If you loved the intense, heart-pounding horror of '28 Weeks Later' (2007), you're probably craving more films or shows that deliver the same adrenaline rush. This article explores 10 gripping movies and series that share the same post-apocalyptic dread, relentless action, and chilling survival themes. Whether you're a fan of zombie outbreaks, societal collapse, or desperate human struggles, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Resident Evil (2002)
Description: Like '28 Weeks Later', 'Resident Evil' features a virus that turns people into aggressive, fast-moving infected. Both films involve a corporate cover-up of the outbreak and a desperate fight for survival in confined spaces.
Fact: The film is loosely based on the popular video game series. It launched a successful franchise with multiple sequels. Milla Jovovich performed many of her own stunts.


28 Days Later (2002)
Description: As the predecessor to '28 Weeks Later', this film shares the same universe and themes of a rage virus outbreak leading to societal collapse. Both films are directed by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, featuring similar fast-paced, frenetic infected and a focus on human survival instincts.
Fact: The film was shot on digital video to give it a gritty, realistic feel. The iconic opening scene of Jim walking through deserted London was filmed at dawn to avoid traffic. The film's success helped revive the zombie genre in the early 2000s.


Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Description: This remake shares with '28 Weeks Later' the theme of a fast-moving infected horde overrunning society. Both films focus on a group of survivors barricading themselves in a secure location, only to face threats from both outside and within.
Fact: The film is a remake of George A. Romero's 1978 classic. Director Zack Snyder made his feature film debut with this movie. The opening sequence was shot in a real shopping mall before it opened for business.


The Crazies (2010)
Description: This film shares with '28 Weeks Later' the theme of a virus turning people into violent, unpredictable beings. Both films feature a small town overrun by infection and the military's heavy-handed response to contain it.
Fact: It is a remake of the 1973 George A. Romero film. The film was shot in Georgia, USA, standing in for the fictional town of Ogden Marsh, Iowa. Director Breck Eisner aimed to balance horror with emotional character moments.


I Am Legend (2007)
Description: Similar to '28 Weeks Later', 'I Am Legend' portrays a lone survivor in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by infected beings. Both films explore themes of isolation, survival, and the psychological toll of a collapsed society.
Fact: The film is the third adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel. Will Smith performed many of his own stunts. The original ending was changed after negative test screenings.


World War Z (2013)
Description: Like '28 Weeks Later', 'World War Z' depicts a global pandemic causing rapid societal breakdown, with fast-moving infected posing a constant threat. Both films explore the military's response to the outbreak and the struggle to find a safe haven.
Fact: The film is loosely based on the novel by Max Brooks. The production faced numerous challenges, including extensive reshoots and script changes. Brad Pitt's character was originally supposed to die in the ending, but it was changed after test screenings.


The Walking Dead (2010)
Description: Similar to '28 Weeks Later', 'The Walking Dead' explores the breakdown of society in the face of a viral apocalypse, focusing on survival, human nature, and the moral dilemmas that arise. Both feature intense, fast-moving infected creatures and a bleak, post-apocalyptic setting.
Fact: The show is based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman. It was one of the first TV shows to popularize the zombie genre on television. The series has spawned multiple spin-offs, including 'Fear the Walking Dead'.


Contagion (2011)
Description: While not a zombie film, 'Contagion' shares with '28 Weeks Later' a realistic depiction of a global pandemic and its societal impacts. Both films show the rapid spread of a deadly virus and the breakdown of social order.
Fact: The film features an ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, and Jude Law. Director Steven Soderbergh consulted with real-life epidemiologists to ensure accuracy. The film's release coincided with real-world fears of pandemics, making it eerily prescient.


The Last of Us (2023)
Description: This series, like '28 Weeks Later', deals with a fungal infection that rapidly transforms humans into aggressive creatures. Both explore the lengths people will go to survive and protect their loved ones in a world overrun by infection.
Fact: The series is based on the critically acclaimed video game of the same name. It features Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey in lead roles. The show was a massive hit for HBO, with a second season already confirmed.


Train to Busan (2016)
Description: This South Korean film shares with '28 Weeks Later' the theme of a fast-spreading virus turning people into aggressive, fast-moving infected. Both films focus on a group of survivors trying to navigate through the chaos, with intense action sequences and emotional depth.
Fact: It was the first Korean zombie film to be released in theaters. The film was a massive box office success in South Korea and internationally. A sequel, 'Peninsula', was released in
