Quentin Tarantino has never been shy about his cinematic obsessions, and few directors have captured his imagination quite like Italian horror maestro Lucio Fulci. Known as the "godfather of gore," Fulci crafted some of the most visceral and unsettling horror films ever made—and now, three of his most celebrated zombie flicks are available to stream for free on Tubi and Pluto TV. If you've ever wondered what makes Tarantino call Fulci's work "the greatest moments in cinema history," this is your chance to find out.
Fulci's career spanned nearly four decades and over 40 films, ranging from Westerns to sex comedies before he found his true calling in horror. His 1979 film Zombie (originally released in Italy as Zombi 2, an unofficial sequel to Romero's Dawn of the Dead) became a cult sensation, featuring one of the most jaw-dropping sequences ever put on film: a zombie battling a shark underwater. Tarantino was so enamored with the movie that he famously made Brad Pitt watch a 35mm print of it during the filming of Inglourious Basterds, as revealed by Eli Roth in a Daily Beast interview.
But Fulci's influence on Tarantino goes deeper than mere fandom. The Pulp Fiction director has openly admitted to borrowing from Fulci's playbook—the buried-alive scene in Kill Bill Vol. 2 echoes a moment from City of the Living Dead, and the bleeding eyes of Gogo Yubari in Vol. 1 are a direct homage. Tarantino even lifted music from Fulci's The Psychic, a film he once called "one of my favorite thrillers" and considered remaking. His Rolling Thunder distribution company also helped bring Fulci's 1981 Lovecraftian splatter epic The Beyond to American audiences.
What sets Fulci apart from his Italian contemporaries like Dario Argento and Mario Bava is his unflinching approach to gore. While Argento and Bava often wrapped their violence in stylish, almost comic-book surrealism, Fulci preferred to make audiences feel every gruesome detail. His set pieces are slow, agonizing, and disturbingly tactile—whether it's a woman's eye being pierced by a splinter, a man's head drilled open, or a woman vomiting up her own intestines (achieved with practical effects and real animal offal). These are not for the faint of heart, but for horror fans, they're unforgettable.
Fulci's films also have a dreamlike, almost hypnotic quality, thanks in part to the eerie scores by Fabio Frizzi and the often bizarre dubbing of actors—even American ones. In House by the Cemetery, a young boy named Bob is voiced by a middle-aged woman, adding to the uncanny atmosphere. It's an acquired taste, but one that has earned Fulci a devoted following among genre enthusiasts.
Now, thanks to free streaming platforms, a new generation can discover why Tarantino considers Fulci a master. Zombie, The Beyond, and City of the Living Dead are all available on Tubi and Pluto TV, offering a deep dive into the godfather of gore's most infamous works. Whether you're a seasoned horror fan or just curious about Tarantino's influences, these films are essential viewing—if you dare.
For more recommendations on what to watch this month, check out our Netflix picks for August or explore Prime Video's must-see movies. And if you're in the mood for more Tarantino favorites, don't miss his favorite Western now streaming free.
