The 10 Best '90s Zombie Movies Ranked
Think of zombie Movies and the 1990s might not spring to mind right away, but the decade had some real gems hiding amongst the VHS tapes. It wasn't exactly the "Golden Age" of the Zombie genre, which some would say had hit its peak in the 1960s with George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead, but it did manage to throw up some genuinely creative horror, comedy, and everything in-between. This was a time where the genre started branching out and experimenting - we got more horror comedy, lots of gore, and some wildly creative approaches to the whole "undead horde" thing.
From Hong Kong cinema to the legendary Clive Barker, this was a diverse and wild period for the genre. You'll find iconic movie stars and filmmakers you might not even expect to be part of the Zombie world. So get your brain-munching snack on and join us as we dig into our top ten!
Ed and His Dead Mother (1993): A Zombie Movie Like No Other?
Here's the deal with Ed and His Dead Mother. It's weird. Think quirky horror comedy that's less about the actual undead, more about one man's bizarre relationship with his reanimated, well... mum. And you know who's front and center? Steve Buscemi. If you're already hooked, then you're in for a treat because this flick has everything you could ask for.
Think Steve Buscemi with a zombified, dog-chasing, knife-wielding mum - the sheer concept alone makes you chuckle, right? Ed and His Dead Mother does try its best to be scary, but honestly, the "zombie" elements are less focused on horror, more about wacky, chaotic shenanigans. It's definitely a bit of an odd duck, and you either love its crazy style or think it's a dollar store knock-off of something better.
Bio Zombie (1998): Hong Kong's Zombie Romp
Before he gave us kung fu masterworks like Ip Man and Flash Point, Hong Kong director Wilson Yip gave us Bio Zombie - his tribute to the Romero classic Dawn of the Dead. And just like a certain Peter Jackson movie, this one gets messy, real messy. Think shoppers, mall employees, and, well, hordes of zombies thanks to a tainted drink. Talk about a recipe for chaos.
Bio Zombie isn't afraid to mix comedy and horror in equal measure, making a point of poking fun at consumerism. Sure, some might call it a bit derivative - borrowing heavily from the greats - but with its Hong Kong special effects, wild twists, and unexpected thrills, it's hard to deny this is a whole lot of fun. And those classic zombie-movie nods? They're just an extra dose of awesome.
Idle Hands (1999): Teen Horror-Comedy, and That Killer Hand
The 90s were golden for teen flicks. From stoner comedies to brooding angsty stories, it was an era that knew what teens loved. Enter Idle Hands, a bonkers teen comedy starring Devon Sawa (remember him as Casper in Casper?) as a stoner teenager whose hand becomes, well, a possessed killing machine. This movie embraces all those ridiculousness tropes: a bad-ass rock soundtrack with bands like Blink 182 and The Offspring and enough over-the-top humour to make you forget this movie is technically horror.
Idle Hands hit theatres around the same time as that other horror-comedy smash, Scary Movie, but what set this one apart was that it still delivered some real horror thrills. Let's face it, you never really saw anything quite like a hand with a mind of its own going on a bloody killing spree, so this is where Idle Hands shines, for sure.
Nightbreed (1990): Clive Barker's Creature Feature
If you love your monsters, your creepy crawlies, and a hefty dose of gothic horror, Nightbreed is the one for you. And no surprise here - it’s from the twisted mind of Clive Barker, the guy behind Hellraiser! In this flick, a mental patient named Aaron Boone stumbles upon a hidden city of, well, creepy-crawly nightbreeds - monsters that have their own whole mythology.
The real genius of Nightbreed lies in its visual design and incredible worldbuilding. You get a strong whiff of Lovecraftian cosmic horror ( think deep space madness and tentacles), but also a heaping dose of gothic atmosphere. There’s even a stellar role for David Cronenberg, the master of body horror, as a murderous psychotherapist. So if you like those gnarly, mind-bending creatures, Nightbreed is a must-see, no doubt.
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998): Zombies for the Whole Family?
Okay, so some purists might balk at calling a Scooby-Doo movie one of the best zombie films, but let's be real - Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island was seriously engaging. This one took Scooby-Doo to a whole new level - think a genuinely creepy adventure full of pirate zombies. This is the best of Scooby's big-screen exploits.
And if you thought Scooby-Doo was only for kids, you're in for a surprise! The animation was way more polished than the show’s earlier run, and those zombie pirates gave Scooby and Shaggy a truly menacing challenge. The whole story took on a darker, more realistic vibe, reminding everyone that sometimes, things go bump in the night. That, along with the fast pace, made Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island a classic that revived the Scooby-Doo craze.
Cemetery Man (1994): Italy's Take on a Grave Situation
Cemetery Man - Italian for "Death and Dead". Pretty grim stuff, but trust me - this is more on the hilarious side. It's an ode to Sam Raimi's Evil Dead, sprinkled with some Re-Animator madness, where Rupert Everett stars as a cemetery caretaker, trying to find love in a graveyard filled with zombies! Cemetery Man is wild.
This quirky gem blends Italian film style, horror-comedy shenanigans, and a unique mix of realism and surreality. While it may fly under the radar for some, it's definitely earned praise from a few big names. Martin Scorsese, yes, that Martin Scorsese, actually considered it one of the best Italian Movies from the 90s, so there’s that. Cemetery Man may seem over the top but beneath its campy exterior, there's plenty of symbolism too, looking at the endless cycle of death, fascism and life's unending struggle for control.
Return of the Living Dead 3 (1993): A Sequel With Heart (and Zombies)
It's not often you get a horror sequel that actually steps up the game, but Return of the Living Dead 3 pulls it off. If you're not familiar with the original, it's the movie that introduced us to those brain-hungry, living dead, and the third sequel had a lot to live up to. While it ditches the punk rock feel of the first film, the premise of a zombie-fied lover in need of saving is both terrifying and sweet.
Director Brian Yuzna keeps the dark humor of the original alive and kicking. It might not quite be a masterpiece like its predecessor, but the grungy atmosphere and moody style put a new spin on this classic horror series. A must-see for all the true fans out there - especially those with a taste for dark humor.
Bride of Re-Animator (1991): More Body Horror Please!
Let’s be real. Nothing could truly beat the sheer insanity of Re-Animator. Still, Bride of Re-Animator is a great sequel and an insane continuation of the original mad scientist tale where Herbert West attempts to, wait for it...create a living woman from the dead. Yeah, you read that right!
You're going to love this sequel. You have those incredible stop motion and puppet effects, an outrageous style, and a hearty helping of that wild humor that made the original such a hit. But if you want more of the original movie’s sharp wit and well-structured story, then you might find this one doesn’t hit quite as high as the first. This movie is more of a campy ride. The bottom line is this, if you loved the original, this one is an enjoyable addition to the whole Re-Animator franchise.
Night of the Living Dead (1990): A Remake With Heart?
To touch Night of the Living Dead , Romero’s brain-eating classic, with a remake, seemed almost disrespectful, but somehow, director Tom Savini managed to pull it off! How did he do it? Romero himself helped write the script, making it an officially sanctioned remake and distancing it from those unauthorized knock-offs out there. You know the drill – trapped farmhouse, the living dead on the march, but this time, the director used his impressive makeup and gore effects to ramp things up.
This time, instead of the racial dynamics that were at the heart of the original movie, this version brings in feminist commentary to make its own mark. While it might not be the holy grail of zombie remakes, it does bring a new level of horror and is an admirable attempt to keep the Romero spirit alive.
Dead Alive (1992): A Peter Jackson Classic? You Betcha!
Hold onto your hats! This is the one - our number one pick for the best 90s zombie movie. Peter Jackson's Dead Alive , a title that might not ring a bell, is more famous as Braindead , one of Jackson's wild, bloody early movies (way before his days with hobbits). It’s all about a guy whose mum turns into a zombie after a pesky Sumatran rat-monkey bites her. We're talking insane gore and an overload of humour mixed with buckets of bloody special effects.
And this movie proves, Peter Jackson is a bloody genius (pun intended). Dead Alive is packed with crazy, insane, hilarious situations, making you wonder whether to laugh or vomit! We’re talking a level of gore effects that’s mind blowing! It might not be for everyone, but for those seeking a wild ride through gore, comedy, and madness, then Dead Alive is absolutely the perfect pick.
