Looking for your next zombie fix? Check out the best zombie movies and shows popular on Netflix, packed with thrills, chills, and unforgettable undead action. Our fascination with zombies has deep roots, evolving long before The Walking Dead captivated audiences worldwide. Over the years, zombies have served as both brutal symbols of a broken world and strange catalysts for hope and resilience. Whether exploring societal collapse or offering dark comedic relief, zombie films and shows remain ever-popular and continue to bring new life to the genre. Here, we spotlight some standout zombie series and movies on Netflix that range from dark and gritty to hilariously absurd, ensuring there’s something for every zombie fan. From terrifying horror to dark comedy, Netflix has the ultimate list of zombie movies and shows.
1. #Alive (2020)
South Korea’s zombie thriller #Alive is a riveting story of isolation and survival in a city overrun by a terrifying zombie virus. Joon-woo, played by Yoo Ah-in, is a video game streamer trapped in his family’s apartment as the infection spreads rapidly outside. Facing dwindling supplies and profound loneliness, Joon-woo clings to survival, fending off waves of the undead from his locked apartment. Just as he begins to lose hope, he spots Yoo-bin (Park Shin-Hye), a fellow survivor in a nearby building, and the two form a supportive but risky alliance. The film dives into the creativity and desperation of survival as the characters use innovative strategies to fend off zombies, demonstrating the power of human connection—even in a world dominated by the undead.
2. All of Us Are Dead (2022)
In this South Korean series, a high school becomes the epicenter of a zombie outbreak, forcing a group of students to survive together in the face of overwhelming terror. Through twelve tense episodes, All of Us Are Dead follows the teens as they turn classrooms into strongholds and hallways into battlegrounds, all while grappling with adult abandonment in their quest for survival. The series doesn’t shy away from depicting the social divides and corruption that add layers of complexity to the zombie genre, highlighting class struggles and generational rifts. Beyond mere survival, the students’ journey captures the emotional and psychological tolls of a world where adults can’t be relied upon to save the day.
3. Army of the Dead (2021)
Director Zack Snyder reinvents the heist genre in this high-stakes thriller set in Las Vegas, transformed by a massive zombie outbreak. With the city quarantined and a nuclear strike imminent, billionaire Bly Tanaka hires former soldier Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) to recover $200 million from a casino vault. Scott assembles an eclectic crew of survivors, including pilot Marianne (Tig Notaro), safecracker Dieter (Matthias Schweighöfer), and even his estranged daughter, Kate (Ella Purnell). But as they journey into the heart of zombie-infested Vegas, they learn the creatures have formed their unique hierarchy. The film combines adrenaline-fueled action sequences with a critique of social and political hierarchies, showing that even in the apocalypse, humanity’s flaws endure.
4. Black Summer (2019)
With relentless, fast-moving zombies and a brutally dark atmosphere, Black Summer tells the story of survivors navigating a devastated world. Each episode centers around a rotating cast of characters struggling to evade the undead and other desperate humans. Transformations are immediate and terrifying, keeping the viewer on edge as the undead appear in any scene without warning. For those seeking an experience focused on raw survival and relentless terror, Black Summer delivers in spades, making it one of the most intense entries in the zombie genre.
5. The Walking Dead (2010–2022)
A modern classic, The Walking Dead helped establish zombies as mainstays of contemporary horror. Based on the comic series by Robert Kirkman, the show follows Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), a former sheriff who wakes from a coma to find the world overrun by the undead. Rick learns that humans can be as dangerous as the undead, as he leads a group of survivors, including fan favorites like Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Michonne (Danai Gurira). Over eleven seasons, the show explores themes of family, survival, and rebuilding civilization. The Walking Dead inspired numerous spin-offs, including The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, offering fans more of Reedus’ character as he continues his journey.
6. World War Z (2013)
Directed by Marc Forster and based on Max Brooks’ novel, World War Z follows former U.N. investigator Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) as he races against time to halt a global zombie pandemic. From Jerusalem to South Korea, Gerry’s journey takes him across continents in a quest for answers, providing suspenseful, large-scale action sequences. With its blend of emotional depth and thrilling action, World War Z delves into themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the fight to protect one’s family amidst an escalating crisis.
7. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023)
In Zom 100, Akira Tendo (Eiji Akaso) finds a silver lining in the zombie apocalypse—a chance to live finally. After becoming disillusioned with his soul-crushing job, Akira creates a bucket list of 100 things he wants to do before becoming one of the undead. This live-action adaptation of a popular manga series combines humor with heart as Akira embraces life’s simple joys in a chaotic world. From thrill-seeking adventures to touching encounters, the story shows that sometimes, facing death can give life its meaning.
8. Zombieland (2009)
Ruben Fleischer’s Zombieland offers a comedic twist on the genre, following neurotic survivor Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) as he navigates a zombie-infested world with a set of survival rules. Alongside Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), who has a single-minded quest for Twinkies, and two sisters, Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), the group embarks on a chaotic road trip. With its perfect blend of humor, gore, and unexpected camaraderie, Zombieland delivers an enjoyable, fast-paced adventure that has since become a fan favorite.
9. Zombieverse (2023)
A unique twist on reality TV, Zombieverse drops contestants into a simulated zombie apocalypse in South Korea. The show follows a group of social media stars who think they’re filming a dating show, only to discover they’re in a survival horror game instead. Each episode sees the contestants face various challenges, from defending against zombie hordes to making complex alliances. Blending comedy, horror, and unscripted reactions, Zombieverse is a refreshing entry into the genre that taps into the suspense and unpredictability of reality television.
10. Fear the Walking Dead
Fear the Walking Dead is AMC’s gripping spin-off of the iconic zombie series The Walking Dead, yet it carves out a unique path. Set in the early days of the outbreak, Fear explores the onset of the apocalypse as Madison (Kim Dickens) and Travis (Cliff Curtis), two newlywed high school teachers, grapple with blending their families just as society unravels. In these initial, chaotic days, survivors are unsure of how to handle the infected, clinging to the hope that the virus can still be contained. Beyond the tension of survival, it’s the complex characters that make Fear the Walking Dead a standout, from Colman Domingo’s smooth-talking con artist Victor Strand to Rubén Blades’ seasoned survivalist Daniel Salazar, each adding depth and intrigue to this harrowing tale.
Conclusion
From satirical comedies to adrenaline-packed thrillers, these zombie movies and series on Netflix provide a rich array of experiences for fans of the undead. Whether exploring human resilience or delivering heart-pounding action, the genre continues to grow, showing that our fascination with zombies is alive.