Dawn of the Dead

Play trailer

Dawn of the Dead

1978

2h 6m

Horror

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

As hordes of zombies swarm over the U.S., the terrified populace tries everything in their power to escape the attack of the undead, but neither cities nor the countryside prove safe. In Pennsylvania, radio-station employee Stephen (David Emge) and his girlfriend, Francine (Gaylen Ross), escape in the station helicopter, accompanied by two renegade SWAT members, Roger and Pete. The group retreats to the haven of an enclosed shopping center to make what could be humanity's last stand.

Critics Consensus

One of the most compelling and entertaining zombie films ever, Dawn of the Dead perfectly blends pure horror and gore with social commentary on material society.

Read Critics Reviews

Jerry Renshaw

Austin Chronicle

Sep 16

The second in Romero's Living Dead trilogy is rich with satirical pokes at consumer culture.

Go to Full Review

Tom Huddleston

Time Out

12/12/2024

5/5

Romero himself would return to the well several times with varying degrees of success, but Dawn remains his grand statement: hysterical and horrifying, punishingly relentless yet oddly comforting, endlessly inventive and so much damn fun.

Go to Full Review

Peter Travers

Gannett Westchester Rockland Newspapers

11/16/2023

In the final analysis, Dawn of the Dead exploits more than illuminates the bloodlust of our times. No technical proficiency, however cleverly utilized, can quite cover up the hole in its moral center.

Go to Full Review

David Day

Horror Movie Talk

Aug 12

8/10

What Dawn is still good at is taking a hard look at the human condition and posing the question of what would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

02/10/2025

3.5/4

It ranks way up there with the original Night of the Living Dead.

Go to Full Review

Chuck Bowen

Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)

07/10/2024

The film is gnarly, funny, poetic, free-associational, and ultimately irresolvable.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

RONNIE R

03/08/2025

Great movie! Scary fun!

See more

Jared

12/15/2024

Great experience seeing this on the big screen!

See more

Scott R

11/10/2022

The 3-D was very well done! Its been a really long time since Ive seen the original, and I always liked Night of the Living Dead the best. Thats why I didnt give it 5 stars, it lacks some character development and is a bit of a weak plot.

See more

david

11/10/2022

You know the movie and love it. Fun 3D effects.

See more

Trevor R

11/08/2022

Really fun 3D conversion!

See more

Webster P

11/02/2022

Flaws and all there is nothing like seeing this classic on the big screen again. Loved it!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

George A. Romero

Director

David Emge

Stephen

Ken Foree

Peter

Gaylen Ross

Francine

Scott H. Reiniger

Roger

David Crawford

Dr. Foster

Maximum Overdrive

14%

50%

Maximum Overdrive

Watchlist

Amityville: The Demon

18%

17%

Amityville: The Demon

Watchlist

C.H.U.D.

43%

33%

C.H.U.D.

Watchlist

TRAILER

for C.H.U.D.

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter

25%

52%

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter

Watchlist

A Nightmare on Elm Street

94%

84%

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A Nightmare on Elm Street

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

18 Memorable Horror Remakes

Simon Pegg’s Five Favorite Films

Five Favorite Films with John Cusack

View more photos

Synopsis

As hordes of zombies swarm over the U.S., the terrified populace tries everything in their power to escape the attack of the undead, but neither cities nor the countryside prove safe. In Pennsylvania, radio-station employee Stephen (David Emge) and his girlfriend, Francine (Gaylen Ross), escape in the station helicopter, accompanied by two renegade SWAT members, Roger and Pete. The group retreats to the haven of an enclosed shopping center to make what could be humanity's last stand.

Director: George A. Romero
Producer: Richard P. Rubinstein
Screenwriter: George A. Romero
Production Co: Laurel Group, Dawn Associates
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Mar 16, 2004
Runtime: 2h 6m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now