Zombies in the Movies - the Birth of the Gut Munchers

If the 1930s were considered the "golden age" of the Universal Monsters movies than then it can be said that the 1970s and 1980s were the "golden age" of Zombie Movies. Since this was also the birth of the "gut munching" zombie the title of "crimson age" might be more appropriate. However you choose to refer to it one thing is for sure and it's that the cream of the crop of zombie films were released then.

Night of the Living Dead

The movie that changed everything and launched the career of George A. Romero who would go on to become one of the most prolific and critically acclaimed horror directors of all time. If you haven't seen this yet than you can't call yourself a horror fan.

The Astro Zombies

The Astro Zombies proved that just because the game changed didn't mean some movies would stink any less than the bad movies of the past.

Tombs of the Blind Dead

The first of four movies in the Blind Dead series. The creatures in the movies more closely resemble mummies and don't behave like zombies. However, the zombie label always stuck. Check out the box set.

Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things

One of the first movies from Bob Clark (A Christmas Story, Black Christmas) remains a cult classic and an example of how to make a quality film with no budget.

Vengeance of the Zombies

Spanish film starring Spanish horror icon Paul Naschy. Released on blu-ray with Night of the Werewolf and already out of print so snag it if you see it laying around.

The Hanging Woman

Another Spanish zombie film starring Paul Naschy.

The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue

One of the more gruesome zombie movies of the 1970s this film remains a fan favorite and a personal recommendation.

Sugar Hill

After the success of Blacula and Scream Blacula Scream came this Blaxploitation zombie classic.

Shock Waves

I think it's safe to say this is the best "aquatic nazi zombie movie" ever made. Stars British horror icon Peter Cushing.

Dawn of the Dead

Often cited as the quintessential zombie film, this two and a half hour epic is arguably the best and most influential zombie movie ever made and tops the favorites list of many fans.

Zombi II

After the success of Dawn of the Dead (which was released in Europe under the title Zombi) Italian film producers decided to cash in on the success and release Zombi II which could be seen as an attempt to trick people into thinking this was a sequel to Dawn of the Dead. Also known as Zombie it would be the movie that gave Lucio Fulci the title of "Godfather of Gore" and rightfully so. With a heavy emphasis on gore and special effects the movie is a must see for gorehounds.

So many zombie movies came out in the 1970s and it is impossible to list them all. The 1980's were no different.