21 Years Later, the “Best Horror Remake of the Century” Tears Its Way Onto New Streaming Home

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Plenty of horror remakes have come out this century, but few truly stand out as the best. While everyone has different tastes, the 2004 remake of this film is widely considered a modern horror classic. It successfully updated the original story while staying true to what made it great. If you haven’t seen it, now’s your chance – it’s coming to Netflix next month!

Released in theaters on March 19, 2004, Dawn of the Dead marked the feature film debut of director Zack Snyder. He put a fresh spin on George A. Romero’s 1978 zombie film, and it quickly became a hit with both critics and audiences. Made with a budget of $26 million, the remake earned $102 million in theaters, establishing Snyder as a promising director.

Written by James Gunn, Dawn of the Dead featured an ensemble cast that included the likes of Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Weber, and Mekhi Phifer. Rather than copying Romero’s seminal classic beat for beat, Snyder took elements from what made his movie so great, and sprinkled in some modern ideas to generate something that felt entirely new. If anything, it definitely has one of the best openings in horror history, which set the stage for everything that follows. The official synopsis reads:

After Ana’s neighbor attacks her husband and turns into a zombie, she quickly discovers their Milwaukee neighborhood is completely overrun. She connects with a police officer named Kenneth and a small group of survivors, finding temporary safety in a local shopping mall. After proving they’re not infected to the mall’s security team, they all unite to fight off the zombie threat.

‘Dawn of the Dead’ Is the Only Zack Snyder Movie That United Fans & Critics


Universal Pictures

Look, I get that Zack Snyder is a director people either love or hate – it’s always been that way. Fans and critics are constantly arguing about his work, but honestly, there’s one movie everyone agrees is great: Dawn of the Dead. It’s the only one where you’ll find both sides singing its praises, and as a fan, it’s easy to see why!

With a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and audiences, Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead is unique among his films – everyone largely agreed on its quality. Critics praised it as everything from “one of the best zombie movies ever made” to a film that stood on its own merits, while fans found it “horrifying,” “intense,” and “badass.” One reviewer perfectly summed it up, saying:

The remake of Dawn of the Dead is a fantastic update to a classic film and definitely worth seeing. It builds on the original concept while creating a fresh and engaging experience.

Zack Snyder’s remake of Dawn of the Dead will be available on Netflix starting January 1, 2026. The original Dawn of the Dead film by George Romero is currently available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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2025-12-26 18:33