Dawn of the Dead
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Where to watch: Not on major US streamers — check digital rental.
How it scared people
The vibe
James Gunn wrote it, Zack Snyder directed his first film, and the opening ten minutes — suburban morning to total collapse, then Johnny Cash over the credits — are better than everything that follows. The remake's real argument with Romero is speed: these dead sprint, which trades dread for adrenaline. Sarah Polley grounds it more than the material deserves.
Dawn of the Dead (1978) Parents Guide
| MPA rating | No MPAA certificate (released outside the US system) |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 127 minutes |
| Jump scares | 3/5 — moderately scary, with a handful of strong sequences |
| Gore | 5/5 — extreme gore — not for the squeamish |
| Dread | 3/5 — a lingering atmosphere that stays for the evening |
| Themes | the undead; characters cut off from help |
Dawn of the Dead carries no MPAA certificate. We score it 3/5 for jump scares, 5/5 for gore and 3/5 for lingering dread, over 127 minutes. Weigh the gore first: extreme gore — not for the squeamish. Older teens and adults, mostly on the strength of what it shows.
We rate what the film does — scares, gore, dread — not scene-level content like language or nudity, which we don't track.
Before you press play
- How scary is Dawn of the Dead?
- On our intensity scale, Dawn of the Dead rates 6/10 for jump scares and 6/10 for dread. It is moderately scary, with a handful of strong sequences.
- How gory is Dawn of the Dead?
- Dawn of the Dead rates 10/10 for gore — expect extreme gore — not for the squeamish.
- How long is Dawn of the Dead?
- Dawn of the Dead runs 127 minutes (2h 7m).
- What is Dawn of the Dead rated?
- Dawn of the Dead has no MPAA certificate — common for films released outside the US. On our scale it rates 6/10 for jump scares, 10/10 for gore and 6/10 for dread.
- Where to watch Dawn of the Dead (1978)?
- Dawn of the Dead is not on major US subscription streamers right now — look for it on digital rental or purchase (Apple TV, Prime Video, or your usual store).
