Let's face it, we all have those comfort films we turn to when we need a little pick-me-up. You know, the ones that feel like a warm hug for your brain. But for us thriller and horror fans, there's something special about zombie flicks. They're like the cinematic equivalent of comfort food – if your comfort food happens to involve brain-eating undead.
So whether you're gearing up for Halloween, missing the glory days of The Walking Dead, or just in the mood for some good old-fashioned apocalyptic mayhem, I've got you covered. I've rounded up six of the best foreign zombie movies that'll satisfy your craving for international undead chaos.
Trust me, these films are so good, you won't even mind reading subtitles while dodging imaginary zombies. Who knows? They might even inspire you to pick up a new language. Stick around till the end, and I'll share my top recommendation for a platform that lets you watch movies and learn a foreign language simultaneously.
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Best Foreign Zombie Movies
Train To Busan
Let's be real...nothing screams apocalypse than the international zombie film Train To Busan. This South Korean masterpiece throws you into a claustrophobic nightmare where escape means jumping from one zombie-infested car to another. In Korean with English subtitles, this film will have you gripping your seat and yelling at the screen in any language you can muster.
Train to Busan is perfect for learning because the dialogue ranges from simple, everyday phrases to more complex conversations, giving you a taste of Korean at various levels. You'll pick up essential survival Korean (literally) as characters shout warnings and instructions.
The Night Eats The World
Ever woken up from a wild night out and felt like the world had ended? For Sam, a musician in Paris, that feeling becomes a terrifying reality in "The Night Eats The World." This French zombie flick (original title: "La Nuit a Dévoré le Monde") throws you into a nightmare scenario where our protagonist wakes up after a party at his ex's place, only to find Paris overrun by the undead.
The film's focus on a lone survivor means you'll hear a lot of internal monologue and self-talk, perfect for picking up everyday French phrases and expressions. Plus, as Sam explores the eerily quiet streets of Paris, you'll get a virtual tour of the city's landmarks and neighborhoods, complete with all the French vocabulary that comes with it.
#Alive
Think you've seen every zombie scenario? Think again. The Netflix movie #Alive brings the undead apocalypse right to your doorstep – or more accurately, traps you inside with it lurking just outside. This South Korean gem follows a video game live streamer who suddenly finds himself trapped in his Seoul apartment as the world outside descends into chaos. Watching this is a nerve-wracking experience that'll make you question your own survival skills (I know I did!).
The film's focus on a gamer protagonist adds a unique twist, with plenty of gaming lingo and tech-savvy solutions to zombie problems. For Korean language learners, I highly recommend this because you'll also get to hear contemporary Seoul slang, internet terminology, and the kind of language young Koreans use daily.
Dead Snow
This Norwegian horror-comedy (original title: "Død Snø") takes a group of students on a ski trip that quickly snowballs into a fight for survival against - wait for it - Nazi zombies. Yes, you read that right. Set against the stark, snowy backdrop of the Norwegian mountains, this film serves up a perfect blend of gore and guffaws.
The characters' reactions to their increasingly absurd situation lead to some truly memorable Norwegian exclamations and phrases you definitely won't find in your textbook. Plus, the film's mix of horror and humor means you'll hear Norwegian used in a variety of contexts - from tense, whispered warnings to over-the-top battle cries.
[Rec]
This 2007 Spanish found footage horror film, co-directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza, revolutionized the zombie genre with its eerie setting and raw, unfiltered terror. Following a TV reporter and her cameraman as they cover a routine night shift at a local fire station, "[REC]" quickly turns into a nightmarish struggle for survival when they respond to a call at an apartment building that's far from the norm.
The found footage style means you'll hear natural, unscripted-sounding Spanish as characters react in real-time to the escalating horror around them. You'll also hear some of the most useful Spanish words for beginners. The film's setting in a typical Barcelona apartment building also offers a glimpse into everyday Spanish life - well, before it all goes to hell, that is.
The Horde
The Horde is a 2009 French zombie flick that turns a run-down apartment block into ground zero for the apocalypse. Co-written and directed by Yannick Dahan and Benjamin Rocher, this film puts together cops, gangsters, and the ravenous undead in a brutal fight for survival.
As the situation in the movie gets gripping, you'll pick up some truly creative French curse words and phrases that would make even your most daring French teacher blush. And if you listen closely, you'll also get to learn some police jargon and criminal slang!
Zombie Slang
Zombie flicks have gone global, and it's pretty darn cool to see how different cultures put their own spin on The Walking Dead. And you know another cool thing? Well, zombies don't always shuffle under the same name. Depending on where you are or what movie you're watching, these flesh-munching fiends might go by different monikers.
Here's a quick guide to zombie slang that'll have you sounding like a seasoned survivor in no time!
- Shamblers: The classic slow-moving zombies that lumber towards you with outstretched arms.
- Undead: A catch-all term for anything that should be dead but isn't, and probably wants to eat you.
- Biters: Self-explanatory - they bite, you don't want to be bitten.
- Lame Brains: A slightly insulting term for zombies, highlighting their lack of cognitive function.
- Rotters: Emphasizing the decaying nature of zombies. Not exactly fresh as daisies, these ones.
- Dead Heads: No, not the Grateful Dead fans - these are the groaning, decomposing kind.
- Cannibal Corpses: A more descriptive term for zombies, focusing on their appetite for human flesh.
- Creepy Crawlies: Used for zombies that move in a particularly unsettling manner.
- Draggers: Zombies that seem to drag themselves along, often missing a limb or two.
- Infected: Common in movies where the zombie condition is portrayed as a disease.
- Runners: The terrifying fast zombies that can outpace you. Cardio is key in these movies!
- Stiffs: A somewhat casual term for zombies, referring to their rigid, corpse-like state.
Whether you're facing shamblers in Seoul or runners in Paris, knowing your zombie lingo might just save your skin!
Watch And Learn Languages With Lingopie
Remember when I said I'd share a cool way to learn languages while watching these zombie flicks? Well, here it is: Lingopie. It's this streaming service that's all about picking up new languages through foreign TV shows and movies. And yeah, some of these zombie films we talked about? You might just find some of them there.
Lingopie's not your typical boring language app. You watch shows with subtitles in the language you're learning, and you can click on any word for a quick translation. Before you know it, you're picking up phrases without even trying. It's pretty handy for those of us who'd rather watch a horde of zombies than stare at a textbook.
Lingopie Team
So if you're itching to understand what those characters are shouting as they run from the undead, give it a shot. Who knows? You might end up learning how to yell "Zombie!" in a handful of languages. Could come in handy someday, right?
