10 Classic Zombie Apocalypses Ranked by How Unlikely You'd Survive

10. The Walking Dead ( 2010–2022)

Opening up with the modern classic that revived the zombie apocalypse genre, The Walking Dead presents the least scary undead ever. Sure, there are many of them, but they are agonizingly slow, prone to decomposing and falling apart, dumb as rocks, easy to kill or capture, and ultimately don’t last for too long without feeding.

9. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Similarly to the walkers from our previous entry, Shaun of the Dead’s zombies aren’t exactly a menace. They’re almost as slow and stupid, but they have a little something going for them. Unlike TWD’s walkers, these zombies can distinguish the living by their sounds, not just blindly search for the noise source. Better stay quiet!

8. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

This was the hardest entry to place in our list. PPZ’s zombies are just like normal people: not only are they intelligent, but they also keep their human traits. Sadly, they still need to feed on brains. They don’t get extra powers and are relatively tame, but their human intelligence makes them a threat when they’re hungry… Just like us.

7. Pontypool (2008)

Another uneasy setting, Pontypool features the most unique mechanism of the zombie virus’ spreading: in this movie, the virus is transmitted via words. This makes speaking out loud and in conventional terms a dangerous idea, but the zombies themselves aren’t too bad at all. Shutting up and secluding yourself is the way to go.

6. Dawn of the Dead (2004)

You’re already familiar with these fellows, aren’t you? Dawn of the Dead’s zombies are basically The Walking Dead’s walkers on Day One. They’re slow but plentiful and stubborn, and they’ll force down your defenses… Eventually. The main difference is that they don’t wear out, so you’re dealing with relentless, granted that dumb, horde.

5. Zombieland (2009)

Now, we’re finally venturing into what we call the Fun Zone. Quick zombies are way, way more terrifying than the classic slow walkers, and in Zombieland, the undead are practically Usain Bolts who don’t need to take breathers. Thankfully, they’re stupid and easy to trick, but their immense speed makes them… Worrying, at least.

4. Train to Busan (2016)

Tireless fast zombies that instill the Uncanny Valley terror in anyone who sees their movement? Train to Busan’s zombies are ruthless, and their virus is spreading really fast: the closer the bite is to a victim’s head, the quicker they turn. It can even take a few seconds! But at least these guys don’t fare well in the dark, so there’s that.

3. 28 Days Later ( 2002)

Zombie apocalypse survivors are typically a bunch of terrified people. But what if emotions were peaking on both sides? 28 Days Later’s zombies are fueled by raw adrenaline that gives him inhuman strength and speed, but they’re also constantly raging. They’re furious, really. And they don’t like it one bit. And they blame you for it.

2. Return of the Living Dead (1985)

These are the OG fast zombies, so if you were wondering who came up with this positively unsettling idea, blame Dan O'Bannon. But if you thought all the previous running zombies were bad, you’ll love these ones: they are also incredibly hard to destroy as in order to do so, you need to burn them to ashes. Yeah, you’re screwed.

1. World War Z (2013)

Ultimately, even the quickest and strongest zombies have nothing on parkouring zombies. How would you like that? Not only do they move like Olympic runners but they can also climb, jump, and help each other — all of that really, really fast. In the movie, the military manages to contain the threat, but considering even the tame The Walking Dead zombies took over the world… If World War Z’s undead were the new reality, the entire planet would have been doomed in the first few hours.