People Are Praising 'Zombies 4' For Revitalizing Disney Channel Movies, And I'm Here For It
Aside from a few bright gems like the Descendants films, there haven't been a ton of memorable Disney Channel Original Movies in recent years. But we may be entering a DCOM renaissance. Everyone can't get enough of Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, and I totally get why.
The fourth installment in the Zombies franchise, which originally launched in 2018, follows Zed (Milo Manheim) and Addison (Meg Donnelly) as they embark on a summer road trip after their first year of college, only to find themselves caught in the middle of a high-stakes conflict between Daybreakers and Vampires.
The cast also includes Kylee Russell (Eliza), Chandler Kinney (Willa), Malachi Barton (Victor), Freya Skye (Nova), Julian Lerner (Ray), Swayam Bhatia (Vera), Mekonnen Knife (Vargas), Lisa Chappell (Vampire Eldress), and Jonno Roberts (Commander Bright).
Recently, Reddit user u/Illustrious-Term-539 kickstarted a convo about how Zombies 4 captures what made those OG Disney Channel movies so good in the first place: "I can't express how much I love this movie," they wrote. "[It's] what we have been missing for years now. It brought the magic of Disney Channel back. ... Disney Channel cannot stop making these movies. The new generation needs something to hold on to like we had years ago."
A lot of people agreed and chimed in to offer their own thoughts on why Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires stands out:
"It was INCREDIBLE. I absolutely loved it, and I totally agree about how important it was for the Disney Channel. I especially loved that when they sang 'Ain't No Doubt About It' this time, they didn't have the little 'I hope' or any other uncertainties. It was a beautiful moment."
"I was about 18 or 19 when the first zombies came out, and it really had a lasting impact. Fast forward to now at 26...Zombies 4 is here, and I may be past the ideal age, but I couldn't pass up watching it. It brought back nostalgia from when I was wrapping up my late teens/early adult years of my life. Seeing Milo and Meg pass the torch down to the next generation was so bittersweet and kind of sad to know its the end of an era, but its time for the next generation to take charge of these films. Between the Zombies films and the Descendants films, we were eating good, and I hope Disney continues to develop shows and movies like this for the next generation."
—u/loganburton23
"Having Eliza back really made Zombies 4 feel like a return, not just an imitation."
—u/Zealousideal_Sea8123
"I LOVE every Zombies movie. I'm 42. My kids are 8 and 6. They watch these on repeat and I'm not mad. My daughter's last b-day was Zombies themed. I know the words to every song. ... They are great, wholesome movies teaching them about [accepting] differences."
—u/beautiful49
"I LOVE the fact [that they] did a rendition of the 'Someday' dance. I was really hoping for it!"
"The movie wasn't perfect, but thats fine. It was better than I thought and actually cleared up a small plot hole about Zed's Z-band. There was some cringey dialogue, but hey, it's a Disney Channel movie, so that should be expected. Personally I enjoyed this more than Rise of Red. ... I think having Milo and Meg as executive producers helped [because] they literally spent their teen years doing this franchise."
—u/Creative_Rent_7149
"I'm 27 and loved it. The songs are a vibe, the actors are SO cute, and it's a cheesy, feel-good vibe! I downloaded some of the album on my phone hahaha! I miss old Disney, and this took me back!"
"I liked Zombies 4 more than D4 [Descendants: Rise of the Red], and I think it's because there was still consistency of the lead characters. I also thought the songs in Z4 were really catchy?? It felt like the best of the different movies combined in one. I thought Z3 was too similar to Z2, but Z4 felt different because they were passing the torch to new leads, and it was a whole new storyline."
—u/Current_Record_6187
"I know MD and MM have said they want more behind the camera work too, but I (selfishly) hope that Zed and Addison aren't done with. Would be cool to see them older and (in the far future) having a family. I get I'm too old for Disney etc., but it's also kinda like Wizards and their passing of the torch."
—u/Evadenly
"In the lyrics to 'Possible,' Zed and Addison said to Victor and Nova that they are passing the torch. 'Ain't No Doubt About It' was a message to viewers that we'll be fine and everything is okay. Yes, the Zombies franchise is changing, but it will still be alright. Eliza and Willa waving weren't actually waving to Zed and Addison, it was their final wave goodbye. And the movie itself ended with Victor and Nova to show they are the two remaining and the franchise will be moving forward with THEM as the new 'Zed and Addison.'"
—u/MAMAuthorpreneur_564
What are your hopes for future Disney Channel movies? Tell us in the comments!
Stream Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires on Disney+.
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