Night of the Living Dead
A stranded group barricades itself inside a rural farmhouse as reanimated dead surround them and human divisions become nearly as dangerous as the undead.
Overview
A chilling night unfolds as the dead rise and the living fight for survival.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- dread-filled
- claustrophobic
- bleak
- halloween night
- late night horror marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as an innovative, culturally significant cult classic that transformed zombie horror through sustained suspense, stark imagery, and social tension.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ben, Harry Cooper, Helen, Tom, Judy, and Barbra repeatedly clash over leadership, shelter, and competing survival strategies.
Image Ten produced the film independently, and its low-budget approach helped establish a durable model for modern zombie cinema.
Black-and-white cinematography gives the cemetery, farmhouse, cellar, and surrounding night an austere documentary immediacy.
The farmhouse becomes a contested refuge as the survivors secure doors and windows while the dead gather outside.
Films like Night of the Living Dead, and why
Dawn of the Dead
Shared zombie horror, barricaded-survivor tension, social conflict, and claustrophobic siege structure.
The Evil Dead
Shared apocalyptic horror, practical gore, isolated survivors, and genre-defining independent filmmaking.
The Mist
Shared bleak survival horror, escalating paranoia, and an ensemble trapped inside a hostile environment.
The Last Man on Earth
Shared black-and-white horror imagery, supernatural menace, and intense group dynamics under pressure.
Movie Details
- Director
- George A. Romero
- Release Date
- 1968-10-04
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (2839)
Cast
- Judith O'Dea
- Duane Jones
- Marilyn Eastman
- Karl Hardman
- Judith Ridley
- Keith Wayne
- Kyra Schon
- Charles Craig
- S. William Hinzman
- Bill Cardille
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, HBO Max Amazon Channel, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Peacock Premium, Philo, Brew, AMC+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Starz Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, FlixFling, HBO Max, Starz, Shudder Apple TV channel, Starz Apple TV channel, Peacock Premium Plus, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Bloodstream, Chilling, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Brew, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, MovieMe
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Brew, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Night of the Living Dead about?
- A stranded group barricades itself inside a rural farmhouse as reanimated dead surround them and human divisions become nearly as dangerous as the undead.
- What is Night of the Living Dead like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Night of the Living Dead as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Night of the Living Dead violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Night of the Living Dead as graphic.
- What did critics think of Night of the Living Dead?
- Critics broadly regard it as an innovative, culturally significant cult classic that transformed zombie horror through sustained suspense, stark imagery, and social tension.
- Which films are like Night of the Living Dead?
- Films with a similar feel include Dawn of the Dead, The Evil Dead, The Mist, and The Last Man on Earth.
- How long is Night of the Living Dead?
- Night of the Living Dead runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Night of the Living Dead?
- In United States, Night of the Living Dead streams on fuboTV, HBO Max Amazon Channel, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Peacock Premium, Philo, Brew, AMC+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Starz Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, FlixFling, HBO Max, Starz, Shudder Apple TV channel, Starz Apple TV channel, Peacock Premium Plus, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Bloodstream, Chilling, Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
