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Dawn of the Dead

Play trailer Poster for Dawn of the Dead 1978 2h 6m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.

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Dawn of the Dead

Dawn of the Dead

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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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Critics Reviews

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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

Audience Reviews

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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
Dawn of the Dead

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Cast & Crew

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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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Dawn of the Dead

Dawn of the Dead (1978) Dawn of the Dead (1978) Dawn of the Dead (1978) Dawn of the Dead (1978) Dawn of the Dead (1978) Dawn of the Dead (1978) Dawn of the Dead (1978) View more photos

Movie Info

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)