Day of The Dead (1985 Film) - Release and Reception

Release and Reception

Subsequent to its theatrical release, the film has grossed over 30 million dollars worldwide. Day of the Dead would earn most of its gross revenue when the film was released internationally on VHS format, and later DVD and Blu-ray. This is in contrast to the film's poor box-office reception when it was released in domestic cinema.

Based on 29 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, Day of the Dead had a high approval rating, with 21 critics rating it "fresh" and only 6 rating it "rotten." Overall, it received an 80% approval rating. Even so, that rating is the lowest of the initial 3 films in Romero's Dead series with Night of the Living Dead having a 96% approval rating and Dawn of the Dead with a 94% approval rating.

Day of the Dead was given a limited release on July 3, 1985 and a wide release on July 19, 1985. It opened to generally mixed reviews, with some critics complaining that the film was too depressing and slow. Roger Ebert, who reacted favorably to other films of Romero's Dead Series, gave Day of the Dead one and a half stars. BBC reviewer Almar Haflidason stated "It benefits from a far larger budget than its predecessors, but suffers from a story as malnourished as the zombies that are chewing it up," Haflidason would go on to give the film three out of five stars. As noted by the New York Times reviewer Janet Maslin "Yes, there are enough spilled guts and severed limbs to satisfy the bloodthirstiest fan. But these moments tend to be clustered together, and a lot of the film is devoted to windy argument. " Allmovie reviewer Keith Phipps stated that: "The last, to date at least, of George Romero's living dead films is in many respects the least interesting, although it's not for a lack of ambition." Variety wrote that the film was the most unsatisfying of the original three films and that "The acting here is generally unimpressive and in the case of Sarah's romantic partner, Miguel (Antone DiLeo Jr), unintentionally risible."

Day of the Dead would peak at 23 on the Billboard chart Top VHS Sales in 1986 a year after its initial release.

The film grossed $5.8 million domestically. It fared much better internationally, grossing $28.2 million outside of the United States. Day of the Dead's total gross is a little over $34 million. The film is also noted for its special effects work, notably Tom Savini's make-up, he was honored with his second Saturn Award in 1985 for Best Make-Up, the first time being with Dawn of the Dead in 1980. Romero himself cites Day of the Dead as his personal favorite of his original trilogy of zombie films. The film was re-released on 30 April 2010 of the Con-Tamination 2010 narrated by Dave Dyer. On 9 May 2012 headlines the 12 Hour Film Festival Hudson Horror Show V.