Dawn of the Dead (1978, David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger)
When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.
Quick plot: When the dead start coming back to life to feed on the living, a group of survivors holes up in a secluded shopping mall.
Scariest moment: George A. Romero has always made good in the blood-and-guts department, but his real scares come from what his zombie films say about society. The walking dead flock to the mall. Why? Because they’re doing what comes natural. Then you realize a mall full of living, breathing people doesn’t look so different.
Final say: Night of the Living Dead started it all, but had Romero not knocked another one out of the park with its sequel, who knows if the zombie film would have continued to thrive? It also introduced the social satire aspect that now every zombie movie is expected to emulate. Hey, I liked the sleek remake as much as the next guy, but when it comes down to it, I prefer my zombies lumbering and wearing makeup prepared by Tom Savini.