Movies
The Top 10 Musical Numbers in Disney’s Zombies Franchise
It’s zombie month here at Horror Press, so it is time to continue my effort to transform the site into a compendium of knowledge about the ZOMBIES franchise (which is stylized as Z-O-M-B-I-E-S because they want to give me premature arthritis from typing it that way all the time). For those who don’t remember, this is a series of Disney Channel original musicals about busting stereotypes and promoting diversity that uses zombies as a stand-in for whatever minority group caught the filmmakers’ attention that very second.
It’s zombie month here at Horror Press, so it is time to continue my effort to transform the site into a compendium of knowledge about the ZOMBIES franchise (which is stylized as Z-O-M-B-I-E-S because they want to give me premature arthritis from typing it that way all the time). For those who don’t remember, this is a series of Disney Channel original musicals about busting stereotypes and promoting diversity that uses zombies as a stand-in for whatever minority group caught the filmmakers’ attention that very second.
As the franchise expanded, so did its menagerie of creatures (played, as always, by humans with colorful hair). While the impending Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 4 promises that vampires are on the horizon, so far the trilogy has dragged werewolves and aliens into its manic melange of metaphors. While, as you might be able to tell, the storytelling is chaotic as all get out, the movies feature catchy songs and solid choreography, frequently at the same time! In this piece, I’d like to celebrate the musical numbers that deliver the most bang for your buck, even to the unseasoned viewer who has not yet dived into the candy-colored world of exuberant nonsense that is in store for them.
The Best Musical Numbers in Disney’s Zombies Franchise
#10 “We Got This” (Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2)
This is the opening number that sets up where the plot has progressed after zombies have joined the community of Seabrook as more-or-less equal citizens. It’s more of a functional number, but as the anthemic cheerleader beat builds, it becomes more and more propulsive and irresistible. Plus, you won’t get that hook out of your head for weeks.
#9 “Like the Zombies Do” (Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2)
This Bruno Mars-inflected track about assimilation is the ZOMBIES franchise’s answer to “In America” from West Side Story. Music-wise, this number is a little thinner (and features the franchise’s bad habit of sing-talk “rap” that doesn’t quite land), which is why it’s so low. But the dance battle of it all still makes it a delicious confection.
#8 “Call to the Wild” (Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2)
OK, yeah, the rap just doesn’t go away. It will keep happening all the way up this list, so be warned. However, what this one lacks musically, it makes up for with that exuberant hopscotch choreo breakdown that finds a huge variety of ways to use those long sticks to carve different physical spaces on the dance floor.
#7 “My Year” (Z-O-M-B-I-E-S)
This is the introductory number of the original 2018 movie, and boy what an introduction. Eye-searing colors, athletic choreography, and simply too many cast members to count. While the ensemble of the franchise will grow more and more unwieldy (in a good way, I say), the sheer amount of people bringing this number to life sees the franchise already embracing the decadent maximalism that it exhibits when it’s at its best.
The juxtaposition of the preppy pastels of the human neighborhood and the more eclectic designs of the zombie neighborhood also visually highlight the division between the groups in a sumptuous way, as does the difference in the group’s choreography styles. Subtlety does not exist in ZOMBIES, nor should it.
#6 “We Own the Night” (Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2)
The first sequel in the franchise is where they began introducing new genres into their pop musical sensibility, and this Rihanna-inflected song is a hell of a lot of fun. It’s probably the first number on this list that is fully listenable as a proper single when not attached to visuals, which is why it’s OK that the choreography is slightly less interesting here.
#5 “Someday” (Z-O-M-B-I-E-S)
As the big love duet, and the only song that has reprises in each of the sequels, “Someday” really needs to sing. Thankfully, it does! This musical number sees romantic leads Zed and Addison showing off their playful chemistry by turning a zombie panic room into a playground of creativity. Plus, the “caught my eye” bit (about 42 seconds in) is a visual pun that leans in on the idea of falling in love with a zombie in a way that’s a little more visceral than you’d expect Disney to go, even while being super adorable at the same time.
#4 “Exceptional Zed” (Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3)
The third installment is where the franchise’s cast, locations, and aesthetic really began to gel into something so magical it can overcome even the most ludicrous storytelling. The location (Toronto’s Sugar Beach Park) is doing most of the heavy lifting in the early going, but the part where Zed is marched down a gauntlet of the movie’s supporting characters is punchy and lively, and the energy of the number keeps rising from there. The choreography here also leans in hard on one of star Milo Mannheim’s strengths, which is his ability to maneuver his impossibly long limbs into exhilarating shapes.
#3 “BAMM” (Z-O-M-B-I-E-S)
This is going to be the toughest one for anyone who’s allergic to musical theater kids rapping. But the zombie rave is a gloriously over-the-top setting, and the trampoline floor allows for the choreography to add a mind-bending aerial element that elevates the number beyond the rest of the offerings in the original movie.
#2 “Alien Invasion” (Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3)
Remember what I said about maximalism? There is no character, type of monster, or musical genre that isn’t contained in this gloriously sprawling number. It begins with a dubstep riff on the musical motif Close Encounters of the Third Kind before launching into a Howard Ashman-esque ensemble number with a power-pop chorus and a brief sojourn into K-pop. It’s a sight (and sound) to behold.
#1 “Ain’t No Doubt About It” (Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3)
Unquestionably the finest number the franchise has offered, “Ain’t No Doubt About It” is a delightfully catchy duet about the existential crisis of being in a high school relationship when graduation is on the horizon. What the song offers lyrically is perfectly compounded by the visuals, which see Zed and Addison gleefully dancing through danger, just barely missing being violently murdered at every turn. It’s a Looney Tunes-ass number that is working on all cylinders.
Halloween season is over, and many streamers have forgotten about us horror kids. While they take their 11-month hiatus from the genre, we can be grateful that we still have an app that cares. We are so lucky that Shudder remains that girl year-round. Whether you’re finishing their new original show Guts & Glory, catching up on The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans, or running at some of their deep cuts like I am, Shudder has your best interests at heart. As usual, she has quite a few titles fighting for our attention. Which is why I am here with five titles I think should be at the top of all of our watch lists this November. So, cancel your holiday plans and pick up your remote because we have got horrifying things to watch.
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
Habit (1995)
An alcoholic unwittingly enters into a relationship with a succubus in New York City. If you ever wondered what Larry Fessenden was getting up to in his youth, you need to see this ’90s gem. I lucked out and caught it at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival last year, and I lived my best life. While watching it on the small screen will not be the same, I plan to hit play anyway. Mostly because I love to see 1990s succubi leaving their mark on men…and also the horror genre. Shudder is also adding The Last Winter and Depraved, so we can spend a whole day with Uncle Larry’s work.
Sew Torn (2024)
A seamstress happens upon a failed drug deal and steals a briefcase. She soon finds herself caught in a deadly situation where all roads lead to death. I caught Sew Torn at SXSW last year and have been wondering what happened to it. So, I am very happy this odd little bird has found her way to Shudder. I cannot wait to make my friends who are looking for something cute and deadly watch. I knew nothing when I hit play on this, and I encourage you to know as little as possible, too. I fear I have already written too much in this blurb to be completely honest.
You can watch Sew Torn on November 1st.
The Retreat (2021)
A couple goes on a pre-wedding retreat and unwittingly becomes targets of a group of serial killers. We have seen too many movies about retreats, and I thought this one would be more of the same. This title does not completely reinvent the wheel, but it does set itself apart within this oversaturated subgenre. The Retreat is a surprisingly fun and tense little thriller that feels made for the winter watches. Come for the lesbian characters leading the film, and stay for the violence. I also encourage you to check it out while it is on Shudder, because it is usually on apps with ads.
You can watch The Retreat on November 1st.
The Creep Tapes (Season 2)
Peachfuzz returns with more tapes, chaos, kills, and WTF moments. Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice have reentered the TV arena and are making things weird again. If award shows were real, this duo would be leading the Emmys charge. I saw the first three episodes, and Josef/Peachfuzz is still the serial killer after our own hearts. Our Wolfie is still cutting up (literally and figuratively) in the most amazing ways. Guest stars in danger this season include David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil), Katie Aselton (The League), and Robert Longstreet (The Haunting of Hill House).
You can watch The Creep Tapes (Season 2) on November 14th.
Krampus (2015)
A kid accidentally summons demons during the holidays in this horror comedy. Krampus remains one of the top-tier Christmas horror titles for me. It is also my favorite Michael Dougherty film. Not only because it has the star power of Adam Scott and Toni Collette, either. This movie is wicked, and even the kids are in danger. I do not have many holiday horror movies I revisit every year, but Krampus is one of the very few. It still holds up, and I cannot wait to rewatch it with a festively boozy beverage.
You can watch Krampus on November 15th.
Those are a few reasons I am grateful for Shudder this holiday season. While the rest of you are fighting with your family and friends, I will be parked in front of my TV. You can have your turkey because I would rather gorge myself on episodes of The Creep Tapes anyway.
Let me know what Shudder shenanigans you have got your little eye on. I am nosy and want to make sure I am not missing anything on my favorite streamer.
The year is winding down, and I don’t know about you, but I am trying to pack in as many 2025 horror movies as I can. Is this because I love making end-of-the-year lists? Yes. Is it because I am an unhealed overachiever? Also, yes. So, I am assuming some of you are also cruising the streamers to see what you may have missed. While Netflix has had my favorite new slasher Heart Eyes for a bit, and I have mentioned that in previous streaming guides, they also have other new horror titles to show you.
I do not talk about them as much because I did not have a good time with them. However, that does not mean you won’t enjoy some of these titles. That’s why I am taking the high road and finding something to be grateful for about each of them. That way, you will know there is a silver lining if you do watch them. Allow me to help you figure out what to prioritize this month and what to skip. Check out this chaotic Netflix hitlist below!
The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month
28 Years Later (2025)
A group of survivors on a small island has built a fortress to protect them from the rage virus. However, a young boy discovers what is really outside the walls of their community and sets off to find a cure for his sick mother. We all loved 28 Days Later, and some of us liked 28 Weeks Later. So, 28 Years Later was never going to live up to the hype with almost thirty years of anticipation. While I didn’t love it, I did enjoy seeing Danny Boyle helm another zombie installment. What he does in the subgenre is top-tier, and we are welcome (even if the script left me wanting more). That might have gotten buried in all the talk about the dicks seen in the movie, though.
Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025)
A group of girls competing for prom queen starts disappearing, leaving the underdog to figure out what is happening to her competition. I had a lot of thoughts about this lackluster installment in Netflix’s Fear Street adaptations. As someone who grew up reading Fear Street books and wanting to adapt them myself, I do not understand how this movie came out so badly. Which made it hard to find something nice to say about this title. However, the soundtrack slaps, and it is not the soundtrack’s fault that it was wasted on a low-energy bottom-tier slasher. So, if you hit play on this, you can at least look forward to hearing some retro bangers selected by music supervisor Nora Felder. If you are familiar with her work on Yellowjackets and Stranger Things, you know Felder does not miss.
Maa (2025)
To battle a demon’s curse, a mother transforms into the legendary goddess Kali. As usual, Netflix did not advertise an international horror movie that seemed to have some potential. If they had told us Maa was an Indian Hindi-language mythological horror movie, most people who yell for intersectionality and originality would have run at it. Instead, we had to find out about it months later while looking for something we hadn’t already seen on the app. This movie is too long, and I cannot say it is good by any stretch of the imagination. However, it also made me realize how little I know about the goddess of destruction. If you are a nerd like me, this might lead you down a cool rabbit hole. You can also say you gave a view to a horror movie starring Brown people. Who knows, maybe you could be one of the few who enjoy this chaotic film.
Until Dawn (2025)
A group of friends find themselves trapped in a time loop where they keep getting killed in gruesome ways. I love the video game and was so bummed this adaptation was so bad. However, the practical effects are very cool and should be celebrated more. I think the stuff that the SFX team pulled off might be the only reason to watch the movie personally. I’m happy the actors whose work I enjoy got paid, and that’s another positive thing I can say. However, if we want to see young people in deadly time loops, we have so many movies that do it better. Excuse me as I look right at Happy Death Day and all of the movies that have tried to copy her.
Ziam (2025)
A Muay Thai fighter battles through a zombie apocalypse to save the woman he loves. Netflix fumbled the advertising for this one too, because who doesn’t want to see a Thai zombie film? So, I was excited to watch it, but then sad I did not like it. However, I think this one is on me. It is an action-horror with a lot of heartfelt moments, and that’s not my bag. I wanted more violence and zombie action because I am a broken and heartless ghoul. So, Ziam might be the only movie on this list that does not deserve my bombastic side eye. I am waiting for other people to watch it and let me know if they have a better time with it, though.
While I was not the audience for these movies, I am assuming some of you will dig them. Worst-case scenario, you cross off a few more 2025 horror movies and have something to talk about at Friendsgiving. Happy Horrordays! I will see myself out now…
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