1. George A. Romero’s “Living Dead” Series

There’s no better place to start than with George A. Romero’s legendary Living Dead series. Romero essentially created the modern zombie genre with this franchise, blending social commentary with flesh-eating ghouls in a way that has influenced countless films.

• “Night of the Living Dead” (1968) – The original that started it all. Romero’s low-budget, black-and-white masterpiece set the standard for the slow, shambling zombies we know today.
• “Dawn of the Dead” (1978) – Arguably the best in the series, this film takes the zombie apocalypse to a mall, showcasing the chaos that ensues when consumerism meets survival horror.
• “Day of the Dead” (1985) – Darker and more intense, this installment focuses on the tension between survivors and the evolving zombies in an underground bunker.
• “Land of the Dead” (2005) – A fresh take on Romero’s universe, this film introduces more intelligent zombies and highlights class divisions in a post-apocalyptic world.
• “Diary of the Dead” (2007) – A found-footage style reboot, giving the series a modern twist by following a group of students documenting the apocalypse.
• “Survival of the Dead” (2009) – The final entry takes on a Western vibe, exploring a feuding family’s survival in the zombie-infested world.

Perfect for: Fans of classic zombie horror and social commentary.

2. “Resident Evil” Series

If you love your zombie movies with a dose of action and sci-fi, the Resident Evil series is for you. Based on the popular video game franchise, this series stars Milla Jovovich as Alice, a warrior battling the evil Umbrella Corporation, which has unleashed a deadly virus that turns humans into zombies.

• “Resident Evil” (2002) – The first film introduces Alice and the underground lab where the T-virus is released, creating a horde of zombies and mutated creatures.
• “Resident Evil: Apocalypse” (2004) – Taking the action to the streets of Raccoon City, Alice teams up with survivors to escape the chaos.
• “Resident Evil: Extinction” (2007) – Set in a post-apocalyptic desert, Alice leads a convoy of survivors as the world continues to fall apart.
• “Resident Evil: Afterlife” (2010) – With more advanced special effects, this film takes the fight against the Umbrella Corporation to new heights.
• “Resident Evil: Retribution” (2012) – Alice faces off against clones, new mutants, and old enemies in a high-stakes battle.
• “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” (2016) – The explosive conclusion to Alice’s story, where she returns to the Hive to destroy the T-virus once and for all.

Perfect for: Fans of action-packed zombie movies with a sci-fi twist and big-budget spectacle.

3. “28 Days Later” Series

Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later revolutionized the zombie genre by introducing fast, aggressive “infected” rather than traditional zombies. The series is known for its gritty, realistic portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world, filled with tension and chaos.

• “28 Days Later” (2002) – After a viral outbreak ravages the UK, a group of survivors battles infected humans and military forces as society crumbles. This film is dark, intense, and visually striking.
• “28 Weeks Later” (2007) – The sequel explores the attempt to rebuild civilization after the outbreak. However, as the virus resurfaces, chaos erupts once again. The film expands on the original’s premise with even more terrifying moments.

Though we’re still holding out hope for a potential 28 Months Later, these two films are enough to deliver a heart-pounding zombie apocalypse experience.

Perfect for: Fans who like their zombie films fast-paced, intense, and grounded in realism.

4. “The Walking Dead” Universe

What started as a comic book and then became a TV sensation has expanded into a full-fledged zombie franchise. The Walking Dead universe offers an immersive, ongoing zombie apocalypse narrative, giving fans endless hours of undead drama.

• “The Walking Dead” (2010–2022) – The original series follows a group of survivors, led by Rick Grimes, as they navigate a world overrun by walkers and struggle to rebuild society. With its long run, the show delves deep into character development and post-apocalyptic survival.
• “Fear the Walking Dead” (2015–present) – A spin-off prequel that explores the beginning of the outbreak and how different regions of the country responded to the chaos.
• “The Walking Dead: World Beyond” (2020–2021) – This short-lived series focuses on a younger generation growing up in the post-apocalyptic world, exploring how society continues to evolve.
• “Tales of the Walking Dead” (2022–present) – An anthology series offering standalone stories set in The Walking Dead universe, giving new perspectives on life among the undead.
• Upcoming spin-offs – With new projects in the works, including Daryl Dixon and Rick & Michonne, the Walking Dead universe continues to grow, promising even more undead adventures.

Perfect for: Fans who love long-running character-driven zombie stories with plenty of emotional depth and world-building.

5. “REC” Series

The Spanish-language REC series takes found-footage horror to terrifying new heights. Combining elements of demonic possession with a zombie-like infection, the films create a claustrophobic, panic-inducing atmosphere.

• “REC” (2007) – The first film follows a news crew documenting the events inside a quarantined apartment building where an infection spreads, turning residents into rabid, violent creatures.
• “REC 2” (2009) – The sequel picks up right where the first film left off, with a SWAT team entering the building to uncover the truth behind the outbreak.
• “REC 3: Genesis” (2012) – This prequel shifts away from the found-footage style to show the infection spreading at a wedding, delivering a mix of horror and dark comedy.
• “REC 4: Apocalypse” (2014) – The final entry takes place on a ship, where the remaining survivors try to contain the infection for good.

Perfect for: Fans of intense, claustrophobic horror with a unique blend of zombie and possession elements.

6. “Return of the Living Dead” Series

If you love a little humor mixed with your zombie horror, the Return of the Living Dead series is a cult favorite. Known for its punk rock vibe, dark humor, and the introduction of zombies that crave “brains,” this franchise doesn’t take itself too seriously—but that’s part of its charm.

• “Return of the Living Dead” (1985) – A horror-comedy classic where a toxic gas reanimates corpses in a medical supply warehouse, unleashing chaos and some of the most iconic zombies in cinema.
• “Return of the Living Dead Part II” (1988) – Another batch of reanimated corpses terrorizes a small town, keeping the same mix of humor and horror.
• “Return of the Living Dead III” (1993) – A darker, more emotional take on the series, focusing on a couple caught in the zombie outbreak and the lengths they’ll go to stay together.
• Additional sequels – While the later films (Necropolis and Rave to the Grave) don’t quite live up to the originals, they still offer zombie fans plenty of brain-munching fun.

Perfect for: Fans who enjoy their zombie movies with a dose of dark humor and 80s nostalgia.

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Whether you’re craving classic horror, high-octane action, or a more emotional undead journey, these zombie movie series have something for every type of fan. Each franchise offers its own unique spin on the zombie apocalypse, making them perfect for a Halloween binge-watching session.

What’s your go-to zombie movie series? Let me know in the comments—I’m always on the lookout for more undead goodness!