Zombie Folklore
The cannibalistic monsters that rise from graveyards to feast on human flesh weren't originally called zombies. Instead, the concept of undead brain eaters referred to this class of monster for centuries, originally hailing from the Middle East.
What is a ghoul or what are ghouls?
It was said that if you scattered this at the feet of a pursuing vampire, they would be compelled to stop and count it before proceeding. Different stories say it could also work with coins, ball bearings, and beads.
What are grains of rice?
The landmark zombie flick Night of the Living Dead never actually says the word, "zombie." George A. Romero and his crew actually used this word instead for the landmark 1968 film.
What is Ghoul or Ghouls?
This title was later turned into a major theatrical release in 1994. The cast featured Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, and a young Kirsten Dunst.
What is Interview with a Vampire?
This 1998 movie features the wonderfully nonsensical quip, "some ************* are always trying to ice-skate uphill."
What is Blade?
It was later reported by Wesley Snipes that he had improvised the line over dinner at his home with some of the filmmakers.
It turns out that the Twinkies in this 2009 horror comedy were fake! Well, vegan at least... Which might make them less "fake" than the real thing?
What is Zombieland?
Woody Harrelson's character "Tallahasse" has a deep adoration for that eternal yellow spongecake. However, since Woody himself is vegan, the props department how to step up and make him an edible stand-in.
Speaking of dietary needs, zombies are known for their love of "braaaaaaains". A trope that wasn't introduced until this comedy-horror film in 1985. This was also the first film to feature zombies that could run and jump.
What is Return of the Living Dead?
Writer and director, Dan O'Bannon, stated that the eating brains dulled the pain of being reanimated, which explains why zombies wanted them so badly.
Bram Stoker's Dracula is no joke, but this earlier story, published in 1819, is actually the first known example of a published vampire story.
What is The Vampyre, by John William Polidori, also known as the physician of Lord Byron.
Fun fact: the original story that was later refined into The Vampyre was first told at a scary story contest held at Villa Diodati by Lake Geneva in 1816... The same contest where Mary Shelley first drafted Frankenstein: or The Modern Prometheus.