Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		5.0

Shaun of the Dead 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker December 16, 2024

For its 20th Anniversary, Universal has brought Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright's 'Shaun of the Dead 4K' back to life with a SteelBook release that features a new 4K remaster enhanced with Dolby Vision and a Dolby Atmos audio track. The outstanding cast sees Simon Pegg ('Star Trek (2009)', 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol') as the titular Shaun, accompanied by Nick Frost (Ed, 'Hott Fuzz, Spaced'), Kate Ashfield (Liz, 'Beyond Borders'), Lucy Davis (Dianne, "Wonder Woman', 'The Office (2001-2003)'), and the incomparable Bill Nighy (Philip, 'The Wild Robot', 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest') as they fight for survival against an ever-growing onslaught of zombies that clearly has its roots in George Romero's landmark 'Dawn of the Dead' and functions as equal parts love letter to and outright lampooning of the zombie genre. The two discs found within (a 4K UHD disc and a Blu-ray disc each containing the feature film and special features) are identical to those which comprise the standard UHD release. Please scroll down to the 'Special Features and Extras' section below for a discussion of the newest SteelBook. A Digital Code is also included.

For an appreciation of the film, please follow this link.

Shaun of the Dead 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For a assessment of the 2160p transfer, please follow this link.

Shaun of the Dead 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For a discussion of the film's updated Dolby Atmos audio track, please follow this link.

Shaun of the Dead 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The cover of the latest Shaun of the Dead 4K Steelbook contains an eye-catching front image inspired by EC Comics' classic "Tales from the Crypt" covers from the 1950s. As is fitting, Shaun dominates the artwork as he stands in front of a horde of zombies with his iconic Foree Electric nametag plainly visible and a bouquet of flowers for his mother Barbara in his hand. On the left, under a banner reading "Featuring", are small circular headshots of Shaun, his best mate Ed, and Director and co-writer Edgar Wright. The film's title looms over the top of the image in a creepy EC Comics-styled font. The spine sports the film's title in the same font in a field of red. A cornetto is placed at the top and Universal's log sits at the bottom. The reverse image shows the illuminated Winchester Tavern near the top offset against a red sky. Blue silhouettes of grasping zombies' hands which originate from the bottom of the artwork are reaching toward it. When opening SteelBook, the Digital Code resides under the two tabs on the left side. On the right side, the 4K UHD disc and the Blu-ray disc are stagger-stacked, each on its own hub, with the 4K UHD disc on top. Removing the discs reveals a repeating two-panel image of Cornettos floating against a red background. The SteelBook has the preferred matte finish which resists fingerprints associated with normal handling very well. It's a fantastic package that captures the spirit, tone, and tenor of the film with an interior that fans will find fitting.

There is a wealth of on-disc supplemental material for the new Shawn of the Dead 4K for viewers to explore, including one new segment. The Zombie Gallery and Storyboard Gallery elements are only found on the Blu-ray disc.

• 'Shaun of the Dead': 20 Bloody Years! (24.33) - NEW!(Exclusive to 4K UHD and Digital) Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost share recollections of the film's creation, filming, premiere, and impact, including conversations with legendary filmmaker George Romero and recording artist Sade.

• Missing Bits
  • Kitchen Pow-wow
  • Body on the Line
  • Body on the Lone/Yvonne
  • Taxi Driver
  • Bathroom Blowout
  • In the Bedroom
  • Meercats United
  • Alternate Ed
  • The Doppelgang
  • Q.W.A.
  • David vs. Shaun
  • More Peanuts
  • Rifle Trifles
  • David's Redemption
  • Bar Extension

• Outtakes

• The Man Who Would Be Shaun

• Funky Pete

• Plot Holes

• Raw Meat
  • Simon Pegg's Video Diary
  • Lucy Davis' Video Diary
  • Joe Cornish's Video Diary
  • Casting Tapes
  • Edgar and Simon's Flip Chart
  • SFX Comparison
  • Make-Up Tests
  • EPK Featurette

• TV Bits
  • T4 with Coldplay
  • Fun Dead
  • Trisha - Your Nine Lives Are Up
  • Trisha - I Married a Monster
  • Remembering Z Day

• Trailers
  • US Trailer
  • UK Teaser Trailer
  • UK Trailer
  • UK TV Spot #1
  • UK TV Spot #2
  • Fright Fest Trailer

• Audio Commentaries
  • Audio Commentary: Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright
  • Audio Commentary: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Dylan Moran, Kate Ashfield and Lucy Davis
  • Audio Commentary: Bill Nighy and Penelope Wilson
  • Audio Commentary: The Zombies

The Zombie Gallery extras consisting of a Photo Gallery,2000 AD Strip, and Poster Designs, and the Storyboard Gallery are not brought forward to the 4K UHD disc but can be found on the included Blu-ray Disc.

Shaun of the Dead 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It seems strange to think that Shaun of the Dead, a film often describe as a romantic comedy that just happens to have zombies in it, has reached its 20th birthday. The film's all-around quality, evident upon its release and the driving factor behind its longevity make it an undisputed modern classic not only of the horror genre but film in general. The new SteelBook is one of the most attention-grabbing and spot-on products I've seen in quite some time, and as the newly minted 4K transfer with a Dolby Atmos audio track resides inside, Universal's new Shaun of the Dead 4K 20th Anniversary SteelBook comes very highly recommended for the film's legion of fans, horror buffs, and SteelBook collectors alike.