The zombie heist filmArmy of the Deadwas an instant hit on Netflix, and audiences devoured the zombie apocalypse action film featuring the broodingDave Bautista, comedianTig Notaroand fan-favoriteMatthias SchweighöferalongsideOmari Hardwick,Ana de la Reguera, andTheo Rossias members of a mercenary group hired to rob a zombie-infested hotel in post-apocalyptic Las Vegas. The vibrant and action-packed film was released to stream on Netflix in 2021 and already has a stand-alone prequel spin-off,Army of Thieves.
If you’re hunting down more films with sharp humor, gory action, high stakes heists, and ragged, hungry zombies then check out these 25 movies likeArmy of the Dead.
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Army Of Thieves
With a story and script byArmy of the Deadco-writerShay Hatten,Army of Thievesis a prequel to the zombie heist film, that shifts focus to the lock-picking, safe cracking, innocent Sebastian. Sebastian is played byMatthias Schweighöfer, who also directs this comedic heist movie, which showcases the actor/director’s boyish exuberance and seemingly accidental hilarity while news reports of the impending zombie outbreak play on televisions in the background. Released straight to Netflix like its predecessor, the film received a higher critical review thanArmy of the Dead, noting Schweighöfer’s impact both in front of and behind the camera.
Army of Darkness
The third film of theEvil Deadfranchise,Army of DarknessstarsBruce Campbellas the brash protagonist, Ash Williams. In a similar fashion toArmy of the Dead, Ash leads troops into battle against a legion of zombies, but instead of going after the cash, Ash is in search of the Necronomicon, which will allow him to time travel back to his present-day in the early ’90s. Though the film received the lowest critical response of the trilogy starring Campbell, its cult following brought in nearly four times as much at the box office as its predecessor,Evil Dead 2. The franchise is about to release a new take on the demonic zombie story withEvil Dead Riseset to release sometime in 2022.
Shaun Of The Dead
Nick FrostandSimon Pegg(Hot Fuzz) star as two aimless, slacker best friends who are caught off guard by the zombie apocalypse overtaking London. First believing that the zombies are drunk people, the two don’t catch on until they find themselves fighting for their lives with a shovel and cricket bat. Based on an episode of Pegg and co-writerEdgar Wright’s sitcomSpaced, the zombie comedy follows a group of unlikely survivors in their battle to find shelter in their favorite local pub. The film came in second at the box office behindAdam Sandler’s50 First Dates, while receiving critical acclaim and a fantastic 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
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Zombieland
Woody Harrelson,Jesse Eisenberg,Emma Stone, andAbigail Breslinstar inZombielandas a ragtag group of apocalypse survivors, all searching for a piece of home.Bill Murraymakes a cameo appearance as himself in this hilarious, action-packed survival comedy. Released in 2009,Zombielandquickly became the highest-grossing zombie film of all time in the US, bypassing the 2004 remake ofDawn Of The Deadand holding the title until the release ofWorld War Zin 2013. The film was nominated for 28 awards, winning six, including Best Horror Movie of the 2009 Scream Awards.
A group of unsuspecting college students break an evil urn that unleashes a demonic zombifying curse. The 3D film was shot in only 20 days and was released at the Toronto International Film Festival. Cheesy and light-hearted, this horror spoof was Canada’s first film live-action stereoscopic 3D film and directed byApril Mullen, the first woman to direct a live-action stereoscopic 3D film.
6 Underground
6 UndergroundstarsRyan Reynoldsas the leader known as One in the action-packed thriller film that follows six individuals of a vigilante squad in their pursuit of international criminals. Directed byMicheal Bay(Armageddon), the film was released by Netflix in 2019 tomixed reviewswith critics noting the film’s focus on action amidst Bay’s joyful and bizarre mayhem. Reynolds' charming comedy shines in this lighthearted and action-packed heist film.
The Dead Don’t Diefeatures an ensemble cast of recognizable names such asBill Murray,Adam Driver,Tilda Swinton,Steve Buschemi,Selena Gomez,Danny Glover,Rosie Perez,Iggy Pop,RZA, and more. This oddball dark zombie comedy was released in 2019 and was directed byJim Jarmusch(Paterson).The Dead Don’t Die, which premiered as the opening film of the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, features deadpan comedy in the dialogue between stars Murray and Driver who portray police officers in the rural town of Centerville investigating a missing chicken when things start to go awry.
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Released in 2018, this action horror film follows a group of brazen US soldiers on the eve of D-Day. While attempting to take down a Nazi radio tower, the group discovers something even more sinister in way of strange genetic experiments taking place in the heavily guarded base. The film’s premise was conceived byJ.J. Abramswith a screenplay written byMark L. SmithalongsideBilly Ray,who was one of the writers forThe Hunger Games. Released in 2018 by Paramount picturesOverlordpremieredat the Austin Texas Fantastic Fest, and went on to win two of the seven awards it was nominated for.
Day Of The Dead
InGeorge A. Romero’s 1985 horror filmDay Of The Dead, audiences follow a group of scientists trying to find a cure to the zombie virus and the soldiers assigned to protect them. This is the third film of Romero’sNight Of The Living Deadfranchise, which has amassed a cult following over the years. The film was released to poor box office reception but gained most of its $30 million revenue when it was released onto VHS, contrasting original reviews and going on to receive critical praise for its make-up effects. While dealing with budgetary restraints and varying concepts Romero wrote a total of 5 scripts before finally reaching an agreement with the United Film Distribution Company and creating the horror film that made audiences jump, scream, and fear what could be lurking behind the walls.
28 Days Later
In post-apocalyptic Great Britain, four survivors of the quickly spreading zombie virus fight for survival. Directed byDanny Boyle(Trainspotting) and written byAlex Garland(The Beach),28 Days Laterreceived positive reviews from both audiences and critics, winning seven awards along with a spot on Bravos’ list of ‘The 100 Scariest Movie Moments’. The franchise has gone on to createa sequeltitled28 Week Later, garnering a cult following and publishing two graphic novel series.
