Pedro Pascal Names the One Zombie Movie He Thinks Is a Masterpiece

During a conversation with Variety, Pedro Pascal touched on the massive number of zombie stories out there today and pointed out the specific movie he thinks gave the genre its second wind.

The project he really credits for this shift is the 2002 hit 28 Days Later. Even though the creatures in that movie are technically sick with a “rage virus” rather than being traditional undead, Pascal explained that it totally changed the way people talk about the genre. He called the film a masterpiece, admitting that he isn’t even sure how big of a hit it was at the time, but its impact on him was huge.

Written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle, the story follows a courier, played by Cillian Murphy, who wakes up from a coma to find London deserted and society destroyed. Pascal remembers seeing it in a theater as an adult and feeling like the terror of the movie got kind of into the fabric of your skin. He even admitted to having nightmares afterward, though he described them as adventure nightmares.

Pascal really loved the way the movie felt like a high-stakes ride while still offering pretty sophisticated material. He even joked that he could spend his entire time on the podcast just discussing that one film. For him, the best part was seeing how it influenced everything that came later, from The Walking Dead series to big-budget remakes.

The actor confessed that he eventually felt a bit of “zombie burnout” because there were just too many projects in that style. He said he had almost forgotten why he liked the genre until he worked on the HBO adaptation of The Last of Us.

As we move through the year, He recently wrapped up the second season of The Last of Us, which aired in mid-2025. He is also getting ready for the big theatrical release of The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22, which marks the first time his Star Wars character will headline a movie.

Between leading a Star Wars movie and joining the Avengers, Pascal’s 2026 is looking like his biggest year yet. He also recently appeared in Gladiator II as the general Marcus Acacius, a role that many critics called a standout even among a cast of legends. It is safe to say that whether he is fighting “Infected” or teaming up with superheroes, Pascal remains one of the most in-demand actors in the business.

Do you agree with Pedro Pascal that 28 Days Later is the film that truly saved the zombie genre from becoming boring? Share your thoughts in the comments.