With the Left 4 Dead Software Development Kit now in beta, map makers and modders are all planning out their first levels. Since the expectations of these levels are so high, level designers are going to need some inspiration. As the original levels and overall design of Left 4 Dead being loosely based on movies like Night of the Living Dead, and the zombies themselves being based on the creatures of movies like Day of the Dead, the use of movies as inspiration is clear.

For years, movie fans have been dreaming of reliving the scariest moments of their favorite zombie films. Now with power of the source engine and a legion of aspiring level designers, it's only a matter of time before we can finally replay these movie moments in the first-person. In this list you'll not only find the top five movies that need the Left 4 Death treatment, but also the top 5 movies that could be over used by Left 4 Dead level designers.

#5 Planet Terror

In Robert Rodriguez's half of the Grindhouse, a strong group of characters work together to stop waves of zombies through landscapes that scream Left 4 Dead. From a hospital, to a run-down diner, to a military base, this movie would fit perfectly in the world of Left 4 Dead. All the characters in Left 4 Dead would fit perfectly in this small Texas town over run by Zombies. Plus the over the top story would lend well to both the movie and Left 4 Dead. All a modder would have to do is come up with a mini-bike mod to complete a near-perfect campaign.

#4 Return of the Living Dead

#3 Dead Alive

Becoming an Oscar winning director is an incredible achievement. Yet when you start your film career making low budget horror films, that achievement is an even higher mountain to climb. That is unless you're Peter Jackson. Before he directed the Lord of the Rings, Mr. Jackson made some impressive B-movies. One of his most profound films is the zombie classic Dead Alive. A film with great locations and quirky characters it would be fun to relive some of the movies biggest moments with a Left 4 Dead twist. Now while the story of the film doesn't fit Left 4 Dead, with some shoehorning anything is possible.

#2 Shaun of the Dead

No Zombie film has ever mixed comedy and horror together as well as Shaun of the Dead. Plus it's one of the films where the main characters are just trying to get to a "Survivor" point; theirs being the local pub The Winchester. Since the release of the movie, fans have nicknamed their favorite bar the Winchester and even thought about fending off waves of zombies just like the actors in the film. Not only would Shaun of the Dead be a perfect Survivor map, it would also give map makers the perfect inspiration to create maps of their own local bars or hangouts.

#1 Dawn of the Dead.

The first time I tried to explain Left 4 Dead to someone I was asked if it was like that Zombie movie in the mall. This happens quite a bit and every time I had to simply say "yes, it's going to be like every zombie movie." This answer always received the same response. "I really like the one in the mall; it would be cool fighting Zombies in a mall." Which is why, Dawn of the Dead is the most talked about film when it comes to new maps in Left 4 Dead. You can't deny that when you think about new scenarios or new maps that a mall isn't stuck in your head. Nothing would be better than seeing a wave of fast moving, pissed off zombies running full speed at you while standing in front of Spencer's Gifts.

In conclusion

The most important thing to remember with user made maps is that only a few stand out. This list isn't perfect and you may have your own top 5 zombie movies that would work better in Left 4 Dead. It's one of the reasons why this game has taken so many people by surprise. It's a game that creates and personalizes the emotion of going to a theater and watching a horror film. Even though the crowded theater has been replaced by 3 other gamers, the emotions are still just as real. Those moments that make you jump out of your set in a theater more so then alone at home, have been perfectly translated and now with the chance to bring more of those memories to this game, nothing is holding you back from experiencing your favorite movie moments rather than just re-watching them.