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!
Netflix did not give me a lot to work with this month. I may have also zoomed through many of my favorite things on the platform these last few months. So, many of these are titles I have been meaning to check out, and I hope they are worth the wait. However, I cannot promise the carnage, chaos, and confusion I normally provide for this column. This means you’ll have to forgive me for having less razzle dazzle and a little more uncertainty while I list some stuff off the less beaten path. Gather around, and I’ll tell you what I am trying to get into this March!
Archive (2020)
In 20238, George Almore’s newest AI prototype is nearly complete. However, this humanesque machine is also hiding one of George’s secrets that must remain hidden. While I love some British sci-fi and believe we should watch as many of the 2020 movies that slid under our quarantined radar, I’m pulling up for another reason. I want to see Theo James in something that isn’t The Monkey. Literally. I didn’t enjoy that movie, and I seem to be the last person I know who was unfamiliar with James before that. So, I’m trying to rectify that and see what he can do in anything else. Hopefully, after catching this on Netflix, I will have a new movie that comes to mind when he is mentioned. Fingers crossed, friends!
Green Room (2016)
A punk rock band gets trapped in a venue where skinheads want to kill them. So many people have told me this movie is worth my time, but because it’s always too soon for violent racists in this decade, I keep putting it off. However, I am so curious to see what Patrick Stewart, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat, and the late Anton Yelchin are doing in this movie. Green Room is also one of the few A24 horror movies that I have not seen, which makes it even more intriguing. While I doubt 2026 will calm down enough for this not feel too real, I think it’s time for me to be brave and cross this movie off my list already. So, I might have to grab a drink, a weighted blanket, and remote so I can open Netflix.
M3GAN 2.0 (2025)
Two years after M3GAN’s murder spree, she is rebuilt by her creator to take down a military-grade weapon made from her stolen tech. Is this movie as good as the original written by Akela Cooper? Obviously not. No one can do what Cooper does and we shouldn’t hold people to that very high bar. Is this movie way too damn long? Also, yes. However, was there still a lot of fun to be had along the way? I thought so. While M3GAN 2.0 isn’t the sequel we wanted, I’m happy to rewatch it for free at home. We lose a lot of the threads I loved in the first one, but I’ll be damned if this isn’t the new Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day anyway. In a perfect world, Akela Cooper will reopen the computer (after receiving a very large check from Blumhouse) and give us a third installment to bring our dancing diva back into the horror fold.
Life After Beth (2014)
A man discovers his dead girlfriend is back, and that might be for the worst. I never watched this horror comedy, but I’m sad and hoping Aubrey Plaza can change that. After all, if she can’t wake us up after a long winter, then who can? I also imagine Plaza as a zombie is kind of great. Along for the ride is Molly Shannon, so between the two of them, I expect some chuckles and guffaws. Maybe the powers that be at Netflix knew we could all use a laugh, and that’s why this is waiting for us on the other side of February. Or possibly they wanted to apologize for that last season of Stranger Things. Or maybe it’s just a wacky coincidence, and I’m looking for meaning where there is none. Either way, I have a date with this movie, and you might want to check it out too.
Teen Wolf (2011-2017)
Getting bitten by a werewolf turns life upside down for a high school student and his best friend. Hear me out! I doubt there is a world where I will watch all six seasons of this. Hell, I doubt I’ll even finish the first season. However, I skipped this MTV moment when it originally aired. Which is why I didn’t know who Dylan O’Brien was when Send Help was announced. So, I’m using this Netflix account to see where he started now that I have seen him in something. You can join me in this or mark your time as safe and watch something else. I don’t blame you either way, and I hope you’ll respect my privacy during this adventure.
That’s what I’m doing with my Netflix account this month. Here is hoping April gives us more scary movies because some of us deserve it. Most importantly, I deserve it.
Shudder is still that girl even in March. Our beloved streamer is adding classics like The Fog and Messiah of Evil. They are also adding a couple of films that are precious to my generation, like May. The app always has an eclectic lineup, but this month is an embarrassment of riches. At least if you are like me, and looking at a list of movies you have had on your watch list forever. That is why it took me a hot minute to figure out which five titles should be this month’s priority. However, I cracked the code and think I have something old, something new, and definitely at least a couple of things that will turn blue. Check out what I am trying to see on Shudder this month. Also, be sure to let me know if you are as geeked about these titles as I am.
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
The Last Horror Film (1982)
A New York taxi driver stalks an actress during the Cannes Film Festival. I love 80s slashers and have been on a quest to watch them all. This one has eluded me for a couple of years, and I am so happy Shudder is finally letting me cross it off my list. I am not expecting this to break my top 1980s slashers. I’m not even counting on it to be one of the best movies about a stalked actress of that era. However, I’m excited to finally see it for myself with an adult beverage in hand.
You can watch The Last Horror Film on March 1st.
Fade to Black (1980)
A film fanatic begins murdering people who betray him while stalking his idol. I finally caught this on Shudder in the last couple of years and will be using its return as an excuse to rewatch it. Very few movies cater to the slasher kids and film nerds as well as this one. Fade to Black is the kind of psychological horror comedy that is the reason 1980s horror remains unmatched. The costumes, the obsession, and the kills are the most fun you can possibly have on a Shudder Saturday. Do yourself a favor and hit play immediately.
You can watch Fade to Black on March 9th.
Hostile Dimensions (2023)
Two filmmakers travel through alternate dimensions seeking out the truth about a missing graffiti artist. This found footage film has been on my list for years, and I am so grateful that Shudder is finally letting me see it. I have heard so many great things, and the FOMO was killing me. Hopefully, Hostile Dimensions lives up to the hype. Otherwise, I have to ask my nearest and dearest to explain themselves and then stop accepting recommendations from them. Will it scratch the found footage itch I have this month? There is only one way to find out, and that is why I will be sat the day this drops on the app.
You can watch Hostile Dimensions on March 9th.
1000 Women in Horror (2025)
Women have been an integral part of the genre since Mary Shelley started thinking about Frankenstein. However, we do not always get the credit and respect we deserve. Which is why I am thrilled 1000 Women in Horror is celebrating the badasses who revolutionized horror films. Not only is the documentary opening the libraries for us, but it’s also bringing current faves along for the ride. Akela Cooper, Toby Poser, and Jenn Wexler are just some of the names I know who are about to inspire so many women to get serious about making their movies. I cannot stress enough how happy I am that Shudder is adding this to its lineup.
You can watch 1000 Women in Horror on March 20th.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
College friends backpacking through Britain are attacked by a werewolf. As a werewolf film enthusiast, I know they are not all made equally. That is one of the many reasons why this is easily one of the best werewolf movies the genre has. The transformation alone is worth the price of a Shudder subscription. So, it shouldn’t come as a shock that this is one of the five titles I’m most excited to see this month. Hell, it’s probably in everyone’s top five to be completely honest. I cannot think of a better way to close this month out than with a top-tier werewolf flick.
You can watch An American Werewolf in London on March 31st.
I told you, Shudder is that girl. Whether you’re on spring break, taking a mental health day, or just dissociating, this app has got you covered. Make sure you dig into some of this sick, twisted, and cool cinema. As for me, I will see you next month with more recommendations.
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