The Ultimate Guide to the Highest Grossing Zombie Movies
Alright, guys, buckle up! Today, we're diving headfirst into the undead world of cinema to explore the highest grossing zombie movies that have left audiences craving more. So, grab your popcorn and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and highest grossing zombie movies.
The Walking Dead at the Box Office
Before we sink our teeth into the top earners, let's set the stage. Zombie movies have been shuffling their way through Hollywood for decades, but it was George A. Romero's classic, Night of the Living Dead (1968), that truly kicked off the genre. Since then, we've seen waves of flesh-eating films, from the satirical (Shaun of the Dead) to the downright terrifying (28 Days Later). Now, let's find out which of these cinematic corpses have raked in the most cash.
The Top 10 Highest Grossing Zombie Movies
1. World War Z (2013) - $540.0 million
Kicking off our list is Brad Pitt's action-packed take on the zombie apocalypse, World War Z. This fast-paced, big-budget spectacle directed by Marc Forster grossed a whopping $540.0 million worldwide. Pitt plays a former UN investigator trying to stop a global zombie pandemic, and let us tell you, guys, it's one hell of a ride.
2. Train to Busan (2016) - $98.6 million
Next up, we've got a South Korean gem that's made a massive splash in the zombie genre. Train to Busan follows a group of passengers fighting for their lives on a speeding train filled with the ravenous undead. This nail-biting thriller, directed by Yeon Sang-ho, grossed $98.6 million globally, making it one of the highest grossing foreign-language films of all time.
3. Resident Evil (2002) - $102.4 million
Based on the popular video game series, Resident Evil starring Milla Jovovich, grossed $102.4 million worldwide. This sci-fi horror flick introduced us to the T-virus and the Umbrella Corporation, spawning five sequels and making it one of the most successful zombie franchises ever.
4. Dawn of the Dead (2004) - $102.9 million
George A. Romero's zombie reign continued with this remake of his classic Dawn of the Dead. Directed by Zack Snyder, this gory reboot sees a group of survivors taking refuge in a shopping mall while the world outside is overrun by the undead. It grossed $102.9 million at the global box office.
5. 28 Days Later (2002) - $81.8 million
Danny Boyle's fast-paced zombie thriller, 28 Days Later, gave us a new kind of undead – ones that could run and climb. With a $81.8 million worldwide gross, this film brought a fresh perspective to the genre and launched Cillian Murphy's career.
6. Warm Bodies (2013) - $66.4 million
Here's a zombie rom-com for all you lovestruck ghouls out there. Warm Bodies tells the tale of a zombie named R who falls in love with a human girl, Julie, and starts to regain his humanity. This unique take on the genre grossed $66.4 million worldwide.
7. Zombieland (2009) - $102.4 million
This hilarious horror-comedy follows a group of survivors navigating a post-apocalyptic America, armed with an arsenal of zombie-killing skills and a set of rules for survival. Zombieland grossed $102.4 million at the global box office, thanks to its perfect blend of laughs and scares.
8. Rec (2007) - $25.5 million
This Spanish found-footage horror film is a must-watch for any zombie enthusiast. Rec follows a TV reporter and her crew as they become trapped in a quarantined apartment building with a highly contagious and aggressive virus. It grossed $25.5 million worldwide and spawned two sequels.
9. Dead Snow (2009) - $10.1 million
From Norway comes this twisted, gory, and surprisingly funny zombie flick with a twist – these undead are also Nazis! Dead Snow follows a group of medical students who find themselves up against these horrifying forces in a remote mountain cabin. It grossed $10.1 million globally.
10. The Girl with All the Gifts (2016) - $10.3 million
Last on our list is this post-apocalyptic zombie tale with a unique twist. The Girl with All the Gifts follows a group of children who are part human, part fungus, and have a hunger for human flesh. This thought-provoking film grossed $10.3 million worldwide.
The Future of Zombie Cinema
As we've seen, the highest grossing zombie movies come in all shapes and sizes, from action-packed blockbusters to independent horror gems. With audiences' insatiable appetite for the undead showing no signs of slowing down, we can't wait to see what zombie delights the future holds. So, keep your eyes peeled, guys, and stay tuned for more undead goodness!