Updated April 18, 2023 4.0K votes 644 voters 29.8K views
Over 600 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Fast Moving Zombie Movies
For decades zombies chased after brains at a leisurely pace, but in recent years the undead have started running at breakneck speeds. The top fast moving zombie movies feature deadly threats and speedy villains. This is a list of the top fast zombie movies featuring everything from I Am Legend to Resident Evil to Dead Snow.
What movies will you find on this list of the top fast moving zombies films? Fans of retro gore might vote The Return of the Living Dead to the top. This 1985 horror classic is widely believed to be one of the first movies to introduce speedy zombies. Although zombie aficionado George Romero doesn't believe in the fast undead, the 2004 remake of his Dawn of the Dead features fast moving zombies. And not all flicks featuring these speedy monsters are grim – Zombieland is a hilarious project full of super fast zombies. Other good films featured on this top fast zombies movies list include State of Emergency, 28 Days Later, and Fast Zombies with Guns.
Do you have a favorite fast zombie movie? Give the best films a thumbs up and share some of your favorite scenes in the comments section.
Train to Busan, a South Korean masterpiece directed by Yeon Sang-ho, wields a razor-sharp narrative that hurls its passengers, notably the loving father Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) and his daughter Soo-an, straight into the gnashing jaws of unnervingly agile undead. Combining exceptional storytelling with white-knuckle suspense, the film has not only cemented its status as an instant classic but also garnered numerous awards, including the Blue Dragon for Best Film. As the infected sprint through the speeding train, the brilliance of the film's heart, soul, and breakneck pacing become abundantly clear.
Actors: Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-seok, Jung Yu-mi, Kim Su-an, Kim Eui-sung
28 Days Later, directed by the inimitable Danny Boyle, delivers a chillingly authentic tale of apocalyptic survival that unleashes an otherworldly breed of infected sprinters upon a group of survivors, which includes the unforgettable Jim, played by the talented Cillian Murphy. As the gut-wrenching narrative unfolds through deserted London streets, the film reaps a harvest of accolades, including two BAFTA awards for cinematography and production design. Further solidifying its status as an iconic entry in the horror genre, the film also receives rave reviews for its relentless, blood-splattered take on the undead.
28 Weeks Later, helmed by director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, picks up where its predecessor left off, unraveling a heart-pumping story of resurgence amid a supposedly safe, militarized London prepared to repel the fast and ferocious infected. The stellar cast, headed by Robert Carlyle as Don and Rose Byrne as Scarlet, is lauded for their gripping performances in this relentless, tension-filled horror film. Inundated with awards, including the Empire Award for Best Horror, 28 Weeks Later has rightly earned its place in the pantheon of zombie classics.
Actors: Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Catherine McCormack
Dawn of the Dead, the 1978 masterpiece helmed by the legendary George A. Romero, serves as a paragon of the zombie genre by unleashing an insatiable army of accelerated undead upon a group of survivors that includes the steadfast Fran, played by Gaylen Ross, and the tenacious Peter, skillfully portrayed by Ken Foree. The film, punctuated by its searing social commentary amid the backdrop of a consumerist culture-infused shopping mall, captivated audiences and critics alike, earning accolades such as the prestigious Saturn Award for Best Make-Up. Through its innovative approach to the frighteningly agile zombie, Dawn of the Dead continues to hold an esteemed position within the pantheon of horror cinema and influence subsequent generations of filmmakers.
Actors: David Emge, Ken Foree, Gaylen Ross, Scott H. Reiniger, David Crawford
World War Z, inspired by Max Brooks' best-selling novel, follows the harrowing journey of former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane, portrayed by the magnetic Brad Pitt, as he scrambles across the globe to halt the catastrophic outbreak of sprinting, vicious zombies. The film's blockbuster success lies not only in its viscerally captivating action sequences but also in its capacity to resonate on a broader, more human scale. Among its accolades, World War Z boasts a Saturn Award for Best Thriller Film, solidifying its indelible mark on the world of high-stakes, fast-paced undead storytelling.
Actors: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, James Badge Dale, Daniella Kertesz, Matthew Fox
Army of the Dead, directed by the visionary Zack Snyder, showcases an adrenaline-infused nightmare as an elite group of mercenaries led by the character Scott Ward, portrayed by the charismatic Dave Bautista, ventures into a quarantined Las Vegas teeming with ravenous, sprinting zombies. As the stakes and intensity rise, this action-packed drama garners praise for its thrilling set pieces, captivating storyline, and heart-wrenching moments. Both a critical and commercial success, Army of the Dead continues to enthrall zombie enthusiasts and general audiences alike.
Actors: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi