These Are the Best Zombie Movies Adapted From Books

For decades, the electrifying zombie genre has provided moviegoers everywhere with endless thrills and chills, with beloved classics like Night of the Living Dead, 28 Days Later, and Dawn of the Dead dazzling the masses and causing high-anxiety and terror. Some of the cinema’s most revered and sensational films just-so-happen to be based on acclaimed literary hits, as Richard Matheson’s massively influential horror novel I Am Legend notably spawned three big screen adaptations.

From pulse-pounding blockbusters like World War Z and the third iteration of Matheson’s work I Am Legend, to trailblazing Hollywood triumphs like White Zombie, and even underrated indie flicks like Pontypool, the silver screen has been home to some seriously spectacular movies all based on literary creations. Let’s take a closer look at ten of the best zombie movies adapted from books.

10 World War Z

Based on the Max Brooks novel of the same name, the pulse-pounding 2013 action horror film World War Z stars Hollywood sensation Brad Pitt as Gerry Lane, a retired United Nations investigator who embarks upon a worldwide search to help find a cure to a deadly virus that is causing humanity to transform into feral and vicious zombies. Lane races against time and faces unfathomable horrors while on his crucial quest to discover a solution to the terrifying plague, while also fighting to reunite with his beloved wife and children.

Pitt Dominates in the Gripping Zombie Flick

Upon the spectacular debut of World War Z, both audiences and critics were completely captivated by the action-packed flick, with praise going towards Pitt for his commanding performance as well as the adaptation’s non-stop thrills, gripping premise, and spine-tingling horror. While some felt that the big screen reimagining didn’t fully remain faithful to the source material, World War Z nonetheless grossed over $540 million at the box office and became the highest-grossing zombie movie of all time, while also winning a Saturn Award for Best Thriller Film. A sequel to the exciting hit was even in the works but was ultimately canceled in 2019 due to budget issues.

9 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

The celebrated Jane Eusten literary classic was delightfully parodied by writer Sam Grahame-Smith when he penned Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, with the satire being turned into a 2016 comedy horror adaptation. The film features Lily James as Elizabeth Bennet, who teams up with the handsome-yet-pretentious Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley) to take on a frightening hoard of the undead terrorizing the English countryside. Though the clashing duo don’t see eye-to-eye, they are both brilliant zombie killers, and they set aside their differences to try and save the world.

Literary Great Gets the Undead Treatment

Natalie Portman was initially attached to headline the entertaining flick before Cinderella star Lily James was eventually cast, with the former actress going on to produce the lively adaptation instead. Though Pride and Prejudice and Zombies failed to make a splash at the box office, its innovative and fresh premise was appreciated, as was then-newcomer James’ fiesty performance. It’s inspiring girl power message and unique approach to telling the revered Austen tale was also a blast for audiences to witness, as was its cheeky deadpan humor and fun action sequences.

8 The Last Man on Earth

Cinema icon Vincent Price was in fine form when he starred as Dr. Robert Morgan in the first silver screen adaptation of Richard Matheson’s influential novel I Am Legend. The 1964 post-apocalyptic horror film The Last Man on Earth follows a lonely survivor as he kills horrific undead creatures by night while trying to keep his sanity intact and discovers a potential cure to the plague by day. When Morgan shockingly meets the infected Ruth Collins, he realizes he may be the last hope to save humanity and defeat the sickness.

An Underrated Cult Classic

The Last Man on Earth was not an initial success upon its release but has retrospectively been lauded as a horror cinema classic, with Film Threat retrospectively declaring that the ominous picture was “the best Vincent Price movie ever made.” The eccentric Price brilliantly captured the grief and loneliness Morgan experienced in the horror flick, as society was ravaged all around him, and he struggled with the profound loss of his wife and daughter. The Matheson novel would subsequently go on to be adapted once again with both The Omega Man and I Am Legend, though the author claimed the ’64 film remained the most faithful to his story.

7 Warm Bodies

Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer portrayed star-crossed lovers in the zombie romantic comedy Warm Bodies, which is based on both the Isaac Marion novel and Shakespeare masterpiece Romeo and Juliet. The movie chronicles the unlikely relationship between a zombie named R and a young female survivor, Julie, in the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse. After rescuing Julie from a walking-dead attack, R feels an emotional pull towards the woman, and when she realizes he is not like the other creatures, sparks flying between the pair.

A Winning Horror & Romance Concoction

Warm Bodies sets itself apart from other zombie films because the story is told from the intriguing perspective of R instead of a human survivor. It also features the living dead possessing human characteristics and the ability to speak, setting up for some wildly entertaining commentary. The movie masterfully blends horror and romance and audiences couldn’t help but root for R and Julie to get their happy ending, with Palmer reflecting on the film’s uplifting message: “For me, the core of the story is that love breathes life back into people. That human connection saves us. People who have had those lights dimmed inside them, when they fall in love they get brighter.”

6 The Girl With All The Gifts

The zombie genre was given a refreshing update with the 2016 post-apocalyptic horror film The Girl with All the Gifts, which takes place in a near dystopian future. A lethal fungus has turned much of society into mindless zombies known as “hungries,” and the story centers on the valiant mission of school teacher Helen (Gemma Arterton) and scientist Caroline (Glenn Close) as they team up with two courageous soldiers to get the young and immune child Melanie to safety after discovering she may possess a cure.

The Author Is Hands-on with Adaptation

Based on Mike Carey’s thought-provoking sci-fi novel, the film adaptation was also written by the author. It impressively combined a coming-of-age tale with the zombie horror genre, with critics and audiences being put on edge by The Girl with All The Gifts‘ taut pacing, engrossing premise, and spine-tingling visuals. When asked how faithful the movie would be to the book, Carey told Mom Advice:

“We went a slightly different way in the movie, especially when it came to point of view. Where the novel moves between the five main characters and lets us see what’s going on in all of their heads, the movie sticks with Melanie all the way…But it’s a case of two different paths through the same narrative space. The ending is absolutely faithful to the book.”

5 I Am Legend

Another adaptation of the popular Richard Matheson novel, the 2007 post-apocalyptic thriller I Am Legend, touts a powerhouse performance by Will Smith. It tells the story of Dr. Robert Neville as he attempts to survive in the barren New York City wasteland after most of the world’s population was wiped out by a virus that turned its victims into cannibalistic mutants known as “Darkseekers.” Neville is immune to the lethal virus, and he attempts to discover a cure for the plague, and is stunned to discover he may not be the only survivor in the deserted city.

Smith’s Captivating One-Man Show

Before the Will Smith-led extravaganza debuted in theaters, a different adaptation was nearly made in 1997, with Arnold Schwarzenegger attached to star and Ridley Scott directing, though the project was ultimately canceled due to the studio’s concerns over budget and Scott’s lackluster box office receipts around the time. The film gained steam once more in 2006 with Smith tapped to star. I Am Legend becoming a certified box office hit and dazzling moviegoers all across the world, grossing over $585 million and earning rave reviews largely due to Smith’s exceptional portrayal. A highly-anticipated sequel is currently in the works with Smith set to return alongside Michael B. Jordan.

4 Pontypool

A criminally-underrated entry in the zombie genre is without-a-doubt the 2008 psychological horror thriller Pontypool, an adaptation of Tony Burgess’ Pontypool Changes Everything that uniquely takes place at a radio station. Disc jockey Grant Mazzy finds himself and his co-workers become trapped after news quickly spreads of a terrifying virus affecting the residents of the titular town. Mazzy sets out to warn his listeners of the impending plague while barricading himself at the station, as the group attempts to survive the deadly onslaught.

An Underappreciated Zombie Gem

What sets Pontypool apart from other zombie flicks is that the virus is transferred via words and the English language, and the fact that the majority of the unsettling movie takes place in a claustrophobic radio station left audiences on the edge of their seats. The thriller was nominated for three Genie Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay, and was ranked on Consequence of Sound’s list of “Scariest Movies Ever Made,” earning praise for its innovative premise and thrills and chills. A sequel has been teased and in development for years, though Pontypool Changes has yet to receive any solid updates.

3 Cell

Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, the 2016 sci-fi horror film Cell reunites John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson (who previously starred in 1408 together). It follows disillusioned graphic novelist Clay Riddell as he goes on a desperate and dangerous crusade to reunite with his estranged young son after an ominous signal transmitted through a worldwide cell phone network turns people into blood-thirsty zombies known as “phoners.” With the help of a tough train conductor, Riddell fights to find his family amid all the carnage and chaos.

A Cautionary Tale About the Pitfalls of Technology

Horror master Eli Roth was initially attached to helm the Stephen King adaptation, though he eventually exited the project over creative differences with the studio. Tod Williams (Paranormal Activity 2) took over directing duties. Though neither a critical nor commercial darling, Cell still delivered plenty of good ‘ole blood and gore and suspense that will satiate horror fans, with the film providing insightful commentary on society’s addiction to technology and how people become “zombies” by their mindless consumption of the internet via their cell phones.

2 White Zombie

Widely regarded as the first feature length film to depict zombies, the 1932 independent horror picture White Zombie notably stars cinema icon Bela Lugosi as white Haitian voodoo master “Murder” Legendre. He assists a desperate plantation owner in killing the object of his affection after she turns down his marriage proposal, with the nefarious pair setting out to bring the young woman back to life as a zombie. When Murder decides to keep the bewitching Madeleine for himself, a fierce battle ensues over the girl and her many determined suitors.

A Pioneering Zombie Spectacle

When White Zombie made its trailblazing debut, Lugosi had already starred in the legendary horror masterpiece Dracula and was a big box office draw for moviegoers, yet the film was unable to reach the heights of the revered classic. In spite of its lackluster commercial performance, White Zombie is now considered the touchstone for all zombie films and inspired countless other horror hits, with Parallax View praising Lugosi’s villainous role and writing, “The divinely satanic-looking Bela Lugosi sinks his teeth into his best role since Dracula, a languorous hypnotist and voodoo master who dominates the film with his assured bearing and cruel control.”

1 The Omega Man

As with The Last Man on Earth and I Am Legend, the 1971 post-apocalyptic sci-fi flick The Omega Man is another big screen adaptation of the Richard Matheson novel. This time, acclaimed leading man Charlton Heston headlines the picture as Los Angeles-based scientist Robert Neville, who believes he is the lone survivor of a devastating plague that destroyed most of the human race. Neville contends with homicidal, light-sensitive creatures who ferociously attack their prey, as he struggles to find a crucial cure.

Heston’s Zombie Cult Classic

The Omega Man took a slight detour from the novel and had the contagion be caused by biological warfare as opposed to a bacterial plague, resulting in the people transforming into nocturnal albino mutants. The film was a mild box office success, grossing $4 million during its run, with Heston’s spirited portrayal being appreciated by fans and subsequently helping The Omega Man emerge as a cult classic. Matheson didn’t have a powerful reaction one way or another to the adaptation, with the author going on to express, “The Omega Man was so removed from my book that it didn’t even bother me.”