Night of the Living Dead
Performance & Direction: Night of the Living Dead Review
Last updated: February 6, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Night of the Living Dead (1990) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Night of the Living Dead features a noteworthy lineup led by Patricia Tallman . Supported by the likes of Tony Todd and McKee Anderson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Night of the Living Dead
Quick Plot Summary: Night of the Living Dead is a Horror film that crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. In this remake of the classic 1968 film, a group of people are trapped inside a farmhouse as legions of the walking dead try to get inside and use them for food. The film uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: Night of the Living Dead
Ending Breakdown: Night of the Living Dead concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Night of the Living Dead reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Night of the Living Dead?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Box Office Collection: Night of the Living Dead
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.2M |
| Worldwide Gross | $5.8M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Night of the Living Dead Budget
The estimated production budget for Night of the Living Dead is $4.2M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Night of the Living Dead
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Night of the Living Dead Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreNight of the Living Dead Parents Guide & Age Rating
1990 AdvisoryWondering about Night of the Living Dead age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Night of the Living Dead is 88 minutes (1h 28m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, Night of the Living Dead is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1990 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Night of the Living Dead worth watching?
Night of the Living Dead is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Night of the Living Dead parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Night of the Living Dead identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Night of the Living Dead?
The total duration of Night of the Living Dead is 88 minutes, which is approximately 1h 28m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Night of the Living Dead
How Night of the Living Dead Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Night of the Living Dead
We are them, they are us etc... The original creators of the seminal Night of the Living Dead (1968) reconvene 22 years later to, well, make some money! The original creators of the seminal Night of the Living Dead (1968) reconvene 22 years later to, well, make some money! It was a compromised production, with director Tom Savini announcing that the finished cut is not half the film he set out to make. Surprising, then, to find it still works to the point of being viable. It's a very effective zombie pic, one performed with quality by the cast, with the concept of a group of people holed up in a house - under intense attack by the walking dead - still terrifying. It helps to cast Tony Todd in a reimaging of a horror classic, while Patricia Tallman is a fine spunky lead lady horror protag. Group dynamics again explode, heroes and villains are born, and the creatures are high grade in scary construction. Caveat, though, is that although it's a faithul(ish) remake, where with the new tools to hand it's understandable why the makers thought they could create another horror classic, but one for the 90s horror hordes, it still remains that it's utterly bloodless. While the finale is a bit stinky... 6/10
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
