There's a lot of anticipation surrounding this week's premiere of the comic Nazi zombie film, Dead Snow, goose-stepping its way into theaters.  But Dead Snow isn't the first Nazi horror film; in fact it's not even the first Nazi zombie film.  Here's our list of ten other notable entries in the Nazi horror genre.

THE FLESH EATERS (1964)
Even forty-five years after its release, the death scenes in this rarely seen low-budget shocker are still pretty unsettling.  The title monsters are not gigantic fang-strewn carnivores, but tiny glowing sea slugs that consume you from within or without, depending upon how the film's evil Nazi scientist decides to serve up his creations (better take a close look at that glass of water).  

WHY WATCH IT?: This is often considered the first gore film (although some argue that honor belongs to Herschell Gordon Lewis's Blood Feast); and despite lacking today's state of the art special effects, it's worth seeking out.

THE FROZEN DEAD (1966)  
This early attempt at a Nazi zombie film, featuring various parts of frozen SS officers stored in a deep-freeze vault waiting to be reanimated, sounds like a promising predecessor to Dead Snow…but it's not.  Once defrosted and assembled, the zombies don't do very much; neither does star Dana Andrews, who, as the mad scientist in charge, looks like he wants to be anywhere else but in this film.  Great title, though. 

WHY WATCH IT: So you can say you've seen the first Nazi zombie film; plus it does feature one pretty cool talking decapitated head.

FLESH FEAST (1970)
This incredibly bad movie is infamous for two reasons: it's the last film 1940s screen goddess Veronica Lake ever made (she's the mad scientist!); and the revelation that her benefactor is a very much alive Adolph Hitler.  Only of interest to those who've ever wondered if flesh-eating worms hold the secret to eternal life.

WHY WATCH IT: To hear the iconic Veronica Lake purr lines like "What's the matter?  Don't you like my little maggots?"

SHOCK WAVES (1976)
This was the first in a mini-wave of Nazi zombie films, and the best of that bunch, assisted by the presence of genre giants Peter Cushing and John Carradine.  The story, about a boatload of tourists stranded on an island surrounded by troop of underwater Nazi super soldiers sounds goofy, but in its own small, creepy way, it works, and Cushing makes the most of his small screen time. 

WHY WATCH IT:  For the striking imagery of the chalk white, shriveled-skin, goggle-wearing zombies coming out of the water to claim their victims.

MARATHON MAN (1976)
Sir Laurence Olivier gives the most menacing portrayal of his long and illustrious career, as a ruthless Nazi officer (and dentist!) out to claim his stolen loot at any cost, including dishing out one of the most grueling, stomach-turning scenes of tooth torture ever put on film (Dustin Hoffman is the unfortunate victim/hero).  One thing is certain: if you ever wake up to find yourself strapped to a dentist chair with a kindly looking old man asking you "Is it safe?"…you better have a good answer. 

WHY WATCH IT: In light of contemporary releases like Hostel, Wolf Creek and Saw, it can now be seen as the beachhead in the recent sub-genre of torture horror.

THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL (1978)
Based on the novel by Ira Levin, author of Rosemary's Baby and The Stepford Wives, this is a wacky but slick horror-thriller about a plot to clone an army of Adolph Hitlers by none other than the Third Reich's leading mad scientist, Joseph Mengele.  A miscast Gregory Peck stars as Mengele, while Sir Laurence Olivier gets to play the other side of the swastika, as an aging Nazi hunter who tracks the nasty doctor down in the jungles of Brazil.  Not a great film, despite its star power and presence of director Franklin Schaffner (who helmed the original Planet of the Apes), but you won't be bored.  

WHY WATCH IT: Anything based on a book by Ira Levin is worth a look, plus you get to see the annoying Steve Guttenberg get killed (always a plus).

OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES / ZOMBIE LAKE (1981)
Two French releases, and both extremely lame attempts at resurrecting the Nazi Zombie genre started by Shock Waves.  They are completely undone by shoddy storytelling, camerawork, acting and dime store make-up, although Oasis at least tries for a little gore (very little).  They've become cult items, but are more fun to talk about than watch. 

WHY WATCH IT: To complete your Nazi zombie edification (the only reason I can think of).

THE KEEP (1983)
For over 500 years an ancient "evil" has been safely locked up in a Romanian castle…that is, until a battalion of impatient Nazis let it out and all kinds of tedious havoc ensues.  Based on F. Paul Wilson's brilliant novel, this is Michael Mann's second feature (Manhunter, The Insider, Ali, Heat, and Collateral followed), and not his finest hour.  Released one year before Mann rocketed to stardom with his hit TV show Miami Vice, the movie has atmosphere to burn, but the story moves at a snail's pace and the presence of stars like Gabriel Byrne, Scott Glenn, and Ian McKellen can't save it. 

WHY WATCH IT: Some stylish visual sequences and to see Michael Mann honing his craft for his next film, the far superior Manhunter.

HELLBOY (2004)
Based on the popular comic book, this is one of the more entertaining combinations of horror and Nazis, courtesy of genre master Guillermo del Toro.  Mixing mad science, magic and HP Lovecraft-styled creatures, this fast-paced tale centers on a secret government team of mutant monster hunters, lead by Ron Perlman's unflappable, flaming-red title character.  They battle an equally secret cabal of evildoers, including one of the most unforgettable Nazi villains ever put on film - a masked and apparently immortal SS officer who suffers from surgical addiction (he's already removed both eyelids, lips and most of his facial skin).  He also uses a whirling blade to disembowel anyone who gets in his way.  Totally awesome! 

WHY WATCH IT:  Unique plot, great visuals and Hellboy's uber-cool one liners as he dispatches bad guys and monsters alike.