50 Movies Like The Return of the Living Dead (1985) You Need to Watch Next
Updated August 2026
View The Return of the Living Dead details →If you loved The Return of the Living Dead (1985) by Dan O'Bannon, here are 50 movies that share its content DNA. iRankMovies measures real similarity using cosine similarity across eight weighted dimensions — genre (50%), tone (12%), pace (10%), structure (8%), era (7%), theme (6%), audience (4%) and narrative perspective (3%) — not just the rating. The closest matches according to our analysis are The Monkey, Slither, Talk to Me. Every title is ranked by how closely it matches and backed by the iRank Score, a composite of IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic and TMDb across 12,000+ analysed titles.
The Best Movies Similar to The Return of the Living Dead
Selected for their real similarity in content, these are the movies that share the most with The Return of the Living Dead in terms of theme, narrative tone, and cinematic style. Every recommendation goes beyond genre — we evaluate the type of conflict, pacing, dramatic context, and the experience they create for viewers.
The Monkey
2025 · Osgood Perkins
When twin brothers find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brother
In common: Comedy · Horror
Slither
2006 · James Gunn
A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters.
In common: Comedy · Horror · Science Fiction
Talk to Me
2023 · Michael Philippou
When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.
In common: Horror
Bring Her Back
2025 · Michael Philippou
Following the death of their father, a brother and sister are sent to live with a foster mother, only to learn that she is hiding a terrifying secret.
In common: Horror
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
1988 · Stephen Chiodo
Aliens disguised as clowns crash land on Earth in a rural town to capture unsuspecting victims in cotton candy cocoons for later consumption.
In common: Comedy · Horror · Science Fiction
The Fly
1986 · David Cronenberg
When Seth Brundle makes a huge scientific and technological breakthrough in teleportation, he decides to test it on himself. Unbeknownst to him, a common housefly manages to get inside the device and
In common: Horror · Science Fiction
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
1975 · Jim Sharman
After getting a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, newly engaged couple Brad and Janet encounter the eerie mansion of the flamboyant, seductive Dr Frank-N-Furter and a variety of eccentric characters
In common: Comedy · Horror · Science Fiction
Eraserhead
1977 · David Lynch
First-time father Henry Spencer tries to survive his industrial environment, his angry girlfriend, and the unbearable screams of his newly born mutant child.
In common: Horror · Science Fiction
Together
2025 · Michael Shanks
Years into their relationship, Tim and Millie find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country, abandoning all that is familiar in their lives except each other. With tensions already flari
In common: Horror
Gremlins
1984 · Joe Dante
After receiving an exotic small animal as a Christmas gift, a young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet, which unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous creatures
In common: Comedy · Horror
Lee Cronin's The Mummy
2026 · Lee Cronin
The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace—eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she is returned to them, as what should be a joyful reunion turns int
In common: Horror
Evil Dead Rise
2023 · Lee Cronin
A reunion between two estranged sisters gets cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imag
In common: Horror
Smile
2022 · Parker Finn
After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can't explain.
In common: Horror
Critters
1986 · Stephen Herek
Carnivorous aliens arrive unannounced at a Kansas family farm; two intergalactic bounty hunters soon follow, determined to blow them off the planet.
In common: Comedy · Horror · Science Fiction
Annihilation
2018 · Alex Garland
A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition into a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply.
In common: Horror · Science Fiction
The Faculty
1998 · Robert Rodriguez
When some very creepy things start happening around school, the kids at Herrington High make the chilling discovery that confirms their worst suspicions: their teachers really are from another planet!
In common: Horror · Science Fiction
The Thing
2011 · Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.
When paleontologist Kate Lloyd travels to an isolated outpost in Antarctica for the expedition of a lifetime, she joins an international team that unearths a remarkable discovery. Their elation quickl
In common: Horror · Science Fiction
The Ugly Stepsister
2025 · Emilie Blichfeldt
In a fairy-tale kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira battles to compete with her incredibly beautiful stepsister, and she will go to any length to catch the prince’s eye.
In common: Comedy · Horror
Tremors
1990 · Ron Underwood
Val McKee and Earl Bassett are in a fight for their lives when they discover that their desolate town has been infested with gigantic, man-eating creatures that live below the ground.
In common: Comedy · Horror
Death Becomes Her
1992 · Robert Zemeckis
Madeline is married to Ernest, who was once her arch-rival Helen's fiancé. After recovering from a mental breakdown, Helen vows to kill Madeline and steal back Ernest. Unfortunately for everyone, the
In common: Comedy · Horror
The Substance
2024 · Coralie Fargeat
A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
In common: Horror · Science Fiction
Never Let Go
2024 · Alexandre Aja
As an evil takes over the world beyond their front doorstep, the only protection for a mother and her twin sons is their house and their family’s protective bond.
In common: Horror
Poor Things
2023 · Yorgos Lanthimos
Brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, a young woman runs off with a lawyer on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, she grows steadfast in her
In common: Comedy · Science Fiction
The Conjuring: Last Rites
2025 · Michael Chaves
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on one last terrifying case involving mysterious entities they must confront.
In common: Horror
Dead Silence
2007 · James Wan
Jamie returns to his hometown in search of answers to his wife's murder, which occurred after receiving a weird package containing a ventriloquist dummy named Billy, which may be linked to the legend
In common: Horror
The Curse of La Llorona
2019 · Michael Chaves
In 1970s Los Angeles, the legendary ghost La Llorona is stalking the night -- and the children. Ignoring the eerie warning of a troubled mother, a social worker and her own kids are drawn into a frigh
In common: Horror
Tarot
2024 · Spenser Cohen
When a group of friends recklessly violate the sacred rule of Tarot readings, they unknowingly unleash an unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate
In common: Horror
Pet Sematary
1989 · Mary Lambert
After the Creed family's cat is accidentally killed, a friendly neighbor advises its burial in a mysterious nearby cemetery.
In common: Horror
Salem's Lot
2024 · Gary Dauberman
Author Ben Mears returns to his childhood home of Jerusalem's Lot only to discover his hometown is being preyed upon by a bloodthirsty vampire.
In common: Horror
The Exorcist: Believer
2023 · David Gordon Green
Since his wife's death, Victor has raised his daughter Angela alone. After she and her friend return from a three-day disappearance with missing memories, they begin displaying frightening behavior re
In common: Horror
Lights Out
2016 · David F. Sandberg
Rebecca must unlock the terror behind her little brother's experiences that once tested her sanity, bringing her face to face with a supernatural spirit attached to their mother.
In common: Horror
The Menu
2022 · Mark Mylod
A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.
In common: Comedy · Horror
Dawn of the Dead
2004 · Zack Snyder
A group of survivors take refuge in a shopping mall after the world is taken over by aggressive, flesh-eating zombies.
In common: Horror · Science Fiction
The Frighteners
1996 · Peter Jackson
Once an architect, Frank Bannister now passes himself off as an exorcist of evil spirits. To bolster his facade, he claims his "special" gift is the result of a car accident that killed his wife. But
In common: Comedy · Horror
The Babysitter: Killer Queen
2020 · McG
Two years after defeating a satanic cult led by his babysitter Bee, Cole's trying to forget his past and focus on surviving high school. But when old enemies unexpectedly return, Cole will once again
In common: Comedy · Horror
Fright Night
1985 · Tom Holland
Charley Brewster, a high school student, accidentally discovers the true and creepy nature of Jerry Dandrige, his dashing and enigmatic new neighbor; but no one seems willing to believe him.
In common: Comedy · Horror
Ready or Not
2019 · Tyler Gillett
A young bride's wedding night turns into her worst nightmare when her ridiculously rich in-laws force her to play a gruesome game of hide-and-seek.
In common: Comedy · Horror
Jennifer's Body
2009 · Karyn Kusama
Jennifer, a gorgeous, seductive cheerleader takes evil to a whole new level after she's possessed by a sinister demon. Now it's up to her best friend to stop Jennifer's reign of terror before it's too
In common: Comedy · Horror
Scary Movie 2
2001 · Keenen Ivory Wayans
While the original parodied slasher flicks like Scream, Keenen Ivory Wayans's sequel to Scary Movie takes comedic aim at haunted house movies. A group of students visit a mansion called "Hell House,"
In common: Comedy
Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse
2015 · Christopher Landon
Three scouts and lifelong friends join forces with one badass cocktail waitress to become the world’s most unlikely team of heroes. When their peaceful town is ravaged by a zombie invasion, they’ll f
In common: Comedy · Horror
Tusk
2014 · Kevin Smith
When his best friend and podcast co-host goes missing in the backwoods of Canada, a young guy joins forces with his friend's girlfriend to search for him.
In common: Comedy · Horror
Shaun of the Dead
2004 · Edgar Wright
Shaun lives a supremely uneventful life, which revolves around his girlfriend, his mother, and, above all, his local pub. This gentle routine is threatened when the dead return to life and make strenu
In common: Comedy · Horror
Piranha 3D
2010 · Alexandre Aja
Each year the population of sleepy Lake Victoria, Arizona explodes from 5,000 to 50,000 residents for the annual Spring Break celebration. But then, an earthquake opens an underwater chasm, releasing
In common: Comedy · Horror
The Babysitter
2017 · McG
When Cole stays up past his bedtime, he discovers that his hot babysitter is part of a Satanic cult that will stop at nothing to keep him quiet.
In common: Comedy · Horror
An American Werewolf in London
1981 · John Landis
American tourists David and Jack are savagely attacked by an unidentified animal while hiking on the Yorkshire Moors. After retiring to the home of a beautiful nurse to recuperate, David soon begins e
In common: Comedy · Horror
Braindead
1992 · Peter Jackson
When a Sumatran rat-monkey bites Lionel Cosgrove's mother, she's transformed into a zombie and begins killing (and transforming) the entire town while Lionel races to keep things under control.
In common: Comedy · Horror
Little Shop of Horrors
1986 · Frank Oz
Seymour Krelborn is a nerdy orphan working at Mushnik's; a flower shop in urban Skid Row. He harbors a crush on fellow co-worker, Audrey Fulquard, and is berated by Mr. Mushnik daily. One day, Seymour
In common: Comedy · Horror
Alien: Romulus
2024 · Fede Álvarez
While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
In common: Horror · Science Fiction
The Human Centipede (First Sequence)
2009 · Tom Six
During a stopover in Germany in the middle of a carefree road trip through Europe, two American girls find themselves alone at night when their car breaks down in the woods. Searching for help at a ne
In common: Horror
Brightburn
2019 · David Yarovesky
What if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister?
In common: Horror · Science Fiction
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Rick and Morty
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Luz, a self-assured teenage human girl, accidentally stumbles upon a portal to a magical new world where she befriends a rebellious witch, Eda, and an adorably tiny warrior, King.
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Makunouchi Ippo is an ordinary high school student in Japan. Since he spends most of his time away from school helping his mother run the family business, he doesn't get to enjoy his younger years lik
Kamisama Kiss
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Nanami was just a normal high school girl down on her luck until a stranger’s lips marked her as the new Land God and turned her world upside down. Now, she’s figuring out the duties of a deity with t