Share

Watch It

On DVD: Now | On Blu-ray: Now

Zombieland Review

Movies.com Critics

3.0

Dave White Profile

Zombies. They're still really popular. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    73

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 50

    out of 100

    The New York Times Manohla Dargis

    A minor diversion dripping in splatter and groaning with self-amusement.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety Dennis Harvey

    Benefiting from the very different but very appealing comedy styles of Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg even when the script's wit runs thin, this should be catnip to jaded genre fans.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Who would have guessed such a funny movie as Zombieland could be made around zombies? No thanks to the zombies.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

    Falling closer in tone to "Shaun of the Dead" than "28 Days Later" or the George Romero movies, Zombieland has its tongue planted firmly in its rancid cheek while still delivering the visceral goodies.

    Read Full Review

  • 83

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    At the bone, Zombieland is a polished, very funny road picture shaped by wisenheimer cable-TV sensibilities and starring four likable actors, each with an influential following.

    Read Full Review

  • 88

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    Mostly, it's just wicked fun.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times

    First-time feature director Ruben Fleischer brings impeccable timing and bloodthirsty wit to the proceedings. Cinematographer Michael Bonvillain captures some interesting images amid the post-apocalyptic carnival of carnage, as when he transforms the destruction of a souvenir shop into a rough ballet.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Zombieland reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Horror-comedy hybrid is gory, crude ... and not for kids.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that, in keeping with its title, Zombieland is full of zombie violence, whether it's the zombies dispatching humans or being dispatched themselves. Although much of the mayhem is played for laughs and the film's overall tone is lighthearted, there's tons of gore (shootings, bludgeonings, stabbings, flesh eating, and more), as well as scary depictions of the end of the world. Also expect frequent strong language (including "f--k" and then some), some drinking, and one scene of drug use.

  • Families can talk about the film's mocking tone. Can a filmmix 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?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: You could argue that the main character's attempts to form bonds with people and create a family of sorts gives the movie a positive undercurrent, but really it's all about bloody (albeit supposedly comedic) action mayhem.

  • rolemodels true0

    Role models: The characters may be very crude and violent, but they also go through noteworthy changes over the course of the movie -- whether it's learning to live without constant terror or embracing relationships with others. Issues of trust, sacrifice, and loss also come up, with the survivors truly working together to survive and thrive.

What to watch for
  • violence false5

    Violence: Extraordinary horror- and zombie-themed violence, with zombies devouring humans in bloody fashion, humans dispatching zombies with aplomb, and more. Shootings, bludgeonings, stabbings, falls from great heights, and limb removal, are all featured, plus vehicular mayhem and more. Humans are eaten, assaulted, shot, and hurled from cars; zombies are set aflame, hit with falling objects, and more. The zombie-related violence includes copious amounts of blood, rent flesh, and gore.

  • sex false2

    Sex: Kissing; discussions of sex; discussions of how a character "would hit that" or "at least ... first (base)." A zombie stripper -- with pasties over her nipples -- is briefly seen.

  • language false4

    Language: Strong language throughout, including "f--k," "motherf---er," "c--k," "nut," "balls," "hell," "dick," "s--t," "bitch," "crap," "Jesus," "oh my God," "Jesus Christ," "ass," "bastard," and more.

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: Brands mentioned or seen include Cadillac, Hostess snack foods (specifically Snow Balls and Twinkies), Pepsi, Mountain Dew, World of Warcraft, and Lancome.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters drink alcohol -- including hard liquor and wine. Marijuana is smoked from a hookah.

Fan Reviews provided by

4

Good Date Movie by rpg1887
This movie has just enough gore to keep the guy entertained. Enough sappy romance to keep the girl entertained. And enough comedy to keep the movie from becoming stale and redundant. I will say this, this is the type of movie where you may absolutely hate it. My girl and I thought it was fun, but a couple behind us left 2/3 of the way through the movie grumbling about how much it sucked. The humor is a little on the childish side, but hilarious in the context of the movie. I recommend this if its a slow night and you want to take your girl/guy out for a chuckle. But don't expect side splitting laughs, and if your not sure, waiting for DVD isn't a bad alternative. It's not one of those movies you have to see in the theater.

5

Movie was a riot by joncarleen
This movie was a blast. Funny throughout, with a few scary moments thrown in. Woody Harrelson was a riot. I hope you enjoy it as much as me and my 15 year old son

3

Awesome.....Snooze.....Awesome by spminer
This movie starts out great, thought I was in for another Shawn of the Dead. Then the lame character building snoozeville starts and lasts for at least 40 minutes. Then the end comes and it gets pretty funny again. When I go to a zombie movie I don't wan't to watch people destroying a store I want to see them blowing the crap out of Zombies. It's not all bad and Woodie is good. I just don't care for the wimpy geek trying to hit on the hot chick for 30 minutes. He could have been eaten after 20 minutes and left woodie by himself. Wait for DVD on this one or at least a matinee........

5

ZOMBIELAND by Tufrmone
This may be the best Zombie Movie to date. The protagonist all with human weaknesses and foibles fight back. The performances are excellent. The movie is funny and there is a subtle sub-plot about the motivation of why and what had made the the Woody Harrelson who he now is, as opposed to who he was. It doesn't become a downer - and likely with the money it makes there will be a very very justifiable sequel that will probably makes sense and deserves to be made. Its better than Shawn of the Dead.

5

Great Movie to go with group of friendz :) by juize
Went to the midnight show Thursday night, very funny was worth every penny and every minute of my missed sleep hours, lol . And any parent out there thinking of taking ur kids, this movie has nothing sexual only few bad mouthing worths here and there so, I would have to say It, would of been okay taking my 10 yr old daughter but I seen it wiht a group of friendz :) Go check it out this weekend!!!!

5

Twinkies...ftw! by Greysha
OMG! This was completely awesome. Its like it just made everyone want to be a Zombie for the day. I went for the midnight premire and I could not believe all the zombies I ran into. Of course I too was a zombie. The movie really was great. It made you laugh and cry and yell and scream and jump up and down like a toddler in a toy store....a toy store full of zombie destruction weapons! Best movie ever. Seriously. Go see it. You know you want to! It just really makes you want to be a zombie even more for Halloween and scare the pants off little kids. It'll be epic. Don't forget to follow the rules and stock up on Twinkies....you'll need it my friend. I rate this movie a 100! Because its just that epicly BAD ***.

3

Zombie Kill of the Week by Daydream
Expectations were low coming into Zombieland... maybe they should have been lower. Jesse Eisenberg is the awkwardly shy and clumsy student yet again, reminding you of the two hours you threw away watching Adventureland in April. Zombieland had some great ideas put into the script, especially the cameo by Bill Murray, the zombie kill of the week, and a list of rules in order to survive the blood-drooling zombies (no doubt branching from Wedding Crashers or the Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks). But behind all the clever ideas, this movie lacked chemistry and my attention. I was not impressed, but maybe you will be. I recommend Shaun of the Dead. (C-)

5

Five Word Review by danni_vish
BillMurray WoodyHarrelson Zombies Awesome Hysterical

5

Best time i have had at the movies in a long time. by Keyser Soche
I just finished watching the Midnoght showing of Zombieland. I went into this movie with soso feelings about it and came out a fan!!!!!!!!!!! This movie was so fun to watch, very bloody, but stll fun to watch. This film has it all , its funny packed with action and even a couple of those touchy feely moments.... Go see this film and i guerentee you will have a blast. Woody is a bad***!!!!!!!!!! And trust me if you watch this later in nigt it makes for an interesting ride home thinking of all the zombies!!!!

4

Raucous Fun in Land of the Dead by the_movie_queen
Not being Woody Harrelson's biggest fan, I was scepticle about seeing his latest venture, especially since I'm not a huge fan of the zombie horror movie genre. AND YET, I found Harrelson's "relationship" with the undead to be the most entertaining part of the movie. The cast of characters had great chemistry, including Bill Murray,who, as himself, reminded us of the good old days of Stripes and Ghost Busters (please Bill, come back to the funny side).

Advertisement