Shaun of the Dead (R, 2004)

common sense media says

Some funny moments, but for adults only.


parents & educators say
  • 29% say violence is an issue
  • 26% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is not for kids. Although it's more of a comedy than a true horror movie, there is still enough blood, guts, and gore to turn your stomach and make you avert your eyes. It's also extremely violent -- zombies and humans try to kill each other in every way possible -- biting, shooting, stabbing, impaling, etc. There is almost nonstop profanity and some crude humor. There's also a lot of smoking and drinking, and there are a few drug references. There are also some intense scenes, such as when a son is forced to kill his zombie mother and some characters consider killing themselves.

Positive messages: A man has to kill his zombie mother and characters contemplate suicide.
Violence: Graphic, bloody gore. Humans and zombies constantly try to kill each other in various ways -- by biting, shooting, impaling, stabbing, etc.
Sex: Some sexual references and crude humor.
Language: Lots of extremely strong language.
Consumerism: Product placement for Coke and Jaguar.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Nonstop drinking and smoking -- many scenes set in a bar. Some drug references.

More on Shaun of the Dead

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the appeal of zombie movies. They can also talk about satire, and point out the many instances that occur in this film.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a 29-year-old slacker who holds down a dead-end job he hates. His girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield) has asked him to make something of himself, but he cannot bring himself to change. Sick of playing second fiddle to his immature roommate Ed, beer, and video games, Liz breaks up with Shaun. Shaun wants to save the relationship, but before he can, he must deal with a strange situation that has emerged -- a horde of zombies are taking over London, and they are looking for new recruits. Now Shaun must save his family and friends as chaos erupts through the city.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
A cult favorite, SHAUN OF THE DEAD pokes fun at zombie movie cliches, but it also honors these movies by following their rules. It balances laugh-out-loud funny scenes (such as when Shaun is so self-absorbed he doesn't see the zombies wandering around his neighborhood and then misses the news warnings because he is channel-surfing) with some intense, suspenseful, and yes, very gory and bloody scenes (for example, the zombies attack a man and pull various bloody organs out of his stomach).

Due to the gore, we don't recommend this movie for kids under 17. Older teens and adults who are horror fans, however, are likely to enjoy the droll British humor and homage to George Romero's zombie trilogy.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Rogue Pictures
Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Lucy Davis, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg
Genre: Horror
Run time: 99 minutes
Theatrical release: September 23, 2004
DVD release: December 21, 2004
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: zombie violence/gore and language

This review was written by Common Sense Media Editors
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 31 parent & educator reviews:
  • 29% say violence is an issue
  • 26% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

chrysophylax
parent of 2 year old
 
This is comedy and satire. If you don't get it, you don't get it. If you do, it's drop dead (and reanimate) funny. There is a lot of gore and swearing, but overall the messages and actions of the characters are positive given the situations they find themselves in.

JCRDTH
kid, 13 years old
 
Not for Children
This movie is hilarious! I laughed so many times! 10/10

 
Too gory for kids
I loved this film alltough not good as severance, but still a good gore-filled-zombie-spoof movie definetly your kids will love it! if u got older teens get this movie

Shaunofthedead11
kid, 11 years old
 
Shaun of the dead Must read
I think the positive message is being very brave going against zombies. I am 11 and i watched it, i think it should be 11 & up because it is appropiate, no bleeding

 
off for kids and tweens
very gory, not for tweens or kids. if i had a choice i would watch hot fuzz instead though.

 
For teens
Hm ... This movie is for teens, because it has violence, and much consumption of drugs... nothing more, but I really liked this movie! :D

cerealkiller189
teen, 13 years old
 
Awesome gore,blood and violence.
Lol. It's not very violent if you compare it to other modern zombie movies like Dawn of the dead or even zombie.I watched it with my brother at the movies when I was 6(I'm 3 years older so he was 3 at that time) and he loved the whole movie.He kept laughing and pointing at screen during the part where a guy gets his arms ,legs and head pulled off by the zombies then his intestines are ripped out its the awesomest movie ever go take your child to watch it if they want it's ok

Hawkeye1
teen, 16 years old
 
I really enjoyed this movie. It was funny without being annoying and action-filled without being plotless. And though it's definitely not for the younger crowd, I would recommend it for teens younger than 17, maybe about 15 or so. By then, we've all heard the cuss words in this movie before, and the violence isn't too shocking (besides a certain scene where someone's organs are torn out by zombies).

fangningsheng
teen, 14 years old
 
Hilarious and Gory
This movie is awesome. It's really funny. If you like zombies and comedy, then check this one out. Expect lots of graphic, gory violence including zombies being shot, a man being torn apart and eaten alive, and much more. There is also strong language throughout the film, and tons of drinking and smoking.

actionreplay
kid, 12 years old
 
it is funny and a very good movie!

jake W.
adult
 
perfect for teens
love it not too bad but gore

ruerue
teen, 13 years old
 
shaun of the dead
it was so funny but you might wanna scream at some parts. Its my first rated r movie i reccomened to watch with your parents but i love it but there are a few f***ks

 
This is a great film. My kids love it.
This is an amazing film and my kids love it. The oldest is 9 years old and the youngest is 4. I highly recommend it to any other parents. I use this film to tell my kids what to when the Zombie Apococalypse happens.

hidude50968
parent of and 10 , 13 , 14 , 17 year old
 
Cool movie.
Zombie movie is pretty cool, but not for kids

G2B
kid, 13 years old
 
Fun zom-com :)
Very good zom-com, with funny scenes and some gory scenes but fake ones added with humour. But there is one over-the-top gory part near the end, its quite disturbing the first time, but not scary, just gory, its quick though. The language is strong but its not what's on your mind cause your watching an interesting fun zombie movie so you wouldn't be listening to the swearing.There is one extreme swearing part though, which may be funny to some people or annoying to others, for me it was both, the part was Shaun's friend saying the f-word one after the other, about 20 times, at least its as long as that. But other than two certain parts, its a great movie and I could handle it, but I did think it might of been a typical gory movie with some humour, but when I watched it all, it was great !

 

charlieawsome
kid, 10 years old
 
Shaun Of The Dead
i watched this when i was 10 because i had already seen hot fuzz its my favaroute movie lots of swearing including people saying the f work 15 times over and over again lots of gore iswell including a man being draged ot of a window by zombies and having his guts ripped out (on screen) and a girl faling on a pole getting up and (on screen) seeing through the hole in her stomach the comedy is GREAT but not for KIDS

Alice
teen, 13 years old
 
Very Funny Movie
My mother and I laughed so hard while watching this. It's rather gory, and not something for kids under 12, but a great movie.

david3922
kid, 12 years old
 
Brilliant movie Must see
Well i watched this movie when i was 10 and i think anybody above 10 could watch it. Its halariously funny but yes it is very gory. Like zombies getting there heads blown off etc. In one of the sceens Shaun has to kill his mother because she was bitten. But other than that very good movie recomended if you like Comedys and gore

pocketMAD
kid, 13 years old
 
Shaun of the Dead
Very funny movie! Not for kids 7 or under.

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