6 Zombie Films to Watch Before 28 Years Later

By Dan Bremner - June 19, 2025

Film - TV - Feature

With 28 Years Later coming to cinemas and Danny Boyle stepping back into the director’s chair, now’s the perfect time to revisit (or discover) some of the undead gems that laid the groundwork for this long-awaited sequel. Whether you're here for the rage-infected chaos of the original films or just craving some top-tier zombie carnage, this list rounds up six must-watch flicks—ranging from genre-defining classics to criminally underrated surprises—that will get your blood pumping and your brain (hopefully) unbitten.

28 Days Later (2002)/28 Weeks Later (2007)

Could it have been anything else?

28 Days Later is an essential watch before 28 Years Later, not just because it's the predecessor, but because it redefined the zombie genre with its raw, visceral energy and introduced the fast-moving infected that became iconic. Directed by Danny Boyle (Who is also returning for 28 Years), the film follows Jim (Cillian Murphy), who wakes in a deserted London 28 days after a rage virus outbreak. Its gritty digital cinematography, haunting score by John Murphy, and bleak exploration of human survival set a bold template for the series. The film’s focus on societal collapse and moral dilemmas, like the chilling military outpost, grounds its horror in a raw way that still goes hard today, making it crucial for understanding the world and tone of 28 Years Later. Without experiencing this ground-breaking original, why would you even be watching this month's sequel?

Available on BBC iPlayer

While a major step down from the original, and seems to be mostly ignored in the coming instalment, 28 Weeks Later expands the scope of the infected apocalypse while diving deeper into themes of family and failed reconstruction. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, it picks up six months after the first film, with NATO forces attempting to repopulate London, only for the virus to resurge. The intense opening sequence is an all-timer the film never manages to recapture, Robert Carlyle’s tragic arc, and the harrowing child-focused narrative amplify the stakes. Its darker, more action-heavy energy and global implications, (like the virus spreading beyond Britain) bridge the original’s intimacy to the epic scale hinted at in 28 Years Later, making it a key piece of the series' escalating terror.

Available on Netflix

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Tonally, it's night and day from the 28 franchise, but Shaun of the Dead is an essential watch as it offers a comedic yet heartfelt lens on the zombie genre coated in pure Britishness, crafted by Edgar Wright and starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, whose chemistry grounds makes for some of the most heartfelt and gut-wrenching moments in the genre. This "rom-zom-com" follows Shaun, a slacker navigating love and apathy in London, unaware of a zombie outbreak in London echoing the rage virus’ chaos. Wright’s kinetic direction, sharp British wit, and practical gore paired with a poignant pub standoff offers a contrasting take of the undead in Britain. Its cultural riff on zombie tropes enriches the genre, making it a must-see for fans craving a lighter but resonant prelude.

Available on Prime Video

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Dawn of the Dead reimagines George A. Romero’s classic with a frenetic, modern zombie horror vibe that echoes the fast-paced infected chaos of the 28 series, and in a blasphemous statement, I think it outshines the original. Directed by Zack Snyder in his debut (And still his best film. Sorry Snyderverse Freaks), the film traps a diverse group of survivors, led by Sarah Polley and Ving Rhames, in a Milwaukee mall during a global zombie outbreak, delivering relentless action and biting social commentary. Its visceral practical effects, intense score by Tyler Bates, and breakneck pacing, particularly the opening escape sequence and an astonishing opening-credits scene set to Johnny Cash mirror the raw urgency of Danny Boyle’s rage virus world.

Available on Netflix (US)

Train to Busan (2016)

Train to Busan is an electrifying blend of high-octane zombie horror and emotional depth, offering a global perspective that complements the 28 Days Later series’ visceral intensity. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, this South Korean banger follows a father (Gong Yoo) and daughter (Kim Su-an) trapped on a train during a zombie outbreak, delivering breathless action sequences, like the claustrophobic carriage battles which are driven kinetic battles filled with tons of extras. The film’s heart-wrenching exploration of sacrifice and humanity, paired with Jang Young-gyu’s pulsing score, mirrors the moral dilemmas and societal collapse of Danny Boyle’s rage virus saga. Its unique cultural lens and relentless pace provides a unique look at the undead apocalypse.

Available on STUDIOCANAL Presents

The Girl With all the Gifts (2016)

The Girl with All the Gifts is not just thoroughly overlooked, but is an essential watch for its thought-provoking twist on the zombie genre, blending emotional depth with dystopian horror that resonates with the 28 Days Later series’ exploration of humanity’s fragility. Directed by Colm McCarthy, the film follows Melanie (Sennia Nanua), a hybrid child immune to a fungal infection that mirrors the rage virus’ apocalyptic devastation, as she navigates a bleak, post-outbreak Britain alongside a scientist (Gemma Arterton) and soldiers (Paddy Considine, Glenn Close). Cristobal Tapia de Veer’s eerie, atmospheric score and the film’s stark, practical-driven visuals of the overgrown, desolate London echo Danny Boyle’s gritty aesthetic, while its focus on moral ambiguity and hope amidst collapse makes for compelling themes amongst the carnage. A truly underrated watch that not enough people talk about.

Available to rent on digital platforms

Whether you're prepping for 28 Years Later or just in the mood for some top-tier undead mayhem, these films serve as the perfect warm-up. From rage-fuelled chaos to emotional gut-punches (and even a pint at the pub), this line-up hits every corner of the genre. Just don’t get too comfy—infected move fast.