Are you a fan of the 2016 South Korean zombie blockbuster Train to Busan? Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, this nail-biting thriller follows a group of terrified passengers fighting for their lives on a suspense-filled train ride as a zombie apocalypse breaks out across the country. Packed with action, horror, and heartfelt emotion, Train to Busan breathed new life into the zombie genre and became an international sensation.
If you loved Train to Busan and are craving more top-notch zombie action, look no further. We’ve compiled the ultimate list of the 20 best movies like Train to Busan that every zombie aficionado needs to check out. From pulse-pounding thrillers to gruesome horror flicks, these films offer a fresh and exhilarating spin on the living dead. Get ready for an onslaught of undead mayhem with these Train to Busan-esque zombie masterpieces.
1. Seoul Station (2016)
Before Train to Busan, director Yeon Sang-ho made Seoul Station, an animated prequel that provides intriguing backstory to the events leading up to that fateful train ride. The film follows a father searching for his runaway daughter in Seoul as a zombie epidemic erupts, turning the city into an inferno of violence and terror. While Seoul Station has a different tone and style than Train to Busan, it still delivers a gripping and gory zombie tale with Yeon’s signature social commentary. If you want to dive deeper into this cinematic universe, Seoul Station is a must-watch.
2. Peninsula (2020)
Four years after Train to Busan, Yeon Sang-ho returned to the director’s chair for the much-anticipated sequel, Peninsula. Set four years after the original outbreak, the movie depicts a Korea that has been completely decimated by the zombie hordes. The story follows Jung-seok, a soldier who previously escaped the outbreak, as he’s sent back to the quarantined peninsula on a covert mission where he unexpectedly meets non-infected survivors. With bigger set pieces, badass car chases, and plenty of zombie action, Peninsula is an adrenaline-fueled post-apocalyptic thrill ride. While it may not quite reach the heights of Train to Busan, it’s still an immensely entertaining and worthy follow-up.
3. Kingdom (2019)
What do you get when you cross zombie horror with historical period drama? The result is Kingdom, a captivating South Korean Netflix original series that offers a fresh and fantastical spin on the zombie formula. Set in Korea’s Joseon period, the show follows a young prince as he investigates a mysterious plague that resurrects the dead, all while battling political conspiracies. With stunning cinematography, elaborate costumes, and plenty of bloody action, Kingdom is a must-see for any zombie lover. It’s especially a treat for Train to Busan fans looking for a new undead thrill in an unexpected setting.
4. Rampant (2018)
Mashing up zombie horror with martial arts action, Rampant is a blood-soaked period epic that’s sure to satisfy fans of Train to Busan. Set in ancient Korea, the film follows a skilled martial artist who returns to his hometown, only to discover a terrifying zombie outbreak caused by an evil cult. With hordes of ravenous zombies, brutal fight scenes, and lavish historical settings, Rampant is a visually stunning and action-packed zombie flick that’s not to be missed. It’s especially a must-watch for Train to Busan devotees looking for a historical twist on the living dead.
5. The Wailing (2016)
While not strictly a zombie film, the South Korean horror movie The Wailing shares many similar themes and motifs with Train to Busan, making it a perfect companion piece. The Wailing follows a bumbling police officer investigating a string of bizarre murders and illnesses in a remote village, which may be linked to the arrival of a mysterious stranger. Blending dark comedy, police procedural, and supernatural horror, The Wailing is a twisty, unsettling, and utterly engrossing genre-bender. It’s a bit more of a slow burn than Train to Busan, but the payoff is well worth it.
6. Alive (2020)
In this tense and claustrophobic thriller, a video game live streamer struggles to survive alone in his apartment as a zombie apocalypse ravages the city of Seoul. #Alive takes a minimalist approach compared to the more action-driven Train to Busan, with most of the story confined to a single apartment complex. However, it still delivers plenty of suspense, scares, and zombie action as the protagonist battles the undead and isolation. With an absorbing lead performance by Yoo Ah-in and slick production values, #Alive is a must-see for Train to Busan fans looking for a more intimate zombie tale.
7. The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale (2019)
For a more light-hearted and comical take on the living dead, check out the wacky South Korean zom-com The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale. The film follows an eccentric family that takes in an infected elderly man, hoping to exploit his zombie-ism for profit. Of course, things spiral out of control as the virus spreads to the whole town. While much sillier and more satirical than Train to Busan, Zombie on Sale still offers a fresh, funny, and gleefully gory spin on the genre. It’s a perfect pick for viewers seeking some laughs to go with their undead action.
8. Doomsday Book (2012)
This ambitious sci-fi anthology film presents three chilling visions of the apocalypse, one of which involves a zombie outbreak. Directed by acclaimed Korean filmmakers Kim Jee-woon and Yim Pil-sung, Doomsday Book tackles weighty themes like technology, religion, and the environment through a darkly comedic lens. The zombie segment, titled “A Brave New World,” is especially memorable, depicting a society that falls into chaos due to a deadly zombie virus. While not as action-packed as Train to Busan, Doomsday Book offers a thought-provoking and visually striking take on the end of the world.
9. The Cured (2017)
This Irish horror drama presents a unique twist on the zombie genre: what happens when the infected are cured? The Cured takes place in a world where a zombie virus has been mostly eradicated, with 75% of the infected population being rehabilitated back into society. However, they still face discrimination and PTSD as they struggle to reintegrate. When a new outbreak seems imminent, tensions boil over into violence and paranoia. The Cured may not have the fast-paced zombie action of Train to Busan, but it presents a fascinating and thought-provoking look at the societal impact of a zombie apocalypse.
10. One Cut of the Dead (2017)
While Train to Busan played its zombie thrills straight, the Japanese indie gem One Cut of the Dead takes a much more meta approach. The film starts off as a low-budget zombie movie, shot in one 37-minute take, about a film crew making a zombie movie who are attacked by real zombies. However, it eventually transforms into a charming and heartfelt comedy about the joys and pains of creative filmmaking. One Cut of the Dead is a totally unique and unpredictable zombie film that will surprise and delight Train to Busan fans looking for something different in the genre.
11. The Night Eats the World (2018)
After an argument with his girlfriend, a man falls asleep at a party, only to wake up and find that Paris has been overrun by zombies. That’s the simple yet effective premise of the French horror film The Night Eats the World. Armed with only his wits and a trusty baseball bat, the protagonist must silently navigate the ravaged city while battling loneliness and despair. More of a moody character study than an action film, The Night Eats the World still delivers a haunting and atmospheric zombie story, anchored by an impressive solo performance. It’s a good pick for Train to Busan fans seeking a more contemplative take on the apocalypse.
12. The Sadness (2021)
Perhaps the goriest film on this list, the Taiwanese zombie flick The Sadness is not for the faint of heart. In a disturbing twist on the genre, the infected here are not mindless zombies, but sadistic killers driven by their most violent and depraved impulses. The film follows a young couple trying to reunite amidst the bloody mayhem. With its extreme violence and nihilistic tone, The Sadness is definitely a hard watch at times. However, its stylish direction, frenetic action, and biting social commentary make it a must-see for hardcore Train to Busan fans looking to test their limits.
13. Blood Quantum (2019)
This Canadian horror film offers a fresh perspective on the zombie genre by setting its story in a First Nations reserve. In Blood Quantum, the indigenous inhabitants of the Red Crow reservation seem immune to a zombie virus that’s devastating the rest of the world. As survivors seek refuge on the reserve, tensions rise between the indigenous community and the outsiders. With its clever social commentary, gory action, and unique setting, Blood Quantum breathes new life into the genre while also providing representation for indigenous people. It’s a smart and provocative zombie film that Train to Busan fans should seek out.
14. Cargo (2017)
In this Australian horror drama, a father traverses the outback with his infant daughter, searching for a safe haven from the zombie apocalypse. After he’s bitten by a zombie, he has 48 hours to find a new guardian for his child before he turns. Based on a viral short film, Cargo takes a more character-driven and emotional approach to the genre, focusing on the lengths a parent will go to protect their child. Elevated by a powerful performance by Martin Freeman, Cargo is a poignant and bittersweet zombie story that should resonate with Train to Busan fans.
15. Little Monsters (2019)
A washed-up musician volunteers to chaperone his nephew’s kindergarten field trip, only to discover that the petting zoo is next to a secret military base that’s ground zero for a zombie outbreak. That’s the gleefully silly premise of the horror comedy Little Monsters, which pits a group of kids and their teacher against the undead. With a winning comedic performance by Lupita Nyong’o and plenty of gory laughs, Little Monsters is a fun and irreverent zom-com that Train to Busan fans can enjoy with the whole family. Just be warned: its raunchy humor and bloody violence make it strictly for older kids.
16. The Battery (2012)
Shot on a shoestring budget, the indie horror film The Battery proves that you don’t need flashy effects or action to make a compelling zombie movie. The story follows two former baseball players as they wander the back roads of New England, foraging for supplies and bickering with each other in the wake of a zombie apocalypse. More of a minimalist character drama than a traditional horror film, The Battery still offers a realistic and grounded vision of life during the zombie apocalypse. It’s a great pick for Train to Busan fans looking for a more intimate and low-key zombie story.
17. The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)
Based on the acclaimed novel by Mike Carey, this British zombie film offers a clever and emotional twist on the genre. The Girl with All the Gifts takes place in a dystopian future where most of humanity has been wiped out by a fungal infection that turns people into zombies. The story follows Melanie, a young girl who seems to be immune to the infection’s effects, as she develops a bond with her teacher while being studied by the military. With its strong performances, lush visuals, and thought-provoking themes, The Girl with All the Gifts is a smart and moving zombie film that Train to Busan fans should definitely check out.
18. Here Alone (2016)
In this bleak and atmospheric horror film, a woman struggles to survive alone in the woods after a zombie apocalypse claims her family. Here Alone takes a minimalist approach to the genre, focusing more on the psychological toll of isolation and grief than on zombie action. However, it still delivers some effective scares and a haunting performance by lead actress Lucy Walters. While it may be too slow-paced for some Train to Busan fans, Here Alone offers a poetic and contemplative take on the zombie apocalypse.
19. Rammbock: Berlin Undead (2010)
This German horror film proves that you can still do a lot with the zombie genre in a short runtime. Clocking in at a brisk 59 minutes, Rammbock: Berlin Undead wastes no time in unleashing its undead mayhem. The story follows a man who visits his ex-girlfriend in Berlin, only to get trapped in her apartment building when a zombie outbreak occurs. With fast-paced action, claustrophobic tension, and inventive use of a limited setting, Rammbock is a lean and mean zombie thrill ride. It’s a perfect pick for Train to Busan fans looking for a quick but effective undead fix.
20. Zombieland (2009)
One of the most popular zombie comedies of all time, Zombieland follows a ragtag group of survivors as they road trip across the ruins of America in search of sanctuary. With an all-star cast including Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Emma Stone, Zombieland balances gory zombie action with witty banter and pop culture references. Its fast-paced, irreverent tone may be a far cry from the serious thrills of Train to Busan, but Zombieland is still a hilarious and entertaining entry in the zombie genre. Plus, it features one of the most memorable celebrity cameos ever. Rule #32: Enjoy the little things, like watching Zombieland.
From pulse-pounding action to social commentary, these 20 movies like Train to Busan offer something for every zombie fan. Whether you prefer your undead stories deadly serious or darkly humorous, brutal or bittersweet, you’re sure to find a new favorite among these international films. So stock up on supplies, barricade the doors, and settle in for a marathon of the best zombie movies like Train to Busan. Just remember to aim for the head!
