For most fans of zombie films, it's all about gore, blood, and guts. However, fans can also be captivated by the specifics of the zombie outbreak. Differences between the virus of World War Z and the human-created T-Virus bioweapon of the Resident Evil franchise make for fascinating possibilities across the genre. A world brought to its knees by an outbreak that spreads in the blink of an eye is undeniably fascinating.
What most people probably don't think of when considering zombie movies, however, is how emotional they can be. Of course, death is a huge part of the genre. Without death, zombies usually can't exist. Without high stakes, the world loses its impact. Most fans don't turn on a gory film expecting to cry.
10 Shaun Of The Dead Balances Comedy, Gore, And Sentiment
Shaun of the Dead is one of the best-known comedy horror films out there. Recognizable for being hilarious, gory, and an amazing rib on the genre, Shaun of the Dead has gathered quite a fan base. Despite this movie being the perfect balance of horror and comedy, it has some surprisingly tearful moments.
One scene in particular, where Ed decides that he's going to stay behind, is a real tear-jerker. Already infected, Ed urges his friends to abandon him so they can live. Shaun of the Dead even concludes with Shaun visiting Ed, who's now a zombie and locked up in the shed. Unable to let his friend go, Shaun sits down to play a game with him.
9 Pet Sematary Is A Great Commentary On The Grief Of Losing A Child
Pet Sematary might not come to mind as a traditional zombie movie, but the entire premise of the original film and the 2019 remake fit the bill. Something dead is buried in the cursed cemetery and comes back the next day. Both movies are similar in premise, but they're both difficult to watch for the same reasons.
A grieving father buries his deceased child in the cemetery, which hits hard. A parent forced to witness the gruesome and sudden death of their young child is enough to make anyone cry. Considering the rest of both films deal with grief and caving to the temptation of reanimating loved ones, Pet Sematary continues to pull at the heartstrings.
8 Resident Evil: The Final Chapter Enrages Long-Term Fans
Some movies make their audience cry for all the wrong reasons and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter is one of the best examples in the zombie genre. While the film series has always been divisive amongst Resident Evil fans due to its deviation from the source material, the final addition to the original series may be the worst offender.
For eliminating most of the iconic video game characters off camera, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter left fans enraged and in tears. Fans expected the film to pick up where Resident Evil: Retribution left off, with an epic showdown at the Whitehouse with Alice and fan favorites, like Leon S. Kennedy and Jill Valentine. Instead, this battle happens offscreen and only Alice survives.
7 Warm Bodies Is Surprisingly Heartwarming And Uplifting
Warm Bodies is another stab at turning something gruesome into something hilarious and heartfelt. Set in a zombie apocalypse, the world of Warm Bodies is collapsing in on itself. Thus far, no cure has been discovered and the infected count is on the rise.
Then, Julie finds herself trapped outside a safe zone. Amongst the zombies, her determination and her vibrant personality have a positive impact on the surrounding undead. The main zombie, R, takes a special liking to her. Warm Bodies introduces the idea that love could be a cure for the zombie virus. While this concept may seem ridiculous to some, it's enough to bring audiences to tears with how pure Julie and R's relationship is.
6 Contracted Emphasizes The Gritty Details Of A Zombie Transformation
Contracted follows the story of Samantha, a young woman who believes she's contracted an STD after being assaulted at a party. Over the next several days, her body slowly breaks down and begins to decay. What she originally believed to be an infection turned out to be the beginning of a zombie outbreak.
Contracted is graphic, deals with sensitive topics, and focuses on extreme body horror. This film elicits emotion from the audience, whether they're crying over the horror Samantha has suffered at the hands of her attacker or hiding at the site of her rotting body.
5 I Am Legend Pulls On The Heartstrings Of Dog Lovers Everywhere
Based on a book of the same name, I am Legend stars Will Smith as the isolated protagonist, Dr. Robert Neville. The entirety of I am Legend revolves around the doctor and his dog living in the aftermath of an outbreak. Alone, he attempts to cure the infected.
I am Legend's premise is enough to make viewers cry. Watching a desperate man who has lost everything attempt to fix the world feels like watching an impossible mission. Most, however, will remember this movie for the scene where his canine companion gets infected while protecting him. Unable to cure the poor pup, Robert is forced to kill her before she turns.
4 The Girl With All The Gifts Shows The Costs Of Saving The World
The Girl with all the Gifts takes a unique approach to the narrative of a zombie apocalypse. In a world overrun by "hungries," the only hope for a cure is a group of children who were born infected. Scientists hope to use these human-zombie hybrids to develop a cure.
One girl, Melanie, stands out amongst the kids. Regarded as dangerous, Melanie is mistreated and restrained. Similar to Ellie in The Last of Us, Melanie is set to go through a fatal procedure. Believing this procedure will allow the development of a vaccine, audiences are deliberately torn between protecting this poor girl and the greater good.
3 Maggie Draws Out The Turning Process And It's Hard To Watch
Maggie follows the titular character through the aftermath of being bitten. In an attempt to spare her family from grief and despair, she runs away from home so that her loved ones won't have to watch her slowly turn.
Inevitably, Maggie's father brings her home to care for her until she has to be quarantined. The slow-burn agony of watching Maggie struggle with the reality of the situation and the hopelessness that comes with waiting for the end is an emotional rollercoaster. For some, it forces viewers to reflect on their mortality.
2 Train To Busan Focuses On The Bond Between Father And Daughter
This South Korean horror film focuses on an overworked single father who's traveling with his daughter. Train to Busan pulls on the heartstrings as Seok-woo boards a train to take his young daughter, Su-an, to see her mother for her birthday. Shortly after boarding, an infected woman boards the train and spreads the virus.
In the end, despite being depicted as not having time for his daughter, Seok-woo sacrifices himself to get her to safety. Viewers are left cheering for the survival of the young girl, but grieving the loss of her father.
1 Night Of The Living Dead Moves Its Audience With Commentary On Racism
Perhaps one of the most influential zombie films of all time, Night of the Living Dead has stood the test of time due to its social commentary on racism. Ben, a Black man, helps a group of survivors hiding in a house from the undead. After each survivor is picked off, Ben is the last man standing.
After surviving until morning, Ben decides to leave, only to be shot dead by police who arrive on the scene. Night of the Living Dead suggests he was gunned down because he was mistaken for a zombie, but the meaning behind this ending runs much deeper. The ending is important because it's a direct parallel to unwarranted violence against Black people.