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Zombies (franchise)

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Zombies
Original workZombies and Cheerleaders
by David Light and Joseph Raso
OwnersDisney Channel
Walt Disney Television
Years2018–present
Films and television
Animated seriesZombies: The Re-Animated Series (2024)
Television short(s)Zombies: Addison's Moonstone Mystery (2020–present)
Television film(s)
Theatrical presentations
Musical(s)
Miscellaneous
Directed byPaul Hoen
Produced byMary Pantelidis
Written by
  • David Light
  • Joseph Raso
Music by
Starring
Cinematography
  • Robert Drinkmann (1)
  • Rudolf Blahacek (2)
  • Christian Herrera (3)
  • Carlos González (4)
Edited by
  • Lisa Jane Robison (1)
  • Lisa Binkley (2 and 3)

The Zombies franchise consists of three musical adventure-comedy films directed by Paul Hoen, two Disney Channel Original Movies and one film that premiered on Disney+ before airing on Disney Channel. Written by David Light and Joseph Raso, the series began with Zombies (2018) and has continued on, with the most recent movie being Zombies 3 (2022). The franchise stars Milo Manheim as Zed and Meg Donnelly as Addison. Zombies premiered on Disney Channel on February 16, 2018, Zombies 2 premiered on Disney Channel on February 14, 2020, and Zombies 3 premiered on Disney+ on July 15, 2022 before airing on Disney Channel on August 12, 2022. It was originally meant to be a television series titled Zombies and Cheerleaders, but it was never developed or have ever aired, and was instead remade as the film Zombies.[citation needed]

About the franchise

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It all started 50 years ago in the planned community of Seabrook where a lime soda incident at the Seabrook Power Plant caused an explosion that turned anyone exposed to its fog into brain-eating zombies. The zombies were contained in an area called Zombieville and the government later made Z-Bands to keep them from craving brains through electromagnetic pulses. The second film revealed a pre-Seabrook history involving werewolves having an artifact known as the moonstone that the settlers fought them over.

The franchise follows Zed, a zombie, and Addison, a human cheerleader, as they fall in love and fight for acceptance in monsters in Seabrook. Zed and Addison would break the fourth wall to explain some things to the viewers. The franchise has received the most critical acclaim and popularity of any of Disney's most recent properties yet, and has become one of Disney Channel's highest rated film series to date.

Film series

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Zombies (2018)

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Main article: Zombies (2018 film)

Students from Zombietown transfer to Seabrook High, a school whose suburban town is filled with uniformity, traditions and pep rallies. When Zombie football player Zed and human cheerleader Addison fall in love, chaos ensues, and the two must lead their groups' to coexistence with each other.

In May 2017, Zombies was reported to have begun production.[1] Its trailer was released on January 5, 2018.[2] Zombies was released on February 16, 2018. The film was watched by 2.6 million viewers on its premiere night.[3][4]

Zombies 2 (2020)

[edit]
Main article: Zombies 2

Zed and Addison have continued to steer both their school and community toward unity. However, the arrival of the werewolves complicates their relationship.

In early 2019, a sequel to Zombies was in production, with the actors, director and writer returning.[5] Pearce Joza, Chandler Kinney, and Ariel Martin joined the cast with Kylee Russell, Trevor Tordjman, Carla Jeffery, James Godfrey, and Kingston Foster reprising their roles from the first film.[6] The film was released on February 14, 2020, watched by 2.5 million viewers[7] and received positive reviews.

Zombies 3 (2022)

[edit]
Main article: Zombies 3

Seabrook's humans, zombies, and werewolves coexist. Being this is senior year at Seabrook's high school for Zed and Addison, the former is looking to become the first zombie admitted into higher education with a football scholarship, and the latter is in the final stages of preparing to open a new cheerleading pavilion and host a competition consisting of cheer teams from around the world. Meanwhile, aliens arrive at Seabrook, whose leaders A-Spen, A-Li, and A-Lan initially claiming they are interested in spectating the cheer competition Addison organized.

In late-March 2021, Disney Channel green-lit Zombies 3 with Meg Donnelly and Milo Manheim returning to star.[8] Paul Hoen was also reported to be returning as director as well as David Light and Joseph Raso as writers.[9] Light, Raso and Suzanne Farwell will executive produce.[10][11] On May 19, 2021, Matt Cornett, Kyra Tantao and Terry Hu joined the cast as A-Lan, A-Li and A-Spen.[12] Chandler Kinney, Pearce Joza, Ariel Martin, Trevor Tordjman, Carla Jeffery, Kylee Russell, James Godfrey and Kingston Foster were reported to be reprising their roles. Production began on May 31, 2021.[13] In May 2022, it was announced that RuPaul would be voicing the mothership. It was also announced that the film would premiere on July 15, 2022 on Disney+ as an original film, with an extended version premiering on Disney Channel on August 12.[14]

Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires (2025)

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Main article: Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires

In February 2024, Disney Branded Television greenlit Zombies 4, with Meg Donnelly and Milo Manheim reprising their roles and are also set to executive produce the film. Chandler Kinney and Kylee Russell were also set to return for the film. Additionally, Freya Skye and Malachi Barton join the cast as new characters, Nova and Victor, respectively. Paul Hoen returns to direct, with David Light, Joseph Raso, and Josh Cagan writing the film. Hoen, Light, Raso, Jane Fleming, and Mark Ordesky will also serve as executive producers. Mahita P. Simpson will co-executive produce the film. Production for the film began in March 2024 in New Zealand.[15] In March 2024, Swayam Bhatia, Julian Lerner, Mekonnen Knife, Lisa Chappell, and Jonno Roberts joined the cast.[16]

Television series

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Zombies: Addison's Moonstone Mystery / Zombies: Addison's Monster Mystery

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On October 16, 2020, Zombies: Addison's Moonstone Mystery, a series of animated shorts, began airing on Disney Channel. The story revolves around Addison (Meg Donnelly) who journeys through a mysterious dreamscape to find her true identity.[17] The series was renewed for a second season with its new title, Addison’s Monster Mystery, which premiered on October 1, 2021.

Zombies: The Re-Animated Series

[edit]
Main article: Zombies: The Re-Animated Series

In June 2022, during the Annecy Film Festival, it was reported that an animated series, titled Zombies: The Re-animated Series, is being developed by Disney Television Animation for Disney+ and Disney Channel. Descendants: Wicked World creator and director Aliki Theofilopoulos and Amphibia story editor Jack Ferriolo will serve as creators and showrunners. The duo will also executive-produce the series alongside Gary Marsh and the films' writers Joseph Russo and David Light.[18][19] Zombies: The Re-animated Series Shorts premiered on July 21, 2023 on Disney Channel,[20] and the full series debuted on June 28, 2024.[15]

Live performances

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Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour (2025)

[edit]

At the Disney Entertainment Showcase on August 9, 2024, held during the D23 Expo, Disney Branded Television, Disney Concerts, Disney Music Group, and AEG have announced the Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour, set for summer 2025.[21][22] This tour will bring together stars from both the Descendants and Zombies franchises, with confirmed appearances by the Descendants: The Rise of Red and Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires stars Kylie Cantrall, Malia Baker, Dara Reneé, Ruby Rose Turner, Freya Skye and Malachi Barton, with more to be announced later. The tour will be an immersive and interactive live concert experience celebrating the high-energy music from both franchises and will be held in arenas across the United States with ticket sales to begin in November 2024.[23]

Crew

[edit]
Year Film Director Producer Writers Composer(s) Cinematographers Editor
2018 Zombies Paul Hoen Mary Pantelidis David Light and Joseph Raso George S. Clinton Robert Drinkmann Lisa Jane Robinson
2020 Zombies 2 George S. Clinton and Amit May Cohen Rudolf Blahacek Lisa Binkley
2022 Zombies 3 Christian Herrera
2025 Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires TBA Carlos González TBA

Cast

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List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in the series.

  • An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  V indicates a voice-only role.
Character Films Television series
Zombies Zombies 2 Zombies 3 Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires Zombies: Addison's Moonstone Mystery Zombies: The Re-Animated Series
2018 2020 2022 2025 2020–2021 2024–present
Zed Necrodopolis Milo Manheim
Addison Wells Meg Donnelly
Bucky Buchanan Trevor Tordjman Trevor Tordjman
Eliza Zambi Kylee Russell
Bree Carla Jeffery Carla Jeffery
Zoey Necrodopolis Kingston Foster Kingston Foster
Bonzo James Godfrey James Godfrey
Ms. Lee Naomi Snieckus Naomi Snieckus
Coach Jonathan Langdon Jonathan Langdon
Dale Wells Paul Hopkins
Missy Wells Marie Wards
Zevon Necrodopolis Tony Nappo
Lacey Emilia McCarthy
Stacey Jasmine Renee Thomas
Tracey Mickeey Nguyen
Willa Lykensen Chandler Kinney
Wyatt Lykensen Pearce Joza Pearce Joza
Wynter Barkowitz Ariel Martin Ariel Martin
Kevin "Jacey" Noah Zulfikar
A-Lan Matt Cornett
A-Li Kyra Tantao
A-Spen Terry Hu Terry Hu
The Mothership RuPaulV
Angie Sheila McCarthy
Nova Freya Skye
Victor Malachi Barton
Vera Swayam Bhatia
Ray Julian Lerner
Vargas Mekonnen Knife

Reception

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Reception for the films have generally been positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, Zombies 2 has an approval rating of 100% based on 5 reviews, with an average score of 7.4/10,[24] while Zombies 3 has an approval rating of 80% based on 5 reviews, with an average score of 7.8/10.[25]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Evans, Greg (May 11, 2017). "Production Begins On Disney Channel's 'Zombies' For 2018 Premiere". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 12, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  2. ^ Lenker, Maureen Lee (January 5, 2018). "Disney Channel original movie 'Zombies' to unite cheerleaders and zombies in a new musical". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  3. ^ "Ratings - Disney Channel's Original Movie "Zombies" Reaches 10.3 Million Viewers Over the Holiday Weekend". The Futon Critic (Press release). February 20, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2021 – via Disney Channel Press Release.
  4. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 16, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.16.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  5. ^ Haring, Bruce (February 11, 2019). "Disney's Zombies 2 Sequel Heads into Production with Returning Stars, Director, Writers". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  6. ^ "Zombies 2 Show Bios". Walt Disney Television Press (Press release). Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  7. ^ "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.14.2020". Showbuzz Daily. February 14, 2020. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  8. ^ Johnson, Zach (March 22, 2021). "Production Begins This Spring on Disney Channel's ZOMBIES 3". D23. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  9. ^ Pedersen, Erik (March 22, 2021). "'Zombies 3': Disney Channel Digs Up Second Sequel; Meg Donnelly & Milo Manheim Return As Franchise Goes Intergalactic". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  10. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (March 22, 2021). "'Zombies 3' Greenlighted at Disney Channel". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  11. ^ Sandwell, Ian (March 23, 2021). "Zombies 3: Everything you need to know". Digital Spy. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  12. ^ "Breaking News — Matt Cornett, Kyra Tantao and Terry Hu Land Out-of-This-World Roles in "Zombies 3," The Third Installment of Disney Channel's Highly Popular Franchise". The Futon Critic (Press release). May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021 – via Disney Channel press release.
  13. ^ Petski, Denise (May 19, 2021). "'Zombies 3': Matt Cornett, Kyra Tantao, Terry Hu Join Disney Channel Movie". Deadline. Retrieved May 24, 2021.[dead link‍]
  14. ^ Nolfi, Joey (May 20, 2022). "RuPaul joins Disney's Zombies 3 movie as the mother of all alien spaceships". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Campione, Katie (February 10, 2024). "Zombies 4: Disney Channel Franchise Expands With Another Sequel Film & New Animated Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  16. ^ Cordero, Rosy (March 26, 2024). "Disney's Zombies 4 Rounds Out Cast As Production Begins In New Zealand". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  17. ^ Damore, Meagan (October 2, 2020). "Disney's Zombies Animated Shorts Land a Spooky Release Date (Exclusive)". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  18. ^ Pedersen, Lise (June 15, 2022). "Disney Reveals Animated Series Slate at Annecy Festival (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  19. ^ @alikigreeky (June 15, 2022). "Some news" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ^ Disney Channel [@DisneyChannel] (June 13, 2023). "Get ready! Here's your first look at the Seabrook crew in #ZOMBIESReanimated. ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series Shorts premieres on July 21 on @DisneyChannel, and keep your eyes peeled for the full series, which will be here before you know it!" (Tweet). Retrieved February 21, 2024 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Faber, Maxon (August 10, 2024). "Video: Rita Ora Announces "Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour" at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event". LaughingPlace.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  22. ^ Sharpe, Josh (August 12, 2024). "'Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour' Coming in Summer 2025". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  23. ^ "The Unmatched Power of Disney Storytelling on Display from Disney Entertainment on Night One of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event". The Walt Disney Company. August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  24. ^ "Zombies 2 (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  25. ^ "Zombies 3 (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
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