Shaun of the Dead

  • Review Date: December 21, 2004
  • R
  • Genre: Horror
  • 2004
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Some funny moments, but for adults only.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

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.

  • A man has to kill his zombie mother and characters contemplate suicide.
  • Graphic, bloody gore. Humans and zombies constantly try to kill each other in various ways -- by biting, shooting, impaling, stabbing, etc.
  • Some sexual references and crude humor.

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?

 

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.


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What families can talk about

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.


This review was written by Common Sense Media Editors
Parent of 2 year old
October 30, 2009
 
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.

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 13 years old
July 23, 2009
 
Not for Children
This movie is hilarious! I laughed so many times! 10/10

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Adult
September 26, 2010
 
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

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 16 years old
September 11, 2010
 
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).

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Parent
December 9, 2011
 
off for kids and tweens
very gory, not for tweens or kids. if i had a choice i would watch hot fuzz instead though.

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Parent of 11, 14, 15, and 18 year old
February 5, 2011
 
Cool movie.
Zombie movie is pretty cool, but not for kids

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Kid, 12 years old
December 24, 2011
 
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

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Teen, 13 years old
December 11, 2011
 
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

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Parent
June 29, 2011
 
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.

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Adult
August 22, 2010
 
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

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This review was written by Common Sense Media Editors
Studio:Rogue Pictures
Director:Edgar Wright
Cast:Lucy Davis, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg
Genre:Horror
Run time:99 minutes
Theatrical release date:September 23, 2004
DVD release date: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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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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