I feel like a lot of zombie fiction where characters know what zombies are and the dangerous of getting bitten end up being semi-satirical comedies. Movies and shows where the idea of zombies didn’t previously exist seem to be a bit more serious from what I’ve experienced. I don’t know if it’s the aura of suspense and mystery or because it leads to more pandemonium.
yeah night of the living dead didn’t need zombies, just some external threat to drive the drama between the characters.
aliens, plague, robots, wild animals, dinosaurs , goblins, fairies , and apparently seagulls can all do similar thing