The clock is ticking on 2025, and there’s no better way to close out the year than with a full-blown zombie movie marathon. We’re talking heart-pounding tension, gut-wrenching scares, and stories that keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
But with a ton of zombie films out there, it can feel impossible to know where to start or which ones are truly worth your time. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to three of the absolute best. These movies aren’t just about the undead. They’re gripping stories that explore human survival, fear, and resilience in the face of chaos.
Perhaps you've seen some of them, while others may have slipped under your radar. Either way, these three films are essential viewing for any zombie enthusiast or horror fan looking to end the year with a bang!
Train to Busan (2016)
- Directed by: Yeon Sang-ho
- Written by: Park Joo-suk
- Cast: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok, Kim Su-an, Choi Woo-shik, Ahn So-hee, Kim Eui-sung
- Where to watch: Netflix
Train to Busan is hands-down one of the greatest zombie movies ever made, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. From the moment the outbreak hits, you’re on this intense, non-stop ride with the characters, trapped on a speeding train as people around them turn into these terrifying, ravenous zombies. But what really will get you isn’t just the action. It’s how deeply you start to care about everyone on that train.
The film mainly centers around Seok-woo, a workaholic father, and his young daughter, Soo-an, as they struggle to survive the outbreak while on a train to Busan. But there are others aboard the train as well, each also desperately trying to survive.
You feel their fear, their hope, and their heartbreak as the situation spirals out of control. And you want them to survive, but you also know the movie isn’t going to hand them an easy way out. It’s brutal, it’s chaotic, and it doesn’t pull punches. If you haven't seen Train to Busan already, you'll be glad to end the year with this relentless, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride.
World War Z (2013)
- Directed by: Marc Forster
- Written by: Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard, and Damon Lindelof
- Cast: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, James Badge Dale, Matthew Fox
- Where to watch: Paramount+, Starz
World War Z is a movie that always seems to make its way on everyone's lists of must-watch zombie films, and it's not surprising. It’s thrilling, and it doesn’t give you a single dull moment. Every scene feels like a rush of pure adrenaline. Zombies are swarming, cities are falling apart, and the clock is ticking as humanity fights for survival.
You know how some movies will grab your attention from the first scene, but then you'll find yourself bored halfway through? Not this one. World War Z keeps the tension cranked up from the very beginning to the very end, and it definitely doesn't disappoint!
Imagine the world suddenly going completely bonkers because zombies are everywhere. We're not talking about the slow, shuffling kind either. No, we're talking about the fast, angry, running-around-like-crazy zombies. That’s World War Z. It's inspired by Max Brooks' horror novel of the same name. The movie follows Gerry Lane, a retired UN investigator, as he races against the clock to figure out what’s causing this zombie apocalypse and how to stop it before humanity gets wiped out.
#Alive (2020)
- Directed by: Cho Il-hyung
- Written by: Cho Il-hyung and Matt Naylor
- Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Park Shin-hye, Jeon Bae-soo, Lee Hyun-wook
- Where to watch: Netflix
Not many people know about the South Korean zombie flick #Alive, and honestly, that’s a shame. This movie isn’t just another run-of-the-mill zombie story. It’s fast, tense, and surprisingly emotional. You follow Oh Joon-woo, a young gamer stuck alone in his apartment as Seoul gets overrun by zombies, and the whole thing just grips you. The fear of being trapped, the creeping isolation, and the constant threat outside make every scene feel urgent, like you’re living it with him.
But what really makes #Alive worth watching is how human it feels. Joon-woo isn’t some superhero or action hero. He’s just a regular guy trying to survive, improvising, making mistakes, and clinging to hope when it seems like there’s none left. And when he finally makes a connection with another survivor, it hits emotionally in a way that makes the story about so much more than just zombies. Suddenly, it’s about trust, companionship, and the small but powerful ways humans can support each other even in the worst circumstances.
With 2025 quickly reaching its end, we strongly recommend watching the three zombie movies just listed above. 2026 is set to bring much more zombie content, so there’s no better time to catch up on these gems before a new wave of thrills arrives.