What’s up with the zombie genre lately? There seems to have been a noticeable slowdown in must-see releases, leaving fans of the undead feeling a little starved for fresh, heart-pounding content.
For years, zombie films and shows dominated the horror landscape, delivering everything from gory survival stories to thoughtful explorations of human nature under extreme circumstances. But in 2025, we only had movies like 28 Years Later and shows like The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3, The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2, and The Last of Us season 2.
While these projects kept fans somewhat satisfied, they couldn’t fully fill the void left by the genre’s previous flood of content, and many zombie enthusiasts were left waiting for the next big hit. Now, February 2026 is stepping in to change that.
This month brings a brand-new zombie flick that promises to deliver the survival horror that fans have been craving. It’s called This Is Not a Test, and we’re about to share everything that’s known about it. That way, all you’ll have to do next is purchase your ticket to see it on the big screen!
This Is Not a Test is the one zombie movie you need to watch in February 2026
Olivia Holt as Sloane Price in This Is Not A Test | Shudder
2026 didn’t start off too well for the zombie genre, with the release of We Bury the Dead in January. Many thought that movie was too slow-paced for their liking. But then things took a turn for the better when 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple dropped. This positive shift continues into February with the arrival of This Is Not a Test.
It’s a horror-thriller film based on the 2012 young adult novel of the same name by Courtney Summers. Directed and written by Adam MacDonald, the movie centers around Sloane Price, a suicidal and abused teenage girl. When a violent zombie outbreak strikes her town, she and a small group of her high school classmates are forced to take refuge inside their school.
As the undead relentlessly close in, the familiar hallways and classrooms become claustrophobic battlegrounds, forcing Sloane and her peers to fight, strategize, and rely on each other for survival. Sloane soon finds herself transforming from a withdrawn and despairing teen into a resourceful and determined leader.
Scream queen Olivia Holt (Heart Eyes, Totally Killer) stars in the leading role of Sloane. Joining her in the cast are Froy Gutierrez (The Strangers: Chapter 1, The Strangers: Chapter 2), Luke MacFarlane (Invincible, Killjoys), Corteon Moore (From, Slasher), Chloe Avakian (Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy), Carson MacCormac (Clown in a Cornfield), and Joelle Farrow (Fresh Meat).
Take a look at the movie’s thrilling official trailer below for a sneak peek!
At just 1 hour and 42 minutes, This Is Not a Test is not a super long movie at all. It’s set to be released in U.S. theaters on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, and you can currently purchase tickets to see it through Fandango.
If you’re tired of watching old episodes of The Walking Dead or rewatching old zombie flicks, This Is Not a Test is the perfect movie to watch to switch things up. It’s what we’ll be watching this month!