Zombie Apocalypse is a common trope in the horror , action, and thriller genres. It centers around a person, or group of people, trying to survive a situation wherein civilization collapses due to hordes of zombies, which are infectious creatures of the undead who consume humans. The genre has also inspired a brand of aesthetics in which people roleplay as zombies, or pretend the zombie apocalypse is real. The aesthetic can also be tied into conspiracy theories about zombies and zombie movies.

The term "zombie" originates from Haitian folklore and the Vodou religion. The Zombie Apocalypse genre started in the movie Night of the Living Dead . Although the creatures in the movie weren't supposed to be based on zombies of Haitian folklore, fans of the movie noticed the similarity and began calling them zombies.

Zombiecore utilizes darker earthy colors, such as black, gray, tan, green and brown, and accents it with brighter colors like red, orange, and yellow, to create an unsettling appearance. These colors are typically the main colors of zombiecore outfits as well as colored zombiecore pictures.

Warning signs, old buildings, and derelict cities all contribute to the post-apocalypticism of the aesthetic. Cites of importance, especially government buildings, are common motifs and places used in the images, used to further the concept of zombies complete takeover of populous areas.