Night of the Living Dead

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Night of the Living Dead

1968

1h 36m

Horror

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Popcornmeter

95%

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82 Reviews

87%

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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.

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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.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

... A must-see for film fans.

Sep 16, 2022

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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

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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

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Serge Daney

Cahiers du Cinéma

Clumsily shot, awkwardly acted and as for being scary, completely ineffective.

Oct 4, 2023

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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

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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

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D. Hunter P

I watched this movie many years ago in my 20's and I did like it, but I didn't really appreciate it. I have watched this movie in the last couple of years now a number of times, and I have to say that there are so many elements of this movie that are amazing. Seeing the main protagonist lead these people, and him being a black man felt so natural, and this was in the 60's. They didn't even have nicknames for the dead guys, no zombie names or anything. It was just a part of the setting. And the end of this thing is so tragic and has a number of messages that one could argue.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/28/25

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Movie F.

I understand its significance for the zombie genre and appreciate the courageous casting of a black man in the late 60’s during the civil rights movement with such a strong role. However much of the writing and dialog were subpar. Worth seeing once for its historic significance.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/26/25

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Daniel D

An undeniable classic that even with the test of time holds up remarkably well due to its earnestness and unpolished charm.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/17/25

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Christopher R.

A classic film that aged well. There wouldn't be a zombie genre without this movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/25

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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

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MaryAnn M.

The one and only movie he made that wasn’t horrible!

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/05/25

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George A. Romero

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Night of the Living Dead 50th Anniversary: Fathom Events Trailer

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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)

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