Shaun of the Dead (2004)

“You’ve got red on you.”

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beloved horror-comedy classic Shaun of the Dead, with this limited-edition SteelBook release from Focus Features, complete with cover art that is a throwback to the EC comic book art of yore!

How do you pull an entire genre from the precipice of overuse and keep it alive and kicking? When you're Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, you inject the newly revived zombie genre with a bit of wry humor, smart sarcasm and a touch of Monty Python that could only come from the Brits.

At Shaun of the Dead's soul lies the oft-contemplated enigma that might finally be answered. Are we all just zombies, aimlessly trudging through our mundane lives, taking our romantic relationships for granted and not even noticing that those around us are suffering from the same symptoms? Of course we are!!!

"a movie that can please many people"


Sure, all zombie movies have addressed similar metaphors - some more successfully than others - but none has done it with the same brilliance of comic tone and right-on deadpan (pun intended) relevance. There has always been something ghoulishly appealing in mixing death and comedy, but Wright and Pegg have upped the ante by successfully throwing romance into the mix creating a self-proclaimed rom-zom-com (romantic zombie comedy) triumvirate that I'm certain will appeal to even you non-zombie movie fans out there.

Lovable but unkempt Shaun (Simon Pegg) and his slovenly flatmate, Ed (Nick Frost), spend most of their free time at the corner pub downing pints and concocting schemes that will allow Shaun to keep his girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield), without losing his video game freedom. When she finally leaves him, Shaun embarks on the unfamiliar initiative of taking control of his life and trying to win Liz back. But in his way is that pesky issue of zombies, zombies everywhere.

As Shaun trudges through his daily routine commuting to his job as a downtrodden sales clerk at the local appliance outlet, director of photography David Dunlap brilliantly keeps the zombies mostly unnoticed near the edge of the camera's frame. He slowly allows them to intrude as the story progresses. At first we notice headphone-wearing commuters in trance-like states and homeless transients walking aimlessly down the streets.Shaun of the Dead (2004)

But as the storyline advances so do the humorous dialogue, the madcap action and the zombie mania. Horror fans will most assuredly be pleased as well. The filmmakers mix in a healthy dose of blood, gore and ravenous mayhem that could easily become a turn-off were it not for the clever wit that somehow makes even the squeamish find a bit of ironic humor in the bloodiest scenes.

Shaun of the Dead is a movie that can please many people. It's a well-paced love story with a message; and it's a zombie movie with a sense of humor. Although the script never bogs down, and the dialogue always keeps things lively, I probably missed several jokes that stayed buried in the onslaught of the thick English accents. In short, Shaun of the Dead is one of the funniest British comedies to hit the big screen since the heydays of the Monty Python films.

This 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray set is a must-have for fans and collectors alike. Relive the hilarious and thrilling adventures of Shaun and his friends as they navigate a zombie apocalypse in their hometown. The striking SteelBook case features iconic artwork that pays homage to the film's iconic cover art, making it a standout addition to any media collection. With stunning 4K visuals and immersive audio, you'll feel like you're experiencing the chaos and laughter all over again.

Don't miss your chance to own this 20th-anniversary edition of Shaun of the Dead in all its undead glory.

5/5 stars



Shaun of the Dead (2004)

4k details divider

4k UHDSteelBook / 20th Anniversary / 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital HD

Home Video Distributor: Universal Studios
Available on Blu-ray
- December 3, 2024
Screen Formats: 2.39:1
Subtitles
: English SDH; French; German; Italian; Spanish
Audio:
English: Dolby Atmos; English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1; Spanish: DTS 5.1French): DTS 5.1German: DTS:X; Italian: DTS 5.1
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region A

This zombie-meets-romantic comedy follows 30-something slacker, Shaun, and his friend, Ed, as their lives take a disastrous turn when a zombie breakout happens around the world and they work to keep their friends and family safe. Shaun of the Dead 20th Anniversary Edition includes a new 4K remaster in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, plus a new bonus piece with director Edgar Wright, and all-new collectible Steelbook packaging.

VIDEO

The newly released 20th anniversary edition is, in fact, a tonally and remarkable upgrade, making all other releases null and void.  The stunning 4K resolution and Dolby Vision enhancement is damned remarkable, too. The film has been meticulously remastered from beginning to end, resulting in a superior visual experience that far surpasses the upscaled releases of the past years. Colors are more vibrant, details are sharper, and the overall picture quality is nothing short of breathtaking. This meticulous attention to detail has truly elevated a beloved classic into a new era of home entertainment.

AUDIO

Featuring a fantastic Dolby Atmos soundtrack, this release amplifies the immersive sound design and draws viewers into the enviros of the movie with charm and explosions.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • None

Special Features:

The anniversary edition of the film comes in a slick steelbook cover that pays homage to classic EC Comics covers from the '50s, while the inside features a delicious selection of Cornetto ice cream prints. It does have a bit of red on it, though. Like other 4K Blu-ray releases, you'll also get a version of the film on a standard Blu-ray and a digital streaming code, and both discs resemble vinyl records.

For the special features, a lot of the previously released bonus content has been included with this release alongside a new feature, Shaun of the Dead: 20 Bloody Years. This is a look back at the film with Wright, Pegg, and Frost, as they reflect on the film and its history.

  • Shaun of the Dead: 20 Bloody Years feature
  • Deleted scenes
  • Feature commentary tracks
  • Casting tapes
  • Simon Pegg's video diary
  • Zombie gallery
  • Make-up tests
  • Extended bits
  • Edgar and Simon's flip chart
  • Storyboard gallery

4k rating divider

  Movie 5/5 stars
  Video  5/5 stars
  Audio 4/5 stars
  Extras 5/5 stars

Composite Blu-ray Grade

5/5 stars


Film Details

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime:
99 mins
Director
: Edgar Wright
Writer:
Simon Pegg; Edgar Wright
Cast:
Simon Pegg; Nick Frost; Kate Ashfield
Genre
: Horror | Comedy
Tagline:
A Romantic Comedy, With Zombies.
Memorable Movie Quote: "David, kill the Queen!"
Theatrical Distributor:
Universal Pictures
Official Site:
Release Date:
September 24, 2004.
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
December 3, 2025.
Synopsis: The uneventful, aimless lives of a London electronics salesman and his layabout roommate are disrupted by the zombie apocalypse.

Art

Shaun of the Dead (2004)