Few genres have shuffled through pop culture with as much staying power as zombie horror. Whether it is the deliberate menace of Romero’s classic or the frenzied hordes in 28 Days Later, zombies have remained a mirror for our fears and what we’re really scared of (and have collectively gone through) is societal collapse, isolation, and survival. They are endlessly adaptable, slipping into satire, action, romance, and even period dramas. And just when you think the genre is going to become forgotten lore, it returns with fresh blood and sharper teeth.
Case in point: 28 Years Later. The long-awaited continuation of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s apocalyptic saga has renewed people’s interest in the genre and reminded audiences that their appetite for smart, stylish, fast-paced zombie storytelling is far from dead. And if the success of 28 Years Later is any indication, 2026 is shaping up to be a great year for the undead.
From legacy sequels to indie thrillers, the upcoming slate of zombie movies is as varied as it is promising. Some are already completed, and others are deep in production, but the lineup seems to have something for every kind of zombie fan.
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 fourth installment in Danny Boyle’s iconic zombie saga is finally materializing, and it’s not riding on nostalgia anymore. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels) and written by franchise originator Alex Garland. It was shot back-to-back with 28 Years Later, and picks up the same thread with a fresh cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Erin Kellyman, and the return of Cillian Murphy as Jim.
The mysterious “Bone Temple” becomes a focal point for both horror and hope, and Garland’s script leans into the psychological tension around it. The anticipation is real because of the franchise’s legacy. With cinematography by Sean Bobbitt (12 Years a Slave) and music by Hildur Guðnadóttir (Joker), the project is stacked with talent, and early buzz is already suggesting that this could be the most ambitious chapter yet.
‘Resident Evil’
September 18, 2026 – Confirmed, Pre-Production
Zach Cregger, the mind behind Barbarian and Weapons, is stepping into the zombie arena with a fresh take on Resident Evil. The 2026 reboot is not going to be similar to the movies, and nor is it going to be a direct adaptation of any one game. Instead, Cregger’s version is set in the world of the games, following an out-of-luck courier who is tasked with delivering a package to a remote hospital, only to find himself trapped in the middle of a grotesque outbreak.
The cast includes Austin Abrams (Euphoria), Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird), Kali Reis (Catch the Fair One), and Zach Cherry (Severance). Co-written by Cregger and Shay Hatten (John Wick: Chapter 3), the script reportedly emphasizes dread and unpredictability, with the tone leaning more toward the eerie and grounded than the bombastic action of past entries. Cregger has also stated that he is making the movie for fans of the games, not the movies, and that alone has sparked curiosity.
‘Rapture’
Targeting 2026 – In Development
Set in a plague-ridden medieval world, Rapture is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing zombie films of 2026. Directed by Jordan Tannahill in his feature debut, the film stars Will Poulter (Midsommar, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Kit Connor (Heartstopper), and Manu Ríos (Elite). The story centers on a group of villagers who confront a supernatural infection that reanimates the dead.
IFC Films and Shudder have acquired distribution rights, and filming is expected to begin this year in Hungary. Poulter and Connor previously worked together on Warfare, and their reunion adds weight to the project. The medieval backdrop offers a fresh canvas for zombie horror, so Rapture could really be a breakout hit. A period piece with teeth that will redefine what zombie storytelling can look like in 2026.
‘Return of the Living Dead’ (Reboot Sequel)
Tentative 2026 release – Pre-Production
The undead are coming home for the holidays, and fans of the 1980s cult classic have a bunch of reasons to be excited. Return of the Living Dead is a snowy sequel that reanimates the franchise with a fresh setting and a new leak of Trioxin 2-4-5. Directed and written by Steve Wolsh, the film is set 18 months after the original 1985 events in Louisville, Kentucky, and it shifts the chaos to a small Pennsylvania town during Christmas 1985.
Devon Sawa leads the cast as Isaac Horton, joined by Alexander Ward as the iconic Tarman, Kynlee Heiman, and Casimere Jollette. The teaser trailer, featuring Tarman dragging a Christmas tree through a snow-covered cemetery to the tune of “Silent Night,” suggests a movie that’s a mix of nostalgia and gleeful abandon. Wolsh, also CEO of Living Dead Media, has described it as a “brand new adventure” that honors the original but also expands the universe. If the tone lands, safe to say, Return of the Living Dead could be one of the most memorable zombie releases of 2026.
‘We Bury the Dead’
January 2, 2026 (US) – Completed
Daisy Ridley trades lightsabers for body bags in We Bury the Dead, a moody survival thriller from Australian director Zak Hilditch (1922, These Final Hours). It follows Ava, a grief-stricken woman who joins a body retrieval unit after a catastrophic military disaster unleashes a zombie outbreak. As she searches for her missing husband in the ruins of what once was a thriving civilization, Ava confronts not only zombies but also the emotional baggage from her past.
Shot in Australia and distributed by Vertical in the US and Umbrella Entertainment in Australia/New Zealand, We Bury the Dead also stars Mark Coles Smith and Brenton Thwaites. With cinematography by Steve Annis and music by Clark, the movie has built quite a momentum ahead of its wide release. It is a compact 94-minute story, and early reactions suggest it could be a sleeper hit.
‘This Is Not a Test’
2026 – IFC / Shudder – Post-Production
Adapted from Courtney Summers’ bestselling YA novel, This Is Not a Test brings the zombie apocalypse to high school hallways with a sharp, sentimental edge. It is directed by Adam MacDonald (Backcountry, Pyewacket), and it stars Olivia Holt as Sloane, a teenager grappling with suicidal thoughts as she finds herself locked inside her school with a group of classmates while the world outside collapses.
Offering a more introspective take on the zombie genre, this one is expected to draw in genre fans as well as YA audiences. The cast includes Froy Gutierrez, Luke Macfarlane, Corteon Moore, Chloe Avakian, and Carson MacCormac. With MacDonald’s track record for emotionally resonant horror and Summers’ source material already beloved by readers, This Is Not A Test could be one of 2026’s most gripping releases.
‘House of the Dead’
Targeting 2026 – In Development
Paul W.S. Anderson is returning to familiar territory with House of the Dead, a new adaptation of Sega’s iconic zombie shooter franchise. Known for helming the Resident Evil film series, Anderson is confirmed to be developing the project, though no official confirmation has been made about him writing or directing. The idea is to bring the arcade classic to the big screen, but details about the plot have not been revealed.
Casting has also not been announced yet. The movie is developed by Herne Hill Media and Story Kitchen, with distribution plans still under wraps. Given Anderson’s track record with video game adaptations, expectations are mixed, but curiosity is high. Fans of the original arcade game and Anderson’s brand of genre spectacle can keep an eye out, because if it lands right, House of the Dead could revive the franchise for modern audiences.
‘Twilight of the Dead’
Possibly 2026 – In Development
Twilight of the Dead is the final chapter in George A. Romero’s legendary Living Dead saga. Based on a treatment Romero wrote before his death in 2017, it is being directed by Session 9 and The Machinist’s Brad Anderson and produced by Roundtable Entertainment. Milla Jovovich has been reported as attached to the project, which would mark a return to zombie cinema for the Resident Evil star. The story is said to continue in the timeline after Land of the Dead, though exact plot details remain unconfirmed.
This seventh entry in Romero’s franchise is being portrayed as a thoughtful, character-driven finale that honors everything the series stands for while offering social commentary. While the plot specifics are under wraps, the creative team has promised an emphasis on Romero’s vision. Anderson has experience with horror, and Jovovich brings action pedigree, so the duo could strike a compelling balance between introspection and intensity. No official release date has been announced, but 2026 remains a plausible target.
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