Zombies are perhaps best known for their hunger for human flesh. But let’s not forget that the living dead can occasionally have feelings too – deep down inside their rotten innards can often reside the need for compassion and love. As such, here’s a quick countdown of the top 10 most romantic zombie moments in all of these shuffling somnambulist grizzly history. Enjoy!
10) Michael Jackson’s Thriller (John Landis, 1983)
Voted as the most influential music video of all time, Michael Jackson’s Thriller was perhaps the first huge break for the living dead. With it’s catchy song, brilliant direction and jaw-dropping dancing the video tells the loving story of Jackson proposing to his girlfriend (played by actress and Playboy’s Playmate of June 1980, Ola Ray) before trans morphing into a creature of the night. With the addition of the legendary Vincent Price, this has to be one of the most awesome moments of zombie history.
9) Braindead (Peter Jackson,1992)
Braindead (or to give it it’s lamer title, Dead Alive) was the last of Jackson’s splatter trilogy admired around the globe by legions of cult fans. Once regarded as the bloodiest movie ever made, it tells the progressively twisted tale of a young, bumbling but lovable fool (played by Tim Balme) who falls head over heels with Spanish heartthrob Paquita. Unfortunately, his obsessive dominating beast of a mother is not the only thing to get between the love birds, and indeed ultimately bring the couple closer, for their town is in the midst of a gruesome zombie invasion. Featuring vicars who kick ass, necrophiliac nymphomaniac nurse and a troublesome zombie baby, things don’t get crazier than this!
8 ) Dellamorte Dellamore (Michele Soavi, 1994)
Another 90′s zom-com here in this bonkers film directed by the warped mind behind The Church and Stage Fright. The film tells the story of a crypt-keeper (Rupert Everett) and a cemetery that’s slightly different to your usual grave-park…or is it? After a certain time, the buried come back from their short slumber and attempt to break free from the walls of the cemetery. Things get complicated when a buxom beauty ends up buried six feet under. Cue plenty of graveyard sex and boobies.
7) Re-Animator (Stuart Gordon, 1985)
Loosely based on H.P. Lovecraft’s story, Re-Animator has become another cult zombie favourite and it’s easy to see why! When the frankly odd Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) comes between a happy couple very much in love, before turning their family kitty and father into crazed, living dead maniacs, the couple’s romantic rose-tinted world is flipped on its head as all hell breaks loose.
6) Shaun Of The Dead (Edgar Wright, 2004)
The first in the so-called ‘Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy’, Shaun Of The Dead celebrated with pride it’s zom-rom-com aspects. Based on a rough idea seen earlier in the cult TV show, Spaced and featuring an incredible soundtrack, Shaun Of The Dead shows the journey of a heartbroken man who’ll do anything to get the love of his life back for good…even if it means killing a few zombies on the way.
5) Stubbs The Zombie (Wideload Games, 2005)
From the big screen to the small screen. Stubbs The Zombie in Rebel Without A Pulse was originally released in 2005 on the Xbox and is, without doubt, one of the most original, humorous, enjoyable and romantic zombie games ever made. Set during the late 1950s, you play a shambling salesman zombie, Stubbs who rises from the grave to seek revenge for his untimely death and find his one true love. By slowly creating an army of the dead by feasting upon the braaaains of Punchbowl’s citizens, Stubbs quickly becomes a force to be reckoned with, especially with his ability to use his limbs and guts as weapons (including a removable exploding bowling ball-like head). Soon, the cops, the army and chainsaw wielding farmers are against you! One of the most hilarious zombie games, it’s even better in two player co-op!
4) My Boyfriend’s Back (Bob Balaban, 1993)
This often overlooked film is a brilliant slice of romantic horror. The plot revolves around Johnny Dingle, a teenager who’s madly in love with the stunning Missy but unable to confess his feelings. When Johnny’s life is abruptly ended, he just can’t stay dead and so rises again and pretends nothing happened. Of course, his body slowly starts to rot away and the only cure…eating fresh human flesh! Despite being a flop both financially and critically, it’s still a very enjoyable film that many zombie fans will love.
3) Night Of The Creeps (Fred Dekker, 1986)
Prom night is a big deal in any teenager’s life. Full of nerves and worries you’ll end up like Carrie White, the last thing you need is an invasion of leech-like alien bugs with the ability to turn people into flesh-hungry living dead. Staring the cult icon Tom Atkins, this comedy romantic zombie horror is a brilliant homage to the best of B-Movies. Whilst the zombie pandemic spreads across the town, Chris Romero (named after the king of zombie cinema) is preparing himself to finally ask out the love of his life. It’s great fun and a must for any zombie fan. Special note must be made of the great chemistry between Chris and best friend J.C., one of zombie cinema’s first gay characters.
2) Zombie Honeymoon (David Gebroe, 2004)
Get your hankies at the ready, this zombie comedy is possibly the most touching film on the list. Winner of a Chainsaw award as the best low budget film of the year, the film tells the tragic tale of a happy couple who’s romantic honeymoon quickly becomes a horrid nightmare from Hell when the new husband is attacked and slowly begins to show signs of zombification…including the unquenchable hunger for braaains.
1) [REC] Genesis (Paco Plaza, 2012)
The greatest romantic zombie film of all time? There really is no competition! The latest installment in the [REC] franchise smashes into top place and blows the other films clear out of the water. Much different in tone to the previous movies, [REC] Genesis is more along the lines of Braindead and Return Of The Living Dead with its over the top gore and inventive kills. The film kicks off during a wedding. Everything is going great until the possessed undead gatecrash the celebrations, soon there’s blood, innards, guts and gore everywhere! Amidst the constant barrage of violence, the heart-stopping horror and the laugh-out-loud comedy, the romantic elements of this film are unbelievably touching. The ending is guaranteed to get even the most hardened zombie fans, feeling warm and gooey inside (either romance or the gore – I’m not quite sure).
