Source Picture How to become a zombie Zombie intelligence Zombie speed How to destroy a zombie
George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead and sequels) Dawn of the Dead Anyone who dies, no matter the reason, becomes one. A zombie bite makes the victim die after a few hours Mostly instinct and memories, though some later zombies are able to learn and reason (rudimentarily) Slow (rigor mortis) Destruction of the brain
The Return of the Living Dead The Return of the Living Dead Contamination from a gas, which also remains inside the zombies' bodies, and can turn even old corpses into zombies Human-like: can cooperate, make plans, and talk Human-like Total destruction; even burning still releases the gas from the corpse, which can create more zombies
Shaun of the Dead Shaun of the Dead Zombie bite: kills after a few hours, then causes reanimation Instinct and memories Slow (rigor mortis) Destruction of the brain
Resident Evil Resident Evil Zombie bite: kills after a few hours, then causes reanimation. Also, contact with the T-virus Instinct; some smarter zombies exist Slow (rigor mortis); some faster zombies exist Destruction of the brain; some more powerful zombies exist
Zombie Survival Guide / World War Z Zombie Survival Guide Zombie bite: kills after a few hours, then causes reanimation Instinct only Slow (rigor mortis) Destruction of the brain
28 Days Later 28 Days Later Any contact with infected blood; victim turns into an "infected" in seconds Instinct (aggressive rage) only Human-like; higher endurance Anything that would kill a human
Dawn of the Dead (remake) Dawn of the Dead (Remake) Zombie bite: kills after a few hours, then causes reanimation Instinct only Human-like Destruction of the brain
Autumn Autumn World-wide plague kills more than 99% of population in hours; a third of those reanimate after a few days Animation only at first, then instinct, and, later, possibly some intelligence Slow (rigor mortis) Destruction of the brain
The Walking Dead The Walking Dead Anyone who dies, no matter the reason, becomes one. A zombie bite makes the victim die after a few hours Instinct only Slow (rigor mortis) Destruction of the brain
Marvel Zombies Marvel Zombies Zombie bite causes death and reanimation in seconds Full intelligence, memories, skills, and powers (if applicable) from previous life, but complete lack of morality; feeding is now the only goal As in previous life Destruction of the brain
Resident Evil 4 (Ganados only) Resident Evil 4 Infection by "Las Plagas" parasite Human-like, including memories (but with obedience to "Las Plagas" queen's host) Human-like Anything that will kill a human, but, as they seemingly feel no pain or fear, more damage than normal is needed to stop one
Evil Dead series (Deadites only) Evil Dead Possession by demonic spirits released by the Necronomicon Human-like Variable; sometimes even greater than human (e.g. in "Army of Darkness") Variable; dismemberment and / or burning are a good start