The year is 1968. The world is changing and horror fans were about to see a game changer.
George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead wasn't just a movie it set the stage for something that's never been seen before in the horror world, a style that's going to stay for years!
The Birth Of A Genre and An Iconic Creature
Before this movie, those who loved zombies saw these iconic ghouls as somewhat ridiculous, in those cheesy B movies. Romero went all in, creating something that really pushed audiences, who've come back again and again to enjoy the powerful messages.
- Zombies were made realistic with rules of how they worked! It became an obsession and helped make Romero a hero of horror films, forever!
This classic horror wasn't only a horror movie that left an impact. It is one that truly went against the grain and delivered some great social commentary that fans have enjoyEd for ages!
In just one movie Romero created this massive wave in the horror genre!
- These zombies crave flesh and take this chilling world to the ultimate levels! You can really see how the world has changed when a realistic version was brought out!
- Romero's zombies, as you can see, gave a dark commentary that still stands out in modern films.
- They showed what happens to a country and its citizens. There's a look into what happens in a world that has these monstrous threats.
10 Movies Inspired By Night of the Living Dead:
If you think the zombie genre is just zombies... Think again! The world is vast! With those classic horror film inspirations that have stayed true to the style, while also giving us fresh perspectives.
There's something to really discover and make those heart-pumping moments.
- The Evil Dead (1981)
- Burial Ground (1981)
- Return of the Living Dead (1985)
- Night Of The Creeps (1986)
- Resident Evil (2002)
- 28 Days Later (2003)
- Dawn of the Dead (2004)
- Shaun of the Dead (2004)
- [REC] (2007)
- The Crazies (2010)
The Evil Dead: A New Wave of Horror:
If there's anything to keep fans of horror entertained it's Sam Raimi and The Evil Dead franchise.
- In 1981 Sam Raimi's movie, this time starring Bruce Campbell, brought audiences to the woods and into an isolated cabin that turned out to be way more dangerous than anyone could have imagined!
It takes on the classic tropes from Night of the Living Dead but uses elements that make The Evil Dead stand out, giving horror movie lovers a fresh, new twist on these beloved movies. One of those elements is a dose of humor!
- There were some pretty terrifying moments of horror! The Evil Dead had some super impressive visual effects!
- Sam Raimi's goal was to showcase these terrifying horror elements in such a way that no one could turn away.
You'll find a lot more that Raimi's approach brought to horror. It truly makes The Evil Dead stand out as an independent, amazing, unique experience and helped propel both Raimi and Campbell to iconic status as the go-to duo! And while The Evil Dead wasn't the same as a "zombie" movie it does bring a sense of those types of events and how scary the monsters are.
Burial Ground: A Tribute:
In 1981 there were plenty of incredible releases, not only with Sam Raimi's incredible film! The Italian Horror Movie called Burial Ground, from director Andrea Bianchi, brought fans a more chaotic and bizarre style! The inspiration from Night of the Living Dead was strong! That's because Burial Ground showed off how similar this Italian film is.
- In Burial Ground those monstrous zombies moved a bit slower, like those that showed up in Night of the Living Dead!
- It was an all out terror experience! If you like the movies where they showcase the bad parts and moments of gruesome action then, this is certainly a must-see! The show took the original style, adding a lot more in a less controlled way, a more wild style.
- This was something that stood out.
In Night of the Living Dead, audiences were really able to relate to the characters! Romero's story brought real emotion. The horror gave viewers more than just jumps! While Burial Ground takes an insane, dark path where things get weird! What made Burial Ground such an unusual horror movie, is the way the characters have their relationship between sexuality and violence! It was an interesting time!
Return Of The Living Dead:
Fans really appreciated how this show came to life! There's nothing like a classic that's memorable, Return of the Living Dead.
- In 1985 , this horror classic from the "Living Dead" franchise was so different.
- It also brought director Dan O'Bannon into the world of cinema!
- O'Bannon took a truly fun approach! It had the traditional "zombie apocalypse" story, but he gave audiences a unique view with his use of dark comedy! This gave the audience a different and unforgettable approach, with so many of those moments that really stayed with everyone.
It also shows how these horror films often bring in social commentary but Return of the Living Dead stands apart from the others that were made in 1968. With its more satirical moments, and its classic, memorable humor.
Night Of The Creeps:
For those who love all things sci-fi this movie may just take the top spot on the list! In Night of the Creeps a science fiction element took this world to the ultimate level! A scary horror filled with alien terror that came from outer space! There's also something that you may really enjoy! A movie directed by Fred Dekker! Tom Atkins (from Halloween III), plays the amazing character as he works to uncover just what's happening!
- This movie is filled with action!
- You can really feel those classic elements of Night of the Living Dead.
- The suspense and horror moments help keep things thrilling.
If there is any movie with a touch of sci-fi, that brings an element of dark humor! It's Night of the Creeps!.
Resident Evil: A Popular Franchise:
In the world of gaming, Resident Evil is a super popular choice, it's also brought that amazing power to film.
- In 2002 Paul W. S Anderson made his contribution to this series! A film, that is not only incredibly frightening but has tons of action. It has that compelling combination of a wild adventure!
- It takes those classic zombie stories, using many of the elements. With Milla Jovovich playing a legendary character named "Alice," in the film's original storyline.
There was something to really enjoy. Alice has a similar background to "Barbara" in Night of the Living Dead!
The main character is so courageous, she transforms to face the world with these terrible, terrifying threats, making her an epic hero, that movie fans are super excited about.!
28 Days Later: A Different Kind of Apocalypse:
What would the horror world be without Danny Boyle! This 2003 film was groundbreaking! In 28 Days Later. Cillian Murphy plays Jim who finds himself waking up in a world he can barely comprehend!
A city overtaken by the living dead that is incredibly scary! This is one of those films that will keep you thinking and you may even walk out the theater feeling as if you were right there.
Fans really enjoy these intense scenes and this was not the classic horror, the show created a world full of these zombies that could run!
- This makes "28 Days Later" even more intense than the movies released prior.
- Fans could even say this movie was influenced by Night of the Living Dead. The movie gave audiences a glimpse of the destruction that humanity creates in their survival tactics.
The way these characters came together as well as Boyle's style for making such a dark, terrifying and a unique piece in the horror genre makes 28 Days Later stand out from the other films. The dark moments show the ugly aspects that emerge in the worst circumstances, such as this terrible apocalypse!
Dawn of the Dead:
In Dawn of the Dead a horror movie with an even deeper, special twist came from Zack Snyder ! It looks to be a remarkable and incredibly popular, as it's the remake of one of the classic Night of the Living Dead horror movies, this time directed by Zack Snyder, was released back in 2004 ! The director took some chances and gave a lot more action to those horrifying moments!
But while Snyder was bold enough to create a movie that would challenge those early classics. The movie shares many elements!
- One of those incredible elements! They all find safety within the walls of a huge shopping mall, a unique setting to showcase those desperate times.
- Snyder's approach really took viewers into the social critique.
Even with the super gore, the zombies have a big shift. Instead of moving slow they take an incredible, intense pace with Snyder's take on this. What fans truly love about Dawn of the Dead is that it takes viewers to that moment of hope and hopelessness!
There are some big moments of action that could remind fans of "28 Days Later." There were moments that showed how graphic this horror movie would become. But it doesn't stray too far, showing just what Romero started.
Shaun of the Dead:
If you don't know this movie or Simon Pegg you're truly missing out! The combination of humor and horror. It makes "Shaun of the Dead an instant classic! The British movie features Simon Pegg who brought audiences something spectacular and has some major heart.
Even if the series brought this great story, and a fun world of action, it did something unexpected by really giving the film that special, charming touch with humor. The comedy that made the story so unforgettable is not to be missed.
There were some great messages, too.
- The director Edgar Wright and Pegg really gave viewers this movie full of humor and some serious reflections!
- In Shaun of the Dead a normal, everyday guy (Pegg's Shaun) has a rather mundane existence but, out of the blue, a zombie apocalypse pops up.
With this zombie uprising you see those traditional elements but, audiences find humor in all those moments that really showcase the amazing blend of a character and a world gone mad!
[REC]:
What's so amazing is that the horror genre really went through such a shift! There's more than just traditional monster movies and now we see what happened in 2007, in the case of [REC]!
This film will give viewers those incredible thrills with some chilling visuals, showing how amazing horror really is. This is a great movie to show off that "found-footage" horror subgenre!
You can really see the influence of Night of the Living Dead and that comes with all the horror that's unfolding around a set of characters, as they're caught in the middle of an apocalypse!
The Crazies:
Another movie remake for those that are into "horror" films! The director Breck Eisner was bold! In 2010. Eisner created his own remake for those that may have missed out on the original in 1973! It truly took viewers to a time of despair, full of monsters!
- Eisner's take gave viewers even more production values as he upped the ante in some of those incredible effects as well as an impressive selection of action!
A remarkable combination of horror, social commentary that made it incredibly entertaining to see! "The Crazies". With that dark, chilling tone to the story it helps to remind fans about the world Romero created and the iconic influence he has over the entire horror film genre.
This iconic director was truly a trendsetter and one whose films brought audiences to a scary and amazing world of horror! Those who haven't seen any of his Movies have to try these classics that paved the way for some amazing filmmakers!
