Movies
The Lore Behind the Romero Zombie Films
Welcome back to Horror 101, a series of articles where we explain horror movie legends and their lore. For beginners, the confused, or just those who need a refresher, these articles are for you. The zombie craze of the 2000s to 2010s had an undeniable and unrelenting grip on the consciousness of horror fans and the world in general. Shambling masses of the formerly living were a hot commodity, in everything from television to movies to gaming, and just about everything zombie was being greenlit. But as that new zombie bubble grew and properties like The Walking Dead and The Last of Us were exploding in popularity, the original series of films that started it all were finding a second wind: Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” series was back, and even had new films being made. Night of the Living Dead, the one and only! …And Return of the Living Dead. And it’s sequels. And also Zack Snyder was doing his own thing. So, it may have gotten a little confusing trying to sort out and untangle the many overlapping Romero zombie films.
But that’s what we’re here to do today: sorting out the various canons, how their zombies came to be, and how two franchises sprung from one classic movie. And hopefully, we won’t boil our brains in the process.
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT LIVING DEAD MOVIES?
From the jump, what is now a piece of horror film history was a controversial coming attraction. George Romero and John A. Russo’s Night of the Living Dead, a story of survival in a bizarre and at the time unheard-of zombie apocalypse, was met with anger and indignation for its liberal amounts of violence in an era where the MPAA’s rating system was yet to be implemented (many even suspect Romero’s work was a major catalyst for getting the rating system codified).
But more important than its taboo nature was how much it made back: Night of the Living Dead was a smash hit at the box office, making back over 250 times its budget and cementing a franchise. But where there’s money, there are big problems: the schism between Night of the Living Dead’s many sequels is primarily a case of ownership of the film rights.
In another case of creatives suffering from success and splitting up (I’m looking at you Friday the 13th), Russo and Romero had differences regarding how they should take the property forward. Eventually, they settled on splitting the film’s “surnames”, with Russo owning the rights to title films with the phrase “Of the Living Dead”, while Romero owned the rights to make films under the “Of the Dead” title.
WHAT FILMS MAKE UP THE “OF THE DEAD” SERIES?
Despite what some cursory Google searching might tell you, the Night of the Living Dead series (or “Of the Dead” series) is six films, only 4 of which are in the same continuity.
The only direct sequels to Night of the Living Dead are Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, and Land of the Dead. The slow collapse of society, the behaviors of the zombies in these films, and the motif of zombies regaining some intelligence over time are the primary links between them since the casts of each film are never connected. In these films, the zombies result from some unknown pathogen, with the original film indicating it was brought back to Earth by a space probe returning from Venus.
Be it radiation or a cosmic virus, it raises the recently dead and turns them into contagious monsters, which eventually causes the destruction of society and leaves humanity separated into small clades. But they have one fatal weak spot: having their brains destroyed. (I know you knew this. Of course you knew this, who doesn’t know this?) Diary of the Dead (2007) and its follow-up prequel Survival of the Dead (2009) are not actually sequels or reboots to the previous films in the franchise, but their own weird third thing. They just share the “Of The Dead” name because of Romero’s claim to it, and have similar zombies. In these films, we never actually find out what caused the zombies to rise from their grave.
But we do get an Amish guy fighting zombies and flinging dynamite at them, which was kind of cool.
WHAT’S UP WITH THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD SERIES?
Return of the Living Dead, however, is a completely different beast. Russo’s Return series takes a unique approach as a sequel, and paints the events of Night of the Living Dead as a dramatized version of a real-world government coverup.
Though Night is just a film in this universe, Return of the Living Dead posits it depicts the first Trioxin outbreak: the experimental use of a bio-weapon known as Trioxin gas created nearly indestructible zombies that hunger for human brains. These zombies are also fully conscious, feel everything happening to them, and eat brains as a form of relief, which is absolute nightmare fuel! They can, however, be put down with electricity, as we find out in Return of the Living Dead 2.
Though the government was able to control the first outbreak, some of the zombies remaining bodies ended up being stashed at a medical supply warehouse in Louisville, Kentucky. Shock of shocks, some bozos open the canisters containing their remains, and a second outbreak ravages the United States.
The U.S. Army is incredibly incompetent in these movies, so the outbreaks happen a few more times in the sequels, and control of Trioxin gets so bad that college students even begin taking it as a recreational drug just for fun.
It’s all just a series of Trioxin “whoopsies” really.
WHAT ABOUT ZACK SNYDER’S “OF THE DEAD” MOVIES?
These have no relation, to either of the previous series really. Dawn of the Dead (2004) is a remake of the original Dawn of the Dead, but does not share continuity with Night of the Living Dead or any of its sequels. Army of the Dead (2021) is also somehow not a sequel to Dawn of the Dead (2004). For some reason? I wish I had a better answer for that.
ARE THE ZOMBI FILMS SEQUELS TO NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD?
This, this question is the one that gets me.
Hilariously, due to the Italian legal system, yes. The first Zombi film was just an Italian rerelease of Dawn of the Dead, and because Italian copyright law allows producers to make sequels to films they didn’t make, Fabrizio De Angelis was able to make a sequel to Dawn of the Dead called Zombi 2. It was also directed by giallo visionary Lucio Fulci, who gave us that amazing scene of a zombie fighting a shark!
This leads to an even more confusing chain of films. In Italy, there are only three official Zombi movies, but there are two other Zombi 3’s that were not sequels to Zombi 2 and just took the name! To make it even worse, Zombi’s 4 and 5 are American releases of unrelated Italian films, which is completely backwards from how we started this. On top of that, Pulgasari, a film we discussed here, is called Zombi: The Communist Bull-Monster for its Pakistan release, despite having no zombies, no communists, and if you really think about it, arguably no bull monster! My brain is boiling inside my skull!
…But yes, the answer to that question is yes. The three Zombi films are their own separate and messed-up continuity splintering off from the original Dawn of the Dead and, by extension, Night of the Living Dead.
Well, that should be all for today’s Horror 101 lesson. See you in the next class and stay tuned to Horror Press’s social media feeds (@HorrorPressLLC on Twitter and Instagram) for more content on horror movies, television, and everything in between!
When I think of Gothic horror, I typically imagine haunted and decaying castles, ghosts from the past, and arguments of morality. The colors are usually dark, often cool-toned, and shadowy. Part of this might be due to German Impressionism bleeding into classic American Horror films. Many of the early horror films naturally incorporated gothic elements such as fighting supernatural forces, big old houses, and religion. According to the New York Public Library, gothic fiction was established after Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto was published in 1764. The subgenre was named after the gothic castles that were often featured in earlier gothic works, such as Frankenstein and Dracula.
The aesthetic of death and decay around Gothic horror is reinforced with retellings of the most impactful gothic tales. There are countless remakes and retellings of Dracula. We just saw a new adaptation of Frankenstein from Guillermo Del Toro within the last four months. Additionally, the Hammer films from the 50’s-70’s focused on Gothic stories and helped to bolster the box we tend to place the subgenre in.
Gothic Horror Turned Southern Black Gothic
It’s easy to associate the subgenre with dread and gloom inside a Victorian mansion. However, Gothic horror has evolved with the times. There might not be an old haunted castle, but there might be an abandoned school from the 80’s. The elements of dread and decay remain, but have spread to other eerie buildings or maybe a forest. The same themes of sanity (or losing one’s sanity), death, morality, and the supernatural are still being explored, but updated and expanded with time. Gothic horror has even branched off to have its own subgenres like Gothic romance, Southern Gothic, and Urban Gothic.
Being a southern girl, I am fascinated with the Southern Gothic flavor of the subgenre. Britannica characterizes Southern Gothic as stories set in the American South with elements of the macabre and grotesque. The stories frequently tie into American history, which is riddled with ghost stories and tragedy, especially in the South. Many of the classic Gothic stories are set in Europe and take place over 100 years ago, so they feel distant to me. I haven’t been to a single decaying castle, but I have been to plenty of plantations.
Southern Gothic horror brings gloom and doom, but the color palette feels warmer. The terrors feel close to home. Black Southern Gothic films take a step closer to my heart by shifting the subgenre to a Black lens. The movies can feel like warm hugs, although they often explore America’s very dark past and present. Here are some excellent Black Southern Gothic Films you should watch right now!
Southern Black Gothic Films and Where To Stream Them
Sinners (2025)
Where to Stream: HBO Max
The world is going to have to pry Sinners from my cold, dead hands! It follows two brothers who come back home to start a business. It takes place in Clarksdale, Mississippi. The movie is dripping in Blues and Black history while incorporating so many Gothic horror elements. Instead of a big haunted Victorian house, there’s a juke joint with an implied violent past. The building is foreboding and dark against the sunny sky. The inside is old and worn. Before anything supernatural plays out, the brothers mention how they will handle the very real threat of violence from the Klan. Sinners also displays how poverty affected people and what it could drive them to do.
Religion also plays a big part in the story. We start and end the movie at church. The discussion of music and the devil is very prevalent in Black churches. Christianity isn’t the only religion included. I love the use of folk magic and the idea of “the other side.” If Sinners didn’t have enough Gothic flavor, it adds a supernatural threat with Remmick. Sinners is a must-see film!
Read our review of Sinners here!
Sugar Hill (1974)
Where to Stream: Tubi & Pluto
A lot of people might not think about Sugar Hill (1974) when they’re thinking about Gothic horror. It’s one of the first movies that comes to mind when I think of Blaxploitation films, but it has plenty of Gothic elements. The story follows Diana “Sugar” Hill as she seeks revenge on the men who killed her man. Sugar Hill takes place in Texas, AND there is an old dark house. We don’t spend a lot of time in the house, but when Sugar walks through the webs and dust, it feels like it’s straight out of a classic Gothic horror movie. She ends up going through the woods, and eventually, the dead begin to rise from the ground. It is a scene full of death and decay, and the zombies slowly rise (and I mean slowly) for revenge.
There’s also a taste of religion with Baron Samedi from Haitian Vodou. As Sugar gets her revenge, she encounters plenty of racism along the way, because is it really American without a little racism? If you’re in the mood for something fun, Sugar Hill is the way to go.
Spell (2020)
Where to Stream: Amazon Prime
Spell crept under the radar because it was released during the pandemic. The film follows Marquis (Omari Hardwick) after a plane crash in the Kentucky Appalachians, which lands him in the care of Ms. Eloise (Loretta Devine). Spell displays the use of folk magic for sinister reasons. In place of the decaying castle, there’s an isolated farmhouse creaking with age. Marquis quickly learns that his caretaker has sinister plans. He recognizes her magic, because he grew up in the area. He denounced parts of his culture that end up being integral to his salvation. As Marquis tries to escape, he tours all of the shadowy parts of the old dark house to keep the Gothic flavor intact. There are also some NASTY foot scenes that bring the grotesqueness to the screen.
Beloved (1998)
Where to Stream: VOD
Beloved is such a haunting movie. It follows Sethe, who lives with her daughter, after she takes in an old friend. A new stranger appears in the trio’s life, and strange things begin to happen. First of all, read Beloved by Toni Morrison! It is a great book, but a heavy story. While the story takes place in Ohio, which is above the Mason-Dixon line, the ghosts from the past have moved north with Sethe. Beloved demonstrates the dark decisions people will make to escape the circumstances of enslavement. The wailing ghosts are a classic staple. The dreadful atmosphere keeps you feeling uneasy. In many ways, Beloved feels like a classic Gothic horror film. It has an isolated haunted house, a ghost from the past, and discussions of morality.
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Where to Stream: Peacock, AMC+, Shudder
I usually have to come out swinging in order to prove that Eve’s Bayou is a horror movie in the first place. There are ghosts, people die, and people use dark magic. That’s enough for me! Eve’s Bayou centers on the Baptiste family and their turmoil. The sound of the swamp and nature is woven throughout the film. This movie feels so much like home that it feels like a grandmother’s prayer. I can nearly smell the summer air. The brightness, humor, and youth in the film are contrasted by the constant fear of loss that drives many of the characters’ actions.
There’s an entire plot point that involves the mom, Roz, keeping her kids inside, because their clairvoyant auntie saw a deadly vision. One of the most haunting scenes is when Mozelle tells the story of her curse and the fate of her husbands. It feels surreal and sad, but it still has the warmth of a southern summer. You can see her telling the story while it plays out in the mirror. Her voice is doubled with the voices of her past lovers, making the monologue more eerie. This movie is Black horror homework.
Wake (2010)
Where to Stream: YouTube
If you don’t have much time, Wake is only 20 minutes long, and it’s free on YouTube! The story follows a woman, after the death of her father, who uses rootwork to get what she wants, and she wants a man. The use of folk magic and the consequences of practicing but not understanding the magic almost plays out like a warning. Wake touches on repression and how far one would go to be free themselves. It also shows how societal standards can be a prison that people put themselves in. There’s a supernatural force, and an old house, two of the primary ingredients of Gothic horror. It is an underseen, but readily available, Southern Gothic film.
If you already enjoy Gothic horror, now is a great time to explore Black Southern Gothic films. The dark themes blend well with the warm hues. Although the dive into American history can feel heavy, it’s worth the weight. These are stories that need to be told.
‘Tis February, and because of 2025’s Heart Eyes, we now celebrate Valentine’s Day. While many outlets are going to list romantic horror movies featuring the ultimate horror couples, we’re doing something different at Horror Press. We’re highlighting horror movie red flags. That way, you don’t waste your time this Hallmark season with duds who watch crap. These movies are grounds for automatic swipes to the left and leaving messages on read. Read this list to see the ultimate film filter to help you focus on more sustainable hookups, dates, and cuffing season partners.
8 Horror Movies That Are Dating Red Flags
A Serbian Film (2010)
An old pornstar agrees to do an art film only to discover it’s a snuff film. A Serbian Film is possibly the reddest of the red flags. The pedophilia and necrophilia make it a hard watch, so anyone who revisits it often should probably raise all your alarms. We try not to judge people, but this is definitely a title that will get you some bombastic side eye if you try to bring it to movie night. Would definitely not recommend spending the night after being shown this hellish title.
Any Eli Roth Movie
They’re all the same, and that’s why Eli Roth movies are the free space on this red flag bingo board. Whether it’s taking place in a cabin, a hostel, or during Thanksgiving, there is something inherently gross about a Roth film. I need a shower whenever some guy tries to convince me Roth has made any movies of note. Only people who want to be ghosted are suggesting these movies, and you should respect their wishes this February.
Alone in the Dark (2005)
A paranormal investigator looks into mysterious events that connect to his past. There is nothing nice to say about this Uwe Boll movie. It’s actually one of the few movies where I can’t even count on the design team when searching for compliments. While Christian Slater, Tara Reid, and Stephen Dorff have the misfortune of being the faces we associate with this shit fest, I’m not even letting the colorist and craft service off for their parts in this dud. When we talk about how we all love an occasional bad movie, no one means this one. This makes Alone in the Dark a red flag and alerts you that someone might not have taste.
Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025)
A 1988 prom queen race turns deadly when a killer begins slaying the candidates. Fear Street: Prom Queen is another huge red flag because it has no redeeming qualities. People who like this movie are being contrarians and should immediately lose the right to recommend movies. From the lack of energy to the unserious kills, there is no reason to swipe right on anyone pretending this movie is good. Save yourself some time and probably more ridiculously bad watches and shut it down immediately.
I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006)
When a Fourth of July Prank goes wrong, someone dies, and their friend circle finds themselves stalked by a mysterious figure. No matter what we think of any other installment/iteration of this story, this one is the worst. This is not my franchise, but this steep decline in quality is not like the others. Anyone who likes this movie is a walking red flag and possibly the most chaotic individual you have ever met.
Men (2022)
A woman heads to the English countryside to work through trauma and discovers more horrors are awaiting her. Men should have been my last straw with Alex Garland. However, I am a damn fool and suffered through Civil War, too. Which is why I can confidently say most Garland films are a red flag for me, but Men specifically underscores all of my problems with his work. If someone likes this movie, I will need them to explain it to me like I am five years old.
Skinamarink (2022)
Two kids wake up in the middle of the night and find that all of their doors and windows are gone. Skinamarink is the embodiment of “Girl, What?” The grainy footage gives many people headaches, and too much time is dedicated to the ceiling. Listening to people suggest watching it in closets, under blankets, with headphones to fully “get it” is weird and extremely unsexy. Which is why the movie and the people forcing the mood onto it are all red flags. I don’t want to kink shame but if someone is that into ceilings then maybe we’re not a good match.
Red Christmas (2016)
A family Christmas Eve gathering is interrupted by a killer seeking revenge. I cannot think of a bigger red flag than an anti-choice Christmas movie. I like my horror to be on the correct side of feminism, and this mess feels gross from a distance. That’s why this Dee Wallace title is a huge red flag and a festive horror mood killer. I know people like to talk about the great kills in this movie, but I insist on not hooking up with guys who like this one. If for no other reason, it probably tells you where they land on Roe v. Wade and we do not have time for that.
So these are some horror red flags from our team to your group chats. Now you can’t say no one warned you about the Eli Roth filmbros, or A Serbian Film fanatics.
Happy hookups and potential dating now that you know what to be on the lookout for! Never forget that it’s okay to swipe left, force close the app, and watch better horror movies than the ones listed above.
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