10 Zombie Movies That Put A Unique Spin On The Horror Genre

There's a reason that George A. Romero is considered to be the father of the zombie movie and an icon in the industry, and that reason is Night of the Living Dead (1968).

It may not be the very first zombie movie, but Night of the Living Dead cemented the idea of what we consider a typical zombie to be. It shaped pop culture as a whole, and holds a degree of influence over every other movie that falls in to the zombie flick category. Even those who haven't seen the movie, their first thought when mentioning a zombie is most likely something very similar to the shambling undead brought to life by Romero.

It didn't just put a unique spin on the genre, rather it created it. If that isn't enough to cement its legacy, it still holds up as a shining example of filmmaking. Even after all these years, the 35mm black and white footage offers a murky atmosphere which feels bleak and desolate. The gore may be tame compared to today's standard but it marked a shift in what audiences would come to expect from horror.

The themes of the movie are also timeless. Social commentary which is still relevant today is woven throughout the the narrative, resulting in the impactful climax. Night of the Living Dead is a masterclass in independent filmmaking that any avid movie fan worth their salt should have in their library.