Zombi(film series)

Zombi
Directed by	George A. Romero Dario Argento Lucio Fulci Others
Release dates	Zombi(1978) (Original title:Dawn of the Dead) Zombi 2(1979) Zombi 3(1988) (original Italian series)
Countries	Italy United States United Kingdom Thailand Australia Germany Spain Netherlands Korea
Languages	Italian English Others

TheZombiseries refers collectively tohorror filmsthat have been marketed, in various territories, as sequels to eitherGeorge A. Romero's Italian-American filmDawn of the Dead(1978) orLucio Fulci's Italian filmZombi 2(1979). The latter was itself marketed by Italian distributors as a sequel to the former. A confusing history has emerged from the practice of reworking films asZombimovies for release in different countries, a process during which a film may be given a different title in each country where it is released. In Britain and Thailand, these films were released as theZombie Flesh Eatersseries. In North America and Germany, the films became known as theZombieseries. The films maintained their original spelling,Zombi,when released in Australia and other select countries.

TheZombiseries began when Romero'sDawn of the Deadfilm (released in European countries asZombi) was re-edited byDario Argentoand re-scored byGoblinfor its Italian and wider European releases. Following the film's success, a zombie film byLucio Fulciwas commissioned and titledZombi 2,to appear as a sequel. A series of increasingly tenuous efforts by various producers to capitalize on theZombiname in multiple countries ensued.

Series by region

Italian series

The Italian series starts withDawn of the Deadand is followed byZombi 2and its officially-released sequels.

• Zombi(1978) (original title:Dawn of the Dead)
• Zombi 2(1979)
• Zombi 3(1988)

British series

In the U.K., the series is known asZombie Flesh Eaters.While it follows the Italian series in proper order, it ignoresDawn of the Deadas the first entry, and instead starts withZombi 2,adding the unrelated filmOltre la morteas a third installment.

• Zombie Flesh Eaters(1979) (Italian title:Zombi 2)
• Zombie Flesh Eaters 2(1988) (Italian title:Zombi 3)
• Zombie Flesh Eaters 3(1989) (Italian title:Oltre la morte,a.k.a.After Death)

German series

The German series, like the Italian series, starts off withDawn of the Dead,but ignores Fulci'sZombi 2(which was released separately asWoodoo), and instead continues withDay of the Deadand the ItalianZombi 3.

• Zombie(1979) (original title:Dawn of the Dead)
• Zombie 2: Das Letzte Kapitel(1985) (original title:Day of the Dead)
• Zombie III(1988) (Italian title:Zombi 3)

Thai series

The ThaiZombiseries follows the titling and numbering of the British series, but adds the unrelated filmKilling Birdswith the new title,Zombie Flesh Eaters 4.

• Zombie Flesh Eaters(1979) (Italian title:Zombi 2)
• Zombie Flesh Eaters 2(1988) (Italian title:Zombi 3)
• Zombie Flesh Eaters 3(1989) (Italian title:Oltre la morte,a.k.a.After Death)
• Zombie Flesh Eaters 4(1988) (Italian title:Uccelli assassini,a.k.a.Killing Birds)

Australian series

The Australian version of the series uses roman numerals and is composed of sequels only, most of which are re-titled Italian films. However, one exclusive installment was produced titledZombi VIII: Urban Decayin 2020. The series starts off withZombi IV: Bakterionand concludes withZombi VIII: Urban Decay.

• Zombi IV: Bakterion(1982) (original title:Panic,a.k.a.Bakterion)
• Zombi V: Vengeance(1973) (original title:Vengeance of The Zombies)
• Zombi VI: The Mirage(1981) (original title:Dawn of The Mummy)
• Zombi VII: Last Rites(1975) (original title:Night of The Seagulls)
• Zombi VIII: Urban Decay(2020)

American series

Although the American series begins withZombi 2and continues in the established sequence, some of the films were re-titled again and the titles do not follow in numerical order.Zombi 2was renamedZombie,butZombi 3was renamedZombie 3rather thanZombie 2.Two additional films were released on home video with titles that would imply that they were sequels, but which had nothing to do with the Italian series.

• Zombie(1979) (Italian title:Zombi 2)
• Zombie 3(1988) (Italian title:Zombi 3)
• Zombie 4: After Death(1989) (Italian title:Oltre la morte,a.k.a.After Death)
• Zombie 5: Killing Birds(1987) (Italian title:Uccelli assassini,a.k.a.Killing Birds)

In the 1990s, several unrelated titles were released asZombiesequels by T-Z Video (a.k.a. Edde Entertainment).
These titles were as follows:

• Zombie(1979) (original Italian title:Zombi 2)
• Zombie 2(1988) (original Italian title:Zombi 3)
• Zombie 3: Return of the Zombies(1973) (original Spanish title:La orgía de los muertos,a.k.a.The Hanging Woman,starringPaul Naschyand directed byJosé Luis Merino)
• Zombie 4: A Virgin Among the Living Dead(1973) (original French title:Christina, princesse de l'érotisme,directed byJesús Franco,with additional scenes, directed by Jean Rollin, added for re-release in 1981)
• Zombie 5: Revenge in the House of Usher(1982) (original Spanish title:El Hundimiento de la Casa Ushera.k.a.Revenge in the House of Usher,directed by Jesús Franco. The words "Zombie 5" were added to the video box only and were not included on the film print itself.)
• Zombie 6: Monster Hunter(1981) (original title:Absurd,which is itself a pseudo-sequel toJoe D'Amato'sAntropophagus)
• Zombie 7(1980) (original title:Antropophagus,a.k.a.The Grim Reaper)

Other films

• Let Sleeping Corpses Lie(1974) has also been released asZombi 3.
• Zombie Holocaust(1980), a.k.a.Doctor Butcher, M.D.,has also been released asZombie 3– the film starsIan McCulloch,who appeared inZombi 2.
• Hell of the Living Dead(1980), was also released asZombi 4andZombi 5: Ultimate Nightmare.
• Nightmare City(1980) has also been released asZombi 3.
• Andrea Bianchi'sLe notti del terrore(1981), a.k.a.Burial Ground,has also been released asZombie 3.
• Oasis of the Zombies(1982), a.k.a.The Abyss of the Living Dead,was also released asZombi VI.
• Panic(1982), a.k.a.Bakterion,is known asZombie 4in Greece.
• Pulgasari(1985), a North Korean film, was released in Pakistan under the titleZombi: The Communist Bull-Monster.
• Andreas Schnaas'Zombie '90: Extreme Pestilence(1991), a.k.a.Zombie 2001: Battle Royale,has also been released asZombi 7.
• Zombie 1(1995), a.k.a.Zombi 1,is a short film by Dutch director Richard Raaphorst available on the film anthologyNether Horror Collection.
• Variant(2020), a short film directed by Joe Meredith, was also released asZombie 8andZombie VIII: Variant.