George Andrew Romerowas an American-Canadian filmmaker, editor, and writer who has been called the “Father of the Zombie Film” and a horror icon due to his work in the horror genre. Known as an influential pioneer in all things creepy and unsightly, he had worked on over 20 films prior to his death in 2017. Today, his most popular works include his six zombie-centered films:Night of the Living Dead(1968),Dawn of the Dead(1978),Day of the Dead(1985),Land of the Dead(2005),Diary of the Dead(2007), andSurvival of the Dead(2009).
This month,Shudderhas an excellent selection of George Romero’s movies available for streaming. They include some of his more popular titles as well as some underrated ones. With summer more than halfway over and fall and Halloween just right around the corner, it’s a perfect time to sit back, relax, and enjoy a horror classic or two. With that in mind, here is every George Romero movie on Shudder, ranked.
8Season of the Witch
Season of the Witchtells the tale of bored housewife Joan Mitchell (Jan White) who is unhappy with her life. After hearing about a new woman in town rumored to dabble in witchcraft, Joan and her friends pay this mysterious woman, Marion Hamilton (Virginia Greenwald) a nighttime visit. While there, they discover that Marion is the leader of a secret witch coven. A series of bizarre occurrences lead Joan down a dark and ambiguous path in this very psychedelic and uniquepsychological horror filmwith the most feminist undertones of Romero’s career.
Related:These Are the Best George A. Romero Movies, Ranked
7Monkey Shines
In the morbid and bizarreMonkey Shinesalso known asMonkey Shines: An Experiment in Fear,Ella, a “well-trained” monkey, becomes the companion of Allan (Jason Beghe), who is quadriplegic after a horrific traffic accident. Unknown to Allan, Ella is a research monkey and has been undergoing treatments to boost her intelligence. As Allan starts to feel unhappy and resentful in his new way of life, Ella soon adapts his emotions and unleashes her rage by committing a series of homicidal acts.
6The Crazies
With a name likeThe Crazies,you know you’re in for one wild ride. This 1973 horror/mystery/thriller follows the story of a town infected by a deadly, highly contagious virus code-named “Trixie.” After an army plane carrying a bioweapon crashes near the town and infects the water supply, citizens soon either die or become hysterical and homicidally insane. What happens next? The town literally goes crazy, hence the film’s title and the army arrives to attempt to take control of the situation. Do they? Or do they themselves become crazy? Find out in George Romero’sThe Crazies, which was remade surprisingly well in 2010.
5Creepshow
Creepshowis a 1982 horror comedy anthology that combines five eerie taleswritten by horror master Stephen King(who also stars in one):Father’s Day, The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill, Something to Tide You Over, The Crate,andThey’re Creeping Up on You!all combine into one horrific good time of a film.As each short story is unique and gruesome in its own way, you’re sure to be entertained, or horrified (whichever you prefer), until the very end. Catch George Romero’s creepy masterpiece (and a recent adaptation into a television series) streaming only on Shudder.
4The Amusement Park
Amusement parks are supposed to be fun, family-friendly vacation destinations where dreams come true. However, the amusement park in George Romero’sThe Amusement Parkis a little different. According toABC News,the film was originally commissioned by the Lutheran Service Society and was supposed to be an hour-long educational film following the plight of the elderly. However, Romero stepped in and made the film his own, thus, failing to impress the Lutherans.
Related:The Amusement Park Trailer Brings George A. Romero’s Lost Classic to Shudder This Summer
The final product feels part documentary and part home video, a home video from hell that is, which follows an elderly man having a horrible day in a seemingly “normal” amusement park.Considered a ‘lost movie’for decades, Shudder found and restored it, bringing the world an early experiment from one of the world’s greatest filmmakers.
3Land of the Dead
“The world as we know it is no more. The land of the living has become the land of the dead.” The fourth film in George Romero’s legendary undead franchise, 20 years afterDay of the Dead,Land of the Deadfollows a group of human survivors who have formed an outpost safe zone in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. However, the dead never rest, and eventually, they discover this sanctuary city with one mission in mind: to kill and feast. Romero ups the sociopolitical commentary of his earlier films and creates a wicked, nasty political satire.
2Day of the Dead
It’s everybody’s “favorite” day, the day of the dead! In George Romero’sDay of the Dead,the zombie apocalypse has ravaged the entire planet and the undead have infected everyone they can get their hands, or teeth, on. Now it’s up to a small team of scientists, civilians, and soldiers to save the day, or rather, the humans from becoming zombie food. TheDay of the Deadis the third film in what was supposed to just be George Romero’s undead trilogy, coming afterNight of the Living DeadandDawn of the Dead.The film is a harsh critique of the military-industrial complex, and 35 years later was turned into acreepy TV series on Syfy.
1Night of the Living Dead
“Welcome to a night of total terror,”where the dead won’t stay dead! InNight of the Living Dead,the dead have come back to haunt and feast on the living and the living are trying their best to stay alive. It’s a classic battle of good over evil, the living versus the dead. The first film in a trilogy is often the best and that’s whyNight of the Living Deadclaims the number one place on this list. A favorite among both film critics and moviegoers, this horror classic remains one of George Romero’s most beloved masterpieces, even over 50 years later.
