☰
Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Night of the Living Dead

Play trailer 0:29 Poster for Night of the Living Dead Released Oct 1, 1968 1h 36m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
95% Tomatometer 82 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
A ragtag group of Pennsylvanians barricade themselves in an old farmhouse to remain safe from a horde of flesh-eating ghouls that are ravaging the United States.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Night of the Living Dead

Night of the Living Dead

What to Know

Critics Consensus

George A. Romero's debut set the template for the zombie film, and features tight editing, realistic gore, and a sly political undercurrent.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More (82)
Wendy Ide The Times (UK) ... A must-see for film fans. Sep 16, 2022 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Night of the Living Dead is taut and uncompromising, ending on a note of bitter irony. Performances are adequate and often better, especially in the case of Jones, who clearly has what it takes to go on to bigger things. Sep 8, 2021 Full Review Elliott Stein Sight & Sound Romero was offered a budget for colour; he preferred shooting in black and white; the result is a flat murky ambience which is perfect for the ramshackle American Gothic landscape where the events occur. Sep 8, 2021 Full Review Serge Daney Cahiers du Cinéma Clumsily shot, awkwardly acted and as for being scary, completely ineffective. Oct 4, 2023 Full Review Sarah Vincent Cambridge Day Romero’s distrust of authority is reflected in the ending, with cops brandishing guns and German shepherds on taut leashes carrying out extrajudicial executions conjuring the imagery of then contemporaneous civil rights marches under siege by the police. Aug 16, 2023 Full Review Brian Susbielles InSession Film Made for almost nothing, the timing of the release certainly helped its release as it seemed to be an allegory for what was happening in America at the time... Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More (1000+)
Crosley M. My generally unpopular opinion is that George Romero is very overrated, and his last decent film was Dawn Of the Dead. However, with his first film Night Of the Living Dead he managed to set the standard for the modern zombie genre. Decent acting and good use of tension that dared to cast a strong black man as the protagonist in a racially charged period. The prototypical Romero message reoccurring in all Romero films that man is the true monster, was subtle in this film as opposed to all the rest of his career where he beat you over the head with the message. But still his debut effort stands the test of time as his one must see movie. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/08/25 Full Review MaryAnn M. The one and only movie he made that wasn’t horrible! Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/05/25 Full Review Lau S I love this horror movie! Damn great! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/29/25 Full Review David D. This is a classic zombie movie; one of the best zombie movies ever made. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/09/25 Full Review Jason H I respect its place in the genre, but I'm not a fan of it. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/08/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 36 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $68,700.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/04/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Night of the Living Dead

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

George A. Romero

Director

Duane Jones

Ben

Judith O'Dea

Barbra

Karl Hardman

Harry

Keith Wayne

Tom

Judith Ridley

Judy

More Like This

View All
Orgy of the Dead 0% 22% Orgy of the Dead Watchlist The Oblong Box 55% 37% The Oblong Box Watchlist The Return of Count Yorga 67% 32% The Return of Count Yorga Watchlist Manos, the Hands of Fate 0% 20% Manos, the Hands of Fate Watchlist Frogs 26% 25% Frogs Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

Night of the Living Dead

Night of the Living Dead 50th Anniversary: Fathom Events Trailer Night of the Living Dead 50th Anniversary: Fathom Events Trailer 0:29 Night of the Living Dead: Trailer 1 Night of the Living Dead: Trailer 1 1:07 View more videos
View All

Night of the Living Dead

Night of the Living Dead (1968) Night of the Living Dead (1968) Night of the Living Dead (1968) Night of the Living Dead (1968) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A ragtag group of Pennsylvanians barricade themselves in an old farmhouse to remain safe from a horde of flesh-eating ghouls that are ravaging the United States.
Director
George A. Romero
Producer
Karl Hardman, Russell Streiner
Screenwriter
George A. Romero, John A. Russo
Distributor
Elite Entertainment Inc., Reel Media International [us], United Video, Vestron Video, BijouFlix Releasing, Republic Pictures, UAV Entertainment, Master Movies, Continental Distributing Inc., Anchor Bay Entertainment, Navarre Entertainment, Something Weird Video, Image Entertainment Inc., Sinister Cinema
Production Co
Market Square Productions, Laurel, Off Color Films, Image Ten
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 1, 1968, Limited
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Oct 13, 2017
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$68.7K
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Academy (1.33:1)
Most Popular at Home Now