Yeah, boy! Edgar Wright’s all-time horror/comedy classic Shaun of the Dead is returning to theaters for its 20th anniversary beginning next month. Focus Features has announced that on August 29, the film will be re-released exclusively in Dolby Cinema at AMC Theatres for a limited run to commemorate 20 years of Shaun and Ed bashing the undead as besties. Universal Pictures International will also be re-releasing the film in theaters in the UK and Eire beginning September 27. The studio also released a new trailer for the forthcoming release. Check it out.
The 2004 film, the first of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, which also includes 2007’s Hot Fuzz and 2013’s The World’s End. Shaun will be fully remastered with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for the first time for that true Dolby Cinema experience. I know I may sound like a shill here but I find Dolby Cinema to be quite a good experience, personally, so this is welcome news. Wright had this to say about it:
“Twenty years ago, the worldwide release of Shaun of the Dead changed my life forever. Its reception since then has continued to be incredible, largely due to the passionate fans who have championed it with cricket bats aloft. Now, as we celebrate its bloody 20th anniversary with a brand-new Dolby Atmos and Vision remastered version, I’m beyond excited for everyone to experience it once again on the big screen – the way it was always meant to be seen: large, loud, and with quite a lot of red on it.”
First released in April 2004 in the UK, Shaun of the Dead served as the true cinematic coming out part for Wright as a director, as well as Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as forces to be reckoned with on screen. While all three of them had worked on other projects previously, this was the definitive moment in their respective careers. Wright has since gone on to make movies such as Last Night in Soho and Baby Driver, among others. Meanwhile, Pegg has starred in everything from Star Trek to Mission: Impossible, while Frost has worked on an array of projects such as Snow White and the Huntsman and Into the Badlands.
Made on a budget of just $6 million, Shaun was a hit in theaters taking in nearly $40 million worldwide. More than that though, it truly developed a cult-like following in the years after its original release to become a true classic. This is an example of a film where it truly took on a life of its own beyond the big screen. To that end, quite a few fans have never had the chance to experience it in theaters, making this a pretty exciting opportunity for a lot of people.
Tickets for the Shaun of the Dead 20th anniversary re-release are on sale now and can be purchased at AMC.com. For more, check out our list of other frightening yet funny movies to enjoy.
