Dawn of the Dead

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Dawn of the Dead

1978

2h 6m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

60 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.

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Tom Huddleston

Time Out

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.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 12, 2024

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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

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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

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David Day

Horror Movie Talk

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.

Rated: 8/10

Aug 12, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

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

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 10, 2025

Full Review

Chuck Bowen

Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)

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

Jul 10, 2024

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RONNIE R

Great movie! Scary fun!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/08/25

Full Review

Jared

Great experience seeing this on the big screen!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/15/24

Full Review

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 out of 5 stars

11/10/22

Full Review

david

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/22

Full Review

Trevor R

Really fun 3D conversion!

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 out of 5 stars

11/02/22

Full Review

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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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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)

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