Are you hooked on fast zombies and the end of the world? Did 28 Days Later leave you craving more? If you’re searching for movies like 28 Days Later that deliver the same heart-pounding thrills and post-apocalyptic chills, then you’ve come to the right place! We’re diving headfirst into a list of twenty awesome movies guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
20 Best Movies Like 28 Days Later You Need To Watch Now
Official Movie: 28 Days Later
28 Days Later is a British post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. Released in 2002, it stars Cillian Murphy as Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma to find London deserted and overrun by rage-filled zombies. The film follows Jim’s journey as he teams up with other survivors, Selena (Naomie Harris) and Mark (Noah Huntley), to navigate the dangerous landscape and find sanctuary.
28 Days Later is known for its fast-moving zombies, gritty realism, and intense atmosphere, which has greatly influenced the zombie genre. The movie explores themes of survival, humanity, and the breakdown of society in the face of overwhelming chaos. It is widely regarded as one of the best zombie movies ever made, and its impact can be seen in many subsequent films and television shows.
Dive into Post-Apocalyptic Mayhem: 20 Movies Like 28 Days Later
If you loved the raw intensity and fast-paced action of 28 Days Later, get ready for a wild ride. Here are twenty movies that capture the essence of that post-apocalyptic world, filled with desperate survivors, terrifying creatures, and the fight for humanity. These films share similar themes and elements, such as societal collapse, viral outbreaks, and the struggle for survival against overwhelming odds. From zombie hordes to mutated monsters, these movies offer a variety of threats that will keep you glued to your screen. Let’s explore the best movies like 28 Days Later that will give you the same adrenaline rush and thought-provoking experience.
1. Dawn of the Dead (2004)
A remake of George A. Romero’s classic, Dawn of the Dead (2004) unleashes a horde of fast-moving zombies on an unsuspecting world. A group of survivors, including a nurse, a policeman, and a young couple, find refuge in a shopping mall and must band together to defend themselves against the relentless undead. As they fight for their lives, they grapple with dwindling supplies, internal conflicts, and the overwhelming realization that their world has changed forever. The film is a non-stop thrill ride filled with intense action and gore.
Like 28 Days Later, Dawn of the Dead features fast-moving zombies that present a relentless and overwhelming threat. Both movies depict the rapid collapse of society and the desperate struggle for survival in a world overrun by the undead. The characters in both films are forced to make difficult choices to survive, highlighting the breakdown of social norms in the face of chaos.
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| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
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| Google Play Movies | Rent or Purchase |
2. Train to Busan (2016)
This South Korean zombie thriller takes place almost entirely on a speeding train. A father and daughter are on their way to Busan when a zombie outbreak occurs, trapping them and other passengers in a desperate fight for survival. As the train hurtles towards its destination, the passengers must battle the undead and each other, forming unlikely alliances and making sacrifices to protect their loved ones. Train to Busan is a gripping and emotional rollercoaster that combines intense action with heartfelt character development.
Train to Busan shares the same sense of claustrophobia and relentless tension as 28 Days Later. Both films feature fast-moving infected individuals who pose a constant threat to the protagonists. The characters are forced to confront not only the external threat of the zombies but also their own morality and the lengths they are willing to go to survive, a theme heavily explored in movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Amazon Prime Video | Subscription |
| Tubi | Free with ads |
| YouTube | Rent or Purchase |
| Google Play Movies | Rent or Purchase |
3. World War Z (2013)
Based on the novel by Max Brooks, World War Z stars Brad Pitt as Gerry Lane, a former United Nations investigator who is called upon to find the source of a global zombie pandemic. Gerry travels the world, encountering different outbreaks and facing perilous situations as he races against time to find a cure. The film is a large-scale action thriller with impressive special effects and a global scope.
World War Z, like 28 Days Later, presents a world on the brink of collapse due to a fast-spreading zombie virus. Both films emphasize the speed and ferocity of the infected, creating a sense of constant urgency and danger. The protagonists in both movies are forced to make difficult choices to survive and attempt to find a solution to the outbreak, a common theme in movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Paramount+ | Subscription |
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4. The Crazies (2010)
In this remake of the 1973 film, a small town is infected by a mysterious toxin in the water supply, turning the residents into violent and deranged killers. A sheriff and his wife must fight to survive as the military quarantines the town and the infected population grows. The Crazies is a suspenseful and chilling thriller that explores the breakdown of order and the paranoia that ensues when people turn against each other.
The Crazies, similar to 28 Days Later, deals with a rapidly spreading infection that turns people into violent aggressors. Both films depict the collapse of societal norms and the struggle for survival against infected individuals. The protagonists in both movies are forced to confront not only the infected but also the government’s response to the outbreak, a recurring element in movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
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| Google Play Movies | Rent or Purchase |
5. Quarantine (2008)
This found-footage horror film follows a television reporter and her cameraman as they document a night in a Los Angeles apartment building. When a deadly virus breaks out, the building is sealed off by the authorities, trapping the residents inside with the infected. Quarantine is a terrifying and claustrophobic experience that puts the viewer right in the middle of the chaos.
Quarantine, like 28 Days Later, creates a sense of panic and urgency through its depiction of a rapidly spreading viral outbreak. The found-footage style enhances the realism and makes the horror even more visceral. Both films focus on the immediate aftermath of an outbreak and the struggle for survival in a confined and chaotic environment, a hallmark of movies like 28 Days Later.
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6. REC (2007)
REC is a Spanish found-footage horror film that follows a television reporter and her cameraman as they cover a night shift at a local fire station. They are called to an apartment building where a deadly virus has broken out, turning the residents into violent, zombie-like creatures. As they become trapped inside, they must fight for survival while documenting the terrifying events. The film is known for its intense and realistic portrayal of the zombie outbreak.
REC, much like 28 Days Later, presents a terrifying and chaotic viral outbreak that rapidly transforms people into violent beings. The found-footage perspective intensifies the horror, placing the viewer directly in the midst of the crisis. Both movies explore themes of isolation, desperation, and the collapse of social order in the face of an overwhelming threat. The protagonists in both films must confront both the infected and the terrifying reality of their situation, a common thread in movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
| Shudder | Subscription |
| AMC+ | Subscription |
7. The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)
In a dystopian future, a group of children infected with a fungal disease that turns them into flesh-eating zombies are kept in a military base for research. One of these children, Melanie, retains her cognitive abilities and forms a special bond with her teacher. When the base is overrun by zombies, Melanie and her teacher must join forces with a group of soldiers to survive and find a cure. The Girl with All the Gifts is a thought-provoking and emotional zombie film that explores themes of humanity, prejudice, and hope.
The Girl with All the Gifts, similarly to 28 Days Later, portrays a world devastated by a viral outbreak, leading to societal collapse and a fight for survival. While the infected in this film are different (fungal instead of viral), they still pose a significant threat to humanity. Both films explore the complex relationships between survivors and the infected, questioning the very definition of humanity and offering unique perspectives on the apocalypse, a quality found in many movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
| YouTube | Rent or Purchase |
| Google Play Movies | Rent or Purchase |
8. Pontypool (2008)
Pontypool is a unique and unsettling zombie film that takes place in a small-town radio station in Ontario, Canada. A radio DJ discovers that a strange virus is spreading through the town, turning people into violent and mindless killers. The virus is transmitted through language, making words themselves dangerous. The film is a slow-burn thriller that relies on atmosphere and suspense to create a sense of dread.
Pontypool, like 28 Days Later, explores the rapid spread of a deadly virus that leads to societal collapse and the struggle for survival. While the transmission method differs (language in Pontypool, rage virus in 28 Days Later), both films highlight the speed and unpredictability of the outbreak. The characters in both films are forced to confront the terrifying reality of their situation and find ways to survive in a world turned upside down, making it a compelling addition to the list of movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Tubi | Free with ads |
| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
| YouTube | Rent or Purchase |
9. Zombieland (2009)
Zombieland is a comedy-horror film that follows a group of survivors as they travel across a zombie-infested America. Columbus, a nerdy college student, teams up with Tallahassee, a zombie-killing badass, and sisters Wichita and Little Rock to find a safe haven. The film is a lighthearted and entertaining take on the zombie apocalypse, filled with humor, action, and memorable characters.
While Zombieland takes a more comedic approach than 28 Days Later, both films are set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Both movies feature survivors who must learn to adapt and fight for their survival in a dangerous new reality. Despite the tonal differences, both films explore themes of camaraderie, survival, and finding hope in the face of overwhelming odds, making Zombieland a fun and engaging companion to movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
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| YouTube | Rent or Purchase |
| Google Play Movies | Rent or Purchase |
10. Resident Evil (2002)
Based on the popular video game series, Resident Evil follows Alice, an amnesiac security operative, and a team of commandos as they investigate a secret underground research facility called the Hive. They soon discover that the facility has been overrun by zombies and other mutated creatures after a deadly virus is released. The film is an action-packed horror film filled with suspense, special effects, and thrilling fight sequences.
Resident Evil, similar to 28 Days Later, deals with a viral outbreak that transforms people into aggressive and deadly creatures. Both films explore the consequences of scientific experimentation gone wrong and the rapid spread of infection. The protagonists in both movies must confront not only the infected but also the powerful forces behind the outbreak, a theme present in many movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
| YouTube | Rent or Purchase |
| Google Play Movies | Rent or Purchase |
11. Doomsday (2008)
Doomsday is a British science fiction action horror film set in a future where a deadly virus has ravaged Scotland, leading to its quarantine. Years later, when the virus reappears in London, a team of specialists is sent into the quarantined zone to find a possible cure. The film is a high-octane, action-packed thrill ride with elements of post-apocalyptic survival and intense violence.
Doomsday shares several similarities with 28 Days Later, including the British setting and the focus on a highly contagious and deadly virus. Both films depict the breakdown of society and the government’s drastic measures to contain the outbreak. The protagonists in both movies are forced to navigate a dangerous and chaotic world filled with infected individuals and desperate survivors, making Doomsday a fitting addition to a list of movies like 28 Days Later.
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12. The Road (2009)
The Road, based on the Cormac McCarthy novel, tells the bleak and harrowing story of a father and son as they journey across a post-apocalyptic America. The world has been devastated by an unnamed cataclysm, leaving behind a desolate landscape and a desperate struggle for survival. The film is a powerful and emotionally challenging exploration of love, hope, and the will to survive in the face of unimaginable hardship.
While The Road doesn’t feature zombies or infected individuals, it shares the same desolate and hopeless atmosphere as 28 Days Later. Both films depict a world stripped of its former glory, where survival is a constant struggle against the elements and other desperate survivors. The protagonists in both movies are forced to confront the darkest aspects of human nature and fight to maintain their humanity in a world gone mad, highlighting a common thread in movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
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13. Cargo (2017)
Cargo is an Australian post-apocalyptic horror drama film set in the Outback. A father, infected by a zombie virus, must find a safe haven for his infant daughter before he succumbs to the infection. He has only 48 hours before he fully transforms, and he must navigate the dangerous landscape, facing both zombies and desperate survivors, to ensure his daughter’s survival.
Cargo, like 28 Days Later, focuses on the personal story of survival amidst a zombie outbreak. Both films explore themes of parental love and the lengths to which a parent will go to protect their child. The protagonists in both movies are faced with difficult choices and must confront their own mortality as they struggle to survive in a world overrun by the undead, a central theme in movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Netflix | Subscription |
| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
| YouTube | Rent or Purchase |
14. Ravenous (2017)
Ravenous (Les Affamés) is a French-Canadian zombie film set in rural Quebec. A mysterious virus transforms people into bloodthirsty cannibals, and a group of survivors must band together to fight for their lives. The film is known for its atmospheric visuals, suspenseful storytelling, and unique take on the zombie genre.
Ravenous shares similarities with 28 Days Later in its depiction of a rapidly spreading virus that turns people into violent killers. Both films explore the breakdown of society and the desperate struggle for survival in a world overrun by the infected. The characters in both movies must confront not only the infected but also the moral implications of their actions as they fight to stay alive, a concept often found in movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Shudder | Subscription |
| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
| YouTube | Rent or Purchase |
15. The Battery (2012)
The Battery is an independent zombie film that follows two former baseball players as they navigate the post-apocalyptic landscape. The film focuses on the relationship between the two men as they struggle to survive, scavenge for supplies, and avoid the undead. The Battery is a character-driven drama with elements of horror and dark humor.
While The Battery is a more low-key and character-focused film than 28 Days Later, both movies explore the themes of survival and the bonds between individuals in a post-apocalyptic world. Both films depict the challenges of finding food, shelter, and safety in a world overrun by the undead. The protagonists in both movies are forced to confront their own weaknesses and rely on each other to survive, a recurring motif in movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
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| Google Play Movies | Rent or Purchase |
16. Contagion (2011)
Contagion is a medical thriller that depicts the rapid spread of a deadly virus across the globe. The film follows the efforts of scientists, doctors, and government officials as they race against time to find a cure and contain the outbreak. Contagion is a realistic and chilling portrayal of a global pandemic.
Contagion, similar to 28 Days Later, explores the devastating consequences of a rapidly spreading virus. While Contagion doesn’t feature zombies, both films depict the breakdown of society, the spread of fear and misinformation, and the desperate struggle to find a cure. Both movies emphasize the importance of scientific research and the challenges of containing a global pandemic, offering a different but equally compelling take compared to movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Max | Subscription |
| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
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17. Blindness (2008)
Blindness is a dystopian thriller about a city struck by a sudden epidemic of blindness. As the city descends into chaos, a small group of people who are immune to the blindness must band together to survive. The film explores themes of social order, human nature, and the importance of sight.
Although Blindness doesn’t involve a virus that creates zombies, it shares the theme of rapid societal breakdown due to a sudden, inexplicable epidemic, much like 28 Days Later. Both films show how quickly order can dissolve and how people react under extreme circumstances. They highlight the primal instincts of survival and the importance of maintaining humanity when everything is falling apart. The protagonists in both must navigate dangers of the new world, a element found in movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
| YouTube | Rent or Purchase |
| Google Play Movies | Rent or Purchase |
18. It Comes at Night (2017)
It Comes at Night is a psychological horror film about a family hiding in a secluded cabin after a mysterious apocalypse. They are forced to confront their fears and paranoia when another family seeks refuge with them. The film is a slow-burn thriller that explores themes of trust, fear, and the darkness within human nature.
While It Comes at Night avoids explicit depictions of zombies or infected individuals, it captures the same sense of dread and paranoia as 28 Days Later. Both films depict a world ravaged by an unknown threat, forcing survivors to isolate themselves and question the motives of others. The protagonists in both movies must confront not only the external threat but also their own inner demons as they struggle to survive, focusing on the psychological impact of the apocalypse more than typical movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Paramount+ | Subscription |
| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
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19. The Last Man on Earth (1964)
Based on the novel “I Am Legend” by Richard Matheson, The Last Man on Earth tells the story of Dr. Robert Morgan, who is seemingly the only human survivor of a plague that has turned the rest of humanity into vampires. He spends his days hunting the vampires and destroying them, while barricading himself in his home at night. The film is a classic science fiction horror film that explores themes of isolation, survival, and the nature of humanity.
The Last Man on Earth, like 28 Days Later, depicts a world decimated by a plague that has transformed humanity into something monstrous. Both films explore the themes of isolation and the struggle for survival in a world overrun by the infected. The protagonist in both movies must confront not only the infected but also his own loneliness and the psychological toll of being the last survivor, making it a precursor to movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Tubi | Free with ads |
| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
| YouTube | Rent or Purchase |
20. I Am Legend (2007)
I Am Legend, another adaptation of Richard Matheson’s novel, stars Will Smith as Robert Neville, a virologist who is the last human survivor in New York City after a virus wipes out most of humanity and turns the rest into nocturnal mutants. He spends his days searching for a cure while fighting off the mutants at night. The film is a thrilling and emotional story about survival, hope, and the search for connection in a desolate world.
I Am Legend shares many similarities with 28 Days Later, including the depiction of a world ravaged by a virus that transforms people into violent creatures. Both films explore the themes of isolation, survival, and the struggle to maintain hope in the face of overwhelming odds. The protagonists in both movies are forced to confront not only the infected but also their own loneliness and the psychological toll of being a survivor, solidifying its place among movies like 28 Days Later.
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| Amazon Prime Video | Rent or Purchase |
| Apple TV | Rent or Purchase |
| YouTube | Rent or Purchase |
| Google Play Movies | Rent or Purchase |
FAQ About Movies Like 28 Days Later
What makes 28 Days Later so unique? 28 Days Later is unique because it popularized the concept of fast-moving zombies and presented a gritty, realistic portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world.
Are all movies like 28 Days Later zombie movies? Not all of them! While many feature zombie-like creatures, some focus on other types of viral outbreaks or societal collapse scenarios.
What are some common themes in movies like 28 Days Later? Common themes include survival, societal breakdown, the loss of humanity, and the struggle against overwhelming odds.
Which of these movies is the scariest? This is subjective, but REC and Quarantine are known for their intense and realistic found-footage style, which many find terrifying.
Where can I watch these movies? Check the tables provided for each movie to see where they are available for streaming, rental, or purchase.
Enjoy your movie marathon! These movies like 28 Days Later are sure to give you the thrills and chills you’re looking for. Remember to grab some popcorn and maybe keep the lights on!
