8 Upcoming Zombies Movies Shambling Into Theaters in 2026

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Zombie horror is one of the most enduring genres in popular culture. From the chilling intent of George Romero’s original films to the fast-moving hordes in 28 Days Later, zombies consistently reflect our deepest fears – things like the breakdown of society, feeling alone, and the struggle to survive. What’s remarkable is how easily the genre reinvents itself, appearing in comedies, action movies, love stories, and even historical dramas. Just when it seems like zombie stories have lost their appeal, they come back stronger than ever.

The recent release of 28 Years Later—the sequel to the popular film by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland—has sparked renewed interest in zombie stories. It proves there’s still a strong audience for thrilling, well-made zombie films. With its success, 2026 looks like it will be a fantastic year for fans of the undead.

The next year looks great for zombie movie fans! There’s a wide range of new films coming out, from continuations of classic series to smaller, independent projects. Some are finished and ready to watch, while others are still being made, but there’s something for everyone in this exciting mix.

Here are 8 upcoming zombie movies to look out for in 2026.

’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’

January 16, 2026 – Confirmed, In Production

The highly anticipated fourth film in the ’28 Days Later’ series is coming soon, but it’s moving beyond simply revisiting familiar territory. Titled ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’, the movie is directed by Nia DaCosta (known for ‘Candyman’ and ‘The Marvels’) and written by the creator of the original series, Alex Garland. Filmed alongside ’28 Years Later’, it continues the story with a new group of actors, including Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and Erin Kellyman, alongside a returning Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Jim.

The intriguing “Bone Temple” is at the heart of this new installment, creating both fear and a sense of possibility, and the story really focuses on the characters’ emotional states. Because of the previous films, expectations are high. With stunning visuals from Sean Bobbitt (known for 12 Years a Slave) and a haunting score by Hildur Guðnadóttir (Joker), the film boasts incredible talent, and many are predicting it will be the most daring and impressive chapter in the series so far.

‘Resident Evil’

September 18, 2026 – Confirmed, Pre-Production

Zach Cregger, known for directing Barbarian and Weapons, is creating a new Resident Evil movie, scheduled for release in 2026. This won’t be a remake of previous films, or a direct adaptation of a specific game. Instead, it’s a completely original story set within the Resident Evil universe, focusing on a down-on-his-luck delivery driver who unwittingly finds himself caught in the middle of a terrifying outbreak while delivering a package to a secluded hospital.

The film stars Austin Abrams (known from Euphoria), Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird), Kali Reis (Catch the Fair One), and Zach Cherry (Severance). Written by Bryan Woods and Shay Hatten (John Wick: Chapter 3), the script focuses on building suspense and keeping audiences guessing, aiming for a creepy and realistic feel rather than over-the-top action. Director Bryan Woods has also said he’s making this movie for fans of the original video games, not the previous films, which has generated a lot of interest.

‘Rapture’

Targeting 2026 – In Development

As a huge movie fan, I’m really excited about Rapture, a zombie film coming out in 2026. It’s set in a dark, plague-filled medieval world and looks genuinely interesting. It’s the first feature film from director Jordan Tannahill, and the cast is fantastic – Will Poulter, who I loved in Midsommar and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Kit Connor from Heartstopper, and Manu Ríos, known for Elite, are all starring. The story follows a group of villagers dealing with a creepy, supernatural infection that brings people back to life… and not in a good way!

IFC Films and Shudder will distribute the upcoming film, and production is slated to start this year in Hungary. Director Kyle Poulter and writer/producer Matthew Connor collaborated on a previous project called Warfare, and their partnership brings strong creative energy to this new film. Set in medieval times, the movie offers a unique take on the zombie horror genre, and Rapture has the potential to be a major success. It’s a historical horror film with a terrifying twist that aims to revolutionize zombie storytelling when it’s released in 2026.

‘Return of the Living Dead’ (Reboot Sequel)

Tentative 2026 release – Pre-Production

Get ready for some holiday horror! A new installment in the cult classic Return of the Living Dead is bringing the undead back to life. This snowy sequel introduces a fresh setting and a new strain of the zombie-creating chemical, Trioxin 2-4-5. Directed and written by Steve Wolsh, the film picks up 18 months after the original movie, moving the terrifying action from Louisville, Kentucky, to a small town in Pennsylvania during Christmas 1985.

I’m so excited for this! Devon Sawa is going to be fantastic as Isaac Horton, and seeing Alexander Ward take on the role of Tarman is a dream come true. The teaser trailer – Tarman dragging a Christmas tree through a snowy graveyard to ‘Silent Night’ – is just brilliant, hinting at a movie that perfectly blends that classic feel with a fresh, fun energy. Wolsh, who’s heading up Living Dead Media, says it’s a completely new story that respects what we love about the original while still opening up the world in exciting ways. If they nail the vibe, I have a feeling Return of the Living Dead could be the zombie movie everyone’s talking about in 2026!

‘We Bury the Dead’

January 2, 2026 (US) – Completed

In the suspenseful thriller We Bury the Dead, Daisy Ridley swaps her lightsaber for a more grim task. Directed by Zak Hilditch (known for 1922 and These Final Hours), the film centers on Ava, a woman dealing with immense grief. After a devastating military event causes a zombie outbreak, she joins a team tasked with recovering bodies. While searching the ruins for her missing husband, Ava battles both the undead and her own painful memories.

Filmed in Australia, We Bury the Dead features Mark Coles Smith and Brenton Thwaites, and is being released in the US by Vertical and in Australia/New Zealand by Umbrella Entertainment. With Steve Annis handling the cinematography and a score by Clark, the 94-minute film is gaining buzz and could be a surprise success.

‘This Is Not a Test’

2026 – IFC / Shudder – Post-Production

Based on Courtney Summers’ popular young adult novel, This Is Not a Test offers a fresh take on the zombie apocalypse, setting it within the familiar halls of a high school and blending horror with heartfelt emotion. Directed by Adam MacDonald (known for Backcountry and Pyewacket), the film features Olivia Holt as Sloane, a teenager struggling with difficult feelings who, along with her classmates, becomes trapped in her school as the world falls apart.

This zombie story is a bit different – it focuses more on characters’ feelings and experiences, which should appeal to both horror fans and young adult readers. The film stars Froy Gutierrez, Luke Macfarlane, Corteon Moore, Chloe Avakian, and Carson MacCormac. Given the director’s history of making scary movies with heart and the fact that the story is already popular with book readers, This Is Not A Test has the potential to be a standout film in 2026.

‘House of the Dead’

Targeting 2026 – In Development

Paul W.S. Anderson, the director known for the Resident Evil movies, is working on a new film based on Sega’s popular House of the Dead zombie game. While it’s confirmed he’s developing the project, it’s currently unknown if he will also write or direct. The film aims to adapt the classic arcade game for the big screen, but story details haven’t been released yet.

The movie hasn’t announced who will star in it yet, and details about how it will be released are still secret. Considering the director’s previous work adapting video games, people have both hope and hesitation. Fans of the classic arcade game and the director’s exciting style should watch for updates, as this film has the potential to bring the House of the Dead franchise back to life for a new generation.

‘Twilight of the Dead’

Possibly 2026 – In Development

Twilight of the Dead is the last film in George A. Romero’s famous Living Dead series. Though Romero passed away in 2017, the film is based on an idea he had and is being directed by Brad Anderson (known for Session 9 and The Machinist), with Roundtable Entertainment producing. Milla Jovovich, who previously starred in the Resident Evil movies, is expected to join the cast. The story will reportedly pick up after the events of Land of the Dead, but specific details about the plot are still unknown.

The latest installment in the long-running series is being described as a fitting and meaningful conclusion. It aims to capture the spirit of the original films while also offering relevant social observations. Details about the story are still secret, but the filmmakers have assured fans they’re staying true to the creator’s original ideas. With Anderson’s horror background and Jovovich’s action experience, the film has the potential to be both thought-provoking and thrilling. Although a release date hasn’t been confirmed, 2026 seems like a likely timeframe.

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2025-11-01 02:05