Wednesday is Throwdown day at Keith & the Movies. It’s when we take two movie subjects, pit them against each other, and see who’s left standing. Each Wednesday we’ll look at actors, actresses, movies, genres, scenes, and more. I’ll make a case for each and then see how they stand up one-on-one. And it’s not just my opinion that counts. I’ll share my take and then open up the polls to you. Visit each week for a new Throwdown. Vote each week to decide the true winner!
*Last week “Annie Hall” (56%) took out “Midnight in Paris” (44%) in the Woody Allen deathmatch*
In keeping with the Halloween season, today’s Throwdown focuses on two stalwarts of the horror genre. Whether you’re a fan of horror pictures or not, undoubtedly you have seen movies featuring zombies and movies featuring vampires. Both have roots in classic horror films, both have been spoofed, both had been parts of huge franchises. But this is all about the battle. Today we’re putting the living dead in the ring with the blood suckers to determine which are the better horror movie terrors. A great case could be made for both, but ultimately it’s you that will decide. Vote now!
ZOMBIES VS. VAMPIRES
There have been variations of zombies in the movies for years. But they really made their way into the limelight in 1968 in George Romero’s horror movie classic “Night of the Living Dead”. Since then, zombies have found their way in hundreds of films. But they’ve also been spotlighted in comic books, video games, and television shows. But their real position prominence came from the big screen and you can almost expect a new zombie movie of some kind every year. There have been loads of sequels to Romero’s classic film. But we’ve seen different approaches to zombies from a variety of films such as “28 Days Later”, “Resident Evil”, and “The Evil Dead” just to name a few. But there have also been zombie spoof films that are tons of fun, movies like “Zombieland”, “Dead Alive”, and “Shaun of the Dead”. So there are no shortage of zombies in the movies and personally I’m happy to hear it.
You can trace vampires in the movies all the way back to the silent movie era. I mean who can forget the classic “Nosferatu”? And Bela Lugosi’s Dracula was a driving force during the Universal movie monsters craze in the 1930’s. While vampires did hit a lull in popularity, they are certainly back with a vengeance and you can see them in a huge variety of films. To prove the point just look at the variety of people who have played big roles in movies as vampires – Gary Oldman, Keifer Sutherland, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Lee, Leslie Nielsen, Tom Cruise, Wesley Snipes, and even Pee Wee Herman! But even more than zombies, vampires have leaked over into several other genres including comedies and even teen romance flicks (unfortunately). Movie lovers have a fascination with vampires and it’s easy to see why. And with the current creature of the night craze, don’t expect any shortage of vampire movies in the near future.
So what say you? Are you partial to the walking dead or the blood suckers? You decide who comes out on top as the better movie monster. Is it the zombies or the vampires? VOTE NOW!
Keith & the Movies 
Since I don’t like horror I don’t like either of them. Ended up voting for zombies because in general I can’t really enjoy vampires in movies…
So you’re saying you’re not a Twi-Hard? 😉
Well, I’ve never seen the movies, but who knows! 😉
Good one!! (Again.) 😀
I have to say that I love both!
Right now, Walking Dead is one of my favorite TV shows and Shaun of the Dead is one of my all time favorite films. But, zombies are the “monsters” –awesomely grotesque and core-of-our-humanity horrifying–but monsters nonetheless. We root for the humans fighting the zombies and fear the zombies.
But, Vampires? Vampires are cool. They ARE the characters we root for and/or shrink from. A real vampire (side note: Vampires DO NOT SPARKLE! -_-) is all at once, attractive (hello, immortality), mysterious and terrifying. And Vampires have a wider range of representation–from creepy and vicious to sexy and alluring.
So, yeah…Vampires got range…and my vote. 😀
Great arguments for both. Couldn’t have said it better myself. I tend to be more of a zombie guy myself. That being said, I look back on all of the great vampire movies and it’s hard to vote against them.
Anyway, thanks for jumping in and voting!
As a fight, i would say vampire but as a film i prefer zombies 😀
YES! And as Dawn of the Dead taught us, you can do all sorts of fun things with zombies such as throw pies in their faces and spray them with seltzer water!
I vote vampires. I think they’re fascinating creatures (when they’re not sparkling) with interesting mythology. If I ever met a zombie in real life, I’d faint probably but on the screen they come off as slightly funny with their grunting and all.
Zombies can be a good mix of extremely creepy and straight up funny. Maybe that’s why I love them.
Thanks for voting my friend!
As much as I love a zombie flick, I can’t see past the vamps. There’s a suductiveness about them. Not to mention the inability to escape their clutches.
Interesting thought. Vampires do have a stronger sense of intelligence about them. Zombies are more ravenous and animalistic. There’s no struggle with them other than finding their next meal. Vampires on the other hand fight against an inescapable condition. Yet there’s still something about the zombies i tend to love more.
Zombies, zombies, zombies!
Aside from the fact that they’re ridiculous fun and easily adaptable. I really enjoy the political side to zombies. I think more intelligent zombie movies have been made than intelligent vampire movies. (I’m happy to be proved wrong, just my experience).
The only vampire movie that I absolutely love is Interview With a Vampire, the others just don’t do it for me.
Hey thanks for voting! I am a zombie guy too but I have to admit I am surprised at how they are running away with this week’s poll. I do have some vampire movies I love (Nosferatu, the original Fright Night, etc). But the whole creepy concept behind zombies has always appealed to me. Plus I still remember the first time seeing Night of the Living Dead years ago
I voted for vampires, they’re elegant and even sexy, zombies gross me out! I think vampire films when done right can have more nuance and intelligence in them, like Interview with the Vampire and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
You make great points. I told someone else that its the sexy, suave intelligent vampires against the ravenous animalistic zombies. There’s a pretty big distinction. Thanks for voting!
Hey Keith, check your Twitter DM, just sent you a message.
I have never really been able to understand the appeal of vampires, so zombies win by default for me. Though I’ve gotta admit that I’m starting to get burnt out on them… there have just been so many zombie movies, games, TV shows, etc. in the last few years.
Thanks for stopping by and voting. I really appreciate it. You make a great point. Entertainment tends to take successful things and run them into the ground. While it hasn’t happened for me yet, I can see where a zombie fatigue could set in.
Vamps all the way with me, man! I mean look at all those insane Hammer Films! Totally Vampires on my end, bro!
I thought you may be able to help bail the vampires out bro! lol! Thanks for voting!
haha anytime!
Definetly vampires. Zombies make for fun and entertaining movies, but vampire films tend to be better – Interview with a Vampire, Dracula, Thirst – all such tragic stories too.
You didn’t mention “Dracula, Dead and Loving It”! 😉 I can see your point. I really expected more vampire votes than I’ve gotten so far.