Army Of The Dead sees a group of mercenaries hoping to make fortune by stealing from Las Vegas Casinos amidst a zombie outbreak. Starring an ensemble cast, the movie has been in development since 2007. Making jumps here and there until Netflix believed in this story to be told. What we got is a successful mix of heist and zombie genre with fans praising the ambitious crossover Snyder brought with his storytelling. If you were also amused by the same, here we are taking a look at 10 movies that may bring you something similar to what Army Of The Dead had to offer.
10. Dawn Of The Dead
So, we are starting with the movie that could be considered as the foundation for Army of Dead. Yes, Zack Snyder’s first directorial venture aided by the writing skills of James Gunn taking a cue on the zombie genre. Dawn Of The Dead is the remake of the 1978 film of the same name but went really well for the 21st century. Thus, helping Snyder make his mark. Dawn Of The Dead stars an ensemble cast in the lead including the likes of Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Weber, Mekhi Phifer, Ty Burrell, Michael Kelly, Kevin Zegers, and Lindy Booth. The story of the film follows the characters taking shelter in a shopping mall as the zombies wreak havoc around the world. The critics appreciated the notable changes. Thus, the movie was commercially successful and was ranked as one of the best films in the horror and zombie genre.
9. Shaun Of The Dead
Once you are done getting serious about Dawn Of The Dead’s situation, here comes a little light-heartedness which Army Of Zombie does consist of too. This inevitably comes in the form of Shaun Of The Dead. The movie takes cues from Zack Snyder’s Debut Dawn Of The Dead and several other movies such as Night Of The Living Dead, Raising Arizona, Back to the Future, and The Birds. Thus, bringing a gist of comedy into the post-apocalyptic world. Edgar Wright co-wrote and directed Shaun Of The Dead aided by Simon Pegg on the writing team. Pegg also stars as the titular character of the film along with Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy, and Penelope Wilton. The movie upon its release met with critical acclaim. Shaun Of The Dead follows the story of a regular salesman struggling with his job and lifestyle. Until a zombie apocalypse breaks in turning his world upside down.
8. Cargo
Another Netflix original revolving around the zombies with its own unique perspective of the storyline. While Army Of Dead sees the crew executing a heist, Cargo sees a father saving his child. In Cargo, we see a world already suffering from the apocalypse ravaged by flesh-eating humans. Amidst this, we see the tale of an infected father in Australia carry his little infant baby around. The movie sees him struggling to find a home for his kid where he can grow and thrive in this new havoc-wreaked world. Cargo is directed by Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke with Ramke on the writing team. They created the film based on their short film of the same name. Cargo stars Martin Freeman, Simone Landers, Anthony Hayes, Susie Porter, and Caren Pistorius. It is more of a slow-burn and needs time if you want to invest in this portrayal of the zombie-apocalypse genre.
7. Ocean’s Eleven
Enough of the zombie movies, let’s bring in more of a heist movie into the list to match the mission our Army Of Dead characters is executing. So we got the 2002 classic Ocean’s Eleven which is the remake of a 1960 film of the same name. Steven Soderbergh serves as the director of the film with Ted Griffin working on the screenplay. The movie stars an ensemble cast of some of the big names in the industry. These include the likes of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Andy García, Bernie Mac, and Julia Roberts. Ocean’s Eleven tells the story of Danny Ocean who brings together a group of people in an attempt to steal money from three popular casinos in Las Vegas. A heist worth $160 million stealing away from his rival and lover of his ex-wife Terry Benedict. The movie became a huge commercial success in 2001 followed by two more sequels which you can keep up to.
6. Resident Evil
Yes, the video games are way better and entertaining but let’s not forget Resident Evil movies still work. Plus, they give the amount of entertainment required when you want that zombie action and having nothing on. Here we are mentioning only the first film which paved the way for other sequels. Resident Evil follows the story of Alice and her special military unit who work their way around with the zombies who are the result of a laboratory accident. Paul W. S. Anderson wrote and directed Resident Evil taking cues from the video game series of the same name. Despite the negative critical reception of the film, it was a commercial success and was followed into multiple sequels. The movie stars Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius, James Purefoy, Martin Crewes, and Colin Salmon in the lead. Also Read: Top 10 Horror Movies Of All Time – Similar Scary Film Recommendations
5. Zombieland
Okay, we are at no. 5, so let’s take a break from the serious nature of the post-apocalyptic world of zombies. Let’s dive into the comedic nature of Shaun Of The Dead again. This time in the ever-popular Zombieland which today is seen as synonymous with the zombie genre. Zombieland follows the story of a geek who usually locks himself inside doors until a mad cow disease turned into a mad zombie disease which led him out. Thus trying to get back home to ensure his parents are alive aided by an aggressive new friend he finds who is only looking for a Twinkie. Also, two smart sisters looking for shelter too. Ruben Fleischer directed Zombieland in his directorial debut with Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick on the writing team. The film stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. The movie was a critical as well as commercial success taking over Zack Snyder’s Dawn Of The Dead from the top spot of a highest-grossing zombie film. The year 2019 brought in “Zombieland: Double Tap” serving as a sequel for the film.
4. Train To Busan
An international entry here that defined the zombie genre in the past decade. Train to Busan sees a father and daughter making their way to Busan on a train in order to celebrate the daughter’s birthday with her mother. Only until a zombie apocalypse wreaks havoc thus trapping them along with a number of passengers inside a train hoping to find refugee from the flesh-eating zombies in cities ahead. The movie is a perfect take on the genre as we see characters turning each other with well-defined leaders leading the surviving humans. Yeon Sang-ho directed Train To Busan with Park Joo-suk on the writing team. It stars Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-Seok, Kim Su-an, Choi Woo-Shik, Ahn So-hee, and Kim Eui-sung in the lead. The movie served as a record-breaking Korean film with an audience record of over 10 million theatergoers. A sequel to Train To Busan titled Peninsula came in the July of 2020.
3. World War Z
Probably one of the movies that come first to the mind when we think of the zombie genre in the 21st century. Of course, the name says it all. World War Z follows the story of United Nations investigator Gerry Lane working his way through the mysterious infection turning humans into zombies. At the same time trying to survive on his own with his family. The movie defines itself as more of an action genre film much like Army Of Dead. As we see the humans into a war against the flesh-eating creatures. Marc Forster directed World War Z with Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard, and Damon Lindelof on the writing team. The movie takes cues from the 2006 novel of the same name by Max Brooks. It stars Brad Pitt in the lead who also serves as the producer. Joining Pitt are Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, James Badge Dale, Matthew Fox, Ludi Boeken, Fana Mokoena, David Morse, Peter Capaldi, Pierfrancesco Favino, Ruth Negga, and David Andrews. World War Z met with positive thumbs especially for the performance of Pitt and the realistic take of the post-apocalyptic world. At the same time, World War Z faced criticism for the outdated CGI and moving away from the original source
2. Rec
Another international film making its way into the list bringing in the found footage element into the mix. Rec marks as the entry on the list as the one which defines the Horror genre most. It follows the story of Reporter Ángela Vidal and her cameraman Pablo. They work late and cover a firefighter intervention at an apartment building in Barcelona. Initially, it felt like a regular rescue until they meet the virus spreading in the building turning people into cannibals. On the other side, the government works its way to seal the building to stop it from spreading further. Rec is directed by co-written and directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza with Luis A. Berdejo on the writing team as well. The movie became a commercial success and today is considered as one of the most successful ones in the found footage genre. Rec was later followed into three more sequels in turn.
1. 28 Days Later
The final entry in the last makes way for 28 Days Later. Another more of an action film into the list. The movie has its own unique take on the virus and the post-apocalyptic world of flesh-eating creatures. Whether the creatures are zombies or not is the question. 28 Days Later follows a story set in six months past the virus affected the world. It sees Jim waking up from a coma finding the city empty and ravaged by the creatures until he stumbles upon a group of survivors. Danny Boyle directed 28 Days Later with Alex Garland serving as writer. The movie stars Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, and Brendan Gleeson in the lead roles. The movie went on to become critically successful. The atmosphere, performances, and direction of Boyle heavily received praise. Thus, making it an established horror film for the zombie genre in turn. Also Read: Army Of The Dead Review, Ending Explained
