September 24: Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Milestone Years

• 20th Anniversary: September 24, 2024
• 25th Anniversary: September 24, 2029
• 30th Anniversary: September 24, 2034
• 40th Anniversary: September 24, 2044
• 50th Anniversary: September 24, 2054

Inspiration Behind the Movie

The idea for Shaun of the Dead came from a zombie-themed episode of the British series Spaced, where Simon Pegg’s character hallucinates a zombie apocalypse. Inspired by George A. Romero’s zombie classics, Pegg and director Edgar Wright blended horror with romantic comedy, creating what they coined a “rom-zom-com.” The film’s title pays homage to Romero’s Dawn of the Dead.

You Might Not Know

• Zombie extras were recruited from fan forums and were largely unpaid volunteers.
• The “Winchester” pub exterior was filmed at the Duke of Albany in New Cross, London.
• The jukebox scene features Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” boosting its popularity.
• Simon Pegg and Nick Frost improvised many of their lines and comedic moments.
• George A. Romero praised the film and even cast Pegg and Wright as zombies in Land of the Dead.

Food Ideas

• Mini strawberry Cornettos to match the trilogy’s ice cream motif
• “Bloody” red velvet cupcakes with brain-shaped icing
• British pub classics like bangers and mash or meat pies
• Zombie finger cookies dipped in red jam
• Brains-in-a-jar pudding cups (chocolate mousse with raspberry)

Ways to Celebrate

• Host a zombie-themed movie marathon with costumes and props
• Create a DIY zombie survival kit with snacks and novelty items
• Throw a party with a pub-style menu and classic British drinks
• Reenact scenes with friends using toy bats and dramatic flair
• Watch all three films in the “Cornetto Trilogy” back-to-back

Filming Locations

Filmed mostly in North London, the movie features real neighborhoods like Crouch End and East Finchley. Shaun’s house, Barbara’s house, and the corner shop were all shot in local residential areas. The exterior of the Winchester pub was filmed at the Duke of Albany in New Cross, which has since been converted into flats.