Movies
Horror 101: Disney’s ZOMBIES Franchise From A to Zed
The ZOMBIES movies (2018’s ZOMBIES, 2020’s ZOMBIES 2, and 2022’s ZOMBIES 3) all take place in a town called Seabrook, populated by both humans and zombies, where Zombietown is separated from the rest of the population by an enormous wall. You may notice that this sounds a little like apartheid. The franchise begins on the day when zombie teens are finally allowed to attend the human high school. You may notice that that sounds a lot like American school reintegration. You may also notice that all of this sounds like a variety of other race-related social issues. You’re great at noticing things. These movies have a lot of progressive social metaphors on their minds. In fact, they have so much on their minds that the overstuffed central metaphor immediately shoots out of their grasp like an over-lathered bar of soap.
As far as Disney Channel original musical franchises go, I will eat my keyboard if you’ve never heard of High School Musical. Descendants is also big enough that you may have heard of those misbegotten movies and the multimedia franchise they spawned. And the Teen Beach Movie duology has maybe come across your desk if you were really digging into the history of Ross Lynch after seeing him shirtless on Instagram. But one of the most exciting Disney Channel musical franchises, ZOMBIES, is relatively unknown among modern childless adults, possibly due to its more recent vintage. I’m here to fix that today.
A quick note: The titles of the movies are technically stylized as Z-O-M-B-I-E-S, but I wouldn’t want to torture my poor fingers by sticking to that bit of grammatical nonsense throughout the entire piece.
What On Earth Are the ZOMBIES Movies?
The ZOMBIES movies (2018’s ZOMBIES, 2020’s ZOMBIES 2, and 2022’s ZOMBIES 3) all take place in a town called Seabrook, populated by both humans and zombies, where Zombietown is separated from the rest of the population by an enormous wall. You may notice that this sounds a little like apartheid. The franchise begins on the day when zombie teens are finally allowed to attend the human high school. You may notice that that sounds a lot like American school reintegration. You may also notice that all of this sounds like a variety of other race-related social issues. You’re great at noticing things. These movies have a lot of progressive social metaphors on their minds. In fact, they have so much on their minds that the overstuffed central metaphor immediately shoots out of their grasp like an over-lathered bar of soap.
The first movie follows the Romeo & Juliet-inflected love story between the wannabe football player zombie Zed (Milo Manheim) and the human cheerleader Addison (Meg Donnelly), who is hiding her own secret from the too-perfect town of Seabrook: she secretly has white hair. Gasp! Addison’s search for an identity and the couple’s struggle to stay together while coming of age will form the spine of the two sequels.
All three movies were written by David Light and Joseph Raso and directed by Paul Hoen (who drapes the world of Seabrook in garish colors, typically pinks and greens, that clash horribly but deliver a vibrant live-action cartoon feel) with music by George S. Clinton and Amit May Cohen. The rest of the ensemble cast is mostly notable for not being notable, but the trilogy has also featured social media star Ariel Martin, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series alum Matt Cornett, enby icon Terry Hu, and – somehow – a voice-only cameo from RuPaul.
How Do the Zombies Work in ZOMBIES?
The zombies at the center of the franchise were created fifty years ago by a vague incident at the Seabrook Power Plant involving soda. Surprisingly, in spite of how Disneyfied the monsters are, they actually are bloodthirsty cannibalistic revenants at their core. Their base urges to eat brains are controlled by Z-bands, which are Apple Watch-like devices strapped to their wrists, and kept at bay by eating vegan cauliflower brains. However, these devices can be hacked, either partially (to give Zed a boost while playing football, Teen Wolf style) or entirely (at which point the characters begin to mindlessly chase down any humans in their vicinity).
It’s a concept that is less toothless than you’d expect, though of course nobody ever actually gets eaten. And forget about them having any ability to turn humans into zombies, via biting or any other means. This is never addressed and doesn’t seem to be possible in this universe.
Naturally, the dangerous side of the characters is largely kept in the background. The way to recognize a zombie in ZOMBIES is the fact that they all have green hair and their names all have Z’s in them. The zombies also have their own language, to the point that one character, the himbo Bonzo (James Godfrey), only speaks Zombie.
How do zombie parents have children who are also zombies who seem to be able to grow up? And why does Zed have an absent mother, as is Disney tradition, in spite of the fact that she certainly couldn’t be dead considering the fact that she’s a zombie? It’s best not to pull at those threads.
Oh, and did I mention that both Zed and Addison have the ability to directly address the camera like they’re a couple of Fleabags? There is simply too much to cover in just one article, but I shall bravely soldier on.
What Other Monsters Can Be Found In The ZOMBIES Universe?
So here’s the thing. So far, each movie in the ZOMBIES trilogy has introduced a new type of monster to the franchise. The original movie had a West Side Story vibe, with two ensembles on opposite sides squaring off against one another. So the filmmakers figured why stop there? When ZOMBIES 2 introduces werewolves, there’s a whole new ensemble of characters joining the returning cast, with three new main characters leading the pack. Ditto when aliens are introduced in ZOMBIES 3, overflowing the ensemble cast in a way that perfectly evokes the already overstuffed plotting of the franchise.
Naturally, these creatures are largely differentiated by their hair. The werewolves (a deeply iffy metaphor for Indigenous Americans) all have W names and white streaks in their hair. Their powers are less authentic than the zombies, as they mostly just involve roaring and having some vague CGI fang and eye effects applied to their faces. Then there’s the aliens, who have blue hair and A names. They are a metaphor for… immigration? Model minorities? Look, the screenwriters are really trying their best here.
What’s the Music of ZOMBIES Like?
Let us never forget that, on top of everything else, these movies are musicals! The music itself is generally unexceptional bubblegum pop mixed with clunky hip-hop as performed by overeager theater kids. However, as the franchise goes on, it brings in musical motifs for its new monsters that add more variety to the songs including peppering them with R&B and dubstep flavors.
But the choreography? Now here’s where things get really interesting. There’s a reason Milo Manheim blasted past the competition when he was on Dancing with the Stars at age 17. The boy can move. So can the rest of the cast, despite the spotty acting and uneven rapping. The untenably massive size of the cast finally becomes a strength when it comes to showing dozens of bodies moving in unison with tremendously satisfying, athletic choreography.
The franchise also frequently busts out some keen visual ideas that prove that somebody behind the camera was actively trying at all times. This includes an incredible trampoline floor sequence in ZOMBIES’ “BAMM” and the Looney Tunes mayhem of the ZOMBIES 3 number “Ain’t No Doubt About It,” which sees Zed and Addison dancing and accidentally avoiding peril at every turn while trying to mask their doubts about the future of their relationship.
What’s Next for the ZOMBIES Franchise?
Currently, the new release spinoff Zombies: The Re-Animated Series is streaming on Disney+, if you’ve ever wanted to see poorly rendered CG versions of your favorite characters jerkily do dance moves that aren’t really impressive considering their bodies are made of pixels. Fortunately, the proper sequel, ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, is right around the corner. Probably out of necessity, the cast has been severely cut down this time, but it does feature the return of Zed and Addison (on a post-high school road trip), many of their friends, and vampires who are sure to be a clunky metaphor for… something. I can’t wait!
My New Year’s resolution is to spend more time watching my favorite app. Luckily, Shudder is not taking it easy on us this holiday season, so I may meet my quota this January. The streamer is bringing in the new year with quite a few bangers. We have classics from icons, a new title from the first family of indie horror, and a couple of lesser-known films that have finally found a home. So, I am obviously living for this month’s programming and think most of you will too. I have picked the five films that I believe deserve our collective attention the most. Get into each of them and start your 2026 off on the right foot.
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
Carrie (1976)
A sheltered teen finally unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated for the last time. Carrie is the reason I thought proms might be cool when I was a kid. This Brian De Palma adaptation is one of my favorite Stephen King adaptations. It is also an important title in the good-for-her subgenre. I cannot help rooting for Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) when I watch her snap at this prom and then head home to accidentally deal with her mom. The only tragedy of this evening is that Carrie had to die, too. I said what I said, and I will be hitting play again while it is on Shudder. This recommendation goes out to the other recovering sheltered girls who would be the problem if they had powers. I see you because I am you.
You can watch Carrie on January 1st.
Marshmallow (2025)
A shy 12-year-old gets sent to summer camp and finds himself in a living nightmare. While Marshmallow did not land for me, I know plenty of people who love it. Which makes this the perfect addition to the Shudder catalogue. I am actually excited to see more folks fall in love with this movie when it hits the streamer. If nothing else, it will help a few folks cross off another 2025 title if they are still playing catch-up with last year’s movies. It also gets cool points from me for not taking the easy route with the mystery it built. I hope you all dig it more than I did, and tell your friends about it. Perhaps you could even encourage them to sign up for the app.
You can watch Marshmallow on January 1st.
Chain Reactions (2024)
Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre cemented his horror legacy over fifty years ago. So, it is long overdue for a documentary where horror royalty can discuss its impact on them and their careers. I have been waiting for a couple of years to hear Karyn Kusama and Takashi Miike talk about Hooper’s work and how he inspired them. So, I am super geeked that Shudder is finally giving me the chance to see this film. The streamer is also helping the nerds out by adding The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 2 (1986) this month. If you are also an overachieving couch potato, I will see you at the finish line next week.
You can watch Chain Reactions on January 9th.
In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
An insurance investigator discovers the impact a horror writer’s books have on people. I love chaos, and John Carpenter chaos happens to be one of my favorite kinds of chaos. While we talk about The Thing and Halloween all the time, this maestro has given us plenty of horror to celebrate. In the Mouth of Madness is very much one of those titles vying for a top spot among the best of his filmography. To sweeten the batshit pot, this movie features Sam Neill. You know that he only shows up in our genre if the movie is going to be legendary. You cannot tell me this is not a Shudder priority this month.
You can watch In the Mouth of Madness on January 10th.
Mother of Flies (2025)
A terminally ill young woman and her dad head to the woods to seek out a recluse who claims she can cure her cancer. The Adams Family has been holding court on Shudder for years, so it feels right that Mother of Flies is a Shudder Original. More importantly, this fest favorite has one of the best performances of 2025. Which makes it a great time for people to finally get to see it and get in line to give Toby Poser her flowers. Whatever you think your favorite Poser role is, it is about to change when you see her as Solveig. I am being serious when I say that this movie might be the first family of indie horror at their best.
You can watch Mother of Flies on January 23rd.
New year, but same Shudder. I would not want to go into 2026 any other way, personally. I hope these horrific recommendations bring you the good kind of anxiety. Or at least distract you from the state of the world for a bit.
I’m happy Netflix knew I would be back on my bull shit. Now that we’re in January, and the end-of-year lists are done, I’m trying to cram as many 2025 titles into my eyeballs as I possibly can. I know it sounds backwards, but it’s sadly a yearly tradition now. No matter how many titles you cram into a year, there are always a ton more you missed. Because I am broken, I need to know if I missed anything that should have been on my lists ASAP. Then I can drag myself for not getting my eyeballs on things sooner. Or worse, seeing titles that came out after my deadline and would have definitely been on there. I need to feel resentment for their schedules not letting me be great.
Luckily for me, the streamer has dropped quite a bit of new stuff recently. This includes movies and shows that I put off, or that legitimately premiered a couple of weeks ago. So, now I can spiral in the comfort of my own home as I binge all of these titles like a maniac. If you are also trying to walk into the new year stressed out, then maybe this streaming guide is for you, too.
City of Shadows (2025)
When a burned body is put on display on the facade of an iconic building, two inspectors must work together to solve the crime. I don’t know much about this Spanish thriller, but I know winter is the time for an unsettling mystery. The show is based on the first book of the Milo Malart tetralogy written by Aro Sáinz de la Maza. So, if it’s as good as I hope it is, there is a whole world with this inspector awaiting us in print. I’m ready to take all six of these episodes in one setting if the streaming Gods allow.
Frankenstein (2025)
Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Christoph Waltz are among the names in this newest adaptation of the beloved Gothic horror classic. Guillermo del Toro’s take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is clearly one of the top priorities this month. While I skipped it in festivals because of the runtime, I knew I would have a date with it on Netflix this winter. While it has been on the streamer for a minute, I wasn’t able to dedicate two and a half hours to it. I also had watched my friends’ mixed reviews come in, and couldn’t take another disappointment last year. So, I saved this treat for the holiday. Fingers crossed, it is better than people are saying it is.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)
A new group of friends is tormented by a new stalker in this sequel to Kevin Williamson’s other ’90s slasher. I’m indifferent to the I Know What You Did Last Summer movies. Some are less awful than others, and I think this one was fine, but I know the original source material. Which means I know just how far they stray from what the original author, Lois Duncan, was about. So, I look at these movies and the flimsy premise they repeat differently than a lot of my friends. I think it’s an interesting look at how IP gets handled in Hollywood, but I don’t usually get much out of these. Which is another reason I’m kinder to this Jennifer Kaytin Robinson film than some people. While I won’t be rewatching it this January, I think a lot of people who missed it in theaters are going to have fun with some of these kills now that it’s on Netflix.
Stranger Things: Season 5 (2025)
The long-awaited conclusion to Stranger Things is finally upon us! Will Vecna take out some of this ridiculously large cast on the way out? I hope so. Will we pretend to be surprised when Eddie Munson gets a few seconds of screentime? I refuse to play this game. However, are we all going to tune in to see how this epic ride ends? You betcha! I hate that they’re breaking this final season up into three chunks, but I will be sitting for all of them.
The first four episodes hit in November. The next three landed on Netflix on December 25, and the finale premiered on December 31. I don’t know what to expect, but I know I am so ready to close this chapter of my relationship with Netflix and the Duffer Brothers. If it is even half as good as season four, then I will be a very happy nerd.
Troll 2 (2025)
A new troll awakens, causing Nora, Andreas, and Captain Kris to find new allies to take it down. This Norwegian monster flick almost got by me, so I’m happy Netflix dropped the trailer for this one. I’m using this as an excuse to finally watch the first one. I’m thinking a double feature is in order, so I can spend a whole day with these trolls. This is not my usual type of party, but after Troll Hunter won me over, I figure anything can happen. So, I will not judge you if you’re not feeling this out of left field pick. Just know that I’m running at it with an open mind and hoping to see some carnage as a reward.
These are just the Netflix titles I’m prioritizing. This is in no way a complete overview of all of the new shows and movies they’ve added this winter. We also know that they usually have a ton of international bangers that they refuse to advertise. So, I end up stumbling over Korean titles every January and then trying to tell people we missed some really excellent stuff. So, pick up your remote and turn your phone off. It’s time to Netflix and Chill in the less sexy and more nerdy way.
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