Zombies (2018 film)

Zombies is a 2018 American musical and dance Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) directed by Paul Hoen. The film stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly as Zed and Addison, respectively. The plot revolves around zombies being integrated into a human high school following years of segregation after a zombie apocalypse.

Plot Summary:

Fifty years prior to the film's setting, an explosion at the Seabrook Power Plant transformed some of the residents of Seabrook into zombies. The zombies are contained in Zombietown, separated from the human town of Seabrook by a barrier. In the present day, a government program allows a select group of zombies to attend Seabrook High School, thanks to the invention of Z-Bands, devices that suppress their zombie nature. Among the first zombie students is Zed, a zombie football player. He quickly develops a connection with Addison, a cheerleader with a secret – she wears a wig to hide her naturally white hair, fearing she won't fit in.

The zombies face prejudice and fear from many of the human students and authority figures, particularly Bucky Buchanan, Addison's cousin and the head cheerleader. Zed and Addison's growing romance and their efforts to bridge the gap between the zombie and human communities are threatened by various obstacles, including anti-zombie sentiment and a mystery surrounding the Seabrook Power Plant. They work to prove that zombies and humans can coexist peacefully and challenge the pre-existing prejudices that divide them.

Cast:

• Milo Manheim as Zed
• Meg Donnelly as Addison
• Trevor Tordjman as Bucky Buchanan
• Kylee Russell as Eliza
• Carla Jeffery as Bree
• James Godfrey as Bonzo
• Kingston Foster as Zoey

Production:

• Development: The film was announced as a Disney Channel Original Movie in 2017.
• Filming: Principal photography took place in Toronto, Canada.
• Music: The film features a soundtrack of original songs, blending pop and musical theatre styles.

Reception:

• Viewership: Zombies premiered on Disney Channel in February 2018 and was a ratings success, becoming the number one cable television movie of 2018 among key demographics.
• Critical Response: The film received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its themes of tolerance and acceptance, as well as its catchy musical numbers. Others criticized its predictable plot and reliance on familiar tropes.

Sequels:

• Zombies 2 (2020)
• Zombies 3 (2022)