Shaun of the Dead is a 2004 horror comedy drama film directed by Edgar Wright.

The film was

written by Wright and Simon Pegg, who stars in it as Shaun. Along with friend Ed, played by Nick
Frost, Shaun is caught unaware by the zombie apocalypse; they attempt to take refuge in a local
pub with their loved ones. The film co-stars Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy,
and Penelope Wilton. It is the first installment in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, followed by Hot
Fuzz (2007) and The World's End (2013).
The film drew inspiration from the television series Spaced, created by Pegg and directed by Wright.
The title and plot also refer to the Dead films directed by George A. Romero. Principal
photography took place across London and at Ealing Studios between May and June 2003.
It premiered in London on 29 March 2004 and was theatrically released in the United Kingdom on 9
April 2004 and in the United States on 24 September of that same year. It was met with universal
critical and commercial acclaim, grossing $30 million worldwide against a budget of $6.1 million and
receiving two nominations at the British Academy Film Awards. It was ranked third on the Channel
4 list of the 50 Greatest Comedy Films and quickly acquired a cult following. In film studies, the film
is seen as a product of post-9/11 anxiety, as well as a model for transnational comedy. The spread
of zombiism in the film has been used as a modelling example for disease control.

Contents

 1Plot
 2Cast
 3Production
o 3.1Conception and writing
o 3.2Casting
 3.2.1Cameos and extras
o 3.3Filming
o 3.4Music
 4Release
o 4.1Marketing
o 4.2Box office
o 4.3Home media
o 4.4Comic adaptations and other media
 5Cultural references
 6Analysis
 7Reception
o 7.1Critical response
o 7.2Accolades
o 7.3Best-of lists and appraisal
 8References
 9External links

Plot[edit]
In Crouch End, London, electronics salesman Shaun has no direction in his life. He is disrespected
by his colleagues, does not get along with his stepfather Philip, and is dumped by his girlfriend, Liz.
Heartbroken, Shaun gets drunk with Ed, his slacker best friend, at their favourite pub, the
Winchester. At home, Shaun and Ed's flatmate Pete complains of a bite wound from a mugger, and
berates Shaun into getting his life together.
By morning, a zombie apocalypse has overwhelmed London. Shaun and Ed are slow to notice until
they encounter two zombies in their garden, whom they beat to death with a shovel and cricket bat.
They devise a plan to rescue Liz and Barbara, Shaun's mother, and then wait out the crisis in the
Winchester. They escape in Pete's car and pick up Barbara and Shaun's stepfather Philip, who has
already been bitten. They then use Philip's car to pick up Liz and her flatmates, Dianne and David.
Philip reconciles with Shaun before becoming a zombie.
The group abandon the car and sneak through their London neighbourhood, running into friends and
evading zombies by imitating them. They take refuge inside the Winchester, where Shaun discovers
that the Winchester rifle above the bar is functional. Barbara reveals she was bitten along the way,
and dies after giving Liz and Shaun's relationship her approval. David attempts to shoot Barbara, but
Shaun stops him, causing the group to argue: Shaun accuses David of being in love with Liz, which
Dianne admits. Shaun, distraught, is forced to shoot Barbara when she reanimates.
Zombies break into the pub, devouring David, and Dianne rushes into the horde in a vain attempt to
save him. The zombified Pete appears and bites Ed, and Shaun shoots and kills Pete. Shaun, Liz,
and Ed take cover behind the bar, which Shaun sets ablaze before the trio take refuge in the cellar.
Realising they only have two bullets left, Shaun and Liz contemplate suicide while Ed elects to be
devoured by the zombies. Shaun discovers a keg lift that opens out onto the street, and Ed
volunteers to stay with the rifle as the zombies break in. The British Army then arrives and take
Shaun and Liz to safety.
Six months later, civilisation has returned to normal, and surviving zombies are used as cheap
labour and entertainment. Liz has moved in with Shaun and Shaun keeps the zombified Ed tethered
in his backyard shed, where they play video games together.