10 Best ’90s Zombie Movies, Ranked

Summary

• Zombie movies in the 1990s showcased a mix of comedy horrors and gory releases, diversifying the genre scene.
• Acclaimed directors like Wilson Yip, Clive Barker, and Peter Jackson created standout zombie movies of the decade.
• Despite being a decline for the genre, some 1990s zombie movies like Cemetery Man still hold up well.

The 1990s were a strange time for zombie movies, which didn’t have as many classics as other decades, although there were still great releases during this time. While George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead signaled the birth of the modern zombie movie in the 1960s, and the 1970s and 1980s have countless iconic releases, the last decade before the millennium amounted to somewhat of a slump for the genre and may have been impacted by viewer fatigue from years gone by. However, despite this decline, some movies stood out amongst the rest and still hold up today.

Zombie movies during the 1990s consisted of many different genres as comedy horrors found mainstream success and intensely gory releases became normalized. Acclaimed directors like Hong Kong legend Wilson Yip, horror icon Clive Barker, and New Zealand extraordinaire Peter Jackson all put out incredible zombie movies. While it may not be considered a golden age for the genre, there were still plenty of incredible zombie movies to check out from the 1990s.

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10 Ed And His Dead Mother (1993)

Directed by Jonathan Wacks

Ed and His Dead Mother (1993) PG-13ComedyHorror

Ed and His Dead Mother is a comedy-horror film directed by Jonathan Wacks. The story centers around Ed Chilton, played by Steve Buscemi, who, a year after his mother’s death, is offered a chance to bring her back to life by a mysterious salesman. Despite the successful resurrection, Ed soon realizes that his reanimated mother, portrayed by Miriam Margolyes, is not quite the same as she once was.

Director Jonathan Wacks Release Date November 17, 1993 Writers Chuck Hughes Cast Eric Christmas , Steve Buscemi , Harper Roisman , Sam Sorbo , Ned Beatty , Gary Farmer , Robert Harvey , John Glover Character(s) Mr. Abner , Ed Chilton , Judge Fearson , Storm Reynolds , Uncle Benny , Big Lar , Mr. Anderson , A.J. Pattle Runtime 93 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand

While this dark comedy may not be exactly what horror fans expect when they think of zombie movies, Ed and His Dead Mother meets the criteria for the genre and stands as an underappreciated 1990s eccentric gem. Steve Buscemi plays Ed Chilton, the son of an overbearing mother, who is convinced by a dodgy salesman to revive his dead mom for $1,000. However, things aren’t as simple as they seem as Ed’s reanimated zombified mother starts acting bizarrely and unusual, spooks the neighbors, and chases dogs with knives.

Through its strong script and talented cast, Ed and His Dead Mother is an enjoyable cult oddity that fails to live up to the heights set by the very best zombie comedies of the 1990s and, at times, came across as a dollar store version of Dead Alive. However, for those looking for an underrated Buscemi movie to enjoy, then look no further. Ed and His Dead Mother is worth checking for lovers of comedy horror, but for those not accustomed to this genre, its odd nature may just be too weird.

9 Bio Zombie (1998)

Directed by Wilson Yip

Bio-Zombie (1998) Not RatedComedyHorrorSci-Fi

Bio-Zombie is a Hong Kong horror-comedy film directed by Wilson Yip. The plot revolves around two mall workers who encounter a horde of zombies after a soft drink tainted with a biological weapon turns people into the undead. Starring Jordan Chan and Sam Lee, the film blends elements of dark humor with traditional zombie horror, exploring themes of consumerism and survival.

Director Wilson Yip Release Date June 11, 1998 Writers Matt Chow , Man Sing So , Wilson Yip Cast Jordan Chan , Emotion Cheung , Sam Lee , Yiu-Cheung Lai , Angela Ying-Ying Tong , Suk-Yin Lai , Tat-Wah Lok , Frankie Chi-Leung Chan Character(s) Woody Invincible , Loi , Crazy Bee , Kui , Rolls , Jelly , Military Officer , Ox Runtime 94 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand

Before he directed martial arts classics like Flash Point and Ip Man, director Wilson Yip paid homage to George A. Romero’s zombie movies with Bio Zombie. This Hong Kong zombie comedy echoed elements of Reomero’s Dawn of the Dead and shared some similarities with the Peter Jackson zombie classic Dead Alive. Bio Zombie followed a group of shoppers and employees who were forced to face a horde of zombies in a busy shopping center.

While Bio Zombie may feel derivative of other zombie movies that came before it, it also wore its influences on its sleeve and proudly paid homage to the work of other filmmakers. With plenty of 1990s special effects and many twists and turns, Bio Zombie was an enjoyable addition to the genre as it perfectly blended comedy with horror. While the focus is on the comedic elements, Bio Zombie also knew when to take things seriously as it built toward its epic conclusion.

8 Idle Hands (1999)

Directed by Rodman Flender

Idle Hands RFantasyComedyHorror Where to Watch

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A teenage slacker’s right hand becomes possessed with murderous intent.

Director Rodman Flender Release Date April 30, 1999 Writers Ron Milbauer , Terri Hughes Burton Cast Seth Green , Devon Sawa , Jack Noseworthy , Elden Henson , Vivica A. Fox , Jessica Alba Runtime 92 minutes Budget $25 million Main Genre Comedy Expand

The 1990s were a great time for teen movies, and the cult comedy Idle Hands delivered an outrageous teen zombie movie that was woefully underrated. As a box office bomb when it was first released, Idle Hands featured Devon Sawa as a stoner teenager whose hand becomes possessed and goes on a killing spree. Never has the saying that the Devil makes quick work of idle hands been truer than in this energetic time capsule to an era of moviemaking the likes of which may never be seen again.

With a punk rock soundtrack featuring The Offspring, Blink 182, and The Vandals, as well as over-the-top performances from Sawa, Seth Green, and Jessica Alba, Idle Hands was full of stoner humor that became even wilder once the hand was chopped off and began acting independently. Both horrifying and hilarious, Idle Hands predated Scary Movie by one year and proved there was a cinematic appetite for comedy horrors during this time. For those looking for a horror spoof that doesn’t forget the horror part, check out Idle Hands.

7 Nightbreed (1990)

Directed by Clive Barker

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Nightbreed is a horror-fantasy film directed by Clive Barker, based on his novella Cabal. Released in 1990, the movie centers on Aaron Boone (Craig Sheffer), who discovers a subterranean city inhabited by a variety of unusual creatures known as the Nightbreed. The film explores themes of monsters, both literal and metaphorical, as Boone becomes embroiled in a conflict between the Nightbreed and humanity.

Director Clive Barker Release Date February 16, 1990 Writers Clive Barker Cast David Cronenberg , Anne Bobby , Doug Bradley , Craig Sheffer , Oliver Parker Runtime 102 minutes Budget $11 million Main Genre Fantasy Expand

The legend of British horror Clive Barker came to prominence with his Books of Blood and for creating the Hellraiser franchise, but he also wrote and directed one of the best zombie movies of the 1990s, Nightbreed. This story follows an unstable mental patient believed to be a serial killer who seeks refuge in an abandoned cemetery. From here, the man named Aaron Boone encounters a zombified tribe of monsters known as the Nightbreed who hide from humanity.

Nightbreed showcases terrifying otherworldly creatures, unique designs, and an impressive amount of worldbuilding from writer and director Barker. With clear inspirations from Edgar Allen Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, Nightbreed is an ambitious creature feature with dark undertones. Lovers of body horror will also be excited to see none other than David Cronenberg play a major role as Dr. Philip K. Decker, a psychotherapist who doubles as a masked serial killer.

6 Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island (1998)

Directed by Jim Stenstrum

Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island TV-GAnimationAdventureComedy

The Mystery Gang reunite and visit Moonscar Island, a remote island with a dark secret. Daphne wants more than just a villain in a costume, and they get more than they ever expected.

Director Jim Stenstrum Release Date September 22, 1998 Writers Glenn Leopold , Davis Doi , William Hanna , Joseph Barbera Cast Scott Innes , Billy West , Mary Kay Bergman , Frank Welker , B.J. Ward , Adrienne Barbeau , Tara Strong , Cam Clarke Runtime 77 Minutes Main Genre Animation Expand

While horror purists may be reluctant to call a Scooby-Doo movie one of the best zombie films of the 1990s, it’s impossible to deny that Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island was a really engaging film. As the absolute pinnacle of Scooby and the Mystery Inc. gang’s feature-length adventures, this direct-to-video release perfectly blended comedy and horror for kids. With real pirate zombie monsters facing the gang, this felt like the most urgent adventure Shaggy and Scooby had ever encountered.

The appeal of Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island was that it had a far darker tone than any other installment. The animation in this film was far superior to the previous TV outings in the series, and the stakes were much higher once the gang realized the zombies were actually real and that there was no disgruntled businessman behind the strange happenings. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island was a fast-paced adventure that revitalized the franchise for a new generation of kids.

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5 Cemetery Man (1994)

Directed by Michele Soavi

Cemetery Man (1994) RHorrorComedy

Cemetery Man is a 1994 horror-comedy film directed by Michele Soavi, featuring Rupert Everett as Francesco Dellamorte, a cemetery caretaker who must confront reanimated corpses and his own existential dilemmas. The film explores themes of life, death, and the nature of reality, blending macabre humor with philosophical undertones.

Director Michele Soavi Release Date April 26, 1996 Writers Tiziano Sclavi , Gianni Romoli Cast Rupert Everett , François Hadji-Lazaro , Anna Falchi , Mickey Knox , Fabiana Formica , Clive Riche , Katja Anton , Barbara Cupisti Character(s) Francesco Dellamorte , Gnaghi , She , Marshall Straniero , Valentina Scanarotti , Doctor Verseci , Claudio’s Girlfriend , Magda Runtime 103 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand

The Italian filmmaker Michele Soavi channeled the styles of Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead and the horror classic Re-Animator for the comedy horror Cemetery Man. Based on the novel Dellamorte Dellamore by Tiziano Sclavi, Cemetery Man starred Rupert Everett as a caretaker searching for love, all while defending himself from the dead people who won’t stop rising from his graves. With surreal humor and a unique style, this underrated zombie movie will satisfy lovers of B-movie horror fun.

Cemetery Man was titled Dellamorte Dellamore in Italy and was praised by Martin Scorsese as one of the best Italian movies of the 1990s (via NY Times.) With political undertones, the endless rising undead acted as a powerful and unconventional metaphor for the continual rise of fascism and the need to tirelessly fight against tyranny. While Cemetery Man can be enjoyed for its straight-up horror antics, buried just below the surface was plenty of hidden depth.

4 Return Of The Living Dead 3 (1993)

Directed by Brian Yuzna

Return of the Living Dead 3 Horror

Having recently witnessed the horrific results of a top secret project to bring the dead back to life, a distraught youth performs the operation on his girlfriend after she’s killed in a motorcycle accident.

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Director Brian Yuzna Release Date February 25, 1994 Studio(s) Bandai Visual Company , Ozla Productions Distributor(s) Trimark Pictures Writers John Penney Cast J. Trevor Edmond , Melinda Clarke , Kent McCord , James T. Callahan , Sarah Douglas Runtime 97 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand

As one of the best horror sequels of the 1990s, Return of the Living 3 deserved credit for bringing something new into the well-worn franchise. While screenwriting legend Dan O’Bannon made horror history with the first Return of the Living Dead, which introduced the concept of brain-eating zombies to the genre, this third installment had an almost Romeo and Juliet-style love story at the center of its premise. As the angsty teen couple, Curt Reynolds and Julie Walker, promised to love each other forever, this vow was tested after Julie was reanimated as a brain-eating zombie.

Return of the Living Dead 3 maintained O’Bannon’s unique style while Brian Yuzna took over directional duties. However, the punk rock aesthetic of the previous entries was replaced with a more moody and grungy 1990s feel and style. While Return of the Living Dead 3 could not live up to the greatest heights of this franchise, it was a worthy successor and a must-watch movie for zombie lovers.

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3 Bride Of Re-Animator (1991)

Directed by Brian Yuzna

Bride of Re-Animator (1990) RHorrorComedySci-Fi

Bride of Re-Animator is a horror-science fiction film directed by Brian Yuzna. Set eight months after the events of its predecessor, the film follows Dr. Herbert West and Dr. Dan Cain as they continue their experiments in reanimating dead tissue, resulting in a monstrous and grisly outcome. Jeffrey Combs and Bruce Abbott reprise their roles, advancing the story’s exploration of the boundaries between life and death.

Director Brian Yuzna Release Date July 8, 1990 Writers Zeph E. Daniel , Rick Fry , H.P. Lovecraft , Brian Yuzna Cast Jeffrey Combs , Bruce Abbott , Claude Earl Jones , Fabiana Udenio , David Gale , Kathleen Kinmont , Mel Stewart , Irene Cagen Runtime 96 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand

While Bride of Re-Animator didn’t quite live up to the standard set by the greatest H.P. Lovecraft adaptation ever made, Re-Animator, it still stood as a fantastic horror sequel. Bride of Re-Anmator continued the original retelling of the short story “Herbert West–Reanimator” as a scientist attempted to create a living woman from dead tissue. This extraordinary zombie premise also harkened back to horror classics like Birde of Frankenstein, whose legacy gave the film its namesake.

Bride of Re-Animator featured plenty of returning cast members from the original and was an insightful Lovecraftian tale of man’s attempts to use science to push past the limits of mortality. With incredible stop motion and puppetry effects, Bride of Re-Animator maintained the outrageous style of the original, although it lacked its cohesiveness. While the first film has maintained widespread popularity, this enjoyable entry does not get nearly enough credit for just how fun it is.

2 Night Of The Living Dead (1990)

Directed by Tom Savini

Night of the Living Dead (1990) RHorror

Night of the Living Dead (1990) is a remake of George A. Romero’s 1968 classic, directed by Tom Savini. The film follows a group of strangers who barricade themselves in a rural farmhouse to escape an onslaught of reanimated corpses. Tony Todd and Patricia Tallman star, capturing the chaotic struggle for survival and the breakdown of societal norms amidst a terrifying undead siege.

Director Tom Savini Release Date October 19, 1990 Writers John A. Russo , George A. Romero Cast Tony Todd , patricia tallman , Tom Towles , McKee Anderson , William Butler , Katie Finneran , Bill Moseley , Heather Mazur Character(s) Ben , Barbara , Harry Cooper , Helen Cooper , Tom , Judy Rose , Johnnie , Sarah Cooper Runtime 92 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand

It almost felt like blasphemy to remake George A. Romero’s zombie classic Night of the Living Dead, but somehow, director Tom Savini pulled it off. Part of the reason this version felt like such a creative success was that Romero rewrote his original screenplay for this release and gave his approval as an official remake, as opposed to the countless other versions out there due to its lack of copyright and status within the public domain. Like the original, Night of the Living Dead featured seven strangers trying to survive a zombie apocalypse in a rural farmhouse.

The initial response to Night of the Living Dead was generally negative; however, over the years, it has been reappraised as one of the best horror remakes ever. The racial politics of the original film have been replaced with a more gender-based discourse as it continued zombie movies’ role as representations of the angst of contemporary society. With a feminist spin, Night of the Living Dead proved its worth, and although it does not exceed the power of the original, it certainly justified its existence.

1 Dead Alive (1992)

Directed by Peter Jackson

Dead Alive RComedyHorrorFantasy

Dead Alive follows the story of a young man, Lionel Cosgrove, as he contends with his overbearing mother who becomes a zombie after being bitten by a rare Sumatran rat-monkey. The TV show blends elements of horror and dark comedy, chronicling Lionel’s desperate attempts to keep the growing zombie outbreak a secret. Set in a suburban neighborhood, Dead Alive offers a unique take on the traditional zombie narrative.

Director Peter Jackson Release Date August 13, 1992 Writers Stephen Sinclair , Fran Walsh , Peter Jackson Cast Timothy Balme , Diana Peñalver , Elizabeth Moody , Ian Watkin , Brenda Kendall , Stuart Devenie Runtime 104 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand

Before gaining worldwide recognition with the Lord of the Rings franchise, New Zealand director Peter Jackson made several acclaimed cult horror classics. Perhaps Jackon’s greatest achievement in the early part of his career was Dead Alive, also released as Braindead, which stood as the greatest zombie movie of the 1990s. With a plot involving a man’s mother bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey and turned into an unstoppable killing machine, Dead Alive perfectly balanced over-the-top horror with absurdist comedy.

With elements of romcom and plenty of splattery gore, looking back on the incredible achievement of Dead Alive makes viewers wish that Jackson had continued to make more lower-budget zombie horror movies in conjunction with his massive Middle-earth blockbusters. Part of the unnerving power of Dead Alive was that it was so hilarious and disgusting that viewers were unsure whether they wanted to laugh or cry. The gore special effects were top-tier, the humor was on point, and everything about Dead Alive just worked.

Source: NY Times

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