Top 10 Greatest Zombie Movies you've Probably NEVER Seen

#10: “Nightmare City” (1980)

There has been a lot of discussion over the years among cult film fans regarding director Umberto Lenzi’s 1980 film, “Nightmare City.” Lenzi has somewhat infamously argued about whether or not the “infected people” at the center of his film are actually zombies, despite an alternate title for the film being “City of the Walking Dead.” What is agreed upon is how “Nightmare City” served as a formidable precursor to similarly rage-filled zombie efforts like “World War Z” and “28 Days Later.” The gore here is definitely indicative of Italy’s horror cycle from the 1970s and ‘80s, while the ending of “Nightmare City” is one of those “love it or hate it propositions” that we guarantee you’ll never forget.

#9: “Horror Rises from the Tomb” (1973)

The name Paul Naschy may not exactly be familiar to every North American horror fan, but the man’s work remains revered in his native Spain as an icon of monstrous cinema. Efforts like 1973’s “Horror Rises from the Tomb” deviated a bit from Naschy’s reputation for portraying classic characters like The Wolf Man or Count Dracula. Here was a unique creation: that of the Satanic villain Alaric de Marnac, who returns from the grave to wreak vengeance alongside his sorceress consort, Mabille. The end results are full of skin and sin, including siege elements that show up when de Marnac’s undead victims join their master for some bloody carnage.

#8: “Zombie 4: After Death” (1989)

Take our advice: don’t try too hard in keeping up with the connective narrative tissue between all of these “unofficial” Italian horror movies with the word “zombie” in the title. Just enjoy efforts like “Zombi 3” and “Zombie 5: Killing Birds” for what they are: gory and kind of ridiculous examples of late-stage Italian horror. “Zombie 4: After Death” is a highlight from this era, and not just thanks to its bitchin’ theme song. This effort from “Troll 2” director Claudio Fragasso served as a rare genre outing for adult film star Jeff Stryker, alongside American soap actress Candice Daly. It’s a mad and messy mix of action and horror tropes that runs fast, loose, and fun.

#7: “Pontypool” (2008)

We’re honestly surprised that more people don’t discuss this Canadian horror film from 2008. “Pontypool” managed to actually achieve something new with the zombie genre, thanks to the audio variant walkers that wind up terrorizing a small town. The idea of zombies being created ( and spread) by speaking certain words from the English language is a unique one, and is executed well within the final product. There’s some humor, but never at the expense of “Pontypool’s” thrills, chills, or ingenuity. It’s a great example of filmmakers thinking outside the box, and a screenplay that takes some chances.

#6: “Tombs of the Blind Dead” (1972)

Amando de Ossorio was another legend of Spanish horror cinema with a unique creation under his belt: Knights Templar Zombies. These undead ghouls ride evil steeds and seek their victims by the sounds of their racing pulses and frantic heartbeats. Blind, dead killing machines that move slowly, and with purpose. This methodical approach to horror filmmaking lends this first film in Ossorio’s “Blind Dead” quadrilogy a dreamlike quality that’s atmospheric as hell. Plus, the rotting makeup utilized to bring these Knights Templar to life, er… “death,” never fails to amp up the creep factor every time these shambling apparitions are on screen.

#5: “Shock Waves” (1977)

This film from director Ken Wiederhorn helped pioneer the micro-subgenre of undead cinema that focuses its narrative upon waterlogged Nazi Zombies. “Shock Waves” is another film with slow and deliberate pacing, one that’s amplified nicely by a creepy synth score from composer Richard Einhorn. Horror icon Peter Cushing shows up as an exiled German commander of a secret Nazi force of super soldiers, warriors that now live below the waves, in search of victims. “Shock Waves” is a modestly-budgeted feature, to be sure, but it achieves a lot of tension and atmosphere via the committed cast (particularly Cushing) and a great, inspired zombie design.

#4: “The Grapes of Death” (1978)

France’s Jean Rollin was a master filmmaker with a unique creative eye. His pictures were often artistic affairs that preferred to dwell within mood, rather than coherent narratives. This is partially why “The Grapes of Death” from 1978 is so interesting, since it’s perhaps one of Rollin’s most straightforward genre efforts. It’s a mixture of rage-zombie and eco-horror tropes that retains Rollin’s artistic sensibilities, while also packing in gore effects and murder set-pieces. “The Grapes of Death’ was also notable for its inclusionary casting, since Rollin tied together his obscure forays into adult cinema via the presence of French star Brigitte Lahaie, who would work again in the man’s films only a year later with “Fascination.”

#3: “The Beyond” (1981)

They didn’t refer to filmmaker Lucio Fulci as Italy’s “Godfather of Gore” for nothing. The man’s work wasn’t solely concerned with splatter, however, as evidenced by the more esoteric concepts present within the nightmarish narrative of “The Beyond.” This film from 1981 is considered by many to be Fulci’s crowning masterpiece, the second entry in a series of films that are loosely labeled as the man’s “Gates of Hell” trilogy. “The Beyond” does indeed concern itself with a demonic portal that resides within The Seven Doors Hotel, but Fulci never really seems content with taking things from point A to point B. Instead, “The Beyond” is artistic and visceral; a dark film with no mercy… and a beautifully depressive ending.

#2: “Let Sleeping Corpses Lie” (1974)

This film, also known as “The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue,” was an international affair, bringing together talents from Spain, Italy, the U.S., and the U.K. to tell a cautionary tale of environmentalism, prejudice… and zombies. Arthur Kennedy’s lead inspector is an unrepentant that eventually gets his comeuppance, as Ray Lovelock’s George tries to expose how local radiation is turning the populace into zombies. The action takes a while to get going here with “Let Sleeping Corpses Lie,” allowing for the audience to get to know (and like) Lovelock and his co-star, Cristina Galbó. This just makes the siege elements and gore effects more impactful when they do arrive, particularly when Kennedy is finally cornered.

#1: “Cemetery Man” (1994)

There’s more than a bit of black comedy at play within this ultra-gory and stylish effort from director Michele Soavi. “Cemetery Man” was something of a last grasp at greatness from Italy’s horror industry, an early vehicle for Rupert Everett that showcased Soavi’s knack for balancing fast-paced action beats with dark jokes and violence. The special effects here on “Cemetery Man” are wonderful, particularly when it comes to the memorable scene between Everett and a Grim Reaper. Elsewhere, the nihilistic tone of the film ramps up big time during the finale, exploring themes of life and death with an absurdist’s eye for the macabre.

Which obscure zombie title would you recommend? Let us know in the comments!