White Zombie

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White Zombie

1932,

1h 13m,

Horror/

Mystery & Thriller/

Romance

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Watchlist

Watchlist

76%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Murder Legendre is the menacingly named zombie master of Haiti. Charles Beaumont goes to him when he needs help for a twisted plan. Spurned in marriage by Madeline Short, Beaumont has decided on a simple solution: kill Short and bring her back as a zombie. Then he can be with her forever. The only problem comes when Legendre keeps the fetching girl for himself -- and her new husband comes to Madeline's rescue.

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

May 27, 2026

2.5/4

The supporting cast is awful and the low budget dictates a few moments worthy of MST3K ribbing. But the atmosphere of dread is pungent, the use of sound is inspired, and the makeup by the great Jack Pierce and Carl Axcelle is minimal but effective.

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

May 6, 2026

3/5

...you end up with a rather mixed offering, one that certainly looks great & has Lugosi doing what he does best, but which falls a bit short when it comes to telling a compelling story.

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Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

May 4, 2026

... it affords the opportunity for analysis and discussion beyond reevaluation and toward understanding why the standards of old only serve to harm and continue to harm.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Mar 11, 2026

3/5

…while White Zombie works as a horror comedy, since there’s many unintentional laughs, it’s also something of a key text for horror fans, one that uncovers ideas about male control/economic mastery that still resonate today….

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Oct 6, 2025

2/4

...an erratic endeavor that admittedly does get off to a decent (and promising) start...

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Aug 23, 2025

8/10

The atmosphere is exceptional, retaining a ghostly dourness as comic relief is never utilized.

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George S

Oct 1, 2018

Overlooked perhaps, but this is one of the greats of the genre and due largely to (dare I say it?) the hypnotic performance of it's star, Bela Lugosi. Mesmerizing. And yes, zombies too, but such is Lugosi's chi that his minions are actually less frightening than Lugosi himself. How good is this? It challenges his performance in Dracula.

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Hermione G

Feb 23, 2018

Bela Lugosi is awesome but there is only so much to say about a movie from the early 30's. Not bad.

Anakin L

Dec 17, 2017

Low budget independant film which had a great script, director, sound, and of course leading star. Well worth watching in spite of the weaknesses of supporting cast, cinematography & editing. This would make a great remake with sepia toned film.

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Kylo S

Nov 2, 2017

Another Lugosi classic! Incredibly creepy!

Rey G

Nov 1, 2017

A thrilling and often overlooked gem of 1930s horror cinema. The best zombie film of all time certainly up until a Mr Romero appeared on the scene. Lugosi is pretty good but the sets and dramatic tale are superb.

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Kylo W

Dec 13, 2012

1931's Dracula Is One Of My Favorite Films.

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Victor Halperin

Director

Bela Lugosi

'Murder' Legendre

Madge Bellamy

Madeleine Short Parker

Robert Frazer

Charles Beaumont

Joseph Cawthorn

Dr. Bruner

John Harron

Neil Parker

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Synopsis

Murder Legendre is the menacingly named zombie master of Haiti. Charles Beaumont goes to him when he needs help for a twisted plan. Spurned in marriage by Madeline Short, Beaumont has decided on a simple solution: kill Short and bring her back as a zombie. Then he can be with her forever. The only problem comes when Legendre keeps the fetching girl for himself -- and her new husband comes to Madeline's rescue.

Director: Victor Halperin
Producer: Edward Halperin
Screenwriter: Garnett Weston, Garnett Weston
Distributor: Mars Distribution, Joseph Brenner Associates Inc. [us], Screencraft Pictures Inc. [us], The Roan Group, Englewood Entertainment [us], Sinister Cinema, Admit One Video, Liberty Home Video, United Artists, LS Video
Production Co: Halperin Productions, Victor & Edward Halperin Productions
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 4, 1932, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 7, 2015
Runtime: 1h 13m
Sound Mix: Mono

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