Dawn of the Dead

91%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

90%

Audience Score

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. Read More Read Less

Where to Watch

Prime Video

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Dawn of the Dead

What to Know

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.

Critics Reviews

View All (58) Critics Reviews

Peter Travers

Gannett Westchester Rockland Newspapers

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.

Nov 16, 2023

Full Review

Kathleen Sachs

Chicago Reader

Dawn of the Dead is arguably Romero’s best zombie film, and its stark social satire (it takes place in a mall, where the excesses of capitalism help to sustain survivors of the zombie apocalypse) will wake you up figuratively if not literally.

Dec 27, 2022

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

For blood, guts and chuckles, most horror fans will undoubtedly find Dawn of the Dead finger-lickin’ good.

Oct 7, 2022

Full Review

Chuck Bowen

Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)

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

Jul 10, 2024

Full Review

Paul Klein

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

But what remains most of all is the message at its heart, Romero has something to say about the state of the world in 1978 where the US is all about buying, Romero is taking aim at mindless consumerism.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 4, 2024

Full Review

Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

There's still plenty of the low-budget charm that made the original 1968 Night of the Living Dead a classic, and there's also plenty of good old fashioned 1970s shock value and societal despair regarding post-Vietnam America.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 7, 2023

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Audience Reviews

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Scott R 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. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/10/22 Full Review david You know the movie and love it. Fun 3D effects. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/10/22 Full Review Trevor R Really fun 3D conversion! Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/08/22 Full Review Webster P Flaws and all there is nothing like seeing this classic on the big screen again. Loved it! Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/02/22 Full Review CPTNEMOJR It was great to see a calssic on the big screen. In 3D no less!!! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/01/22 Full Review ian_isom All time classic and the 3D was real good. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/01/22 Full Review Read all reviews

Dawn of the Dead

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Cast & Crew

George A. Romero Director David Emge Stephen Ken Foree Peter Gaylen Ross Francine Scott H. Reiniger Roger David Crawford Dr. Foster

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Dawn of the Dead

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

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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
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Mar 16, 2004
Runtime: 2h 6m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)