Focus Features | Release Date: September 24, 2004
8.5
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Universal acclaim based on 901 Ratings
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53
Negative:
37
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8
AndrewBurgeApr 14, 2018
Edgar Wright's 'Shaun of the Dead' is branded as a comedy-horror but, mind you, despite being made by the funnymen Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, I dare to say it is more horror that comedy. Not that it isn't funny, of course, but the humor isEdgar Wright's 'Shaun of the Dead' is branded as a comedy-horror but, mind you, despite being made by the funnymen Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, I dare to say it is more horror that comedy. Not that it isn't funny, of course, but the humor is slightly tame.

Arguably described as probably the worst day of a working class man going nowhere and his lazy friend which occasionally sells drugs, by occasionally I mean once... in college... to his aforementioned friend, 'Shaun of the Dead' is a social satire more or less in which the flesh eating zombies are more of a nuisance to the characters' daily problems than a proper threat.

And this is, apart from the great directing, what makes this film so engaging to watch. As much as the mindless walking dead are a life-threatening problem, the characters' societal norms and personal issues of love and friendship seem to be on their forefront as while they struggle to survive in the now zombie-infested town they do not miss any opportunity to bark at each other. This is made even more funnier as the zombies move at a really slow pace, so even though they are close instead of running away from them, Shaun and his entourage would rather stand and bicker, maybe occasionally glancing at the distance of the undead.

But despite this great writing, is the directing which sets the film apart as the news of the zombie outbreak is constantly delayed, and as you stand there paranoid just waiting for the inevitable to happen, the apocalyptic moment is so much set aside that by the time it actually happens, you do not even expect it anymore... you got used to it. But when the zombies finally 'come to life', the few fights against them are filmed through beautiful tracking shots, barely cutting, almost as a transition from the every day arguments to the proper action-comedy zombie killing scenes.

Still, as I said, while this film is funny, unlike many other comedy films, it does not depreciate the danger of such an event, as characters die, and friends and even family members are sacrificed and it can be a bit emotional.

Therefore, 'Shaun of the Dead' is a near-perfect mix of comedy, tragedy and horror and a social satire to the routine of the modern class working man. A man who is so much like a zombie that he barely notices a real one from a fake one!
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8
NikopooOct 15, 2020
Not as good as Hot Fuzz but with a lot of the same good writing and creativity earning it some well deserved praise. Good movie that I enjoy going back to every now and again with a sense that there may be some bit of social commentary toldNot as good as Hot Fuzz but with a lot of the same good writing and creativity earning it some well deserved praise. Good movie that I enjoy going back to every now and again with a sense that there may be some bit of social commentary told in a humorous and light tone. Notable as well is that Simon Pegg is an extremely great actor in this as well as in Hot Fuzz especially and I feel as if he may be a bit overlooked for what he really offers. Expand
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8
liamexeNov 16, 2022
Is this movie supposed to be a comedy? The Dawn of the Dead remake, however, featured more humorous moments! I probably would have appreciated this movie more. The humour were stale, and the plot was conventional. The acting and makeup, whichIs this movie supposed to be a comedy? The Dawn of the Dead remake, however, featured more humorous moments! I probably would have appreciated this movie more. The humour were stale, and the plot was conventional. The acting and makeup, which were both at most passable, were the only things worth a second look. This is mostly targeted at the readily entertained teen market and townie population. If you want to watch something more interesting and humorous Expand
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7
[Anonymous]Mar 24, 2006
A lighthearted zombie take. Wish there was more gun action. I'd like to see a zombie film where survivors fight off the zombies with assault rifles, miniguns, RPGs, etc, a starship troopers with zombie instead of aliens.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
7
beamerNov 1, 2010
I find this movie a bit perplexing. I have given it a 7 out of 10 rating, yet last night (Halloween) I sat and watched this movie twice in a row, one after another. The second time I watched the movie set on Zombie-O-Meter. So I probablyI find this movie a bit perplexing. I have given it a 7 out of 10 rating, yet last night (Halloween) I sat and watched this movie twice in a row, one after another. The second time I watched the movie set on Zombie-O-Meter. So I probably should give it a higher rating yet I can't seem to find it in me to do so right now. It does have some graphic gore, yet it is also a funny movie at times. I might be able to give it a higher rating if I was a bigger fan of Gore and zombies. The Undead is just not the most appealing aspect of moviedom for me. Expand
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7
ZegilgameshDec 29, 2012
It pushes the horror-comedy formula to new grounds, all the while being intelligent, funny, and occasionally emotional -- however sometimes too much so.
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7
SpangleAug 28, 2014
Shaun of the Dead was a real surprise for me. I never really expected to enjoy a zombie movie this much, but I did. Now the film is not great, but it is very entertaining. Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Kate Ashfield, are all very good in theirShaun of the Dead was a real surprise for me. I never really expected to enjoy a zombie movie this much, but I did. Now the film is not great, but it is very entertaining. Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Kate Ashfield, are all very good in their roles and their chemistry is great. The direction from Edgar Wright is smart and assured. The script is also very good and is loaded with witty dialogue and laughs. The laughs are ultimately the king here, as without the comedy, this one is alright. The thrills and excitement during the zombie sequences are good and certianly very intense, but at times, it can get a bit too gory. There are a few scenes that come to mind particular as being particularly gory and very much over the top. While the humor and thrills are good, I do wish they had toned down that aspect a little. I get that there will be gore in a zombie movie, but this one went overboard in some scenes, which was too bad. Luckily, however, the whole package is solid and very well done. As my first Edgar Wright film, it was a nice introduction to him. Expand
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7
iTzzLearyyyOct 16, 2012
Shaun of the dead : It's often said that the true character of a man is only revealed in times of dire crisis, and for likable, lovelorn loser Shaun (Simon Pegg), that moment of reckoning came when the dead rose from their slumber to feast onShaun of the dead : It's often said that the true character of a man is only revealed in times of dire crisis, and for likable, lovelorn loser Shaun (Simon Pegg), that moment of reckoning came when the dead rose from their slumber to feast on the flesh of the living. A hapless electronics store employee who spends most of his spare time downing pints at the local pub with his roommate, Ed (Nick Frost), Shaun's life seems to fall apart when he is dumped by his girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield), and his obnoxious stepfather, Philip (Bill Nighy), shows up to berate him for not being more attentive to his caring mother Barbara (Penelope Wilton) -- especially since he forgot to send flowers for her birthday. Things take a turn for the worse when the dead return to stake their claim on the Earth, and though the chaos that follows threatens to swallow up all of England, it's up to Shaun to keep his cool and prove himself once and for all by successfully rescuing Liz and his mother. With his trusty roommate by his side, nothing -- not even the living dead -- can stand between Shaun and the two most important women in his life.
Overall it
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7
TheApplegnomeAug 10, 2015
Shaun of The Dead is another zombie-apocalypse flick, but that stands on its own as an entertaining, funny and a somewhat action-packed everyday adventure in a changed world. Team Pegg-Frost (Simon Pegg & Nick Frost) continues to impress onShaun of The Dead is another zombie-apocalypse flick, but that stands on its own as an entertaining, funny and a somewhat action-packed everyday adventure in a changed world. Team Pegg-Frost (Simon Pegg & Nick Frost) continues to impress on the big screen, and the greatest aspect is just that, including dialogs, story and cinematogrophy. But it lacks a greater editing, and combined with the fact that it tries to be serious and a comedy at the same time (in a way that could have looked better), is it not as "amazing" as the critics. It also lacks long-term action, and a perhaps longer ending. But it still manages to embrace a few laughs here and there. Recommend it.

7/10
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7
cag11Nov 29, 2013
It was somewhat funny. It did have good acting, which is what makes really good movies good. With the script going good for a zombie film, I don't think it could have gone any better.
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7
russiangamerFeb 20, 2017
Нормальный фильм.
Мне нравится английский юмор, чёрный английский юмор. Пример тому сериал "Переростки".
Но этот фильм заставил улыбаться не так уж и много. Порой было довольно скучно. Но всё таки есть пара интересных моментов и достойные
Нормальный фильм.
Мне нравится английский юмор, чёрный английский юмор. Пример тому сериал "Переростки".
Но этот фильм заставил улыбаться не так уж и много. Порой было довольно скучно. Но всё таки есть пара интересных моментов и достойные шутки.
Итог: Неплохая комедия, для ценителей чёрного английского юмора.
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7
ComandanteCobraJan 6, 2021
Funny British humour, easy movie. The first half of the movie was interesting (brilliant mockery of everyday zombi-like attitudes of people) but the second half dragged (the classic Zombie attacks).
I watched it very late..16 years after his
Funny British humour, easy movie. The first half of the movie was interesting (brilliant mockery of everyday zombi-like attitudes of people) but the second half dragged (the classic Zombie attacks).
I watched it very late..16 years after his relase and maybe that has had an impact on my experience.
Best viewed in English dub even if yor'not a native English speaker (with subtitles if needed)
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7
amheretojudgeJan 16, 2018
last orders, please..

Shaun Of The Dead

It's funny, to the point and exciting; Simon Pegg upbeats all the cult keys that were missing lately on semi comic movies.
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7
royalguy07Mar 14, 2023
The genre blending is fun but it never quite got all the way there for me..
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6
StephenKApr 28, 2008
I think I laughed 3 times during this movie. The only thing that kept me watching was hoping it would get funnier. I thought it must get funnier because everyone had raved about this film; it never did. The best I can say was that it was OK. I think I laughed 3 times during this movie. The only thing that kept me watching was hoping it would get funnier. I thought it must get funnier because everyone had raved about this film; it never did. The best I can say was that it was OK. Hot Fuzz was much better. Expand
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6
TyranianMay 30, 2019
Shaun of the Dead is hilarious at times but also inconsistent and contrived.
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6
Gamzguy17Aug 21, 2021
An effective comedy that pays heavy tribute to the zombie genre that more or less began with 1968's superb "Night of the Living Dead". The editing is tight and the effects are appropriately gruesome. Not all of the gags hit home with meAn effective comedy that pays heavy tribute to the zombie genre that more or less began with 1968's superb "Night of the Living Dead". The editing is tight and the effects are appropriately gruesome. Not all of the gags hit home with me though and if it were more ambitious, it would've written its characters with more care. Expand
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5
seiferJan 12, 2011
This is a fairly entertaining movie... but i personally see no purpose so for me this is a pointless story, waste of money and a waste of our time rating this over the well-deserved rating of... 5
0 of 10 users found this helpful010
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5
AlienSpaceBatsAug 15, 2011
Overrated clap-trap that has amazingly found its way into the consciousness of self-proclaimed geeks, nerds and other cretins and subsequently opened the floodgates for the current spate of zombie-obsessed pop culture rubbish. Film isOverrated clap-trap that has amazingly found its way into the consciousness of self-proclaimed geeks, nerds and other cretins and subsequently opened the floodgates for the current spate of zombie-obsessed pop culture rubbish. Film is entertaining enough upon first viewing but after the first half hour you don't exactly need powers of clairvoyance to guess what's going to happen next. Expand
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5
lukechristianscMar 11, 2014
shaun of the dead is not as bit as funny as i thought but the fact that its zom com it is funny watching simon pegg and nick frost killing zombies . but it is a okay film
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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4
DeanS.Feb 13, 2006
Not anywhere as funny as I thought it should be. From all the reviews, I thought it would be clever, but it was on the level with dumb sex comedies with the addition of zombies. Couldn't stand the characters and it was rushed and lame Not anywhere as funny as I thought it should be. From all the reviews, I thought it would be clever, but it was on the level with dumb sex comedies with the addition of zombies. Couldn't stand the characters and it was rushed and lame that they all die within ten minutes. Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful
4
cameronmorewoodNov 15, 2012
Everybody's gone wild about this zom-com, and I'm not loving it. Nick Frost and Simon Pegg have been in a few movies together, and I haven't liked any of them. Maybe there's something wrong with me, but like I said, I'm not loving it.
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
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0
FLYINGTOADXXNov 18, 2011
I am not quite sure how any one person can sit through even ten minutes of a film such as this, let alone watch to whole darn thing. 'Shaun of the Dead' deserves no rating higher than what i have chosen to rate it, and believe anyone whoI am not quite sure how any one person can sit through even ten minutes of a film such as this, let alone watch to whole darn thing. 'Shaun of the Dead' deserves no rating higher than what i have chosen to rate it, and believe anyone who actually feels like this film is worthy of production, should reconsider their life choices. Expand
3 of 35 users found this helpful332
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0
MovieGuysJun 19, 2014
Shaun of the Dead is a tasteless, disgusting piece of work with very little redemption or justification for all its gore. It's plot points are stupid and hypocritical, the characters are some of the most annoyingly stupid people I've everShaun of the Dead is a tasteless, disgusting piece of work with very little redemption or justification for all its gore. It's plot points are stupid and hypocritical, the characters are some of the most annoyingly stupid people I've ever seen on a screen, and the movie feels decidedly incompetent. One of the worst movies I have ever seen. Expand
2 of 25 users found this helpful223
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0
XandWackyDec 1, 2014
I really couldn't get into this movie. I know it's a comedy, but I didn't feel like laughing at any poiny in this movie. I mean, I enjoyed the movie's plot, but the genre is where this movie falls short.
1 of 9 users found this helpful18
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