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Animated horror film

Night of the Animated Dead (2021): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

Night of the Animated Dead (2021) movie poster

Night of the Animated Dead is a 2021 animated horror film directed by Jason Axinn, starring Katharine Isabelle as Barbara, Dulé Hill and Jimmi Simpson. Critics gave it 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
4.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
22%
Echo Score
45
Night of the Animated Dead (2021) movie poster
Released
Director
Jason Axinn
Genres
Horror , Animation
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Night of the Animated Dead About?

The premise of Night of the Animated Dead without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A visit to a gravesite takes a terrifying turn when Barbara and Johnny find themselves facing a sudden zombie outbreak. Seeking safety in a remote farmhouse, they join forces with a resourceful driver named Ben and several locals. Together, this group must defend themselves against the relentless undead, battling not only the external threat but also their own internal struggles and fears as they fight for survival.

Night of the Animated Dead Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • supernatural horror
  • zombie
  • adult animation
  • remake
  • five word title
  • suspense
  • remake of cult favorite
  • 1960s
  • no opening credits
  • grindhouse film
  • psychotronic film
  • abandoned house
+38 more
  • zombie apocalypse
  • flesh eating zombie
  • mutant
  • mutation
  • transformation
  • back from the dead
  • resurrection
  • reanimated corpse
  • corpse
  • creature
  • monster
  • creature feature
  • explosion
  • exploding head
  • exploding truck
  • exploding gasoline station
  • gas station
  • gas pump
  • diner
  • flashback
  • african american
  • rifle
  • shotgun
  • revolver
  • horde
  • zombie horde
  • bitten in the arm
  • infection
  • outbreak
  • radiation
  • hunting party
  • sheriff
  • police chief
  • police
  • police officer
  • police brutality
  • farmhouse
  • cemetery
Where to watch

Where to Watch Night of the Animated Dead

Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Night of the Animated Dead Cast & Characters

Katharine Isabelle leads the cast as Barbara, with Dulé Hill as Ben and Jimmi Simpson as John. Directed by Jason Axinn; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Night of the Animated Dead

· 5 more
Ratings

Night of the Animated Dead Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Night of the Animated Dead 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 45/100, strongest in story & flow (58) and weakest in art & craft (38).

45 /100

Night of the Animated Dead Echo Score Breakdown

Night of the Animated Dead attempts to re‑present the classic zombie tale through low‑budget animation, resulting in a mixed reception. Critics largely condemn the cheap visual execution, while some viewers appreciate its brevity and faithful story beats. Voice performances receive occasional praise but are generally seen as uninspired. The film’s lack of originality and uneven pacing limit its lasting appeal, though fans of the original may find occasional enjoyment. Consequently, the movie scores modestly across craft, narrative, and re‑watch potential.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 38

    Regarding art and craft, the animation is repeatedly described as cheap, reminiscent of crude Flash or fan‑made videos, with jerky motion and low‑resolution backgrounds. While a few viewers note the style is tolerable for a modest budget, the consensus points to uninspired visuals that detract from the film’s atmosphere. Consequently, the artistic execution receives a low rating.

  • Character & Emotion 44

    When evaluating character and emotion, voice performances draw mixed comments: a handful of reviewers commend specific actors, yet most criticize the overall lack of feeling and chemistry. The animation’s limited expressiveness further hampers character depth, resulting in flat portrayals that fail to capture the original’s tension. Overall, the character work is viewed as below average.

  • Story & Flow 58

    The story aspect is noted for its faithful recreation of the 1968 plot, including added scenes such as a diner flashback. While this loyalty pleases fans seeking nostalgia, critics argue the shot‑for‑shot approach offers little originality and results in uneven pacing, especially during a sluggish middle section. Hence, narrative merit is seen as moderate.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    Sensory experience receives limited praise beyond the film’s gore effects, which some find suitably graphic. Sound design and musical scoring are seldom remarked upon, implying they are unremarkable. The visual style, tied to the subpar animation, further diminishes immersion. Overall, the sensory components are considered mediocre at best.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch factor is mixed; a few viewers find the short runtime and faithful homage enjoyable for a single viewing, while many consider the film unnecessary and lacking new content, reducing its appeal on subsequent watches. The inconsistent pacing and limited novelty further diminish replay value, resulting in a modest rewatch rating.

Plot

Night of the Animated Dead Plot Summary

What happens in Night of the Animated Dead from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As John and Barbara pay their respects at their father’s grave in a Pennsylvania cemetery, they inadvertently find themselves engulfed in a nightmare of chaos and death. An eerie phenomenon unfolds across the country as the dead rise with uncontrollable rage. Their peaceful visit to the graveyard is brutally interrupted when John is attacked by the undead, forcing Barbara into a desperate flight to a nearby farmhouse. Unfortunately, this brief sanctuary exposes her to a horrific sight: the remnants of a woman who met a gruesome end amidst the chaos.

Full summary

The whole story of Night of the Animated Dead, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Night of the Animated Dead Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Red Band Trailer
  • Trailer Green Band Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Night of the Animated Dead?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What prompts John and Barbara's initial visit to the cemetery?

Cars

Cars in Night of the Animated Dead

6 cars on screen, including the 1951 Chevrolet Advance-Design and the 1967 Pontiac GTO.

All 6 cars
  • 1951 Chevrolet Advance-Design in Night of the Animated Dead 1951 Chevrolet Advance-Design Important role
  • 1967 Pontiac GTO in Night of the Animated Dead 1967 Pontiac GTO Important role
  • Ford F-Series in Night of the Animated Dead Ford F-Series Minor role
  • 1963 Fiat 2300 Familiare in Night of the Animated Dead 1963 Fiat 2300 Familiare Background role
Details

Night of the Animated Dead Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “Ataque dos Mortos-Vivos” and “La nuit des morts-vivants : le film animé”.

Also known as
  • Ataque dos Mortos-Vivos
  • La nuit des morts-vivants : le film animé
  • ליל האנימציות המתות
  • 活死人之夜
  • 活屍之夜
  • La nueva noche de los muertos vivientes
  • Yaşayan Ölülerin Gecesi
  • Ночь анимационных мертвецов
  • 나이트 오브 더 애니메이트 데드

Seen Night of the Animated Dead?

FAQ

Night of the Animated Dead FAQ: Where to Watch & Cast

Release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of Night of the Animated Dead, each answered in a sentence.

When was Night of the Animated Dead released?

Night of the Animated Dead was released on September 21, 2021.

Who directed Night of the Animated Dead?

Night of the Animated Dead was directed by Jason Axinn.

More films by Jason Axinn

Who is in the cast of Night of the Animated Dead?

Night of the Animated Dead stars Katharine Isabelle as Barbara, Dulé Hill as Ben and Jimmi Simpson as John, among 9 credited actors.

Where can I watch Night of the Animated Dead?

In the US, Night of the Animated Dead is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How is Night of the Animated Dead rated?

Night of the Animated Dead has 4.6/10 on IMDb, 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61% on TMDB and 2.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Night of the Animated Dead have a post-credit scene?

No. Night of the Animated Dead has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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