Common Sense Media Review
By James Rocchi
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Horror-comedy hybrid is gory, crude ... and not for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
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Zombieland
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 66 parent reviews
Parents say the film is a hilarious yet violent dark comedy that blends elements of horror and humor, appealing to older teens and adults while featuring strong language, graphic violence, and some mild sexual content that may be inappropriate for younger audiences. Many reviewers suggest that discretion is needed when letting children watch, with most agreeing it's better suited for audiences 13 and older, often praising the clever writing and character development despite its excessive gore.
- violence moderate
- humor dark
- language strong
- age recommendation 13+
- characters likable
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 234 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a mix of humor and horror, providing a fun, albeit gory, experience that many find entertaining. While some viewers appreciate its comedic elements and engaging plot, others express concerns about the overwhelming violence and strong language, suggesting it is more suitable for older teens rather than younger audiences.
- comedic horror
- suitable for teens
- excessive violence
- strong language
- entertaining plot
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In ZOMBIELAND, two months after the outbreak of a plague that turned the majority of humans into flesh-hungry walking dead, two survivors meet. Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) is a nervy, nerdy loner, while Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) is a wild man warrior who's ready to handle any and all zombie attackers. The two soon bump into con-artist sisters Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) -- after some initial clashing, the foursome heads to Los Angeles, with the promised land of a supposedly zombie-free amusement park as their destination.
Is It Any Good?
While violent and crude, this movie is also great fun. It's that rare horror-comedy that manages to have its overall senses of excitement and tension supported, not undercut, by the tension-releasing laughs. The cast is uniformly fine, with Harrelson as a real standout, and commercial director Reuben Fleischer jumps to the big screen with verve and intensity. The film's affection for prior zombie movies is clear, but Zombieland never breaks its own rules: The undead are almost always a real threat.
The jokes come as fast and furious as the body count (including a cameo by a celebrity survivor that's too good to spoil); the action is both goofy and exhilarating; and, while the film certainly isn't for kids, it's ultimately a remarkably satisfying genre deconstruction that simultaneously celebrates and makes fun of zombie-film traditions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Zombieland's mocking tone. Can a film mix brutal violence and comedy? Horror and humor? How does the comedic tone affect the impact of the violence?
Why do you think zombies are such a popular movie subject? What do zombie movies tend to have in common? Why are they so often also about the end of the world?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 2, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : February 2, 2010
- Cast : Emma Stone , Jesse Eisenberg , Woody Harrelson
- Director : Ruben Fleischer
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Adventures , School ( College & Graduate School , High School ) , Dystopia , Family Stories , Friendship , Holidays ( Halloween ) , Fantasy ( Monsters ) , Travel
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : horror violence/gore and language
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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