Zombies in the Movies - the Early Years

After the release of Zombieland it's safe to say that zombie movies are on the brain. With a strong showing at the box office it certainly took a bite out of the competition. Whether this movie will bring zombie movies back from the dead remains to be seen. If you haven't backed off this page after reading those three terrible puns and continue to read, here's a list of some of the best old zombie movies of including some you may have never heard of. This list is in order from the oldest to the newest.

White Zombie

The very first zombie movie ever made! This was originally released in 1932 and stars Bela Lugosi.

Revolt of the Zombies

The Halperin Brothers return with their follow up to White Zombie. A shot of Bela Lugosi's eye's from White Zombie were used but not credited.

The Walking Dead/Zombies on Broadway

Two of the more obscure zombie movies from the 1936 and 1940 respectively. The latter features Bela Lugosi and the former stars Boris Karloff. The Walking Dead is one of the more innovative films for that time.

The Ghost Breakers

Billed as a horror and a comedy this one will make you laugh more than gasp. Stars Bob Hope.

I Walked With a Zombie

Produced by Val Lewton, I Walked With a Zombie (his second feature) was one of the best of his career.

Plan 9 From Outer Space

I doubt I need to say much about this film since it already has a reputation. Unfortunately it was Bela Lugosi's last film.

Santo vs. The Zombies

El Santo was one of the most popular Mexican Luchadores who also starred in a number of pulp style horror films. The majority of the films had "vs." in the title and this one featured Santo fighting zombies. All of the movies starring El Santo are fun to watch but good luck tracking them all down.

The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies

There are 2 reasons to watching this movie - to say you saw the first "zombie musical" and to laugh at how bad it is. Then watch the Mystery Science Theater 3000 version and laugh all over again.

The Horror at Party Beach

So, what do you get when you when you cross Creature From the Black Lagoon with a 60's "Beach Movie?" The Horror at Party Beach of course! It's also the second movie to tackle the very intriguing "zombie musical" theme.

The Last Man on Earth

The first movie based on Richard Matheson's book I Am Legend starring Vincent Price. To this day it remains my favorite version of the film.

Cemetery of the Living Dead

Little known Italian zombie film starring Barbara Steele. The film is in the public domain and shouldn't be too hard to track down.

Plague of the Zombies

Produced by Hammer Studios in 1966 it was one of the last zombie movies that didn't feature cannibalism.

These are some of the movies that were released before Night of the Living Dead re-invented the zombie sub-genre featuring zombies that engaged in cannibalism.