Zombieland (2009), directed by Ruben Fleischer, is a ludicrously entertaining horror-comedy flick where a motley cast of characters embark on an epic cross-country road trip hoping to find a sanctuary free of zombies even as they struggle to come up with a list of rules for surviving the monsters. Darkly comic and packed with funny moments, it’s one hell of a watch.
If you’re in the mood for books and movies that tackle apocalypses, survival horror, and plenty of zombies preferably told in a comfortably comedic vein, we’ve got some recommendations for you!
Books for Fans of Zombieland
Whether you want jump-scares or oodles of hilarity or a meditative narrative set in the backdrop of an apocalypse, you can take your pick from these books below!
Hollow Kingdom
This is a zombie apocalypse novel told from the point-of-view of S.T, a beloved pet crow who loves snacking on Cheetos. But his seemingly peaceful life is interrupted by the arrival of zombies, with humans killing each other and soon on the verge of extinction. Uproariously funny and brilliantly written, Kira Jane Buxton really nails the non-human perspectives in this delightful and memorable novel.
The Swan Riders
If you have a soft spot for dystopian narratives reminiscent of the post-apocalyptic landscape of Zombieland, you can pick up The Swan Riders by Erin Bow where the fate of crown princess Greta Stewart rests on her transitioning into A.I.
Grippingly written with characters you’ll definitely get attached to, The Swan Riders is an elegant novel about fate, friendship, rebellion, and what it takes to save the world.
Station Eleven
This one doesn’t have zombies either, but if you’ve enjoyed the banter and relationships between the characters on Zombieland, you’re sure to love Station Eleven, an achingly beautiful novel about a group of people traversing through the American wilderness in the wake of a pandemic that has wiped off most of the human population.
While a few collect and hold onto memorabilia, some join theater troupes and enact stories, even as others form cults and elect their leaders. It’s a sublime novel that explores how art and belief help humans cope through periods of irreconcilable grief and strife.
Cannibal Reign
Very similar to the structure of Zombieland, Thomas Koloniar’s Cannibal Reign follows a small band of survivors as they make their way through a post-apocalyptic wasteland infested by monsters following an asteroid strike. If you love your dystopian horror meal with a fresh serving of zombies, you must give this novel a taste!
Blood Soaked & Contagious
James Crawford’s Blood Soaked and Contagious is another interesting take on the zombie genre. The zombies in this book aren’t the usual brainless and sluggish flesh-eaters. Instead they’re smarter, stronger, and have the sharpest claws. The story is told with snark and hilarity by a zombie hunter who is tasked with killing his friends and family, and it's packed with gore and other grisly details!
Zombie Fallout: A Michael Talbot Adventure
For those in the mood for a zombie series, Mark Tufo’s Zombie Fallout and its sequels is sure to tick off a lot of boxes. Like a lot of typical zombie narratives, we have the usual story of ordinary folk pitted against ravenous zombies, but this time mediated through the eyes of Michael Talbot, our sarcastic and self-deprecating narrator doing his best to keep his few friends and family safe.
More Zombie Movies
If you’re planning a zombie movie night with your friends, you can add these hilarious and action-packed films to your watchlist!
Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)
If you can’t get enough Zombieland, why not just give in and watch the sequel? Zombieland: Double Tap is quite similar with a lot of laughs and plenty of the old cast returning. This time the rag-tag team is up against much evolved zombies as they travel from White House to Graceland while also updating their list of rules for surviving Zombieland.
Warm Bodies (2013)
Based on the novel by Isaac Marion, Warm Bodies is an utterly hilarious zombie romance comedy, which also loosely retells Romeo and Juliet. Unlike other zombie movies that pits humans against zombies with the humans eventually emerging victorious, this one centers the zombie perspective, as it showcases the love between the human Julie and the zombie R (as a zombie, he can’t quite recall his name, poor fellow). Cute, creepy and shamelessly funny, Warm Bodies is the perfect zombie flick to watch with friends.
I Am Legend (2007)
Based on the post-apocalyptic horror thriller of the same name by Richard Matheson, this action thriller starring Will Smith follows Neville, the last human in New York racing against time to develop a cure while being ruthlessly attacked by the mutants. Entertaining and excellently-paced, this zombie movie will appeal to viewers more interested in gritty action than in slapstick comedy.
The Dead Don’t Die (2019)
If you love art films and absurdist comedy, you’ll definitely enjoy the offbeat film The Dead Don’t Die by Jim Jarmusch that literally has a to-die-for cast starring Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Iggy Pop and Selena Gomez among others. The movie focuses on a small-town police force trying their absolute best to fight the zombie invasion to disastrous but amusing consequences.
Scouts Guide to Zombie Apocalypse (2015)
Directed by Christopher Landon, Scouts Guide to Zombie Apocalypse is an enjoyable zombie comedy that centers on the friendship dynamics between three scouts in the wake of a sudden zombie outbreak. The movie also has a great soundtrack and perfect for sleepovers when everyone’s braindead and in the mood for a fun flick.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
For those who prefer their post-apocalyptic zombie comedies with sone romance, Shaun of the Dead is a definite stunner. Directed by Edgar Wright, the film details how a sudden zombie apocalypse derails the boring lives of an electronics salesman and his jobless roommate. Now, these slackers have to save their loved ones from the monsters. Relentlessly funny and enthralling, Shaun of the Dead has since been regarded as a cult classic.
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