Dawn of the Dead

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Dawn of the Dead

R

2004

1h 40m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

193 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

When her husband is attacked by a zombified neighbor, Ana (Sarah Polley) manages to escape, only to realize her entire Milwaukee neighborhood has been overrun by the walking dead. After being questioned by cautious policeman Kenneth (Ving Rhames), Ana joins him and a small group that gravitates to the local shopping mall as a bastion of safety. Once they convince suspicious security guards that they are not contaminated, the group bands together to fight the undead hordes.

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Critics Consensus

A kinetic, violent and surprisingly worthy remake of George Romero's horror classic that pays homage to the original while working on its own terms.

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

Dec 18, 2017

It is ferocious and young and exciting.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

May 27, 2011

The new version has its share of disturbing moments, but writer James Gunn and director Zack Snyder have stripped away the social satire of the original and put little in its place.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 22, 2010

2/5

Extremely gory horror movie; not for kids.

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Kyle Logan

Cultured Vultures

Feb 13, 2026

Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead is a success, though not a major one.

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David Day

Horror Movie Talk

Sep 23, 2025

10/10

This may be one of the best zombie movies ever made, and I think that has a lot to do with all these spectacularly talented people that come together on this Dawn of the Dead.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Jun 11, 2023

... the screenplay by James Gunn has its own survivalist drive, and first time feature director Zack Snyder delivers something what Romero didn’t: he turns it into a high octane zombie action film.

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Alex B

@AlexBioni Oct 14, 2026

This Guy Named Todd This is an awesome film with brutal violence, amazing visuals, and great acting. I love the style and tone. Zack Snyder's first feature film already shows the visual style he'd become known for. The cast is great, especially Ving Rhames and Michael Kelly. James Gunn's writing is excellent, balancing funny moments with some truly crazy violence. The fast zombies make everything intense, especially during the opening outbreak and the desperate escape toward the mall. The action is awesome, and even Andy, a guy stranded on a rooftop in another building, becomes someone you care about despite barely interacting with the main group. The unrated director's cut adds even more with its extra scenes. This movie still holds up today. My only complaint is that the pacing could be better. With the story confined to one location and so many side quests happening, some parts feel a little drawn out. Still, it's a fantastic zombie movie.

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Liam D

@Mediawatcher2003 Oct 13, 2026

The directorial debut of Zack Snyder (and the only competent live action movie he has ever done) it’s gonna come nowhere near the original thanks to a kinda generic script by James Gunn and the running zombies but the cast is solid and it is intense at points

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 11, 2026

A classic Zombie Movie!

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Elaine E

@Cookie1965 Aug 22, 2026

First time I saw zombies running, moving like athletes! Its one of the reasons I keep in shape and make sure my running game is up to par!!! Good special effects...the pregnant zombie giving birth to baby zombie was heartbreaking 💔. I did not like the ending...but overall, good movie and worth the watch!

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J H

@UpstateNYThriller Jul 22, 2026

8/10 Great early 2000's zombie movie. Stuck in mall

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Stone Cold T

@Thwompthing Jul 1, 2026

No idea how people can give this a bad review or 1 star. Absolutely insane. Someone even said it's BORING?! Are you kidding me? This movie is filled with nonstop excitement scene after scene after scene, and it doesn't let up. One of the best zombie movies ever. Get up, come on get down with the sickness!

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Zack Snyder

Director

Sarah Polley

Ana

Ving Rhames

Kenneth

Jake Weber

Michael

Mekhi Phifer

Andre

Ty Burrell

Steve

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Synopsis

When her husband is attacked by a zombified neighbor, Ana (Sarah Polley) manages to escape, only to realize her entire Milwaukee neighborhood has been overrun by the walking dead. After being questioned by cautious policeman Kenneth (Ving Rhames), Ana joins him and a small group that gravitates to the local shopping mall as a bastion of safety. Once they convince suspicious security guards that they are not contaminated, the group bands together to fight the undead hordes.

Director: Zack Snyder
Producer: Marc Abraham, Eric Newman, Richard P. Rubinstein
Screenwriter: James Gunn, George A. Romero
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Metropolitan FilmExport, Toho-Towa, New Amsterdam Entertainment Inc., Strike Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Gore|Pervasive Strong Violence|Sexuality)
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 19, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $58.9M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround, DTS, Dolby SRD, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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