back together, as their initial determination to succeed steadily gives way to an obsession for vengeance. That obsession drives them to sacrifice and abandon everything healthy about their lives until they’re each left with only a singular drive to sabotage the other.

Based on that description, The Prestige sounds like a really dark movie. In many ways, it is, but in director Christopher Nolan’s hands, it’s also often really fun. It has a sense of wonder and mystery about it, as it not only dives into the idiosyncrasies of magic but also the exciting possibilities of science in the 1890s and early 1900s. It was a time and place in which anything felt possible, and you really feel that hopeful uncertainty thanks to a timeline that jumps to and fro and fantastic performances from Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall and a perfectly cast David Bowie as Nikola Tesla. Like a great magic trick, the first time you watch The Prestige, you’re fascinated by the spectacle and simply along for the ride. Then every time you rewatch it afterwards, you’re blown away by all the subtle skill required to pull it off.

• A The Prestige Quote To Remember: “Nobody cares about the man in the box.” (Robert Angier)

13. There Will Be Blood (2007)

Looking back, 2007 was one of the best movie years in recent memory, considering classics like No Country For Old Men, Zodiac, and Superbad all premiered on the big screen. But one of the biggest, baddest, and most arresting of those releases was Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood. An epic period drama about oilman Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) doing everything in his power and stepping on anyone in his way in his quest for wealth in the early 20th-century oil boom, the movie is a deep and vast exploration of a man’s psyche and desire to become the biggest player in the game.

While Day-Lewis’s performance is tremendous and more than deserving of the Oscar he received, it’s made even better thanks to his character’s conflict with Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), a religious zealot who is just as tenacious and hungry for power as his counterpart. Several of the movie’s most iconic scenes (like the oil-town baptism and shocking ending sequence) are the result of the actor’s tremendous chemistry and ability to play off each other’s words. The pair, who get along like oil and holy water, create a dynamic that’s not quite a battle between good and evil, but instead something much deeper than that, which adds another level to this incredible cinematic achievement.

• A There Will Be Blood Quote To Remember: “You're an orphan from a basket in the middle of the desert, and I took you for no other reason than I needed a sweet face to buy land.” (Daniel)

12. In Bruges (2008)

Prior to 2008, Martin McDonagh was established as a talented and popular playwright, but he had ambitions to make his way into movies. In 2004, he directed the incredible short film Six Shooter (which won an Academy Award), and then he moved to features. He made his debut with In Bruges, and anyone who saw it instantly recognized McDonagh’s potential to become one of the best filmmakers working today (potential he has made good on with the genius of Seven Psychopaths, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and The Banshees of Inisherin).

In Bruges takes a high concept premise – two hitman hide out in Belgium waiting for instructions after a job goes bad – and weaves a remarkable meditation on life and death. It’s a dark comedy (and a hilarious one at that), but it has a beautiful blend of tones that radiate from the genius work of stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. Farrell and Gleeson have a unique chemistry that works on both comedic and dramatic levels (it’s far from a mystery why McDonagh reunited them for The Banshees of Inisherin) and the bizarrely rage and logic-filled energy that Fiennes brings in the third act is icing on the cake.

• An In Bruges Quote To Remember: “I kinda like hearing people having sex. Means at least somebody around here's happy.” (Ray)

11. Almost Famous (2000)

If a 15-year-old going on tour with a raucous rock band wasn’t enough of a hook, Almost Famous also happens to have one of the most memorable posters/ DVD box covers of all time. It focuses on the enigmatic Penny Lane, the heroine of Cameron Crowe’s film, whom everyone loves to love and admire and most don’t bother to understand. With distinct shades and tendrils of blonde hair, she draws you into her world of Humble Pie and heartbreak, and in between commentary on what made the ’70s the ’70s and a slick soundtrack including Led Zeppelin, The Who and of course Elton John, she helps turn the film into one of the best of the 2000s.

It’s a career-defining performance for Kate Hudson, and she’s not the only one who delivers. Jason Lee grows a mustache and long hair to fall into his hilarious lead singer role while Billy Crudup is similarly unrecognizable as the talented and moody Russell Hammond. Patrick Fugit plays William Miller, younger than most but wiser than some, and he finds a terrific foil in Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays famed music writer Lester Bangs. Throw in great work from Frances McDormand, Zooey Deschanel and even Jimmy Fallon and it’s a masterclass of terrific performances. If it’s been a while since you’ve revisited the movie, maybe throw on some purple-tinted sunglasses and kick back to the tune of Simon & Garfunkel’s “America.” Settle in, you’re almost home.

• An Almost Famous Quote To Remember: “If you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. If you never get hurt, you always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, you just go to the record store and visit your friends.” (Penny Lane)

10. No Country For Old Men (2007)

No matter what kind of film genre is up for discussion, the power and breadth of the Coen Brothers' filmography is worthy of inclusion, and they don't make 'em much better than 2007's No Country for Old Men. An adaptation of Carmac McCarthy’s 2005 novel that’s every bit as faithful as it is chilling, the film meticulously dips its toes most heavily into the cinematic waters of crime thrillers and westerns. That said, Javier Bardem’s unflinching hitman, Anton Chigurh, would be at home in any horror narrative, with his Two-Face-esque coin flips and an unstoppable drive that rivals Jason Voorhees or Michael Meyers. At least if a big ol’ stack of cash was also their end goal.

Despite being one of Joel and Ethan Coen’s driest films regarding their signature screwball humor, the movie is an exercise in tension that thrives on its lack of levity, though it’s hard not to smile whenever Woody Harrelson is on the screen in any capacity. With a stellar cast including Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt and more, No Country for Old Men is, to date, the only Coen brothers masterpiece to win them the Oscars for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture, with Bardem taking the gold for Best Supporting Actor. It’s not the awards that best signify its impact, however, but the bolt pistol gripped in Chigurh’s ever-steady hand.

• A No Country For Old Men Quote To Remember: “Well all the time ya spend trying to get back what's been took from ya, more is going out the door. After a while you just have to try to get a tourniquet on it.” (Ellis)

9. Memento (2000)

Talk about a movie that you definitely need to watch without your phone in your hand. Christopher Nolan’s Memento is a mind-bending combination of different angles that demands and deserves your entire attention. The story is told backward, broken up by clips of a black and white, forward-moving montage of a mysterious one-sided phone call in a hotel, led by Guy Pearce, whose character Leonard, also happens to have anterograde (or short-term) amnesia, stopping our protagonist from creating new memories as he looks for his wife’s killer, who also gave him this debilitating injury.

As mentioned, Nolan basically begins at the end and works his way back, for the most part. The juxtaposition of the timelines bring the audience into the obvious confusion that Leonard lives with every day. "Even if you get revenge, you're not going to remember it," he's told by his new friend Teddy (played by Joe Pantoliano) but his reply shows just how far his love and determination will go, stating "My wife deserves revenge whether or not I remember it."  Toss in Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss) to add some confusing sympathy (or treachery) and you will probably want a second viewing just to wrap your mind around what you might have initially dismissed as unimportant plot points from this Nolan classic. You’ll notice that Nolan has popped up numerous times on this list (and rightfully so) and he has also once again recently hit it out of the park with 2023’s Oppenheimer.  

• A Memento Quote To Remember: “So you lie to yourself to be happy. There’s nothing wrong with that. We all do it.” (Teddy G.)

8. Wall-E (2008)

Do you know who is a genius? Sound designer Ben Burtt. You might not know his name, but you certainly know the movies he contributed to over the years, including Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and 2009’s Star Trek. Burtt designed the “vocals” for R2-D2, Darth Vader’s heavy breathing, and the “voice” of E.T. But, his work truly soared when he lent dialogue to the adorable Waste Allocation Load Lifter assigned to an abandoned Earth. MIraculously, the first half of Pixar’s ingenious WALL-E works as a silent film, following our main character as it goes about its daily routine with a pet cockroach in tow. WALL-E’s life is upended when another robot named EVE arrives, searching for any sign of life. 

From there, the fate of humanity starts to be revealed, and it’s rather grim. Director Andrew Stanton’s animation for the film ranks as some of Pixar’s most magnificent, embracing the scorched orange of a deserted Earth and then painting with vivid colors for WALL-E’s eventual outer-space adventure. The environmental messages of the film are important without ever being preachy. And, the eventual romance felt and shared by WALL-E and EVE will lift every single heart, with the lovers sharing hardly any words. 

• A Wall-E Quote To Remember: “I see the ship's log is showing that today is the 700th anniversary of our five year cruise. Well, I'm sure our forefathers would be proud to know that 700 years later we'd be... doing the exact same thing they were doing.” (Captain B. McCrea)

7. The Departed (2006)

There are crime films and then there are Martin Scorsese crime films, and when it comes to The Departed, the director doesn’t let us down. A remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, the 2006 movie gives us a range of characters to root for, root against or simply watch just to see what they’ll do or say next. That includes Leonardo DiCaprio’s undercover cop character Billy Costigan, Matt Damon’s sneaky, spying Colin Sullivan, Jack Nicholson’s mob boss character Frank Costello, and Vera Farmiga’s well-meaning therapist Dr. Madolyn Madden. To say that things get complicated might be understating it, but it’s the complexity of the characters and their roles in this story that makes The Departed such a fantastic and gripping movie from beginning to end. 

In a way, it’s all business for everyone involved, but it’s also personal for each character on some level or another. It’s impossible not to feel anxious for DiCaprio’s character as he attempts to navigate the criminal world without being caught for who he really is, just as it’s impossible not to grow increasingly frustrated by Matt Damon’s character for posing as an upstanding law enforcer who’s actually up to no good. It’s thrilling, stressful, riveting and ultimately satisfying, and that’s not even factoring in Mark Wahlberg’s character every time he has something to say (that’s just a bonus). 

• A The Departed Quote To Remember: “You know what I like about restaurants? . . . You can learn a lot, watching things eat.” (Frank Costello)

6. Best In Show (2000)

Nobody does mockumentaries like Christopher Guest, and 2000’s Best in Show is an absolute masterclass. The mundane musings of everyday conversation combine with outlandish characters and awkward situations to deliver one of the best movies of the decade. The dog show is the event that brings these unique and individually brilliant characters under one roof, but it’s no Maguffin. As bonkers as each dog-lover’s trip is to get to the show, everything is turned up to 11, if you will, when they all come together, and the event itself is perfectly colored by Fred Willard’s commentary.

There’s a reason this phenomenal cast has stuck together to appear in other projects. The chemistry between Eugene Levy’s Gerry and Catherine O’Hara’s Cookie (with her “hundreds” of boyfriends) left people begging for more, which they got in A Mighty Wind. Jennifer Coolidge was excellent in her attempts to substantiate her marriage to her ancient sugar daddy husband by saying they bonded over a love of soup and the ability to “not talk or talk forever.” The genius casting of John Michael Higgins and Michael McKean gave audiences the married couple they never knew they needed. 

Best in Show exploits the banal in some situations while heightening reality in others, to where Harlan Pepper naming nuts and the couple describing how they met at Starbucks (but two different Starbucks) land laughs just as hard as Gerry’s literal two left feet or Cookie walking with her knee out of socket.

• A Best In Show Quote To Remember: “Why don’t they put the bloodhound — put on one of those Sherlock Holmes hats and put a little pipe in his mouth? Are they ever allowed to do anything like that? Dress up the dog in a funny way? It would really get the crowd going. You know what I mean? The Sherlock Holmes hat with a pipe. I don’t know if you could make it look like smoke is coming out of the pipe.” (Buck Laughlin)

5. Zodiac (2007)

David Fincher’s greatest accomplishment, and that’s saying a lot. The director has spent countless hours analyzing the compulsion that drives people to seek the truth – be it lawyers parsing through statements to figure out who invented Facebook (The Social Network), or detectives tracking a serial killer who is inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins (Seven). But Zodiac is Fincher’s magnum opus, an engrossing true-crime thriller based on the books of Robert Graysmith tracking the diligent work of three men consumed by the search for the identity of the Zodiac Killer. 

Jake Gyllanhaal serves as the ideal audience surrogate, a puzzle designer for the San Francisco Chronicle who gets swept up in the mystery of the serial killer, who antagonized the police and the media as he committed vicious murders around San Francisco in the 1970s, Fincher painstakingly recreates the time period with breathtaking visuals and top-notch costuming and set design. His emphasis on the bustle of a newsroom is particularly spot on. The film also lingers in the haze of fear, anxiety, and suspense that comes from a killer on the loose. But it’s the supporting roles of Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo, as well as an inability to truly deliver a concrete ending, that makes Zodiac such a rewatchable movie, and a captivating masterpiece.

• A Zodiac Quote To Remember: “I am not the Zodiac. And if I was, I certainly wouldn't tell you.” (Arthur Leigh Allen)

4. Mean Girls (2004)

From wearing pink on Wednesdays to shouting “You go Glen Coco” it’s undeniable that Mean Girls has seriously influenced pop culture over the last (almost) two decades. So, “get in loser,” it’s time to appreciate this beloved coming-of-age comedy from Tina Fey.

This movie is a classic teenage tale about a girl who moves from Africa to the United States where she experiences the rude awakening that is high school by way of The Plastics. While it’s your typical coming-of-age story, it’s infused with the signature sense of humor from Fey – who was in the midst of her legendary run at Saturday Night Live – and it shows the high school experience in a totally unique way with a cast of characters played by actors who have since become icons. 

Not only did the film solidify Lindsay Lohan as an early 2000s star, it also simultaneously jumpstarted the careers of many in the Mean Girls cast, including little known actresses like Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried. On top of that, its legacy has lived on, as it was adapted into a Broadway musical, and is eventually coming back to the screen with an adaptation of said stage production. To say this film is a quintessential 2000s classic almost feels like an understatement because of the lasting impact it has managed to have on people of all ages since its release in 2004. 

• A Mean Girls Quote To Remember: "She doesn't even go here!" (Damian)

3. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

You could argue that Jim Carrey makes much better dramatic movies than he does comedic features. And that opinion is coming from someone who adores Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, as well as Dumb & Dumber. But when you factor in the dramatic detours he embarked on for The Truman Show, Man on the Moon, and this incredible romance, you begin to wonder how many Oscars Carrey might have if he got the industry to treat him seriously, instead of talking out of his ass (literally). 

Carrey and Kate Winslet are magnificent as Joel and Clementine, two soul mates who undergo a radical procedure to have their memories of each other erased after a bitter argument. Only screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) could keep such a twisty premise from flying off the rails. And while the side-mission actions of the memory technicians can get a little silly, we remain wholly invested in Joel and Clementine’s complicated journey because of the heartbroken and beautiful chemistry shared between Carrey and Winslet. It’s a real challenge presented to these stars, as we’re not supposed to know whether Joel and Clementine are better off together or apart. But the satisfying resolution says as much about fate as it does about the existence of true love, so long as we remember how and when to look for it.

• An Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind Quote To Remember: “Constantly talking isn’t necessarily communicating.” (Joel Barish)

2. The Dark Knight (2008)

It’s been said before, but it’ll be said again – The Dark Knight is one of the greatest superhero films (and one of the greatest movies) ever made. Christopher Nolan’s ambition as a filmmaker has been well-noted, but even he outdid himself with his 2008 follow-up to 2005’s Batman Begins. The second chapter in the journey of Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne sees the iconic DC Comics hero going up against the dangerous and unpredictable Joker. All the while, the Caped Crusader and his allies must also contend with mob bosses and Harvey Dent, Gotham City’s honorable district attorney who becomes the deformed Two-Face.

Where does one even start when it comes to singing this movie’s praises? There’s the impeccable screenplay, massive set pieces, engrossing score and much more. Yet I suppose what stands out the most are the performances, especially that of the late Heath Ledger. The actor, who posthumously won an Oscar for his work, fully committed to his role as the Clown Prince of Crime and is absolutely mesmerizing. His villainous turn is just one of the many reasons why Nolan’s film is a thrilling and compelling piece of work that’s still incredibly entertaining now, over a decade later.

• A The Dark Knight Quote To Remember: “Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it! You know, I just...do things.” (The Joker)

1. City Of God (2002)

Making its Brazil and festival run in 2002 and eventually hitting theaters in the U.S. and elsewhere  in the year that followed, Fernando Meirelles’ City of God, based on Paulo Lins’ semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, served as an inflection point in the world of cinema and served as a preview of what the the next few years would look like. Told through the eyes of young photographer Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues), the movie explores the life of street kids in the Cidade de Deus (City of God) favela in Rio de Janeiro, an expansive slum filled with endless supplies of drugs, ruthless gangsters, and corrupt cops who allow the madness to continue. One of the most violent movies of the 2000s, City of God is a lesson in brutality, especially whenever depicting the exploits of Li’l Dice (Douglas Silva), a ruthless and sociopathic young criminal who stops at nothing in his quest for complete control. Oddly enough, the older version of the character known as Li’l Ze (Leandro Firmino) never comes off as cold blooded as his younger self, which further illustrates the movie’s point about youth and violence. 

At the same time, City of God is also one of the most beautiful movies of the 2000s, and not just on an aesthetic level (though César Charlone’s cinematography is out of this world). The endearing spirit of those who wish to escape a life of crime, ranging from Rocket to the ill-fated drug dealer Benny (Phellipe Haagensen), adds a level of heart and soul one may not expect from a two-hour crime drama about young criminals with short fuses and, in many cases, tragically  shorter lifespans. 

• A City Of God Quote To Remember: “You need more than guts to be a good gangster; you need ideas.” (Rocket)

How we put this list together

Using a combination of internal recommendations and other best of lists, we compiled a spreadsheet of all the movies from the 2000s that we considered to be culturally relevant and/or critically well-reviewed. We pushed together some multi-part movies like Kill Bill and Lord Of The Rings and then had our staff of almost 30 go through and assign a score for each movie they’ve seen based on their own personal opinions. We disqualified any movies that didn’t get a minimum number of ratings and dropped the lowest score for each, as if we were judging a figure skating competition. We then ordered the top 100 based on average score and had someone who gave that movie a particularly high score write up a paragraph explaining what’s so great about it. This rigorous scientific process resulted in Idiocracy being slotted at 101, an omission I’m still furious about.

Whenever discussing the best horror movies of all time, a ton of titles from the 1980s immediately enter the conversation, and it’s the same for the ‘90s, 2000s, and pretty much every other decade since the start of motion pictures. But, the 1970s, with its diverse collection of titles, pushed the genre to new heights, which would allow iconic horror franchises like Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and countless others to flourish into all-time greats.

That being said, here are 13 of the best ‘70s horror movies (and how to watch them), including bonafide classics and others that some of the more casual fans either haven’t checked out or don’t remember in the first place.

Jaws (1975)

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat” is one of those classic movie lines no one will ever forget, and it happens to be one of the crucial moments of Steven Spielberg’s 1975 thrilling monster movie, Jaws. Following a series of killings by a massive shark in a New England beach community, the town’s sheriff, an ichthyologist, and a hardened ship captain set off into the deep to find and kill the creature.

Rent/buy Jaws on Amazon.
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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Tobe Hooper’s landmark 1974 horror film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, has gone on to inspire countless movies (and nearly as many sequels and remakes) with its terrifying tone, unsettling characters, and a beloved horror icon, Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen). Who would have thought a small-budget movie about a group of travelers having an unfortunate encounter with a family of sadistic cannibals would remain so popular nearly 50 years later.

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The Exorcist (1973) 

Though William Friedkin’s 1973 supernatural horror film, The Exorcist, came out 50 years ago, it is still one of the most terrifying movies of all time. When a young girl becomes possessed by a demonic presence, her mother calls on the help of two Catholic priests to perform an exorcism. Though the exorcists believe they’re up to the task of defeating evil, they meet their match with this demon, who won’t leave until the girl is dead.

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Halloween (1978)

John Carpenter made a name for himself and gave birth to one of the most enduring film franchises of all time with the 1978 release of his iconic slasher film, Halloween. Years after being sent away for murdering his sister, Michael Myers is out on the loose in his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, and picks up where he left off. 

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Carrie (1976) 

One of the best Stephen King adaptations, Brian De Palma’s Carrie follows the shy 16-year-old, Carrie White (Sissy Spacek), as she discovers she has incredible supernatural powers after suffering verbal and physical abuse at home and school. After being tricked at her high school prom, the young girl lashes out and creates a night no one will ever forget.

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Dawn Of The Dead (1978) 

One of the greatest zombie movies of all time, and without a doubt the best entry in George A. Romero’s Dead franchise, 1978’s Dawn of the Dead is just as relevant now as it was upon its release 45 years ago. When a group of survivors decides to hole up in a massive indoor mall, they find refuge, boundless resources, but also hordes of zombies hungering for their flesh. But seriously, can we get this movie streaming already?

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Alien (1979)

Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror film, Alien, had one one of the greatest promotional lines in the history of cinema with “in space, no one can hear you scream,” and that would be a great sign of things to come. This terrifying space drama centers on the crew of a commercial space ship as they answer a distress call, only to come in contact with a deadly, and near-invincible life form.

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Supsiria (1977)

Decades before Luca Guadagnino offered up his own spin on the material, legendary Italian filmmaker Dario Argento, a.k.a., the “Master of the Thrill,” gave the world a strange yet terrifying arthouse supernatural horror film called Suspiria. The movie follows an American ballet student who enrolls at a German dance academy only to discover that there is a dark conspiracy involving its instructors.

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Don't Look Now (1973)

Nicolas Roeg’s 1973 horror thriller, Don’t Look Now, centers on two grieving parents (Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie) who are attempting to come to terms with their daughter’s tragic death. But, things only get worse for the couple when they go on an Italian holiday and begin to experience a series of traumatizing events.

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Phantasm (1979)

Still one of the more unsettling horror movies of all time, Don Coscarelli’s 1979 fantasy thriller, Phantasm, introduced audiences to one of the most terrifying characters of all time with the Tall Man (Angus Scrimm). This supernatural creature spends the movie turning the dead into zombies to be used as his slaves. When a young boy tries to stop the Tall Man, and his silver spheres from, taking more souls, he becomes the next target. 

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The Omen (1976)

The ‘70s were a high time for supernatural horror movies, thanks in part to Richard Donner’s 1976 classic, The Omen. Starring Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, and Harvey Stephens in his film debut as Damien, the movie follows a family with a dark secret and even more sinister outcome after they discover their son is the antichrist.

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Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)

One of the best horror remakes of all time, Philip Kaufman’s 1978 sci-fi thriller, Invasion of the Body Snatchers follows Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams) and Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland), two scientists who discover that humans are slowly being replaced by alien clones. When the pair attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery, they find themselves in the fight of a lifetime with these terrifying creatures.

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Black Christmas (1974)

A holiday-themed horror movie with a lasting legacy, Bob Clark’s (yes, the director of A Christmas Story) 1974 slasher film, Black Christmas, follows a group of sorority sisters as they become targeted by a crazed killer around the holidays. One of the most influential movies of the slasher subgenre, this movie is incredibly terrifying yet still a remarkably fun watch. 

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Each of these movies not only had an impact on the horror genre as a whole, but are also incredibly fun to watch decades later. And, there’s no better time to watch these oldies but goodies then now, while we wait for all those upcoming horror movies on the 2025 movie schedule.

We here at CinemaBlend regularly rank the individual installments of a wide variety of film series, but this feature is a bit different than all of those. Instead of going from worst to best with pop culture staples, I've opted to go straight at naming all of the #1 titles in 35 different franchises. Tackling them in alphabetical order and jumping around genres, let's start with...

Alien/Predator: Aliens

Ridley Scott made a claustrophobic classic in Alien that remains one of the best sci-fi horror movies of all time, and Predator is one of the greatest Arnold Schwarzenegger films, but James Cameron gets the credit for making the top title in this particular franchise with Aliens – the epic battle between the Alien Queen and Ripley in the Power Loader sealing the deal.

Back To The Future: Back To The Future

All three films in the Back To The Future trilogy are wonderful in their own way – with Part II providing a glimpse at a fun future and Part III being a blast in the Old West – but nothing beats the classic in this case. Robert Zemeckis’ Back To The Future is one of the quintessential time travel movies, introducing and instantly endearing us to one of cinema’s most beloved duos: Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd’s Doc Brown.

Batman: The Dark Knight

Explaining this is simple: Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy is the best standalone big screen iteration of Batman, and The Dark Knight is the best film in that series. The brilliant and effective grounded approach to Christopher Nolan’s Batman and the world of Gotham is carried over from the excellent Batman Begins, but the X-factor is Heath Ledger’s Joker – a legendary interpretation of a legendary character.

Bill And Ted: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

The fun antics are non-stop in the Bill & Ted trilogy, but neither of the sequels can hit the heights of the original: a totally unserious trip around time in a special phone booth visiting famous historical figures along with a pair of righteous dudes. “Party on, dudes,” indeed!

Chucky: Child's Play 2

The original Child’s Play made us legitimately fear a possessed doll, and the most recent sequels – The Curse Of Chucky and The Cult Of Chucky – revived the series in horrific fashion prior to the 2021 pivot to television, but Child’s Play 2 remains the big screen high point for the Chucky franchise. Of all the movies, it’s the one that finds the best blend of terror and comedy, from the violent lab accident that kicks off the plot, to the final showdown in the toy factory.

The Conjuring Universe: The Conjuring 2

The Conjuring Universe has proven to be one of the most ambitious horror franchises of the 21st century, with multiple successful spin-offs branching from the core series, but to date the best title of the lot is The Conjuring 2. It deepens the terrific bond between leads Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) and delivers a terrifying based-on-a-true-story tale of demonic possession.

Evil Dead: Evil Dead II

Evil Dead II has what can be called a confused legacy in the Evil Dead franchise – being part remake and part sequel – but what’s most important is that it’s a phenomenal cinematic experience. No title in the series so perfectly blends comedy and horror, and it’s the performance that has made Bruce Campbell a genre legend.

Fast & Furious: Fast Five

The Fast & Furious franchise didn’t have much of an identity in its early years, but everything changed with the arrival of Dwayne Johnson’s Luke Hobbs and the action insanity of Fast Five. The movies pivoted from being about street racing to high stakes heists/globe-trotting crime, and director Justin Lin assured us it was the right choice by executing what remains the high point of the run.

Final Destination: Final Destination 2

Final Destination 2 starts with what is the greatest opening sequence in the entire run thus far of the Final Destination franchise, and then in proceeds to deliver the most satisfying story in the run. It’s a sequel that avoids the trap of repeating the previous movie, features many of the series’ best Rube Goldberg-esque kills, and employs an exciting twist on the rules of death.

Friday The 13th: Jason X

The biggest problem with most of the Friday The 13th movies is that they all tend to blend together: a bunch of random characters get cut up by Jason Voorhees – the murders more often than not being executed in and around the notorious Camp Crystal Lake. Jason X is the major exception, as taking the slasher action to space allows the film to both have personality and exhibit some real creativity.

DCEU: The Suicide Squad

One sign that Warner Bros. Discovery made the right choice appointing James Gunn as the co-CEO of DC Studios is the fact that he wrote and directed what will be remembered as the best chapter of the DC Extended Universe. Borrowing fun details from the canon, putting together an outstanding ensemble of misfit characters, and executing a bonkers plot that crescendos with the reveal of Starro, it’s a delight that repeatedly rewards on rewatch.

Die Hard: Die Hard

In a conversation about the Die Hard franchise, the question isn’t “What’s the best Die Hard movie?” The question is “What’s the best Die Hard sequel, because obviously the first is forever #1?” Bruce Willis became a cinematic icon with his seminal turn as John McClane, and the character’s fly-in-the-ointment tactics against the villainous Hans Gruber has basically become its own action subgenre (“Die Hard in a…”)

Ghostbusters: Ghostbusters

Every Ghostbusters sequel has made strenuous efforts to recapture the magic of the original, and all of them have come up short. The 1984 classic is a weird and wild ride with a collection of memorable characters and a script full of endlessly quotable lines.

The Godfather: The Godfather Part II

The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II are equally perfect pinnacles of cinema so great that they should defy comparison to one another, and it’s really just for the sake of this list that I’ll pick The Godfather: Part II. The thrilling and tragic saga of Michael Corleone is beautifully balanced with the origins of Vito Corleone, sewn together as a treasured gangster epic.

Halloween: Halloween (1977)

Halloween got a terrific modern rejuvenation thanks to director David Gordon Green, and I’ll forever stand up for Halloween III: Season Of The Witch, but the reality is that nothing touches John Carpenter’s franchise-starter. It’s a movie that has an important role in cinematic history as one of the key titles that kick-started the slasher movement in horror, and the impact of Michael Myers and Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode on pop culture is incalculable.

Indiana Jones: Raiders Of The Lost Ark

The rolling boulder. The Staff of Ra casting a beam of light. The chamber filled with snakes. The opening of the Ark of the Covenant. These are just four memorable scenes from Raiders Of The Lost Ark, and it barely scratches the full list. Indiana Jones is one of blockbuster cinema’s greatest creations, and his greatest story is still his first.

Jackass: Jackass 3D

All of the Jackass movies are filled with stunts and gags that are uproariously funny, but Jackass 3D stands out not only for featuring some incredible invention, but also because of its phenomenal use of 3D. Because not every “bit” is in 3D, the ones that are end up being made more special, and it’s an extremely gross but unique cinematic experience.

James Bond: Goldfinger

Everyone has their favorite James Bond, and with mine still being Sean Connery, that narrows selection down to the best of that era: Goldfinger. Great as Dr. No and From Russia With Love are, Goldfinger is the film that in many ways became the model for the sequels that followed it – from the exploration of gadgets to memorable henchmen.

Jason Bourne: The Bourne Ultimatum

The original Jason Bourne trilogy is the rare series that gets better and better with each installment… and it’s a shame that the movies didn’t stop once they hit their peak. The Bourne Legacy and Jason Bourne are both forgettable, ancillary chapters, but thankfully The Bourne Ultimatum still stands up as the perfect climax for the trilogy. Big answers are delivered, the action is crazy, and supporting cast opposite Matt Damon including Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Joan Allen, Paddy Considine, Albert Finney, and Édgar Ramirez is brilliant.

John Wick: John Wick

John Wick: Chapter 4 serves as an epic conclusion to the John Wick series and features some of the most spellbinding action anyone will ever put on a big screen… but it’s still only the best of the sequels. Made with no big ambitions to launch a franchise, the original John Wick is genius in its simplicity, and Keanu Reeves’ turn as the titular hero has proven to be game-changing in the industry.

Jurassic Park: Jurassic Park

What is it like to see a dinosaur? Steven Spielberg answered that question for movie-goers worldwide in magnificent fashion in 1993 with his adaptation of Jurassic Park, and the vision on screen remains unparalleled decades later. The introduction of the Tyrannosaurus Rex is inarguably one of the greatest creature feature moments of all time, and few straight horror movies inspire the terror of the velociraptors.

Mad Max: Mad Max: Fury Road

The Road Warrior is a great film, but nothing in the Mad Max franchise to date touches the experience that is Mad Max: Fury Road. It’s a movie-long chase sequence that features both compelling characters (special shout-out to Charlize Theron’s Furiosa) and set pieces that melt your brain and are unlike anything else we’ve seen from this action series… or any other.

The Man With No Name: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Director Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood made one hell of a team, and the peak of their collaboration is The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly – starring Eastwood opposite Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach. It’s properly remembered as one of the best westerns of all time, from its universally recognized score by Ennio Morricone to the stunning third act showdown.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Avengers: Endgame

The Marvel Cinematic Universe was born with an ambitious vision of seeing a diverse array of heroes go toe-to-toe with the Infinity Gauntlet-powered Thanos, and while dreams don’t always work out properly in reality, that is not the case with Avengers: Endgame. The big screen crossover event balances high stakes and a wild plot with a balanced character roster and spectacular action, and it’s everything a Marvel fan could want.

Middle-earth: The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

Return Of The King may have won all of the Oscars, but one could argue those awards were really given to the grand achievement that is the Lord of the Rings trilogy as a whole – and that includes the phenomenal opening chapter that began the epic, The Fellowship of the Ring, which is the best movie in the whole of the big screen franchise. The introduction to Middle-earth is an unforgettable experience that perfectly sets up the peril and stakes of the incredible journey that unfolds in the sequels.

Mission: Impossible: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

Everything changed for the Mission: Impossible franchise the day that Tom Cruise agreed to personally scale the world’s tallest building as part of a stunt for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Death defying stunts have now become the norm for these movies, but still the fourth installment of the series remains the high point – with the Burj Khalifa sequence just one of many eye-popping parts of the hit blockbuster.

Of The Dead: Dawn Of The Dead (1978)

George A. Romero saw tremendous potential in the symbolism of zombies, and nowhere is his commentary better than in the second chapter of his undead series: 1978’s Dawn Of The Dead. Even after nearly half a century, the struggle for a group of survivors trapped inside a shopping mall is as scary as ever thanks to Romero’s genius, and its influence can be seen in pretty much every zombie movie released since.

Planet Of The Apes: Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes

The original Planet Of The Apes hits us with the twist that the titular world is actually a futuristic Earth, but Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes is the movie where we actually get to see them take over, and it’s remarkable. It’s thrilling and shockingly dark, and the best of both eras of the brilliant sci-fi franchise.

Saw: Saw

The Saw franchise is overloaded with horrifyingly clever traps for audiences to have nightmares about, but as far as individual chapters of the series is concerned, director James Wan’s Saw remains at the top of the top tier. The claustrophobic and simple terror of the test between two men chained up in a bathroom is a genuine nightmare, and the twist ending is one of the most memorable of ’00 horror.

Scream: Scream (1994)

Any movie is going to get special consideration if it successfully manages to save a genre, and that certainly includes Scream. Horror was in a bad place in the early 1990s as burnout on slasher sequels was pervasive, but the introduction of Ghostface was a brand new flavor of scary for movie fans to sink their teeth into, and it was an instant hit with audiences. Its satire is wicked sharp, but never undercuts the savage terror of the killer’s rampage.

Spider-Man: Spider-Man 2

“With great power comes great responsibility” is recognized worldwide as the credo of Spider-Man, and Spider-Man 2 is, to date, the most fascinating dive into the immense complications of the idea – with Peter Parker’s desire for a normal life causing his powers to fade. Combined with the awesome presence of Alfred Molina as Dr. Octopus, it’s easily the best of the non-MCU Spider-Man movies.

Star Trek: Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan

Not including Star Trek: Insurrection or Star Trek Into Darkness, all of the even-number Star Trek movies are quality, but never have we seen a big screen adventure on the U.S.S. Enterprise better than Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. Ricardo Montalbán’s Khan is the best antagonist in the franchise’s history, and after a thrilling back and forth battle between the heroes and villains, the end delivers a powerful emotional blow with the sacrifice of Leonard Nimoy’s Spock.

Star Wars: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

People ding The Empire Strikes Back for being narratively dependent on both Star Wars and Return Of The Jedi, but those dings are far from enough to strip it of its position as the best Star Wars movie ever made. It’s the movie where all of the main characters really become full formed – from Luke’s Jedi training on Dagobah to the development of Han and Leia’s romance – and while it doesn’t offer conclusions, it has one of cinema’s best cliffhangers.

Terminator: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

The choice between The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a tough one (the rest of the Terminator movies are… fine), but if I’m going to make a final pick, it’s going to be the latter. The liquid metal design of the T-1000 can still be recognized as an extraordinary feat of filmmaking for its time, and the dynamic between the reprogrammed T-800, the enthusiastic John Connor, and the paranoid Sarah Connor alone makes for a compelling and fascinating story.

Three Colors Cornetto: Hot Fuzz

It’s hard to judge the individual chapters of the Three Colors Cornetto trilogy against each other given that Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End were all specifically designed to be wholly different, but if we’re talking about the best movie of the three, the edge goes to Hot Fuzz. It’s the title that best utilizes the tropes of its genre to humorous and loving effect, and it delivers a wild mystery that succeeds in being thrilling and funny in equal measure.

Stay tuned for our coverage of all these franchises and many more here on CinemaBlend.

Anyone who has watched enough of George A. Romero’s body of work knows that the filmmaker made a career out writing and directing horror movies that featured unconventional heroes that broke from the norm and ushered in a new era of protagonists just like how he revolutionized the zombie genre. Look back at all of entries in the late horror icon’s Living Dead franchise and you’ll see badass female characters and Black heroes take charge while a large portion of the white men are either egotistical morons at best and maniacal psychopaths at worst.

With March being Women’s History Month, I thought now would be the perfect time to go through Romero’s zombie movie franchise and break down the truly badass female characters who left their mark in each title as well as the horror industry as a whole.

Barbra (Night Of The Living Dead)

Though Barbra (Judith O’Dea) didn’t pull off some of the heroics or go through a radical change like some of the female characters that would follow throughout George A. Romero’s subsequent movies, she held her own until near the very end in Night of the Living Dead. The character, which will sometimes be dismissed as a damsel in distress, is anything but and serves as a perfect example of what kind of an impact trauma, terror, and stress can have on a person in the face of death.

Over the course of a few hours, Barba witnesses her brother (her closest living relative) get brutally murdered by a zombie in a cemetery, escapes only to become trapped in an old farmhouse surrounded by the living dead, falls into a catatonic state from all the stress, awakens to protect the house, and is finally dragged away by her reanimated brother.

Francine ‘Fran’ Parker (Dawn of the Dead)

Francine “Fran” Parker (Gaylen Ross) is anything but a damsel in distress throughout Dawn of the Dead. In fact, she is pretty much a badass from the start of George A. Romero’s 1978 sequel and only gets stronger and more confident at each turn. When we first meet the WGON TV producer, she jumps right into action and removes since-fallen rescue stations to save people from walking into death traps despite the station director wanting to run them to prevent people from tuning out. And it only gets better from there.

Throughout the movie, a pregnant Fran insists on learning how to shoot a gun, fly a helicopter (the group of survivors' only means of escape from the zombie-infested shopping mall), and wants to be a part of any decision made. At one point, Fran even makes a stand for her personal rights after she overhears her boyfriend and the other survivors discussing the prospect of an abortion, to which she tells them not to think any different of her because of her pregnancy.

Sarah Bowman (Day Of The Dead)

George A. Romero’s third zombie movie, Day of the Dead, doubles down on the central argument of his previous movies that what’s left of humanity can be far more dangerous than the flesh-consuming zombies waiting outside the survivors’ barricaded shelters. This time around, Romero’s survivors consist of a small group of deeply divided and frustrated soldiers and scientists, with one of the only voices of reason being Dr. Sarah Bowmen (Lori Cardille). 

Throughout the 1985 zombie movie, Sarah seems to be the only person willing to stand up against the tyrannical Captain Henry Rhodes (Joseph Pilato), a man who runs the research operation with a short temper and iron fist. Never one to back down or let the psychopathic soldiers walk on her, Sarah does everything she can to ensure the survival of the human race. It’s just a shame she doesn’t come up when discussing the most badass female characters in sci-fi and horror.

Barbara Todd (Night Of The Living Dead Remake)

Although Tom Savini’s 1990 Night of the Living Dead remake follows the story of the original beat-for-beat for the most part, George A. Romero made a few major changes to the script. The biggest of those is the Barbara character (Patricia Tallman), who is no longer the quiet and terrified young woman but instead a gun-toting badass who doesn’t really take anything from anyone and becomes one of the most vocal survivors.

And despite being an example of the “Final Girl” trope, this reimagined version of the Barbara character is one of the most badass heroines to be featured in a horror movie. And it’s also cool to see how Romero was able to make her the hero of this version like he did with the Ben character 22 years earlier.

Slack (Land of the Dead)

The first George A. Romero zombie movie to be released in the 21st Century, Land of the Dead tackles a lot of the same themes as previous installments in the franchise and features some the series’ best characters yet. One of those is Slack (Asia Argento), who you could argue is one of the most badass protagonists in general.

Over the course of the movie, Slack shows time and time again that she is not only a great fighter, shooter, and soldier, she also means well and does everything she can to protect the impoverished and forgotten residents of Fiddler’s Green. Never one to back down from a fight (against both zombies and humans), Slack is partly responsible for the survival of her enclosed city once the zombies overtake it.

Debra Moynihan (Diary of the Dead)

Although not as well received (or remembered) as the installments that came before it in George A. Romero’s zombie franchise, the found-footage horror movie Diary of the Dead does have a few things going for it, including a badass heroine named Debra Moynihan (Michelle Morgan) who goes through quite a transformation.

Throughout the movie, Debra goes from a mild-mannered college student tagging along with a group of film majors to an absolute badass who isn’t afraid to cut down zombies, deal with hardened survivors, or make the tough decision to kill a loved one to save them from turning. And sure, her outlook on life is a downer at the end, but who can blame her after everything that went down.

Each of the badass female characters bring a little something different to George A. Romero's zombie movies and help show how the horror icon went out of his way to flip the script with gender norms and show how society has changed in the past 50-plus years. Who knows when we'll see Romero's Twilight of the Dead, but in the meantime, check out all the 2022 new movies coming to theaters.

Tell me if you’ve ever heard this one before: “Why are there so many movie remakes these days? Doesn’t Hollywood have any original ideas anymore?” To a certain extent, I agree with that sentiment. I mean, it’s a crime that any studio would even imagine remaking or rebooting Scarface. But, wait. What’s that you say? Scarface has already been remade? When did this happen? 1983!? What are you talking about? That’s when the original Scarface came out. You know, the one with Al Pacino. “Say hello to my little friend!”

The truth is, 1983’s Scarface is a remake. It’s a remake of the 1932 film by Howard Hawks. That’s just it, though. The Brian De Palma Scarface is so popular, and so beloved, that I think most people would arguably say that it’s better than the original. And, as somebody who has actually watched the original, that’s no small feat, because 1932’s Scarface is excellent. That’s the purpose of this list—to shine a light on all the remakes that prove that maybe some films do deserve to be remade. Maybe just not remade again. I’m looking at you Scarface.

Oh, and spoiler warning for some of the plots up ahead.

Scarface (1983)

As mentioned in the intro, the original Scarface is a masterpiece in early crime cinema. Produced by Howard Hughes and directed by Howard Hawks, the film, which stars Paul Muni as Antonio “Tony” Camonte, was actually based on a novel of the same name by Armitage Trail, and was loosely based on Al Capone. The film takes place in Chicago and is about the rise and inevitable fall of the mob boss. It’s actually really similar to the remake, with the bizarre sister-love and everything. The only difference is that it takes place in Chicago rather than Miami, and doesn’t involve a Cuban expatriate.

But, that’s actually a really big difference, since Al Pacino’s Tony Montana is arguably more compelling than Muni’s portrayal of Camonte. 1983’s Scarface is bigger, louder, more violent, and just more interesting. Written by Oliver Stone, Pacino’s performance is a real barnburner, and nobody drops the F bomb like Tony. 

I’m sorry, but not even Samuel L. Jackson can curse and shoot and scream like Al Pacino. Add in Michelle Pfeiffer snorting that “white gold,” as Bruno Mars would sing, and you have a tawdry, pulpy, gangster film for the ages, and one that is arguably better than the slightly playing-it-safe original.

The Fly (1986)

The Fly is another one of those remakes that actually has a pretty admirable original film (and a great sequel in Return of the Fly!) that is sadly often forgotten because of its stellar remake. Directed by Kurt Neumann and starring David Hedison, Patricia Owens, and Vincent Price, the 1958 original of the same name plays out more like a mystery. Like the remake, it also concerns a teleportation device that mixes the DNA of a man with a fly, but it also focuses on the scientist’s wife, Helene (Owens), who is being suspected of murder because her scientist husband was found crushed in a hydraulic press. Nobody, of course, believes that her husband has swapped bodies with a fly, and a lot of the film reveals how this whole mess even occurred.  

David Cronenberg’s The Fly, starring Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis, however, is disgusting. It’s also about a scientist messing with a teleportation device when a fly gets in the contraption, but it’s a total gross-out. The film won an Academy Award for best make-up, and for good reason! 

Goldblum’s transformation from man to mutant is sickening, but in the best sort of way. Cronenberg’s The Fly is a lot more visceral and terrifying than the original. And, Goldblum’s performance really gets underneath your skin. It’s a perfect example of “body horror,” and one of the most horrific movies of all time, making it arguably superior to the original.

The Thing (1982)

1951’s The Thing from Another World is a great, great film, and one deserving of your time. Directed by Christian Nyby and based on the novella, “Who Goes There?,” the plot concerns a crew of scientists and pilots who uncover an alien body frozen in ice that thaws out and attacks the men who are isolated and trapped. The monster effects are cool, and it’s all the more harrowing in black and white. “Keep watching the skies” for this masterpiece in horror.

But, John Carpenter’s The Thing is a whole other monster. Literally. Whereas The Thing from Another World is a masterclass in character dynamics with a plant-based monster, The Thing is a masterclass in tension and paranoia with an alien parasite that hides in other lifeforms' bodies. Kurt Russell leads the pack and it’s absolutely terrifying. Its' slow pace seems like a detriment at first, but it only adds to the mounting horror. It’s one of the most memorable horror movies of all time and even surpasses the original, which is definitely saying something.

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

And, here comes the controversy. George A. Romero’s 1978 masterpiece about a band of survivors fighting their through a mall is often considered one of the greatest zombie movies of all time. The film, which is a commentary on consumerism, is gloriously violent, with amazing special effects by Tom Savini, and it’s thrilling throughout. When it comes to the original Dead trilogy, the middle entry is often considered the best in the series.  

And yet, I still think there is an argument to be made for the Zack Snyder 2004 remake being better than the original. I think it all comes down to your preference in zombies. Do you like the slow, shambling kind presented in Romero’s vision (Which makes the consumerism angle even clearer), or, do you like the fast, running kind? It’s tough, but I think Romero’s makes for a better commentary, but Snyder makes for the better zombie movie. It’s certainly scarier, and Snyder’s music video style really works here. I’ll watch either any day of the week, but I prefer Snyder’s version.  

Cape Fear (1991)

Another slightly controversial pick, 1962’s Cape Fear, directed by J. Lee Thompson, and starring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, and Polly Bergen, is about a rapist (played by Mitchum) who gets put away in prison and gets out wanting revenge. He terrorizes the lawyer who put him away, and it’s a race to get the man back in prison, where he belongs.

The original is fantastic, but there’s just one problem. It doesn’t star Robert De Niro in a film directed by Martin Scorsese. Whereas Robert Mitchum’s Max Cady was scary, Robert De Niro’s Max Cady is creepy. His performance really makes your skin crawl in a way that Mitchum’s just doesn’t, and it’s for that reason alone that the remake is arguably superior to the masterful original.

There are other remakes that I’d consider worthy, but I think these are the five best. For a list of upcoming 2021 movies or even 2022 movies, make sure to stop by here often.

When it comes to zombie movies, there are so many films that fans can watch, from classics like Night of the Living Dead to newer tales like Warm Bodies. One of those films, Dawn of the Dead, a 2004 remake of the original George Romero 1978 classic, not only began Zack Snyder's career as a director, but established itself as another great addition to the zombie genre, becoming one of the best horror movies, in my opinion.

Of course Zack Snyder has done much more since his first ever zombie flick - including his latest hits like Zack Snyder’s Justice League and the Netflix original film, Army of the Dead. But, even so, there’s no denying Dawn of the Dead’s impact on zombie culture. But, since it’s been seventeen years since the film released, where exactly has the cast been? Like Sarah Polley? Or Ving Rhames and Ty Burrell? The Dawn of the Dead cast has been all over - here is what they are doing now.

Sarah Polley (Ana Clark)

As the lead in Dawn of the Dead, Ana Clark lost so much in just the first couple minutes of the classic horror film, but soon turned into a gun-wielding badass. Sarah Polley portrayed Ana in the film. She’s mainly stuck to television since then, with a couple of bigger films like Splice and The Secret Life of Words, and also had a role in the miniseries John Adams.

However, Polley has been a lot more active in the producing/writing/directing world. She directed the film Stories We Tell, and the web series, Hey Lady!, as well as an upcoming film titled Women Talking. She’s also produced the films A Better Man, Secret Path, and Alias Grace. I’m eager to see what the star of Dawn of the Dead might be bringing to the table next.

Ving Rhames (Kenneth Rhodes)

If you watched Dawn of the Dead, you had to like Kenneth. This no-nonsense cop who knew how to use a gun and had an attitude for days was the best type of survivor to be around. I can't imagine anyone besides the wonderful Ving Rhames playing him. Since his appearance in the zombie film, Rhames has been in a several films and TV shows, but his most notable role has been in the Mission Impossible series, playing IMF Agent Luther Stickell for all of the films, and is set to reprise the role in the two new Mission Impossible movies.

Ving Rhames also voiced Cobra Bubbles in the Lilo and Stitch films and television show, and has had several guest appearances on television. He had roles in the comedy-drama Gravity, as well as the medical TV series, Monday Mornings.

Jake Weber (Michael Shaunessy)

Michael in Dawn of the Dead was another great survivor that had a truly tragic end, but for the time he was in the film, he was one of the best members of the team. Jake Weber was the perfect guy to play Michael, and since his appearance in Dawn of the Dead, he’s been active in both film and TV.

His biggest film appearances have been in the action film White House Down, the drama Wetlands,and the war film Midway. He also appeared in the Angelina Jolie-led film, Those Who Wish Me Dead. In terms of television, Jake Weber had a series regular role on Medium for seven seasons, and multiple recurring roles, including the controversial series, 13 Reasons Why, the sci-fi series, Star Trek: Discovery, and the drama, Homeland, so there’s no denying that he’s been extremely busy since his zombie days.

Mekhi Phifer (Andre)

While Andre in Dawn of the Dead seemed like he had the street-smarts to survive, he ultimately met his demise after witnessing the death of his wife. However, that doesn’t mean that Mekhi Phifer, the man behind Andre, has had the same demise in his career. Quite the opposite, really.

For several years, Phifer was in the big screen young-adult dystopian series, Divergent, as Max. He was also in the science-fiction thriller film, Pandemic.

Moving into television, prior to his role in Dawn of the Dead, and after its premiere, Phifer starred in the medical series, ER from Seasons 8-14, playing Gregory Pratt. Mekhi Phifer has had guest roles and recurring parts on several popular shows, such as a guest spot on the comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm, a recurring role on Frequency, and a recurring role on Hulu's original coming-of-age series, Love, Victor.

Ty Burrell (Steve Markus)

Steve was someone that we all hated in Dawn of the Dead. I mean, how can you not? He was kind of the epitome of a jerk. Luckily, Ty Burrell is the complete opposite of that, and has had plenty of success since his role in the apocalypse film. His biggest so far has been portraying Phil Dunphy as a part of the Modern Family cast, for the entirety of its run, one he was nominated for several awards for.

However, besides his success in TV, Ty Burrell has done plenty of movies, like his roles in National Treasure 2, Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk, Pixar’s Finding Dory, and the animated film, Storks. Currently, he has a series regular role on the adult animated comedy, Duncanville. It’s almost strange to think that the same man who played Phil Dunphy also played Steve in Dawn of the Dead, but that’s what you call range.

Michael Kelly (C.J.)

I mean, C.J. was the literal worst until he wasn’t anymore - that spot was kind of taken over by Steve as the literal worst survivor in Dawn of the Dead. Michael Kelly, who played C.J. in the film, has moved into several different genres of film and television. In terms of film, he’s has roles in Changeling, Chronicle, DC's Man of Steel, the adventure movie Everest, and several others, and recently made an appearance in the Netflix original movie, Outside the Wire.

Kelly has also been active in TV. He had a role in miniseries Generation Kill, a minor recurring role in the HBO show The Sopranos, a main role in the Amazon original series, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and a recent role in the political series, The Comey Rule. Hopefully we get to see more of him soon, considering how much he has done.

Kevin Zegers (Terry)

Terry was always the odd one out of the mall security guards in Dawn of the Dead, and because of this, he was a much nicer addition to the group with a bigger heart who actually cared for people, unlike his co-workers. Kevin Zegers played Terry, and has been active since his role.

He’s had a couple of bigger roles in movies, such as a part in the romantic drama, The Jane Austen Book Club, the fantasy The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and the thriller, Nighthawks. Zegers also had a recurring role on the hit show, Gossip Girl, as well as a recurring role in the spinoff series, Fear the Walking Dead. Recently, he had on a main role in the crime drama, Rebel.

Lindy Booth (Nicole)

Okay, I’ll admit that at first, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Nicole because she seemed a bit wimpy, but we would all be her in Dawn of the Dead if our dog went out into a crowd of zombies. Lindy Booth portrayed Nicole in the film, and has done plenty since its premiere.

She’s had roles in the action film, Kick-Ass 2, the thriller Dark Honeymoon, and plenty more. She’s also had success in television, as well, including a main role on the dramas October Road and The Philanthropist, in the fantasy series, The Librarians, and a guest role in Grey’s Anatomy. Booth will soon be in an upcoming film, titled Butterscotch, so keep an eye out for her.

Jayne Eastwood (Norma)

Norma in Dawn of the Dead was my favorite character in the film. Not only was she a kick-ass driver, but she went out of her way to save people that she didn’t even know. Jayne Eastwood, who played Norma, has done plenty in Hollywood. She’s been in several films, such as the romantic comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding and its sequel in 2016. She also had a part in the 2007 musical Hairspray, as well as the Netflix original film, Work It.

Eastwood has also had success in television as well, with several guest, recurring and main roles in shows like the animated series, Ricky Sprocket: Showbiz Boy, the comedy, Little Mosque on the Prairie, the supernatural series, Haven, and recently, the web series, Hey Lady!, as mentioned before, with Sarah Polley. Soon, she will be in a new version of Home Alone, so who knows? We might get to see Jayne Eastwood swing around a gun again at some home intruders.

Boyd Banks (Tucker)

While his role wasn’t that big in Dawn of the Dead, Boyd Banks’ Tucker was still an essential part to the group for the time he was there. Banks hasn’t been super active in movies since Dawn of the Dead, instead focusing a lot of his time in television.

He’s had a guest role in Testees, as well as the comedy series, Star Falls. He’s also had a recurring role in Hotbox, a Candian sketch comedy series, and appeared in Little Mosque on the Prairie, as well. He’s also had a role in the series, Bajillionaires, and is going to be in the upcoming film, All My Puny Sorrows.

With all these upcoming horror films lately, I’m going to need to check to see if any of these awesome actors are going to show up in some. Whatever the case, Dawn of the Dead will continue to be one of my favorite zombie movies, and now, you at least get the chance to see where these actors have been for so long.

Man, I love the zombie genre.

I grew up watching The Walking Dead, played The Last Of Us game series, and recently, have spent several hours watching both the Netflix original film, Army of the Dead, and the 2004 remake of the classic George Romero film, Dawn of the Dead.

But from these re-watches, I kept thinking – which, out of the two Zack Snyder zombie movies, is the better one? Which one that slightly edges out the other? And that’s what we’ll be taking a look at today.

Plot Of The Film

Army of the Dead’s Plot

A group of former mercenaries decide to risk it all and perform a heist into one of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas, all while a zombie outbreak is occurring, putting their lives on the line.

Dawn of the Dead’s Plot

During a zombie outbreak, a group of survivors bands together to take refuge in an upscale shopping mall to try and stay safe when nowhere else seems to be.

Which Movie’s Plot Is Better?

Look, both of these, individually, have some interesting plots. I like Dawn of the Dead because feels a lot more like that classic style of zombie movie, where we’re watching a normal group of survivors try and outlive this horrible zombie outbreak. It's a story with characters that we can relate to.

However, I do feel that Army of the Dead edges out Dawn of the Dead in terms of plot. While Dawn of the Dead is scary in its own right, considering they’re stuck in this one location with nowhere to go. But in terms of scale, there’s so much going on with the plot of Army of the Dead. From the heist elements to the action, and even to the actual functioning army of zombies that they need to plan against – it’s an intense battle that I don’t think Dawn of the Dead could beat.

Winner: Army of the Dead.

The Characters

Dawn of the Dead’s Characters

A normal group of everyday people, from couples to normal people, all trying to survive. Ty Burrell, Jake Weber, Sarah Polley, and more lead this cast.

Army of the Dead’s Characters

A group with individualized skills, such as lock-picking, weaponry, and more, come together to open a high-tech vault. The cast of Army of the Dead includes Dave Bautista, Tig Notaro, Ella Purnell, and more.

Which Movie’s Characters Are Better?

I’ll always believe that the characters in Army of the Dead definitely have more stories to tell. That’s why there are prequels (including Army of Thieves) now being developed for Netflix. However, I have to give this section to Dawn of the Dead’s characters.

While the characters of Army of the Dead are interesting, we don’t really get to know them, and with their skills and life experiences, they're pretty outside the norm from everyday life that it’s hard to relate. However, in Dawn of the Dead, we get to follow a normal group of people, all with their own personalities and interests, who are just trying to survive.

In terms of relatability, I know that when I watch Dawn of the Dead, I feel a whole lot worse for the characters there than Army, because if a situation like this were to happen in real life, we’d be exactly like them.

Winner: Dawn of the Dead

Use Of Setting

Dawn of the Dead’s Setting

The bulk of Dawn of the Dead takes place in an upscale shopping mall in Milwaukee.

Army of the Dead’s Setting

Army of the Dead's zombie setting is all of Las Vegas, which has been walled off to keep the outbreak contained.

Which Movie’s Setting Is Better?

You know, at face value, you’d think I’d say Army of the Dead because we get to explore all of Las Vegas. We get to see casinos fall apart, and wonderful landscapes of a decrepit city – even the opening shot with all of those cargo holders being used to keep the zombies inside – that’s super creative and adds to the setting.

But deep down in my heart, I know this win belongs to Dawn of the Dead. Why? Because somehow, someway, Zack Snyder is able to do so much with this one location. While in Army of the Dead we move from place to place, in Dawn of the Dead, a good portion of this film is all in this one mall, and the amount of gore, action, and horror that takes place is insane. It’s impressive, visually and mentally - I’m still impressed even now.

Winner: Dawn of the Dead.

Overall Action Scenes

Dawn of the Dead’s Action Scenes

There's plenty of classic gory horror, and great use of surroundings with the shopping mall.

Army of the Dead’s Action Scenes

It almost feels like a war, to an extent. There’s a lot of gunfire, and some super creative deaths in terms of who dies where.

Which Movies Action Scenes Are Better?

Look, I’m always going to have a special place in my heart for classic, gory zombie kills. Like I said before, I grew up watching The Walking Dead, and I’m looking forward to its final season. That stuff never gets old, whether that be a shot to the head, a knife to the chest, or whatever else, even using a chainsaw. And that’s what Dawn of the Dead has.

The action is fun and there are plenty of awesome moments, like near the very end when they all begin to navigate the city. The whole entire sequence is insane and a mess and I love how crazy it is. But I’m sorry – I have to give this one to Army of the Dead.

The action scenes in Army of the Dead are amazingly fun. I mean, do you remember that opening sequence? It was perfect. Plus, there are some intense moments with the Alpha zombies in Army of the Dead, where they fight back. They’re not just mindless eateries like most zombies – they have a plan and will kill to succeed, which requires creative ways of killing. Army of the Dead accomplishes that and more.

Winner: Army of the Dead.

The Creativeness Of The Zombies

Dawn of the Dead’s Zombies

Dawn of the Dead delivers your standard, normal zombies. They'll hunt you down and run to kill you and tear you apart.

Army of the Dead’s Zombies

For the most part, Army of the Dead features normal zombies want to feast on flesh, but there are several others who are considered Alphas. They are sentient and run the zombie army.

Which Movie’s Zombies Are Better?

Yeah, I’m going to just get into this – Army of the Dead wins this by a longshot.

Dawn of the Dead’s zombies will always remain a classic for a reason – it’s the zombies we all know about, what we grew up expecting in a normal zombie. They’re quick, dangerous, and will kill you because all they know is one thing – hunger, and your flesh can satisfy that.

But Army of the Dead takes this and spins it around, saying ‘what if zombies could actually think?’ And that’s why the zombies in Army of the Dead are utterly terrifying.

I mean, you have the normal zombies called Shamblers, that just want to eat, but then there are the Alphas, the ones that can control the Shamblers and get them to do their bidding, the ones who want to eat you but will plan it out perfectly so they will come on top.

Just thinking about that is horrifying, and yet, I can’t help but smile at the most creative use of zombies I think I’ve seen thus far. And don't even get me started on zombie sex.

Winner: Army of the Dead.

Which Is The Better Zombie Film?

With a three-to-two score, Army of the Dead takes this one as the better Zack Snyder zombie film.

That isn’t to say that Dawn of the Dead still isn’t a fantastic zombie film as well – trust me, it is. It’s still one of my favorites to this day.

However, there’s just something about Army of the Dead that makes me want to re-watch it more, from the creativity of its use of zombies to the storyline of trying to get money before the zombies get to them, and the absolute crazy action scenes. It’s an all-around adventure that deserves more praise.

I will always love zombie films and post-apocalyptic movies, but I have to add Army of the Dead to that list too now.

Zack Snyder’s Netflix film found a way to reinvent the zombie genre again, giving them a whole new layer of terrifying features, and with how many prequels are planned to come out soon regarding the characters, I know that we’re going to get a lot more of this universe. And to that, I say bring it on. Now, all we need is an Army of the Dead 2.

This poll is no longer available.

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I love horror stories, whether that be through television or movies, or video games. This is why when it was announced that American Horror Story producer, Ryan Murphy, was making a whole new spinoff of his famous show, called American Horror Stories, I was excited.

That show has premiered now, made exclusively as an FX on Hulu original series, but I can’t help but wonder what else there is to watch for fans of this new anthology series while we’re waiting weekly for new episodes to drop. Well, look no further than here, because there’s plenty of movies and shows just like American Horror Stories, from the best movies on Amazon Prime to the best movies on Netflix.

The Fear Street Movies (Netflix)

In the Fear Street movie trilogy, we follow a group of teenagers in the town of Shadyside, who have to somehow combat an ancient evil when a series of brutal murders begins to take over their lives, something that has been happening in their town for centuries.

For fans of American Horror Stories, you’ll like the Fear Street movies because of the characters. I feel like a lot of the stories in American Horror Stories are driven by the very characters that experience them, and that’s the exact same with Fear Street. You’ll find yourself rooting for these guys to somehow beat the crazy sorcery they are experiencing, and with how many amazing horror callbacks there are to classic horror films, you’ll find even more movies to watch after.

Stream the Fear Street movies on Netflix.

Friday the 13th (Starz)

A classic horror film, Friday the 13th is a movie every film buff should see. At Camp Crystal Lake, we follow a group of teenage camp counselors who are killed off by an unknown murderer, while attempting to re-open an abandoned summer camp.

American Horror Stories often has callbacks to some of the iconic horror films of years before, just like this one, but even in Episode 2, there with all the teenagers having sex at a drive-in theater – that’s a classic horror trope right there, something that Friday the 13th does exceptionally well.

Stream Friday the 13th on Starz.

Rent Friday the 13th on Amazon.

Black Mirror (Netflix)

Black Mirror isn’t horror, per se, but it’s definitely one of the most interesting Netflix original shows out there right now. Set in a world that’s not that far from our own, each episode of Black Mirror covers how the use of modern technology can backfire against its makers, with each episode focusing on a different story and different characters.

For fans of American Horror Stories, you’ll like this because it’s an anthology series. Every single episode is new, with an interesting storyline, a talented list of actors, and plenty of twists and turns. It’s an amazing show and deserves all the praise it has been getting over the last couple of years. I just wish another season would come out.

Stream Black Mirror on Netflix.

Rent Black Mirror on Amazon.

Penny Dreadful (Netflix)

Now if we’re looking for a horror series, Penny Dreadful is the way to go. In this psychological thriller, we are sent tales of dark mystery, filled with vampires, evil spirits, beasts, and so much more.

American Horror Stories is one of the premiere horror series right now in my opinion, with plenty of dark stories that I’m sure are going to be told very soon, which is why Penny Dreadful is perfect for you. The first episode of the new anthology, with how much murder and crime is involved, is enough to make me want to watch Penny Dreadful for all the scary stories they have there.

Stream Penny Dreadful on Netflix.

Rent Penny Dreadful on Amazon.

Channel Zero (Shudder)

In this anthology TV series, each season focuses on different horror stories, from the tale of one man’s obsessions over children’s programming from the '80s to stories of hidden doors to several others.

Channel Zero is the perfect series for fans of American Horror Stories, and even more so, American Horror Story, the original series American Horror Stories is based on. Every season features a new cast, a new tale, and so much intrigue with each story they explore. I almost don’t want to give away too much because it’s one of those shows you want to go in blind to. It’s a shame there were only four seasons.

Stream Channel Zero on Shudder.

Rent Channel Zero on Amazon.

The Conjuring (HBO Max)

Who said ghosts can’t hurt you? The Conjuring, which spawned a whole Conjuring universe after it was released back in 2013, is based on the real-life paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren. In this film, they attempt to help a family who is terrorized by a dark presence in their home, creating terrorizing situations in their own home.

American Horror Stories fans will love this film because it almost reminds me of the first episode of the series, where it is entirely based in the Murder House. It’s all about literal demons/spirits in a home, trying to harm the people inside – exactly like "Rubber(wo)Man." Plus, what makes this even creepier is that The Conjuring is based on a true story – talk about a chilling tale.

Stream The Conjuring on HBO Max.

Rent The Conjuring on Amazon.

The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix)

I adore The Haunting of Hill House and even like the series that came after it, The Haunting of Bly Manor, but the first season of this anthology series will always take the cake. In this Netflix original show, we alternate between two timelines, the past and the future, showing the paranormal experiences of a group of siblings in their home, and how they must now return to it, decades later, after tragedy strikes the family.

Something that makes me like this series for American Horror Stories fans is purely how scary it is. This isn’t one of those series that are full of jump scares all around and there are no genuine creepy moments. When you watch the horror in The Haunting of Hill House, you’ll genuinely feel this sense of unease take over you. It's honestly one of the best TV horrors out there right now, in my opinion.

Stream The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix.

Rent The Haunting of Hill House on Amazon.

Trick ‘r Treat (HBO Max)

Halloween is my favorite time of year – if you couldn’t tell by how much I love horror – which is why Trick ‘r Treat is next on this list. This story follows five interwoven stories on the scariest day of the year, with a common element – a strange child who is trick or treating in shabby, orange footie pajamas, and a burlap sack over his head.

What I love about Trick ‘r Treat for American Horror Stories fans is almost its campiness mixed in with horror. There’s a lot of comedy involved, with plenty of jokes told throughout the film, mixed in with some great horror aspects as well. Plus, who doesn’t love creepy kids? It’s almost one of the driving forces of horror movies, in my opinion. And with a star-studded cast that includes Dylan Baker, Anna Paquin, and more, you can’t go wrong.

Stream Trick ‘r Treat on HBO Max.

Rent Trick ‘r Treat on Amazon.

The Twilight Zone (Paramount+)

Another amazing anthology series, except this one has been around for decades and has had several reincarnations. Today, we’ll be talking about the most recent adaptation of The Twilight Zone, hosted by Get Out director, Jordan Peele. In this anthology series, we follow stories of the strange and unusual, in a world we call “the twilight zone,” a universe not that far from ours.

For fans of American Horror Stories, the new The Twilight Zone is another case of an awesome anthology series, with different stories each episode, and it covers a wide variety of topics, just as American Horror Stories has done so far. From aliens to zombies to murders to everything else you can think of in the horror/mystery genre. So many guest stars have appeared on this show, like Minari’s Steven Yeun, Silicon Valley’s Kumail Nanjiani, and plenty of others.

Stream The Twilight Zone on Paramount+.

Rent The Twilight Zone on Amazon.

Creepshow (AMC+)

George A. Romero is known to be a king of horror, with hits like Night of the Living Dead, The Crazies, and more, but one of his best, in my opinion, is Creepshow, the beginning of an anthology series, with the screenplay written by the legendary horror writer, Stephen King. In this horror anthology film, we follow five short stories, all with their own plots and twists, and plenty of scares and jokes.

Creepshow is one of those films that I feel American Horror Stories takes a direct reference from for some of their scares because there’s truly nothing like this movie. It’s so unique in its premise, and with two other films that came due to the popularity Creepshow received, you already know that others love it as well. Without giving too much away, this film will spook and delight you. Give it a shot if you haven’t already seen it.

Stream Creepshow on AMC+ through Amazon.

Rent Creepshow on Amazon.

Dawn Of The Dead (Amazon Rental)

When I watched Episode 2 of American Horror Stories, all I thought about were zombies, and mainly the ones in Dawn of the Dead. This Zack Snyder film follows a group of survivors, who take refuge in an upscale shopping mall when a zombie outbreak occurs.

Dawn of the Dead is a wonderful zombie remake and a great inspiration for American Horror Stories, especially with how everyone just instantly turns into mindless zombies during the film screening in Episode 2. There’s just something about Dawn of the Dead, from the usage of makeup to the jokes to the setting, that makes it one of the best zombie movies out there. If you’re going to watch a film about the living dead, give Dawn of the Dead a shot. You won’t regret it.

Rent Dawn of the Dead on Amazon.

I for one can not wait for the upcoming horror movies that will be releasing soon enough, and hopefully, all of these picks can be enough to hold me over.

American Horror Story Season 10 will be coming out soon, and with episodes of American Horror Stories releasing each week, I have a feeling that no matter what, my craving for scary movies and TV will be fulfilled. Now if Halloween Kills could just hurry up, that would be great.

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If you are like a large portion of the Netflix subscriber base, you have either watched or plan on watching Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, the latest offering from one of the most visionary and divisive filmmakers in today’s Hollywood. After watching the over-the-top zombie-heist action thriller, there’s a good chance you want check out more movies like it. I mean, with so many elements from multiple genres included — zombie horror, crime, action, family drama — it’s easy to think back on titles like Dawn of the Dead, Heat, and The Road for a myriad of reasons.

With that in mind, I've compiled a list of movies like Army of the Dead worth checking out, dead pixels and all. Each of these have a least one thing in common with Army of the Dead, whether it be zombies, an intricate casino heist, or the bond shared by a parent and their child. And no, not every single one of these movies fall in the zombie genre, but quite a few do…

Dawn Of The Dead

Zack Snyder’s 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake (which was penned by James Gunn), has the same basic premise of George A. Romero’s 1978 horror classic: a group of survivors take shelter in a shopping mall during a global zombie outbreak. Led by Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Weber, and Michael Kelly, the movie shows there is no stopping the inevitable and safety is not guaranteed.

It is fun to go back and watch Dawn of the Dead after completing Army of the Dead to see where Zack Snyder came from and how he has progressed as a filmmaker since making his directorial debut (and introducing amazing title sequences) 17 years earlier.

Rent/Buy Dawn of the Dead on Amazon.

Ocean’s Eleven

Steven Soderbergh’s 2001 remake of the Rat Pack crime-comedy Ocean’s Eleven follows recently paroled thief Danny Ocean (George Clooney) as he puts together a team of career criminals to pull off an elaborate Las Vegas casino heist while the city is distracted by a high-profile boxing match. But even with the brightest minds (Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle included) there’s always a chance the plan will blow up in Ocean’s face.

From the jump, Army of the Dead has been called the Oceans Eleven of zombie movies, and you wouldn’t be wrong to think of it that way. This 2001 crime caper has a lot of the same elements as Zack Snyder’s latest film: a casino heist, a team full of personality, and little room for mistakes.

Stream Ocean’s Eleven on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy Ocean’s Eleven on Amazon.

Planet Of The Apes

The 1968 sci-fi film Planet of the Apes follows American astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) as he and two others land on what appears to be an alien planet ruled by intellectual simians who hold humans as their slaves. With an established society with a class system, laws, and ruthless political system, the apes are not unlike man in Franklin J. Schaffner’s complex classic.

There are multiple parallels with Planet of the Apes and Army of the Dead with the most striking being the way in which apes and zombies respectively have been able to defy man’s logic and establish structured societies with their own classes, rules, and forms of punishment.

Stream Planet of the Apes on Cinemax.

Rent/Buy Planet of the Apes on Amazon.

Escape From New York

John Carpenter’s 1981 dystopian action thriller Escape from New York follows Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell), a disgraced war hero with an eyepatch and lack of trust for the government, as he is sent into the giant maximum security prison complex that is Manhattan where the President of the United States is being held hostage.

Just like Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) and his team in Army of the Dead, Snake Plissken has to enter a walled off New York City, find and extract his target, and make it out of the city alive in a specific amount of time or he will be toast. And also like Zack Snyder’s latest zombie film, John Carpenter’s gritty thriller has its fair share of deceitful characters holding back key information from the central protagonist.

Stream Escape from New York on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy Escape from New York on Amazon.

Day Of The Dead

In 1985, George A. Romero released the third entry in his Dead franchise with the claustrophobic and dialogue-heavy Day of the Dead. Centering on what could very well be the last survivors of the zombie apocalypse, this underrated gem spends a great deal of time showing the divide between brain and braun through constant arguments (and more) between the surviving scientists and soldiers.

George A. Romero walked with Day of the Dead so that Zack Snyder could run with Army of the Dead in terms of having zombies exhibiting intelligence and proving they’re capable of more than being mindless corpses stumbling from one meal to the next. An argument can be made that if it weren’t for Bub (Sherman Howard) learning to use a gun (and salute), we wouldn’t have Zeus (Richard Cetrone) ruling an entire kingdom of zombies.

Stream Day of the Dead on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy Day of the Dead on Amazon.

Land Of The Dead

George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead picks up years after much of the human population has been turned into walking corpses with what’s left of humanity taking shelter in heavily fortified feudal-like societies. Like all movies in the zombie genre, Land of the Dead shows there is no such thing as peace and safety from the world outside, especially when the undead begin to learn and adapt to their surroundings.

The late George A. Romero took a giant leap with the evolution of the zombie in Land of the Dead, especially with Big Daddy (Eugene Clark), the leader of the film’s zombie army who leads a charge to the walled off city of Pittsburgh and the ivory tower that is Fiddler's Green.

Stream Land of the Dead on Peacock.

Rent/Buy Land of the Dead on Amazon.

The Road

Based on Cormac McCarthy’s celebrated novel of the same name, John Hillcoat’s 2009 post-apocalyptic survival film The Road follows a father (Viggo Mortensen) and son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) as they traverse the decaying American landscape in hopes of finding a new life on the southern coast. Dark, dreary, and dirty this intimate and tense thriller sees the pair evade small pockets of cannibalistic savages while also not losing what little faith they have left in humanity.

At the center of The Road, just like in Army of the Dead, is a story about the love shared by a father and his child and his attempt to find redemption for himself and a future for his offspring, even if it means paying the ultimate price.

Stream The Road on Pluto.

Rent/Buy The Road on Amazon.

Baby Driver

Edgar Wright’s music-infused heist film Baby Driver follows Baby (Ansel Elgort), a talented getaway driver who has to constantly listen to music to overpower a bad case of tinnitus, as plans to pull off one more job before leaving town and his life of crime in the dust. But it’s never as simple as getting in and getting out.

With a great balance of comedy and tense drama, Edgar Wright’s 2017 crime thriller, which is one of the best movies on Amazon, is perfect for a double-feature alongside Army of the Dead due to both films centering around the “one more job” trope and the way in which their directors come up with brilliant ways of using music to help add to the story.

Rent/Buy Baby Driver on Amazon.

28 Days Later

The 2002 post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later takes place just weeks after a group of animal rights activists unknowingly released the hyper-contagious “Rage” virus, which turns much of the United Kingdom into a hellscape overrun with zombie-like creatures hellbent on killing anything and everything they see. Following a group of four survivors — Jim (Cillian Murphy), Selena (Naomie Harris), Frank (Brendan Gleeson), and Hannah (Megan Burns) — Danny Boyle’s tense thriller shows how far people will go when guided by hope.

One of the most fascinating aspects of 28 Days Later (and Army of the Dead in a sense) is the fact we don’t really spend a lot of time with the early days of the pandemic, instead picking up later, throwing us into a world where we figure out what’s going on and how we got here.

Stream 28 Days Later on Hulu.

Rent/Buy 28 Days Later on Amazon.

Heat 

Michael Mann’s 1995 crime thriller Heat follows master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) as he plans one last big heist in Los Angeles all while trying to keep his team in line and avoiding the watchful eye of LAPD detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino). With a great deal of heat caused by a bank robbery gone awry, McCauley has to tread lightly if he wants to see this one through.

There are bank robbery movies and then there is Heat, which remains in a league of its own more than a quarter-century after its initial release. This is a must for anyone who especially enjoyed Army of the Dead’s $200 million casino heist.

Stream Heat on Starz.

Rent/Buy Heat on Amazon.

Cargo

The emotionally-taxing 2017 Australian post-apocalyptic horror film Cargo brings a whole other level of emotion to the zombie genre with its story about an infected father (Martin Freeman) racing against time (48 hours at most) to find somewhere safe for his infant daughter before he turns.

One of the best movies on Netflix, Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke’s heartbreaking Cargo is similar to Army of the Dead in the sense that it is about a father’s love for his child above anything else, even though he could very well be the one that does her in.

Stream Cargo on Netflix.

Within in the next couple of years, fans of Army of the Dead will have plenty of other options to choose from with the upcoming animated series subtitled Lost Vegas, the international crime prequel Army of Thieves, and hopefully another sequel on Netflix. In the meantime, we can watch all of the films mentioned above or go back and make sense of the Army of the Dead ending.

The 1970s was a highly influential and deeply formative era for culture, especially at the movies. The decade saw the beginning of the Star Wars movies, (arguably) the beginning of the slasher genre with John Carpenter’s Halloween, and the dawn of the modern superhero movie with Superman: The Movie. See how to watch these classics and more picks for the best ‘70s movies in the following guide.

American Graffiti (1973)

Director: George Lucas

Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard

What it’s about: A group of Los Angeles teens spends the night cruising the streets, each with different goals in mind, in 1962.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Arguably George Lucas’ best movie outside the Star Wars franchise, American Graffiti, offers an electrifying, nostalgic inside look at the early 1960s teen culture, set to a totally “boss” soundtrack.

How to watch American Graffiti

• Rent or buy American Graffiti on Amazon
• Buy American Graffiti on Blu-ray on Amazon

Kramer Vs. Kramer (1979)

Director: Robert Benton

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep

What it’s about: An advertising executive struggles to be a single parent to his young son after his wife suddenly leaves him.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: One of the all-time most devastating movie break-ups is that of Ted and Joanne in Kramer vs. Kramer – an Oscar-winning exploration of divorce based on Avery Corman’s novel.

How to watch Kramer vs. Kramer

• Rent or buy Kramer vs. Kramer on Amazon
• Buy Kramer vs. Kramer on Blu-ray on Amazon

Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)

Director: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones

Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese

What it’s about: Led by King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table encounter a series of unusual and ridiculous obstacles while searching for a coveted artifact.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: One of the most beloved creations of influential British comedy troupe, Monty Python, is the hilarious and surreal Arthurian spoof movie classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

How to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail

• Stream Monty Python and the Holy Grail on Netflix
• Rent or buy Monty Python and the Holy Grail on Amazon
• Buy Monty Python and the Holy Grail on Blu-ray on Amazon

Network (1976)

Director: Sidney Lumet

Starring: Faye Dunaway, Peter Finch

What it’s about: A struggling TV network exploits the cynical ramblings of one of its oldest and most troubled news anchors.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: The four-time Oscar-winning Network is a brilliant and shocking satire of the television industry.

How to watch Network

• Rent or buy Network on Amazon
• Buy Network on Blu-ray on Amazon

Superman: The Movie (1978)

Director: Richard Donner

Starring: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder

What it’s about: The sole survivor of an alien planet crash-lands on Earth as a child and grows up to become a powerful defender of the innocent.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Even decades later, few comic book movies remain as influential as Superman: The Movie, for its timeless special effects and even more timeless lead performance by Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent.

How to watch Superman: The Movie

• Stream Superman: The Movie on Amazon Prime
• Stream Superman: The Movie on Max
• Buy Superman: The Movie on Blu-ray on Amazon

Alien (1979)

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver

What it’s about: The crew of an outer space freighter ship becomes trapped inside with a slimy, malevolent beast.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: One of the most perfect combinations of space movies with horror is Alien – a pulse-pounding exercise in suspense that turned Sigourney Weaver into a leading Scream Queen for generations to come.

How to watch Alien

• Stream Alien on Hulu
• Rent or buy Alien on Amazon
• Buy Alien on Blu-ray on Amazon

All The President's Men (1976)

Director: Alan J. Paluka

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford

What it’s about: The Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward struggle to get to the bottom of the Watergate Scandal in 1972.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Based on Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward’s book, All the President’s Men is one of the best movies about news reporters for its inspirational retelling of a true, ambitious crusade for truth amidst a firewall of corruption.

How to watch All the President’s Men

• Rent or buy All the President's Men on Amazon
• Buy All The President's Men on Blu-ray on Amazon

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando

What it’s about: Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a secret mission to track down and assassinate a Green Beret colonel with a dangerous god complex.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Inspired by Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and set during the Vietnam War, Apocalypse Now is one of the best war movies of all time and a masterful epic from a masterful filmmaker.

How to watch Apocalypse Now

• Stream Apocalypse Now on Plex
• Rent or buy Apocalypse Now on Amazon
• Buy Apocalypse Now on Blu-ray on Amazon

Being There (1979)

Director: Hal Ashby

Starring: Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine

What it’s about: For reasons even he does not understand, a simple-minded gardener unexpectedly becomes a close advisor to a powerful businessman and eventually an influential voice in Washington, D.C.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Based on the novel by Jerzy Kosinski, Being There is a fascinating and hilarious satire for which Peter Sellers earned an Academy Award nomination.

How to watch Being There

• Rent or buy Being There on Amazon
• Buy Being There on Blu-ray on Amazon

Cheech & Chong's Up In Smoke (1978)

Director: Lou Adler, Tommy Chong

Starring: Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong

What it’s about: With a bumbling police sergeant on their tail, a pair of pothead musicians unwittingly smuggle a van made of marijuana into L.A.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Whether or not Up in Smoke (also co-written by iconic movie potheads Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong) is the all-time greatest stoner movie is up for debate but few would disagree that it is the first great stoner movie.

How to watch Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke

• Rent or buy Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke on Amazon
• Buy Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke on Blu-ray on Amazon

Chinatown (1974)

Director: Roman Polanski

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway

What it’s about: Small-time private investigator Jake Gittes looks into an increasingly complicated, life-threatening case in 1937 California.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Murder, corruption, and vile secrets are the central themes of Chinatown – a crime drama that borrows from classic noir thrillers of Hollywood’s golden age with twists that were shockingly unique for the time but still timelessly entertaining today.

How to watch Chinatown

• Stream Chinatown on Paramount+ with Showtime add-on
• Rent or buy Chinatown on Amazon
• Buy Chinatown on Blu-ray on Amazon

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut

What it’s about: A disparate group of ordinary people make contact with beings from another planet.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Steven Spielberg adapts self-funded, 1964 sci-fi flick Firelight into one of the most iconic alien “invasion” movies ever made, Close Encounters of Third Kind, which also features one of the top John Williams scores of his career.

How to watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind

• Rent or buy Close Encounters of the Third Kind on Amazon
• Buy Close Encounters of the Third Kind on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Conversation (1974)

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Gene Hackman, John Cazale

What it’s about: A lonely, disillusioned surveillance expert begins to question the moral boundaries of his profession when he uncovers evidence that a young couple may be targeted for murder.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Francis Ford Coppola had two films up for Best Picture Oscar at the 1975 Academy Awards, including The Conversation, which still earns universal acclaim today as a striking cautionary tale way ahead of its time.

How to watch The Conversation

• Stream The Conversation on Paramount+ with Showtime add-on
• Rent or buy The Conversation on Amazon
• Buy The Conversation on Blu-ray on Amazon

Dawn Of The Dead (1978)

Director: George A. Romero

Starring: David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger, Gaylen Ross

What it’s about: Four survivors of an ongoing uprising of flesh-eating, undead humans take refuge at an abandoned shopping mall.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Ten years after introducing the modern zombie with 1968’s Night of the Living Dead, George A. Romero resurrected the genre with one of the all-time best zombie movies, the chilling, surprisingly thought-provoking economic satire Dawn of the Dead.

How to watch Dawn of the Dead

• Buy Dawn of the Dead on DVD on Amazon

The Deer Hunter (1978)

Director: Michael Cimino

Starring: Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Savage

What it’s about: Three close friends become separated after suffering traumatic circumstances while serving in Vietnam.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Winner of five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Christopher Walken, The Deer Hunter is a heartbreaking, unforgettable meditation on the debilitating effects of war.

How to watch The Deer Hunter

• Stream The Deer Hunter on Netflix
• Rent or buy The Deer Hunter on Amazon
• Buy The Deer Hunter on Blu-ray on Amazon

Dirty Harry (1971)

Director: Don Siegel

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Andrew Robinson

What it’s about: A rebellious San Francisco cop must rely on his instinct and his controversial methods to catch a ruthless murderer.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: After great Western movies made him a star, Clint Eastwood brought his signature outlaw persona to the title role of Dirty Harry – the first of five almost equally iconic movies that changed the crime thriller genre forever.

How to watch Dirty Harry

• Rent or buy Dirty Harry on Amazon
• Buy Dirty Harry on Blu-ray on Amazon

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Director: Sidney Lumet

Starring: Al Pacino, John Cazale

What it’s about: A man’s plan to rob a bank in order to fund his lover’s transgender operation turns into a media circus.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: The most shocking aspect of the Oscar-winning, and even inspiring, masterpiece, Dog Day Afternoon, is that it is actually based on true crime.

How to watch Dog Day Afternoon

• Rent or buy Dog Day Afternoon on Amazon
• Buy Dog Day Afternoon on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Exorcist (1973)

Director: William Friedkin

Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Jason Miller, Max Von Sydow

What it’s about: An actor, desperate to cure her 12-year-old daughter of the sinister forces that have taken over her body, enlists the help of a priest experiencing a crisis of faith.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Curiously, William Friedkin never approached his adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist as horror but as a commentary on the mystery faith, which may be why it is considered one of the best horror movies based on a true story, let alone one of the best horror movies of all time.

How to watch The Exorcist

• Stream The Exorcist on Max
• Rent or buy The Exorcist on Amazon
• Buy The Exorcist on Blu-ray on Amazon

The French Connection (1971)

Director: William Friedkin

Starring: Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider

What it’s about: A streetwise New York detective and his partner uncover a European drug smuggling operation in the States.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Based on the book Robin Moore which is also inspired by a true story, The French Connection is a tightly-paced, gritty suspense drama with one of the most hypnotically intense car chases of all time.

How to watch The French Connection

• Stream The French Connection on Max
• Rent or buy The French Connection on Amazon
• Buy The French Connection on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Godfather (1972)

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino

What it’s about: After his father's life is threatened, a young man is lured into the violent lifestyle of the family business.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: No list of the best gangster movies is complete without mention of The Godfather, the first film based on Mario Puzo’s acclaimed novel.

How to watch The Godfather

• Stream The Godfather on Paramount+
• Rent or buy The Godfather on Amazon
• Buy The Godfather on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Godfather Part II (1974)

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro

What it’s about: While Michael Corleone looks to expand the family business, flashbacks trace his father, Don Vito’s, rise to power.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Of course, you cannot refuse the offer to continue the story of the Corleone Family in The Godfather Part II, which also took home the Best Picture Oscar and also earned Robert De Niro his first Academy Award for playing a young Don Vito Corleone.

How to watch The Godfather Part II

• Stream The Godfather Part II on Paramount+
• Rent or buy The Godfather Part II on Amazon
• Buy The Godfather Part II on Blu-ray on Amazon

Grease (1978)

Director: Randal Kleiser

Starring: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John

What it’s about: Two wildly different teens – one a rebellious greaser and the other a squeaky-clean Australian – each try to be more like the other after falling for each other in the 1950s.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Based on the hit romantic stage show, Grease cleverly funnels its relatively honest confessions of teen angst through upbeat show tunes.

How to watch Grease

• Stream Grease on Paramount+
• Rent or buy Grease on Amazon
• Buy Grease on Blu-ray on Amazon

Halloween (1978)

Director: John Carpenter

Starring: Donald Pleasance, Jamie Lee Curtis

What it’s about: A violent escaped mental patient returns to his hometown and stalks three babysitters on All Hallows’ Eve.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: With the original Halloween movie, John Carpenter and co-writer Debra Hill (arguably) invented the modern slasher movie, introduced one of the all-time greatest horror movie villains with Michael Myers, and made Jamie Lee Curtis the top Scream Queen.

How to watch Halloween

• Stream Halloween on AMC+
• Stream Halloween on Plex
• Rent or buy Halloween on Amazon
• Buy Halloween on Blu-ray on Amazon

Jaws (1975)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw

What it’s about: A police chief, a marine biologist, and a veteran seafarer hunt a 25-foot great white shark putting local beach dwellers in a panic.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: With the heart-racing shark movie, Jaws, Steven Spielberg made a groundbreaking hit thriller that is widely credited as the very first “blockbuster.”

How to watch Jaws

• Stream Jaws on Netflix
• Rent or buy Jaws on Amazon
• Buy Jaws on Blu-ray on Amazon

Nashville (1975)

Director: Robert Altman

Starring: Keith Carradine, Shelley Duvall

What it’s about: The misadventures of a group of popular musicians, aspiring musicians, and others in Tennessee.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Few filmmakers mastered the star-studded ensemble comedy like Robert Altman and few films represent that talent of his like Nashville - an inspired satirical examination of the cross-section of politics of country music.

How to watch Nashville

• Rent or buy Nashville on Amazon
• Buy Nashville on Blu-ray on Amazon

National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)

Director: John Landis

Starring: John Belushi, Tim Matheson

What it’s about: The members of a maligned fraternity engaged in uproarious conflict with their own school in the 1950s.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Few filmmakers have mastered the raunchy, star-studded ensemble comedy quite like John Landis did with National Lampoon’s Animal House, which is still considered the best movie about college of all time.

How to watch National Lampoon’s Animal House

• Rent or buy National Lampoon’s Animal House on Amazon
• Buy National Lampoon’s Animal House on Blu-ray on Amazon

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Director: Miloš Forman

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher

What it’s about: A criminal’s plea of insanity lands him in a mental institution where he is subjected to a fate worse than prison: the cruel treatment of Nurse Ratched.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Jack Nicholson gives his first Academy Award-winning performance in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – an inspirational and often witty tale of rebelling against authority and a movie that gets real about mental health.

How to watch One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

• Rent or buy One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on Amazon
• Buy One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on Blu-ray on Amazon

Rocky (1976)

Director: John G. Avildsen

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire

What it’s about: The story of an amateur, underdog boxer taking on an undefeated champion.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Sylvester Stallone channeled his experiences as a struggling actor into his screenplay for one of the all-time best sports movies, Rocky, which would go on to win the Oscar for Best Picture and spawn a franchise that still lives on through the Creed movies.

How to watch Rocky

• Rent or buy Rocky on Amazon
• Buy Rocky on Blu-ray on Amazon

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Director: John Badham

Starring: John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney

What it’s about: A young Brooklynite escapes his harsh realities on the dance floor with the disco music of The Bee Gees as his guide.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: John Travolta earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination and skyrocketed to movie star status after leading the era-defining classic, Saturday Night Fever.

How to watch Saturday Night Fever

• Stream Saturday Night Fever on Amazon Prime
• Buy Saturday Night Fever on Blu-ray on Amazon

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

Director: George Lucas

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, James Earl Jones

What it’s about: Jedi-in-training Luke Skywalker teams up with rebellious pilot Han Solo to rescue Princess Leia from the tyrannical Darth Vader.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Cinema had never seen anything quite like one of the all-time best sci-fi movies, Star Wars (retroactively subtitled A New Hope – and the medium has never been the same since.

How to watch Star Wars: A New Hope

• Stream Star Wars: A New Hope on Disney+
• Rent or buy Star Wars: A New Hope on Amazon
• Buy Star Wars: A New Hope on Blu-ray on Amazon

Taxi Driver (1976)

Director: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster

What it’s about: A disturbed, sleepless Vietnam veteran’s hatred for urban nightlife begins to consume him after taking a job as a New York City cabbie.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: With stunning performances and subtle commentary on toxic masculinity, Taxi Driver, one of Martin Scorsese's best movies, is a captivating exploitation of cynicism and savagery at its darkest.

How to watch Taxi Driver

• Stream Taxi Driver on MGM+
• Rent or buy Taxi Driver on Amazon
• Buy Taxi Driver on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Director: Tobe Hooper

Starring: Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen

What it’s about: Five young roadtrippers are stalked by the grotesque Leatherface and his cannibalistic family.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: Tobe Hooper's penchant for accurately capturing the feeling of a nightmare makes The Texas Chain Saw Massacre one of the most unsettling thrillers of all time.

How to watch The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

• Stream The Texas Chain Saw Massacre on Amazon Prime
• Stream The Texas Chain Saw Massacre on Tubi
• Buy The Texas Chain Saw Massacre on Blu-ray on Amazon

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)

Director: Mel Stuart

Starring: Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum

What it’s about: A poor boy becomes one of five children given the opportunity to tour the never-before-seen establishment of the most famous candy maker in the world.

Why it is one of the best ‘70s movies: From a screenplay by Roald Dahl (based on his novel), Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a timelessly whimsical adventure, perfected by the late Gene Wilder’s truly magical performance as the titular chocolatier.

How to watch Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

• Rent or buy Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory on Amazon
• Buy Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory on Blu-ray on Amazon

Would you say we have covered all of the best movies that the 1970s had to offer? If so, which is your favorite?

Seeing Zack Snyder return to the world of zombies in Army of the Dead is an experience that, for certain fans of his, felt like a homecoming. Making his directorial debut with 2004’s remake of Dawn of the Dead, Snyder’s first impression upon the world was through another tale of undead mayhem that folks couldn’t get enough of. Now, thanks to an easter egg spotted in his Netflix original, it looks like Army and Dawn have been confirmed to share the same fictional universe.

An eagle eyed fan on Twitter noticed the key evidence in Army of the Dead in a moment so quick, you may have missed it. And no, we’re not talking about those UFOs at the very beginning, but rather a news story that popped up in the news feed on the phone of Tig Notaro’s character. Shown below, the introduction of Marianne Peters includes this special detail:

Well, I don’t know about you, but a headline that promises, “New Information Released About '04 Zombie Outbreak In Milwaukee" is absolutely intriguing. Seeing as we never really knew what started Dawn of the Dead’s zombie apocalypse, it’s nice to know that someone has all the answers. Though unfortunately, those vital details aren’t divulged in Army of the Dead, which makes the discussion in the opening of the film even more important.

If Army of the Dead and Dawn of the Dead are in the same universe, one could assume that zombie specimen Zeus, fresh off of his engagement wrecking up an entire U.S. Army convoy in Nevada, could be the bridge between both movies. The implication is that somehow, the zombie threat from Dawn of the Dead was quelled, with Army of the Dead’s king being an evolved version of those original shamblers. How, or why, Zeus evolved is another story, and one that can hopefully be explained in future installments.

Both prequel and sequel buzz for Army of the Dead is hanging in the air right now, which is perfect in light of this supposed confirmation that Dawn of the Dead may be a prequel itself. Maybe this connected world means that James Gunn could be invited back to work with Zack Snyder and deliver another zombie opus that’ll win over the masses. Or, at the very least, maybe we’ll learn what happened to the survivors of the Crossroads Mall, as the last known footage didn’t look too pleasant.

Should you be in full-on clue-hunting mode right now, Army of the Dead is still available in some theaters, with Netflix also housing the film in its streaming library. And if knowing that Dave Bautista and Ving Rhames could potentially make a zombie-killing buddy comedy together isn't enough to get you to take another look, I don't know what to say. Except that maybe it's time to do a double feature of Dawn of the Dead alongside its new potentially confirmed sibling.

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Zack Snyder isn’t everyone’s favorite director and his films aren’t exactly for everyone, but one aspect of his movies that can’t be denied is that few, if any, filmmakers know how to establish tone with a well-crafted opening credits sequence. From his Dawn of the Dead remake in 2004 all the way to his most recent effort, Army of the Dead, Snyder has helped introduce audiences to a world in which they are about to spend a couple of hours, and in remarkable fashion. With songs like “When the Man Comes Around,” “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” and “Viva Las Vegas,” and Snyder’s use of slow-motion, short depth of field, and visceral violence, there’s a lot to take in.

After watching Army of the Dead streaming, we have put together a list of the best Zack Snyder movie opening sequences and ranked them from great to absolutely amazing. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and check out the best opening title sequences from the visionary music video director-turned-filmmaker.

5. Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice: Ultimate Edition (2016)

By the time Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Ultimate Edition was released, Zack Snyder had already made a case for having some of the best title sequences in the business, but the opening credits of his 2016 superhero epic features some of his best work yet. Bouncing between the murder and funeral of Thomas and Martha Wayne, the first few minutes of the second entry in the DCEU does two things very effectively: it sets the tone of the three-hour epic that will follow and establishes the emotional and mental state of Bruce Wayne leading into his fight-to-the-death with Superman later on in the movie.

With closeups on both the gunman and his victims that don’t shy away from the violence instead of leaving it up to the audience to fill in the blanks, this intimate scene establishes the tone of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and the bleak nature of the film. This scene also effectively shows the downbeat and cynical nature of Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne, who at times is more a villain than a hero in the epic fight.

Watch Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Ultimate Edition on HBO Max.

4. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

The 2021 release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which clocks in at four hours, starts off with one of the most visually striking and somber opening credit sequences from the visionary director. Similar to how the Dawn of Justice opening credits set up the movie with the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne, the director’s cut of Justice League does so with the death of Superman and how his passing has a ripple effect, not only on his allies, but also the entire world and universe. Over the course of nearly nine minutes, the opening title sequence introduces the audience to all the major players before ending with Bruce Wayne beginning his quest to put together the Justice League.

Visually striking and emotional, the Zack Snyder’s Justice League opening sequence takes what the director has learned with his pacing and knack for visual storytelling (all that slow motion) and really turns it up a notch, especially now that he has no leash holding him back. Breathtaking in every regard, this title sequence is without a doubt one of the best in the world of superhero movies.

Watch Zack Snyder's Justice League on HBO Max.

3. Army Of The Dead (2021)

Zack Snyder’s latest movie Army of the Dead, a return to the zombie genre after 17 years, features not only one of the best opening title sequences of his career, but possibly of all time. Seriously, this five-minute sequence set to Richard Cheese’s (who was also featured in Snyder's directorial debut) rendition of “Viva Las Vegas” could honestly be watched on its own, it’s that good. After a short introduction setting up how Las Vegas became inundated with hundreds of thousands of walking corpses, Snyder pulls out all the stops and goes back to his music video roots for a visually striking, humorous, and violent display of cinema.

From the action being in-sync with the music (including a nod to Elvis Presley) to the emotional thread of the movie’s mercenaries and their respective pasts, to Zack Snyder’s brilliant use of slow motion, you can’t help but get excited to see what comes next. I mean, where else are you going to see a zombie get pulverized while a lounge singer croons in the background?

Watch Army of the Dead on Netflix.

2. Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

The opening credits in Zack Snyder’s 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake, while the most low-budget and least stylized on this list, remains one of the director’s most effective to date. Following an opening scene that starts off like any standard zombie movie, the film takes a drastic turn a few second into the title sequence when Johnny Cash’s “The Man Comes Around” begins to play over images of civil unrest, fearful governments, and zombies attacking people around the world. The way the subject matter of the song (which features numerous Biblical references including from the Book of Revelation) fits perfectly with the end-of-the-world feel of the visuals is astounding and does a tremendous job of setting the tone of the film with very little resources.

And again, the Dawn of the Dead opening title sequence is far from the most visually striking of Zack Snyder’s career and there’s an argument to be made for Army of the Dead being the director’s zombie movie with the better sequence. But it should be noted, for the most part, this was the world’s introduction to Snyder, and what a debut it was.

Rent/Buy Dawn of the Dead on Amazon.

1. Watchmen (2009)

The 2009 superhero film Watchmen isn’t Zack Snyder’s most successful movie at the box office, but it remains one of his best directorial efforts and a lot of that has to do with the tone of the film and that all starts with the outstanding opening credits sequence. Taking what he learned with the Dawn of the Dead sequence with its musical cues, Snyder uses Bob Dylan’s timeless classic “The Times They Are A-Changin’” in a way that establishes the tone and setting of the film. Much like Alan Moore’s graphic novel on which the film is based, Snyder’s Watchmen deviates from history and takes a revisionist approach to everything from the iconic image of a sailor kissing a nurse following World War II to Richard Nixon being elected to a third term in office.

In addition to the way the Watchmen opening credits welcomes the audience into a world slightly different from our own, the sequence also introduces us to titular group of vigilantes (after showing the demise of the Minutemen) in a way that handles a great deal of the exposition work (much like how Zack Snyder would do with his 2021 cut of Justice League). By hitting all the checkmarks — tone, style, establishing the world — Watchmen does the best job out of any of Snyder’s other credit sequences.

Watch Watchmen on HBO Max.

Even though some ranked higher than others, all of Zack Snyder’s opening title sequences are amazing in their own way and withstand the test of time. What’s your favorite of Snyder’s opening credit sequences? Let us know in the poll below, and don’t forget to check out the list of 2021 movie premiere dates while you’re at it.

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Dawn of the Dead (1978) is arguably one of the best horror movies of all time, a seminal film that shouldn’t go overlooked or unwatched. But while all of the other George Romero zombie movies are streaming on various services and can be enjoyed with not much trouble, the second entry in his Living Dead series is oddly missing from any of the major streamers and elsewhere online. Why is that?

Even though it’s a fairly simple question as to why Dawn of the Dead isn’t streaming, the answer is anything but with no real definitive answer. And sure, there are a number of factors involved here, most notably the tangled distribution rights from the making of the film that have plagued the horror classic for decades, but it is still a mirky situation.

And don’t worry, there are no Dawn of the Dead spoilers anywhere in this article.

Dawn Of The Dead Has Long Had A Complicated History With Distribution Rights

To help us better understand why we can’t watch Dawn of the Dead streaming, we first must break down the film’s complicated distribution rights. A lot of this goes back a decade earlier with George Romero's directorial debut, Night of the Living Dead, which entered the public domain after the film’s producers failed to copyright the movie’s title after changing it from Night of the Flesh Eaters prior to the film’s release.

Fast forward to the late ‘70s when George Romero and Richard P. Rubinstein (remember that name) were attempting to secure funding for Dawn of the Dead. Having no luck with the financing in the United States, the pair and their Laurel Group production company turned to famed Italian director Dario Argento, who helped fund the movie and worked on the script in return that he could make his own cut for an Italian release (which was called Zombi and had sequels of its own), acquiring foreign distribution rights in the process.

It Could Have Something To Do With Richard P. Rubinstein’s Unreleased Dawn Of The Dead 3D

Remember the name Richard P. Rubinstein? Yeah? Good. As the producer of Dawn of the Dead and co-founder of Laurel Entertainment (which would later become a part of the Spelling Entertainment Group and eventually Viacom), Rubinstein, still owns the rights to the film (just like he did with Dune until recently). Over the years, Dawn of the Dead has seen several DVD and Blu-ray releases (more on those in a bit) but the film is in between distributors (at least the U.S. version of the horror classic), but why?

During a 2018 interview with Birth Movies Death, Richard P. Rubinstein discussed his long-in-the-works 3D conversion of Dawn of the Dead, the first seven minutes of which were shows to director George Romero prior to his 2017 death. During the conversation, the producer explained that he wanted younger audiences to be able to see the film on the big screen and that a 3D version was a way of doing that while also brining new life to socially-conscience horror flick. Despite a poor response from audiences at the 2016 Beyond Fest, Richard P. Rubinstein is unperturbed and made it sound like he was going to hold out and hold onto the idea that his 3D version is the way to go.

But why does the producer want the 3D version to work? It is speculated that he sunk a ton of cash, reportedly as much as $6 million, and he wants to make his money back. That can’t be confirmed, but until that’s worked out, it’s hard to say when we’ll be able to stream Dawn of the Dead.

Dawn Of The Dead Does Exist On DVD (And Blu-Ray), But You’ll Have To Work For It

With the movie being out of print in the United States (though you can buy foreign releases that either include the Argento cut or are region locked), tracking down a Dawn of the Dead DVD or Blu-ray isn’t a walk in the park either. There was a time when Anchor Bay had the domestic rights to the zombie classic and released several outstanding DVDs including the 2004 version that included the theatrical cut and several bonus features and the Ultimate Edition box set which included all three cuts of the film, hours of bonus features, and all other sorts of goodies. The company also released a Blu-ray version in 2007, but finding a copy on the cheap is damn near impossible in 2021.

There is always the eBay route, which has plenty of copies of the Dawn of the Dead DVD for decent prices, but you run the risk of purchasing a bootleg or sketchy copy that could very well end up being illegitimate. And even though video rental stores are becoming a thing of the past, especially with the 2021 closure of all Family Video locations, one method that has worked for me is requesting Dawn of the Dead at the library. I was able to find both 2004 Anchor Bay releases, including all those insane features of the Ultimate Edition.

But hope could be on the horizon…

Second Sight Films Acquired The VOD Rights (In The U.K.) In 2019, But There Has Been No Digital Release

In January 2019, U.K.-based Second Sight Films announced on its official Twitter account that it had worked out a deal with New Amsterdam Entertainment (Richard P. Rubinstein’s current production company) to acquire the U.K. Blu-ray and VOD rights with a release planned later in the year. And while the Blu-ray, including a 4K UHD remaster of the various cuts have can be purchased (the 4K discs can be played anywhere but the standard Blu-ray disc is region locked), the VOD release is nowhere to be seen.

When Second Sight does release the VOD version of Dawn of the Dead, it’s not entirely clear if a global digital release will be made available. I mean, we have to work something out because currently Dawn of the Dead is the only title in the franchise that’s missing from the streaming world.

How To Stream George Romero’s Dead Movies And Zack Snyder’s 2004 Remake

All bummed out because you can’t watch Dawn of the Dead streaming? Well, you can watch the rest of the movies in George Romero’s influential Living Dead franchise as well as Zack Snyder’s 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake:

• Watch Night of the Living Dead on Amazon.
• Watch Day of the Dead on HBO Max.
• Watch Land of the Dead on Peacock.
• Watch Diary of the Dead on Tubi.
• Watch Survival of the Dead on Hoopla.
• Watch Dawn of the Dead (2004 Remake) on AMC+.

That's a fairly comprehensive list, but it just looks so weird not seeing Dawn of the Dead included with its predecessor and sequels (and remake that actually doesn't suck).

Hopefully the issues surrounding the streaming release of Dawn of the Dead are worked out sooner rather than later so that a new generation of horror-hounds can watch not only one of George Romero’s best zombie movies but one of the best horror movies of all time.

It has been 17 years since the 2004 release of Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead, a movie that I saw in theaters several times as a 16-year-old who would find various ways of getting into R-rated movies. Like George A. Romero’s 1978 horror classic, I was obsessed with Snyder’s version that spring and would talk on and on about it until my parents, friends, and theater employees grew tired of it. But something happened in the years following my first dance with Dawn of the Dead, and over the years I found myself approaching the movie with an unearned elitism and purist mentality on account of my love of the classic mall-based zombie movie.

Recently, as I have started to prepare for the arrival of Army of the Dead and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, I’ve started to think about where it all started for Snyder and really my love of zombie movies in the spring of 2004.

For Starters, The Dawn Of The Dead Credit Sequence Is Still One Of The Best

Okay, my love of the Dawn of the Dead title sequence is an aspect of the 2004 remake that I loved ever since I first saw it, but like a bottle of wine, I have a greater appreciation of it now than ever before. At the time it was released, I had never seen anything like the shots of riots combined with zombie attacks and other horror elements that were all set to Johnny Cash’s “The Man Comes Around,” and there are few title sequences that have the same effect.

The title sequence doesn’t come in until about 10 minutes into Dawn of the Dead, further establishing the tone of the movie set up in the first chapter that ends with Ana (Sarah Polley) waking up to a world gone mad. The idea of having a song about the end of times sung by “The Man in Black” to help the film better differentiate itself from the original pays off huge here.

Zack Snyder’s Dawn Of The Dead Uses The Original’s Premise But Is Not Restricted By It

Unlike the 1990 version of Night of the Living Dead (which is amazing, by the way), Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead is a new version of the classic opposed to a shot-for-shot remake of the original. Yeah, the movie has the same basic premise of 'there’s a zombie outbreak, survivors take refuge in mall, things get hectic and survivors (or what’s left) make an escape,' but at the same time, it doesn’t follow the 1978 version beat-for-beat.

In my college days when I became an insufferable purist, I would go on about how the original is a better movie and that the remake is Hollywood garbage because of the changes (and running zombies, which aren’t that bad). But like a man who visits his childhood home and becomes obsessed with baseball cards from his youth, I too came around and realized that I used to love Zack Snyder and James Gunn’s approach to the story and way that it finds a balance of drawing from the original source material while also doing its own thing.

Still, There Are A Ton Of Great Callbacks To George A. Romero’s Horror Classic

I have always been obsessed with the callbacks to the original Dawn of the Dead (even in my worst of days), but the more I watch the 2004 remake the more I notice, which makes me want to watch it again (and again). I mean, Zack Snyder and company included everything from Ken Foree saying his classic “When there’s no more room in Hell…” line, but this time as a doomsday preacher on TV, Tom Savini in a Monroeville Sheriff’s uniform (the location of the original), the WGON TV helicopter, Scott Reiniger (Roger from the original) appearing as a general, and even the Gaylen Ross department store.

But one callback to the original Dawn of the Dead that I only noticed recently is Wooley’s Diner in Zack Snyder’s zombie movie. For those not aware or who don’t remember, Wooley (Jim Baffico) was the SWAT team leader from the raid in the beginning of the original movie. He’s the foul-mouthed and unapologetic racist character who gets taken out by one of his own men after going on a little one-man rampage ending with the headshot heard around the world.

The ‘Down With The Sickness’ Montage Is Cheesy But Still Amazing

I’m not trying to take anything away from Richard Cheese’s lounge singer version of the Disturbed song “Down with the Sickness,” or movie montages (I’m a major proponent of all things montage), but this section of the movie is cheesy and silly so much so that it once took me out of the movie. I’ve since changed my tune (more Cheese, please) and learned to accept the levity this lighthearted scene adds before shit goes south for the survivors of the zombie apocalypse.

And despite the silly nature of the montage, it accomplishes a great deal in under two minutes: it further establishes the bond between Ken (Ving Rhames) and Andy (Bruce Bohne), shows that Steve (Ty Burrell) likes to film himself in the act, and gives the crowded cast much needed character development.

Sarah Polley And Ving Rhames Are Near Perfect In Their Roles

The Dawn of the Dead cast is filled with people who would go on to become major stars, with Michael Kelly and Ty Burrell, who appeared as CJ and Steve respectively, being at the top of that list. But the movie also had its share of established stars seen in its two leads, Sarah Polley as Ana, and Ving Rhames as Kenneth. I used to go either way when it came to my feelings on the leads, but they are seriously the glue that keeps the movie together with their command of the screen.

You have Ana not taking shit from anyone. ANYONE. Even with a gun pointed at her face, she’s like “My husband was killed by the kid next door and then tried to eat me” and is just not having any of it. Even when facing death in the form of a horde of zombies, she doesn’t back down. Then there’s Kenneth, who somehow comes off as a badass and an all-around great dude with not much effort. You can feel the emotion in his eyes each time he talks about going to rescue his brother. And then when he wants to get the show on the road. Sign me up!

The Fake-Out Ending With Its False Sense Of Hope Is Grim As All Hell

I absolutely love the fake-out ending at the conclusion of Dawn of the Dead, but there was a time when I thought it was a little too happy-go-lucky, especially with what follows. That has changed, however, and I have learned to appreciate that falls sense of hope and just how grim it is when you remember what comes next.

At the end of the movie (following the true ending), everyone is presumably dead or “deadish” after meeting the undead welcoming party. But even before that with the quick cuts of handheld footage of the survivors’ mood slowly changing prepares you for what is about to happen. The foreshadowing, albeit brief, really drives the message home that no one is going to survive this.

All these things being said, Dawn of the Dead is not a perfect movie. It has weird tonal flaws, is overly-sentimental at times, and has the terrible zombie baby subplot, but I’ll be damned if I don’t love it and get a little nostalgic for my high school years.

Back when I was a sophomore in high school, I went to Sam Goody in my hometown mall and convinced my mom to buy me the recently released Anchor Bay DVD release of George A. Romero's 1978 horror classic Dawn of the Dead. Over the course of the next couple of days, I watched zombies overtake that iconic shopping mall no fewer than five times (including Romero's commentary track), and then found every article I could find about how it all came together. I was obsessed with all of the great behind-the-scenes facts about even the smallest of details (like Romero playing not one, but two characters including a zombie Santa).

And while my copy of Dawn of the Dead has been lost to the ages and is probably scratched up in a box somewhere in my childhood bedroom, I still try to watch the 1978 sequel to Night of the Living Dead whenever the opportunity presents itself (including a midnight showing at a local theater a few years back), and I remain just as enamored by the story and the production as I was as a 16-year-old all those years ago. So, in the spirit of me revisiting my favorite movie I thought I would gather some of the best information about George A. Romero's campy, yet terrifying undead magnum opus.

George A. Romero Came Up With The Idea For Dawn Of The Dead After Touring A Shopping Mall

One of the things about Dawn of the Dead that makes it so unique is its setting: a fully operational shopping mall. His first attempt at making a movie about the dead coming back to life mostly took place in an abandoned house, but as the late horror legend told Little White Lies (via Medium) in a conversation before his death, he needed to have an idea and have something to say about culture. Around that time, Romero was invited to take a tour of the first shopping mall in Western Pennsylvania:

It was at that very moment that George A. Romero realized that he could use the mall and zombies to make a criticism of American consumerism and have some fun with the concept in the process.

Romero Thought Of The 'When There's No More Room In Hell…' Line While Drunk

Shortly after the release of Dawn of the Dead in early 1978, Rolling Stone published an extremely in-depth profile on the film's production, which included some pretty great interviews with people like George A. Romero and special effects guru Tom Savini. At one point in the piece, Chet Flippo asks Romero how he came up with perhaps the movie's most quotable line: "When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth." Being candid as humanly possible, Romero revealed that he came up with the idea drunkenly when crashing to finish the script. Romero also credited Italian director Dario Argento (who played a major role in getting the movie financed) with helping him come up the words a voodoo priest from the Caribbean would say. The rest is history.

A Group Of Drunk Zombies Caused $7,000 In Damages To The Monroeville Mall

Speaking of coming up with great ideas while in a drunken state, several of the actors playing zombies took it upon themselves to get wasted at the still-open bar in the Monroeville Mall before filming began each night, but one of those encounters ended up not going according to plan. In an interview with Pittsburgh City Paper, Tom Savini revealed how it all went down that fateful night:

Going back to the quotable line "When there's no more room in hell…" I guess it should end with "the dead will drunkenly walk the earth."

Despite The Horror, Romero Wanted Dawn Of The Dead To Play Like Cowboys And Indians With Pie Fights

Make no mistake about it, Dawn of the Dead is a terrifying and oftentimes grotesque all-time great horror movie, but there are elements of humor and downright campiness, albeit very intentional on the part of writer-director George A. Romero. In the Rolling Stone profile mentioned above, Romero admitted that while he was trying to create a morality play with his second Dead movie, he also wanted to have some fun at the same time, stating:

And if you will recall, the final act of Dawn of the Dead features an impromptu pie fight involving the motorcycle gang and army of the undead. It's a fun, lighthearted scene that also makes you forget that some serious shit is about to go down in the film's final moments.

A Real Shotgun Was Used To Pull Off The Iconic Exploding Head Scene

One of the most memorable (and goriest) moments in Dawn of the Dead comes within the first 10 minutes when Peter (Ken Foree) and Roger's (Scott Reiniger) SWAT team is raiding a housing project, specifically the shot of one of their fellow police officers goes crazy and shoots a random person in the head, causing it to explode in spectacular fashion. At first appears to look a small special effects charge but in the Dawn of the Dead "Making Of" documentary, Tom Savini revealed that he filled a mold with all sorts of stuff before getting a shotgun and shooting it point-blank to provide the desired effect.

The Dawn Of The Dead Crew Had To Take Down And Reassemble Christmas Decorations Every Night

Production for Dawn of the Dead began in November 1977 which created a few problems for George A. Romero and company, namely all the Christmas decorations that were hanging around the Monroeville Mall that was still very much in use. In a 2005 interview with Ain't It Cool News, Greg Nicotero, who would go on to become a legend of his own with The Walking Dead and a number of other notable projects, explained the situation in frustrating detail:

After a while, the production team got tired of wasting valuable shooting time and going through the process of removing and reassembling decorations every night, and so they decided to shut down production until after the holidays.

Production Had To Stop Every Morning At 7 Before The Mall Reopened

If the Christmas decorations didn't cause enough of a headache for the cast and crew of Dawn of the Dead, the odd working hours surely did. Since the Monroeville Mall was still an active mall, Romero and company could only film after all the stores closed for the night, which resulted in not being able to actually start shooting any footage until as late as 11 p.m., and they would have to be finished by 7 a.m. the following day. According to that great Rolling Stone piece mentioned above, the mall's computer would automatically start playing Muzak over the public address system and no one from the production knew how to turn it off. The decision could also have something to do with the cardiac patients who would walk through the mall early each morning.

Special Effects Master Tom Savini's Character, Blades, Wasn't In The Script

The introduction of the biker gang in the final act of Dawn of the Dead shakes things up quite a bit for the survivors taking refuge in the mall, but one of their leaders, Blades, wasn't even supposed to be there, according to the person who portrayed him, none other than Tom Savini. In the interview with Pittsburgh City Paper (the same one with the drunk zombies), the special effects god revealed that his part wasn't in the script but George A. Romero kept putting him into scenes. The next thing Savini knew, he was the leader of the gang in what he called the "longest Halloween" of his life.

David Emge Came Up With Flyboy's Unique Zombie Walk On His Own

Stephen "Flyboy" Andrews (David Emge) is one of the most annoying characters in Dawn of the Dead, but when he turns into a zombie in the final few minutes, it's really something to see (full disclosure: I once spent way too much money on a "Flyboy" zombie figure) thanks to his unique mannerisms. In the Dawn of the Dead "Making Of" documentary, David Emge explained not only that he watched all of the other zombies on set and came up with something that stood out, but that George A. Romero was in love with his depiction of a recently deceased helicopter pilot. Everything from the way he turns in his right foot to hanging a revolver from his index finger were all invented by Emge who said he had "hoot" playing a zombie.

Romero Originally Planned For A Bleaker Ending

The final shot of Dawn of the Dead shows Peter and Francine (Gaylen Ross) escaping the overrun mall in the helicopter that brought them there in the first place. And while it's not an optimistic ending (they were running low on gas before they got there), it's definitely a lot happier than the bleak tone of George A. Romero's original idea. In the working script (via Little White Lies), Peter, not seeing a way out, shoots himself, leaving Francine on her own. The lone survivor starts up the helicopter and drives her head into the spinning blades. The credits then crawl across the screen as the helicopter's engine cuts out, suggesting that the two survivors would have died even if they made it off the roof.

Well, what do you think about those behind the scenes facts from George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead. Did you know all this or is this information new to you? Either way, make sure to sound off in the comments below and let everyone know what you think.

If it weren't for horror legend George Romero, the zombie film as we know it today probably wouldn't be around. With the release of his landmark Night of the Living Dead, the "Godfather of the zombie film," he revolutionized not only the way the undead were depicted in pop culture but the way horror movies were shot entirely. And over the following 41 years, Romero wrote and directed five more Dead movies before his passing in July 2017.

The impact of those movies (the earlier ones especially) is still felt today, which is probably why George Romero remains such a prominent figure for horror hounds and aspiring filmmakers. With Night of the Living Dead starting an entire genre of film in 1968, Dawn of the Dead inspiring countless movies and even video games since its 1978 release, and the other films having impacts of their own, there seems to be one question — which film is the best?

6. Diary Of The Dead (2007)

Diary of the Dead is one of those movies that is better in theory than in execution simply because it entertains some pretty engaging ideas and arguments about media in the modern age. Unlike the rest of the movies in the franchise, Diary is shot in a found-footage manner that was becoming more and more prominent around the time of the movie's 2007 release. Not really a continuation of the story from the original Dead universe, the fifth entry in the franchise starts at the beginning of the zombie outbreak and follows a group of student filmmakers as they try to make sense of what's happening around them.

Having Diary of the Dead at the bottom of the rankings isn't to say that it's a bad movie, quite the contrary, it's just that it doesn't work as well as the previous efforts from George Romero and is sometimes hampered by the narration from the main character Debra Moynihan (Michelle Morgan). It isn't a movie that you should jump up and see immediately, but it's definitely a must if you want to see everything Romero has to offer.

5. Survival Of The Dead (2009)

Two years after releasing Diary of the Dead to the masses, George Romero went back to his old ways of movie-making with the sixth and final entry in the Dead series, Survival of the Dead. For the first time in the franchise, Survival featured characters (living anyway) that had appeared in the previous films when it followed the National Guardsmen who went AWOL in Diary and robbed that film's main protagonists. In addition to following the soldiers as they try to escape the madness of a world torn to shreds by hordes of the undead, they stumble across two feuding families on an island off the coast of Delaware.

The last film to be directed by George Romeo before his death eight years later, Survival of the Dead plays off a lot of the concepts introduced in Day of the Dead and Land of the Dead with the introduction of zombies that can be trained or at least possess some intellect in their decaying bodies. And while it's better than Diary of the Dead, the final film in the franchise doesn't have the great themes that made the original trilogy and the 2005 continuation more than just a run-of-the-mill zombie flick.

4. Day Of The Dead (1985)

Next up is Day of the Dead, which recently got some attention after appearing in the Stranger Things Season 3 premiere when the gang snuck into an early screening of the 1985 horror classic. Unlike the campier Dawn of the Dead released seven years earlier, the third film in George Romero's iconic series lacks humor, hope, and light as most of the movie was shot in an old mine that was transformed into a storage facility. Set years after the mysterious event that awoke the dead, Day of the Dead centers around a group of scientists and soldiers (and two matter-of-fact pilots) hiding underground while trying to come up with a cure for the undead or at least see if they can be trained.

No one will ever see George Romero's original vision for Day of the Dead as the budget was cut in half after the director refused to back down to studio demands and make an R-rated version (it ended up being not rated). Plans for extravagant action scenes set in a world surrounded by death were cut out and Romero's intention of making the Gone with the Wind of zombie movies was left off subsequent drafts and what we got was more of a philosophical argument than a zombie epic. We still got the amazing introduction in a deserted town on the Florida coast and the epic and bloody finale, but there's always the what-if with Day of the Dead. A what-if we'll never see.

3. Land Of The Dead (2005)

George Romero took an extended break from the Dead series after the release of Day of the Dead (not counting his script for Tom Savini's 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead), and didn't put out another zombie movie until the 2005 release of Land of the Dead. Full of satire, social commentary, and gore, the fourth film in the series picked up where Day left off and turned things up a notch. Set in a version of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that has been reorganized around the emerald tower that is Fiddler's Green and the slums that surround the luxury high-rise, the film depicts a world that is more divided than ever. But as we've learned with the rest of Romero's films — death is inevitable.

There is just so much to love about Land of the Dead, especially when looking back on the horror film 15 years after its initial release. With satire with teeth as sharp as the hordes of undead taking on the careless and arrogant wealthy residents of Fiddler's Green, George Romero didn't hold back with his attack on American politics and the Bush Administration in the first years of the 21st Century. Hell, even Roger Ebert was a fan of the movie and its metaphors to American life. With the exploration of ideas like the divide between ultra-rich and the poor and underestimating one's enemy, Romero provided a thoughtful argument masquerading as a zombie movie.

2. Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

Next up is the film that started it all for George Romero, the zombie movie, and modern horror as a whole — Night of the Living Dead. Released in 1968, this movie changed everything anyone knew about the zombie genre. Gone were the voodoo spells in some Caribbean island nation or mysterious curses, and instead replaced by hordes of recently deceased bodies rising from the grave after what scientists believe to be the result of a space probe emitting radiation after exploding in the atmosphere. Regardless of the cause, a group of survivors finds themselves trapped in a farmhouse as dozens of zombies try to break in and eat their flesh.

The movie was revolutionary not only for its portrayal of zombies but also the fact that its cast was led by Duane Jones, an African American stage actor who was cast in a role that rarely went to black actors at the time. With the undead pounding on the boarded-up doors and windows of the old house, the survivors are at each other's necks for having differing opinions on how to best see the situation through. And while a lot of the ideas and arguments found in Night of the Living Dead were revolutionary for their time, George Romero would better expand and entertain them 10 years later with the release of Dawn of the Dead.

1. Dawn Of The Dead (1978)

Most people would probably have Night of the Living Dead as the top movie in the franchise, but the 1978 sequel Dawn of the Dead is really the film that should be better remembered. Set in a world that is in the middle of the zombie outbreak, Dawn follows a group of four survivors (two cops, a television news producer, and helicopter pilot) as they seek refuge in a large shopping mall that is both filled with resources to survive and hundreds of zombies stumbling about looking for their next meal. As the group holds up in the mall they are forced to overcome a number of challenges if they wish to see the next day.

There is so much about Dawn of the Dead that makes it the best of George Romero's zombie movies, including another great portrayal of an African American hero in Ken Foree's Peter Washington as well as a modern female lead with her own thoughts and issues in Gaylen Ross' Fran Parker. Touching on topics like race, gender roles, safety, and American consumerism, Romero finds a way to make a meaningful and thought-out narrative set with the backdrop of starved zombies (with that iconic blue skin). On top of that, none of the other movies in the franchise feature a pie fight.

Above all, the George Romero Dead films are leaps and bounds better than just about every zombie movie to come before or since and offer much more than just thrills and chills, though there are plenty in each of these six entries. Do you agree with this ranking or do you think that Day of the Dead is actually the misunderstood middle child of the franchise and deserves more love? Either way, sign off in the comments, and don't forget the handy poll at the bottom of this story. And remember, when there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth…

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Zack Snyder is a visionary director. Now, I’m not comparing him to the likes of a Stanley Kubrick or an Alfred Hitchcock. Of course not. But I can say with certainty that when you see a Zack Snyder movie, you know it’s a Zack Snyder movie. Which is why you could tell from the very first scene of the Justice League that it wasn’t his baby. It just didn’t have the Zack Snyder feeling to it.

That said, I’m not necessarily saying that a Zack Snyder “feeling” is a good thing. In fact, while I’m interested in seeing what the Snyder Cut has to offer, I’m not one of the people who was banging on Warner Bros.’ door and demanding that they release the Snyder Cut! Because I saw The Batman V Superman Ultimate Edition, and, well, I didn't think it was that much better than the theatrical edition. But I do still think that Zack Snyder is a talented director who often uses visuals effectively, which is what I aim to talk about today. 

Oh, and as mentioned earlier, Justice League will not be on this list since most people don’t consider that a Zack Snyder movie. They consider it a Joss Whedon film. So, while we wait to see the Snyder Cut of Justice League, let's get to the list of Zack Snyder's best feature-length films, so far.

7. Sucker Punch (2011)

Sorry to all the Sucker Punch fans out there, but this is undoubtedly Zack Snyder's worst movie ever. Where do I begin? Well, let’s start with the story. It’s an absolute mess. It’s about a woman named “Babydoll” (played by Emily Browning) who’s in an insane asylum, but she imagines she’s in a bordello, and also imagines that she’s in some exaggerated fantasy world full of samurais and chain guns, and oh God, get me out of this movie.

It’s loud (both sonically and visually), it’s all over the place, and it has next to no character development. I said earlier that Zack Snyder is a visionary when it comes to visuals, but Sucker Punch just gives me a headache.

6. Man of Steel (2013)

I’ll give Zack Snyder this—Man of Steel is an audacious film. It takes one of the most iconic and hopeful characters ever, and turns him into a killer. Nobody can accuse Zack Snyder of not having chutzpah, that’s for sure. Starring Henry Cavill, Man of Steel is an origin story that wants to get right to the action, and it does so, having Superman collide into buildings and get beaten up. It’s like no other Superman movie before it.

But I don’t necessarily think that’s a good thing. I know it has its fans, but all I can think about when I picture this movie is Superman breaking General Zod’s neck. That and it’s lack of color. It all feels very washed out and blue, which I guess fits its melancholy tone.

5. Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)

The film that might have single-handedly shuttered any plans for a DC Extended Universe, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice pitted two of the most famous comic book characters ever against each other and should have been the biggest film of all time. Instead, Black Panther, which featured a significantly less popular character, far and away beat it at the box office two years later. What went wrong?

Chalk it up to a number of things, really. It was even darker than Man of Steel, it got negative reviews upon its release, and Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor certainly didn’t help matters. Still, there is stuff to like about BvS. The first act is pretty good, Ben Affleck is actually an amazing Batman, and we also got our first glimpse of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. The second and third acts are pretty atrocious (“Save… Martha”), and Doomsday was a wasted opportunity, but it’s not all bad. And yes, the Ultimate Edition is slightly better, but not by much.

4. Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010)

Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole is the weirdest movie in Zack Snyder’s oeuvre. Visually, it’s Snyder’s most beautiful movie, but it’s also a children’s film. About owls. That said, its tone is actually pretty Snyder-esque since it’s kind of dark. Based on a book series, the movie is strangely against following dreams. So really, it’s the kind of movie that I don’t think I’ll be showing my children anytime soon, but as a film for adults, it’s not terrible.

But again, visually, this is probably Zack Snyder’s most fully realized vision yet. I saw it in 3D when it first came out and remember walking out thinking that it was a gorgeous movie with a weird, somewhat dull storyline. But sometimes, pretty visuals are enough.

3. 300 (2007)

Pretty much the movie that made Zack Snyder’s career, 300 was the film that launched a thousand memes (“THIS… IS… SPARTA!”) and also Gerard Butler’s career. Using Frank Miller’s comic of the same name as an inspiration, 300 is the story of the 300 Spartans vs. the entire Persian army. And… that’s about it. It’s not a deep movie in any way, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s a blood-pumping, fist pounding movie, and 300% badass.

Really, when I think “Zack Snyder movie,” 300 is the first film that comes to my mind. His visual style probably comes through the clearest in this CG-heavy masterpiece. And yes, I just called 300 a masterpiece. CG-wise, anyway.

2. Dawn of the Dead (2004)

What a debut! A remake of the beloved George A. Romero original, this version does what all great remakes do, and that’s pay homage to the source material while also being its own thing. The 2004 Dawn of the Dead is scary, frenetic, and visually restrained given Snyder’s later films, but it all works in its favor. Plus, the zombies run, which is very different from the shambling zombies (which was originally a commentary on consumerism) from the original.

In fact, this movie doesn’t really have anything to say, and that’s just fine. As a thrilling horror movie, it’s probably my favorite Snyder film. But I know most people would consider the next film on this list to be his best work, so that’s why I’m including it there.

1. Watchmen (2009)

Is Watchmen as good as the graphic novel? No, since it’s missing a lot of its nuances. But it definitely gets an A for effort. Zack Snyder’s Watchmen is a bold project that visually follows many of the same panels from the comics, but also misses some of its subtlety. That’s okay, though, since again, we’re talking Zack Snyder here, so even a somewhat close approximation of what is considered the greatest graphic novel of all time is still pretty great. And of course, it’s a visual feast since it’s a Snyder film.

I would not consider Watchmen to be quintessential Zack Snyder, but I do think it’s the one movie that will live on better than all of his other films. His style and dark tone are at the forefront here, and he handles the source material well enough to make it feel like a worthy adaptation. And isn’t that enough?

In the end, Zack Snyder might get a lot of heat for the stamp he left on the DC universe, but most of his fans are pleased with his work, and the Snyder Cut might just be the Justice League movie we deserve. Here’s looking forward to his next movie, Army of the Dead, which is coming to Netflix. It’s another zombie flick, so you know I can’t wait for that.

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One of the many weird side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is, surprisingly, panic buying paper towels and toilet paper. There’s no real reason why this has been happening, but when videos of consumers looking like a zombie horde straight out a George Romero movie start to pop up, you know the situation is serious. Serious enough that all it takes is the right noises added to such a video to draw the approval of The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman.

The story gets even better though, after watching the video for yourself:

Not only is this particular tweet funny because zombie guru Robert Kirkman got a kick out of this footage looking like something his comic-turned-TV show could even get behind, but the joke was actually furthered in its quality by none other than Uncut Gems masterminds, the Safdie Brothers.

As it turns out, they were the ones to share the video on Twitter, which Kirkman then reshared with a caption that lovingly referred to the footage as a clip from the 1978 classic Dawn of the Dead. Though you’d think even the people that shot the footage had that eventual idea, as when you look at the man standing in the middle of the voracious crowd, he’s waving his arms like a victim of a zombie attack.

While the world isn’t nearly as bad off as any of George Romero’s Dead saga would have you believe, it’s still pretty scary out there when people will tear into a pallet of paper products without a moment’s hesitation. Though if you were a tree, you might feel like every day of your existence was as horrific, even in the before times.

Assuredly, this is the sort of influence that Robert Kirkman and anyone working on the future films for The Walking Dead franchise might want to keep in mind when drafting those adventures. Life is always a pretty impressive inspiration for art, and once the normalcy of the world is presumably restored, it’s almost certain that these happenings will find their way into fiction.

Though if the Safdie brothers are in the mix and want to collaborate with Robert Kirkman, they could always cook up a short film about what would happen if Uncut Gems’ Howard Ratner would hold up in a confrontation with Andrew Lincoln’s silver screen bound hero Rick Grimes.

The Walking Dead continues to air on AMC, Sunday nights at 9 pm ET, Meanwhile, Uncut Gems is available on Digital HD, Blu-ray, and DVD, just in time for home audiences to dig into its tense, non-apocalyptic disasters. Keep checking in with CinemaBlend for more updates on movie and TV news, especially when it comes to how the spread of the coronavirus is shaking things up.

For about as long as I can remember, I have always been drawn to zombie apocalypse movies, and have long thought that the best horror movies involve armies of the undead. What started out as a fear of flesh-eating ghouls slowly turned into an enjoyment of the genre. If there was a zombie movie on DVD, I had it in my collection. And whenever there was a possibility of some kind of ghoul showing up in an upcoming horror movie, I would make plans to be there.

I've watched a lot of zombie movies over the years and thought it would be fun to put together a list of my favorites and the various ways you can watch them online. And yes, George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later are finally on the list after not being available digitally for years.

Apocalypse Z: The Beginning Of The End (2024)

Seemingly released out of nowhere in late 2024, Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End premiered on Prime Video and quickly became a massive hit. Set in Spain, Carles Torrens’ zombie thriller follows a grieving widow named Manel (Francisco Ortiz) as he tries to survive a mysterious viral outbreak turning people into flesh-eating monsters. Equipped with a dirtbike, some great improvised armor, and his trusty pet cat, Manel races against time (and an army of the undead) to reach safety.

Stream Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End on Prime Video.

28 Days Later (2002)

After being missing from streaming for a few years, Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later is finally available in digital storefronts. First released in 2002, this low-fi thriller centers on a courier named Jim (Cillian Murphy) as he awakes from a coma to discover that London has been devastated by a mysterious virus. Joined by other survivors, Jim seeks to make sense of the mad world around him, ultimately ending up in an abandoned mansion with a group of soldiers.

Rent/Buy 28 Days Later on Amazon.

Dead Snow (2009)

A skiing trip in Norway seems like a great way for a group of medical students to blow off some steam, until they find themselves fighting an army of the undead north of the Arctic Circle. But these aren’t just normal zombies - they’re a battalion of Nazis whose corpses have come back from the dead decades after the end of World War II. Tommy Wirkola’s has everything you’d want in a zombie movie: thrills, chills, blood, gore, and Nazis getting absolutely wrecked.

Rent/Buy Dead Snow on Amazon.

Blood Quantum (2020)

Jeff Barnaby’s Blood Quantum offers a unique spin on the zombie genre. Set in an isolated Red Crow reserve, the movie follows a group of natives immune to the zombie plague as they try to protect those who are not while also keeping order in their community. Blood, drama, guts, action, and an interesting premise make this 2020 horror flick an engaging and intense thriller like no other.

Rent/Buy Blood Quantum on Amazon.

Alone (2020)

When a zombie outbreak turns his city into a feasting ground for the undead, a young man named Aidan (Tyler Posey) makes the decision to barricade himself in his apartment in an attempt to wait it out. As the days turn to weeks and weeks to months, Aidan makes the brash decision to go out into the world to save another survivor, a decision that could cost him his life.

Rent/Buy Alive on Amazon.

Maggie (2015)

If someone were to pitch a zombie movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, most would assume it would be an action-packed thriller with some wild sequences and catchy one-liners. However, Henry Hobson’s Maggie is anything but that. In this tense and incredibly emotional drama, Schwarzenegger plays the devoted father of a young girl (played by Abigail Breslin) who has become infected after being bitten by a zombie. A touching and gut-wrenching affair, the movie shows the great lengths parents go to protect their children, even in the face of an inevitable fate.

Stream Maggie on Prime Video.
Rent/Buy Maggie on Amazon.

The Night Eats The World (2018)

Dominique Rocher’s The Night Eats the World (or La nuit a dévoré le monde in French) follows a musician living in Paris (played by Anders Danielsen Lie) as he awakens one morning to discover that a zombie outbreak has taken over the French capital. Less of a movie about daring escapes and the search for answers, this thrilling horror film instead focuses on a lone man’s attempt to survive the apocalypse one day at a time.

Stream The Night Eats the World on Peacock.
Stream The Night Eats the World on Prime Video.
Rent/Buy The Night Eats the World on Amazon.

The Dead Next Door (1989)

The Dead Next Door is perhaps one of the cheesiest zombie movies of all time, but that’s honestly part of its charm. J. R. Bookwalter’s 1989 horror flick follows a group known as the Zombie Squad as they attempt to get control of a massive outbreak of undead flesh-eaters. Things take a turn, however, when they enter the turf of a crazed cult that may or may not have a cure. Outrageous gore, voiceovers by Bruce Campbell, and the home video look and feel make this a cult classic worth revisiting.

Stream The Dead Next Door on Plex.
Stream The Dead Next Door on Tubi.

Dawn Of The Dead (1978) 

Featuring some of the most resourceful horror movie characters, a great setting, and more social commentary than we know what to do with, George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead is still considered one of the best zombie movies of all time more than 45 years after its release. This 1978 classic follows a helicopter pilot, his pregnant TV news station producer girlfriend, and two cops as they escape Philadelphia and take refuge at a massive indoor mall. Bountiful resources and a place to lay their heads await, but so do hundreds of flesh-eating ghouls trapped within.

Sure, this horror sequel is campier than its predecessor, Night of the Living Dead, and it doesn’t feel as claustrophobic, but this doesn’t mean it’s lacking in any way. In fact, thanks to Tom Savini’s impressive and inventive make-up and special effects work, this movie blows away anything that came before.

Rent/Buy Dawn Of The Dead on Amazon.

Braindead (1992)

Before Peter Jackson became a director known for The Lord of the Rings, King Kong, and documentaries like The Beatles: Get Back, the New Zealand filmmaker made a name for himself in the world of horror. One of his best features is 1992’s Braindead, a zombie movie that combines equal parts horror and comedy to create a hilarious and blood-soaked cinematic experience.

Also known as Dead Alive, the movie follows Lionel Cosgrove (Timothy Balme) as he tries to keep his mother, Vera (Elizabeth Moody) in quarantine after she is bitten by a rat, only for her to repeatedly escape and infect more and more of their neighbors. Filled with camp, comedy, romance, and buckets of blood, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Rent/Buy Braindead on Amazon.

Nightmare City (1980)

Umberto Lenzi’s 1980 Italian horror film, Nightmare City (also released as City of the Walking Dead) combines elements of zombie movies, vampire thrillers, and anti-nuclear sentiments to tell its wild, engaging, and terrifying story. Sent to cover the emergency landing of a military plane carrying scientists investigating a nuclear accident, a news reporter (played by Hugo Stiglitz) instead witnesses a group of crazed and seemingly invincible men attacks and drink the blood of soldiers on the runway.

What follows is a race against time to not only tell and warn people of the ensuing danger but also try to get to the bottom of the story and figure out its cause before it's too late. Forced quarantine, a city bursting at the seams with ghouls, and other dangers make this no easy task.

Stream Nightmare City on Kanopy.

Night Of The Creeps (1986)

Fred Dekker, who’d go on to work on everything from The Monster Squad to Tales from the Crypt, got his start with the 1986 sci-fi/horror comedy, Night of the Creeps. When two college students (played by Jason Lively and Steve Marshall) steal a cadaver as part of an initiation ceremony to join a frat at their college, they unwittingly take a corpse that is under the control of alien invaders. As the zombies begin to grow in numbers (thanks to extraterrestrial slugs), Corman University becomes ground zero of the apocalypse.

If you’re a fan of B movies, zombies, aliens, and all things ‘80s, then this campy yet earnest horror flick is going to quickly become one of your go-to cult classics.

Rent/Buy Night Of The Creeps on Amazon.

28 Weeks Later (2007)

Released in 2007, 28 Weeks Later is one of those awesome horror movie sequels that works despite being a major departure from its predecessor. Set months after the initial release of the “Rage” Virus that decimated England, the movie centers on a group of U.N. soldiers as they try to contain its spread.

Though none of the actors from the 28 Days Later cast return for this one, the audience is introduced to some outstanding characters throughout this action-packed horror thriller. Oh, and that opening sequence is still just as great more than a decade-and-a-half later. And with the upcoming 28 Years Later on the way, now would be a fun time to revisit this thrilling zombie flick.

Rent/Buy 28 Weeks Later on Amazon.

Army Of The Dead (2021) 

Seventeen years after coming onto the scene with his surprisingly good Dawn of the Dead remake, Zack Snyder returned to the zombie genre with the Netflix exclusive, Army of the Dead. This flashy, over-the-top, and action-packed Las Vegas adventure feels like Ocean’s Eleven with zombies, because of its setting and large ensemble cast.

Set years after a zombie outbreak devastated Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries led by Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) is sent into the ruins of Sin City to break into a massive vault and recover $200 million hidden inside. Just like his Dawn of the Dead movie, this action-packed, blood-filled, and rather emotional zombie flick has a lot of brains and heart.

Stream Army of the Dead on Netflix.

Little Monsters (2019)

In 2019, Abe Forsythe gave the world his unique spin on the zombie genre with the horror-comedy, Little Monsters. Instead of a group of mercenaries sent into a deadly location or a group of scientists trying to find a cure, this charming tale centers around a kindergarten teacher played by Lupita Nyong’o, a children’s TV show host portrayed by Josh Gad, and Alexander England’s washed-up musician as they try to protect a group of young kids from a deadly zombie outbreak.

With a lot of heart, soul, and so much gore, this remarkably funny zombie romp is full of surprises and great moments around each corner. Like zombies grabbing your limbs, this movie takes hold of your heart.

Stream Little Monsters on Hulu.

Zombie (1979) 

Zombie (or Zombi 2) is Lucio Fulci’s 1979 unofficial sequel to George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. But instead of taking place in a shopping mall, the movie is mostly set on a Caribbean island and follows a researcher, a journalist, and several other new characters as they investigate claims of a strange viral outbreak.

This movie is just as terrifying as it is campy (a zombie fights a shark), features one of the most disgusting eye scenes of all time, and is definitely not for the faint of heart. However, this is a classic addition to the genre that is a must for horror fans, even if it is just to check out the impressive zombie effects and all that incredible gore.

Rent/Buy Zombie on Amazon.

Land Of The Dead (2005)

After a 20-year break, the late George A. Romero returned to his iconic zombie franchise with 2005’s Land of the Dead. Set in a walled-off Pittsburgh protected from the millions of ghouls outside its gates, the movie plays out like A Tale of Two Cities but with zombies, in that the wealthy live a life of luxury and security in a massive tower while everyone else fights for scraps (and their lives).

If a rebellion to overthrow the ruthless Paul Kaufman (Dennis Hopper) isn’t bad enough, the survivors also have to deal with a group of undead who have evolved and started to work under the direction of Big Daddy (Eugene Clark), one of the smartest and best movie zombies of all time.

Rent/Buy Land of the Dead on Amazon.

Planet Terror (2007) 

Released as one half of the Grindhouse double-feature, director Robert Rodriguez’s 2007 zombie thriller, Planet Terror, is one hell of a ride. On a seemingly normal night, a rural Texas town becomes overrun with zombies that bring death, destruction, and chaos to the once-quiet community.

Injured go-go dancer Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan), whose leg is ripped off in the mayhem and later replaced with an assault rifle, and her ex-boyfriend El Wray (Freddy Rodriguez) lead a group of survivors through the night in hopes of creating a better tomorrow. This proves to be no easy task, however, and survival is far from guaranteed.

Rent/Buy Planet Terror on Amazon.

One Cut Of The Dead (2017) 

Shin'ichirō Ueda’s uniquely funny 2017 Japanese zombie comedy, One Cut of the Dead, follows an obsessive filmmaker, his cast, and crew as they film a horror movie in an abandoned and haunted plant that is attacked by real zombies. Instead of screeching to a halt, the production continues and is completed in a single take due to various reasons.

It’s best to stop reading about One Shot of the Dead there, as the movie takes some wild and crazy turns that are so off-the-wall they’re hard to believe.

Rent/Buy One Cut of the Dead on Amazon.

Train To Busan (2016)

Nearly a half-century after George A. Romero introduced audiences to the idea of the flesh-eating undead masses, South Korean filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho gave us one of the most refreshing and beautifully crafted films in the genre with 2016's Train To Busan. Set aboard a high-speed train infested with the walking dead, this movie carries on a lot of the messages that Romero inserted into his classic Dead anthology.

Throughout its nearly two-hour runtime, Train To Busan contains some of the best and most inventive trappings for its survivors. With one half of the survivors stuck on the back of the train and the other half on the front, they must find a way through the wall of zombies separating the two.

Stream Train to Busan on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Train to Busan on Amazon.

Rec (2007) 

Often considered one of the best found footage horror movies, the 2007 Spanish thriller, Rec, follows a young reporter (Manuela Velasco) as she and her cameraman (Pablo Rosso) become trapped in an apartment complex in which the residents are turned into flesh-eating zombies.

Directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, this streamlined thriller makes the most of its 78-minute runtime to produce one of the most frightening and unique experiences that pumped new life into the zombie horror subgenre upon release.

Stream Rec on Tubi.
Rent/Buy Rec on Amazon.

Cargo (2018) 

Based on their 2013 short film of the same name, Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke’s 2017 zombie drama, Cargo, follows a father (Martin Freeman) as he and his infant daughter navigate rural Australia in hopes of being rescued in the midst of a massive viral outbreak that turns people into rabid monsters within 48 hours.

In a race against time, and the onset of infection, the father searches for a way out of the terrifying situation, one that only gets more dire by the minute. Far more dramatic than most zombie movies, Cargo will absolutely leave you gutted by the time it’s finished.

Stream Cargo on Netflix.

Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

You couldn't have a list of the best zombie movies without including George A. Romero's landmark low-budget thriller, Night Of The Living Dead. Not only did this 1968 classic start one of the greatest horror franchises in the history of cinema, it was also paramount in the creation of the modern zombie movie.

This black-and-white tale of the undead follows a small group of strangers who seek shelter in an old farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania. As the zombies slowly begin to overtake the exterior of the house, the survivors are verbally ripping one another apart as they fail to put aside their differences.

Stream Night of the Living Dead on Max.
Stream Night of the Living Dead on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Night of the Living Dead on Amazon.

Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

Not all zombie movies have to be dark and dreary retellings of the apocalypse as Edgar Wright showed us in the hilarious horror comedy Shaun Of The Dead. Written alongside the film's star, Simon Pegg, this parody of the genre remains one of the best zombie movies.

Following the life of Shaun (Pegg), a down-on-his-luck electronics salesman and his best friend Ed (Nick Frost), the film pits the two deadbeat losers against hordes of undead on the streets of London. While technically a comedy, Shaun Of The Dead doesn't hold back on the gore, guts, or headshots as Shaun, Ed, and their friends and family try to escape to their favorite bar, the Winchester, where who knows what'll happen.

Rent/Buy Shaun of the Dead on Amazon.

Zombieland (2009)

If you are looking for a star-studded cast, loads of comedy, and plenty of zombie kills then Zombieland is the movie for you. Released in 2009, this Ruben Fleischer picture brings together Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin as the group of outcasts come together and make their way across the continental United States that has been all but destroyed by the masses of undead littering the landscape.

One part comedy and one part horror, this highly imaginative mashup of the genres offers some of the most inventive zombie kills and plot devices ever seen in horror movies. With a long list of "rules" in order to prolong their survival, this ragtag group gives us laughs, chills, and plenty of kills. There are even a few tears along the way.

Stream Zombieland on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Zombieland on Amazon.

Day Of The Dead (1985)

In 1985, George A. Romero completed his original Dead trilogy with Day of the Dead, an extremely bleak concluding chapter that picked up years into the zombie apocalypse. Confined to a military base established in an old mining system, a group of scientists and soldiers attempt to coexist in hopes of finding a cure for the virus that has brought humanity to its knees.

While Romero's previous efforts lacked in the detailed gore department, Day of the Dead goes all out with some of the best work by legendary special effects artist Tom Savini. It’s slower, meaner, and less action-packed than Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, but this ‘80s horror movie has quite the bite.

Stream Day of the Dead on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Day of the Dead on Amazon.

Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

Zack Snyder’s Dawn Of The Dead, which was written by James Gunn, is similar to George A. Romero’s horror classic in name and setting only, but that's not to say it's a bad movie. Instead, it's just a different approach to the zombie mall concept. With an ensemble cast that includes Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, and Ty Burrell before he went on to become the lovable Phil Dunphy on Modern Family, this reimagining has some bright spots.

The most memorable of those scenes is the film's opening, in which Polley's character must escape her suburban neighborhood as it's being ripped apart by the undead masses. The way the scene transitions to the superb title sequence still amazes me.

Rent/Buy Dawn of the Dead on Amazon.

Warm Bodies (2013)

Who says you can't have a romantic comedy set inside a world that has been overtaken by millions of zombies? I guess no one told Jonathan Levine that before he adapted and directed the 2013 zombie comedy Warm Bodies about a ghoul by the name of "R" (Nicholas Hoult) who falls in love with a very living Julie Grigio (Teresa Palmer).

Based on a novel by the same name, the oddball comedy horror mashup is as funny as it is terrifying as the romance blooms in a world that is nearly a decade into a widespread zombie outbreak. With their perfect mixture of romance, thrills, and chills, Warm Bodies is perfect for anyone looking for a happier approach to the zombie genre.

Rent/Buy Warm Bodies on Amazon.

The Dead Don't Die (2019)

I could hem and haw about the intricacies of Jim Jarmusch's absurdist The Dead Don't Die, but I'll cut to the chase and say that this is one of the most refreshing and hilarious zombie movies I've ever seen. Not quite a horror movie and yet still not exactly your typical comedy, this mishmash of genres, along with the insane cast (Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Iggy Pop, Tom Waits, etc.), The Dead Don't Die is a gem.

When a zombie outbreak takes over a small city, the local police force, mortician, and hermit must make sense of the world around them as the dead mysteriously return from the grave. This one isn't for everyone, but man is it great.

Stream The Dead Don’t Die on Netflix.
Rent/Buy The Dead Don’t Die on Amazon.

The Return Of The Living Dead (1985)

I was just a kid when I first saw The Return Of The Living Dead, so young that I failed to see the humor in this 1985 oddball horror comedy and thought it was the scariest movie I'd ever seen. It was truly frightening watching this classic on WGN that fateful October afternoon. Since then, I've grown to love this unconventional zombie movie about a viral outbreak in Louisville, Kentucky, of all places.

Written and directed by Dan O'Bannon, who's mostly known for writing the screenplay for Ridley Scott's Alien six years earlier, The Return Of The Living Dead takes place in a world in which Night Of The Living Dead was based. Add a medical disaster, a gang of street punks, and a soundtrack for the ages, and you have yourself one of the goofiest and goriest comedies to come out of the 1980s.

Rent/Buy The Return of the Living Dead on Amazon.

World War Z (2013)

And then there is the Marc Foster-directed World War Z, starring Brad Pitt as Gerry Lane, a former United Nations investigator who is tasked with finding the cause of a viral outbreak that has spread throughout the world. Based on the novel of the same name by Max Brooks, World War Z, is a fun, globetrotting adventure about a man who happens to find himself in the face of danger at every turn.

The film is a departure from the narrative structure of the well-written novel on which it was based, but World War Z does have some of the most exciting action sequences and a finale in the zombie-infested World Health Organization headquarters that still makes me quiver all these years later.

Stream World War Z on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy World War Z on Amazon.

Well, this should be enough to hold you over while we wait for the next great zombie movie to take us back to the graveyard.

Do you feel like crap too? It's flu season. Not to mention the coronavirus is spreading. On that note, you might be spending some sick days at home. Some people suggest light rom-com movies to watch when you're sick to make you feel better. I feel differently. On Mondays I tend to recommend stuff to stream, and today I'm suggesting you get down with the sickness by streaming these 10 movies about deadly viruses. Go ahead and scare that cold away!

Night Of The Living Dead 

If you feel like the living dead, you should join your people by streaming this 1968 George A. Romero classic. Victor Halperin's 1932 movie White Zombie is widely considered the first zombie film, but Night of the Living Dead is the granddaddy of modern zombie movies, whether the walking dead are calling zombies or not. Modern films tend to go for a faster zombie approach -- everyone is in such a rush to die these days! -- but it's worth slowing down to appreciate the leisurely pace of past attacks. Night of the Living Dead can be streamed right now on Tubi, Shudder, Sling TV, and Starz.

Contagion

Director Steven Soderbergh's star-studded 2011 virus movie is currently enjoying a huge streaming boost "thanks" to the coronavirus. Contagion's virus also spread from China, and even though there are major differences (and the movie is fiction) the movie is pretty helpful with its general reminder to stop touching your damn face every few seconds. (That reminder was for me. I do that all the time, and every time I do it I can hear Kate Winslet's character shaming me. I'm sorry, Dr. Mears!) I love everything about this movie from the soundtrack to the heartbreaking story -- to shaking my head at Jude Law's smarmy blogger to loving Matt Damon's #1 dad. It shouldn't take a virus for anyone to appreciate this movie. And that ending prom dance! I tear up every time. Stream Contagion with a Hulu subscription or pay to rent/buy it at Amazon, FandangoNOW, Vudu, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, or wherever you pay for such things.

Outbreak

Before Contagion came along to scare us into not touching anything, there was Outbreak to scare us into not wanting to breathe. The 1995 virus outbreak film stars Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Spacey (back when we all loved him), Cuba Gooding J., Morgan Freeman, Donald Sutherland, Rene Russo, and -- somehow I forgot this -- Patrick Dempsey. It's another heartbreaker of a movie with a plot just realistic enough to get you scared it could happen in real life. Netflix does not have this movie as of February 2020 -- or most of the others I put on here, to be honest -- but you can pay a couple of bucks to stream Outbreak on Amazon, iTunes, etc.

28 Days Later

Danny Boyle made one of the all-time great virus movies and it works so well because it's low-budget and low-tech. It's not splashy or filled with major stars. The realism just adds to the dread and heartbreak. This was Cillian Murphy's breakout role, but it also put Bond star Naomie Harris on the map. And don't forget Brendan Gleeson as another standout dad or Christopher Eccleston in his chilling military role. (The military often ends up on the wrong side of history in these movies.) The cast is relatively small, since it's the end of the world, and we come to care about all of them. I didn't love the sequel, 28 Weeks Later, but you can watch that too if you like. I won't drop blood in your eye or anything. Stream 28 Days Later on Hulu, or pay to rent/buy at the usual spots.

World War Z

I remember all the behind-the-scenes issues with Brad Pitt's movie, which was based very loosely on the Max Brooks novel. So when it finally arrived in theaters in 2013 I was prepared for it to be a hot mess. Instead, I thought it was pretty fantastic, and I'm still waiting for more. I love every virus outbreak but there's a special place in my heart for the ones that show the effect around the world -- a globe-trotting film like Contagion or World War Z as opposed to focusing on one location like the raw realism of 28 Days Later. In this case, it allows for harrowing scenes like that one in Jerusalem as the zombies scale the walls. [shivers] Stream World War Z on Hulu with a subscription or pay a few bucks at the usual digital spots.

12 Monkeys

Brad Pitt again! The man does love to go viral. Brad Pitt recently talked about hating his performance in the second half of this movie. The Academy didn't agree, giving him an Oscar nomination as Jeffrey Goines. Bruce Willis is the main star, though, as prisoner James Cole in 2035, sent back in time to try to help stop the virus that will eventually spread and kill off most of humanity. Madeleine Stowe plays his 1990 psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly in a movie that manages to balance time travel, a virus outbreak, and the usual surreal images and off-kilter humor you can expect from a Terry Gilliam film. 12 Monkeys was inspired by Chris Marker's La Jetée, and so was the 12 Monkeys TV series that aired on Syfy. Stream 12 Monkeys on Hulu or for just a couple of bucks to rent at Amazon, etc.

The Omega Man

Richard Matheson's 1954 novel I Am Legend gave us three great virus movies: Vincent Price's The Last Man on Earth in 1964, Charlton Heston's The Omega Man in 1971, and Will Smith's I Am Legend, noted below. Each movie adapted the story a little bit differently for its own time. In The Omega Man, biological warfare is to blame for the plague that wipes out most of humanity. Heston's Neville gives himself an experimental vaccine to survive and battles a cult of plague victims called The Family. Neville thinks he's the only man alive until he meets other survivors, including Lisa, played by the great Rosalind Cash. The movie is a cult classic today and you can stream it to rent/buy at YouTube and the usual places.