George A. Romero's Living Dead series is a foundational franchise in zombie horror. Beginning with 1968’s Night of the Living Dead, Romero’s vision of flesh-eating zombies became a cultural touchstone, influencing countless films and shows. The franchise includes both Romero's core films and various remakes and spin-offs. Watching the Living Dead films in order offers an intriguing evolution of zombie lore over decades. Discover where to watch all Living Dead movies streaming online below!
How to watch the Living Dead movies in chronological order
George A. Romero’s original Living Dead movies are mostly standalone adventures that deal with a common zombie epidemic but with new characters in each movie. Additionally, the franchise has inspired other standalone remakes like Night of the Living Dead (1990) and Dawn of the Dead (2004).
Original Romero franchise
- Night of the Living Dead (1968)
- Dawn of the Dead (1978)
- Day of the Dead (1985)
- Land of the Dead (2005)
- Diary of the Dead (2007)
- Survival of the Dead (2009)
Standalone remakes
- Night of the Living Dead (1990)
- Dawn of the Dead (2004)
The 1968 original is from where it all began. A group of people trapped in a farmhouse fights to survive the night as zombies surround them. The film doesn’t explain why the dead have risen but established many of the zombie tropes still used today.
In Dawn of the Dead, the outbreak has spread, and society begins to collapse. Survivors take refuge in a shopping mall, offering a satirical take on consumer culture amid the apocalypse.
Day of the Dead is set in an underground bunker. The last remnants of humanity attempt to find a cure while tensions rise between scientists and military personnel. This entry delves into the evolving relationship between humans and zombies.
Moving on to the 2000s, Land of the Dead takes place in a future where the wealthy live in a fortified city while the rest of society grapples with the zombie threat. The undead begin to exhibit signs of intelligence.
Set at the beginning of the outbreak, Diary of the Dead (2007) follows a group of student filmmakers who document the chaos around them in a found-footage style. It acts as a reboot and commentary on the media.
A group of soldiers from Diary of the Dead then pop up in Survival of the Dead (2009), encountering feuding families on an island as they debate what to do with the undead.
Whether you watch the Living Dead movies chronologically or by release order, the franchise remains a fascinating examination of human nature under pressure and the enduring horror of a world overrun by the undead.
How to watch the Living Dead movies in release order
The guide below shows you how and where you can watch the Living Dead movies online in release order. You can also find all the offers to buy, rent, or watch these movies for free. Get ready for a spooky zombie marathon!
