🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jonathan Milott, Cary Murnion
- Genre: Comedy, Horror
- Release year: 2014
- Runtime (length): 1h 28min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (62K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 46%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Teachers vs. Zombie Kids: Chicken Nuggets Gone Wrong! It’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ meets ‘Dawn of the Dead,’ but with less ring and more screaming.
🍿 Cooties: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Virus Spreads
Clint, a substitute teacher and struggling writer, returns to his hometown and takes a job at his old elementary school. Unbeknownst to the staff, a batch of chicken nuggets served in the cafeteria is contaminated with a virus. Shelly, a student, is the first to consume the infected nuggets.

Chaos in the Classroom
During class, Shelly is provoked by a bully named Patriot and bites him. Soon, the virus rapidly spreads through the school, turning the children into savage, zombie-like creatures. The teachers quickly realize the severity of the situation and understand that they are in a fight for their lives.

Teachers Fight Back
The teachers, including Clint, the gym teacher Wade, and other faculty members, band together to survive the onslaught. They use whatever they can find as weapons, facing off against the horde of infected children. As they struggle to escape, they must confront the terrifying reality of what their students have become.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Clint (Elijah Wood): A struggling writer and substitute teacher who becomes an unlikely hero when a virus turns the students into zombies.
- Wade (Rainn Wilson): The macho gym teacher and Lucy’s boyfriend, who is forced to confront his insecurities during the zombie outbreak.
- Lucy (Alison Pill): A kind and intelligent teacher caught in a love triangle between Clint and Wade, who fights to protect her students and colleagues.
- Doug (Leigh Whannell): The socially awkward science teacher who figures out the cause and spread of the virus.
- Patriot (Cooper Roth): The aggressive and obnoxious student who is one of the first to be infected and spreads the virus.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Wade: “I’m giving you kids an F… for FUCK YOU!” – Wade yells this as he’s fighting off a horde of infected children in the gymnasium.
- Doug: “Oh look, carnage!” – Doug says this after he enters a room full of students that have just been infected.
- Wade: “If she had to choose, she’d choose me. She likes winners, and I’m a freaking champion.” – Wade confidently asserts this in front of Clint in a boastful display of machismo regarding Lucy’s affection.
- Tracy: “I cross-stitched that!” – Tracy shouts this when a child destroys something she made after they break into the room.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $3.8 million
- Domestic Gross: $60,058
- Worldwide Gross: $485,544
💥 Cooties Reviews
Personal Review
Oh man, ‘Cooties’ was a wild ride! As a huge fan of horror comedies, I went in expecting some laughs and some scares, and it definitely delivered on both fronts. Seeing Elijah Wood fight off zombie kids with a science kit was comedy gold, and Rainn Wilson brought the perfect amount of over-the-top macho energy. Sure, it gets a bit gory, but that’s part of the fun! Overall, I had a blast watching this movie – it’s a perfect choice for a fun night. Definitely recommended!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of horror-comedy movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy zombie films with a comedic twist”
- “Those who like movies with Elijah Wood or Rainn Wilson”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence”
- “Gore”
- “Violence against children”
- “Strong language”
Professional Reviews
- High on Films: “‘Cooties’ blends horror and comedy with a unique twist, showcasing teachers battling zombie children. While the premise is original, the execution is uneven. A great cast, including Elijah Wood and Rainn Wilson, delivers memorable performances, but the film often veers into predictable territory. Despite its flaws, ‘Cooties’ provides a darkly humorous take on the zombie genre.
- Gold Derby: “Elijah Wood shines in ‘Cooties,’ a horror-comedy with a clever concept. However, the humor occasionally falls flat, and the gore might be too intense for some viewers. The film offers an entertaining, albeit uneven, experience, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.
- imdb: “As a zombie movie enthusiast, Cooties offers a fun twist with its killer-kid premise. However, it misses the mark as a true comedy. The laughs are limited. The makeup effects and over-the-top performances make it a solid entry for die-hard zombie fans, offering a unique but flawed experience.
Audience Reactions
The mix of gore and comedy was perfectly balanced, making it a fun and entertaining watch.: Viewers appreciated the unique premise of zombie kids and the over-the-top performances.
Rainn Wilson stole the show with his hilarious portrayal of the gym teacher.: The cast chemistry was a major highlight, with many praising the performances of Elijah Wood and Rainn Wilson.
Overall Consensus: ‘Cooties’ is a divisive horror-comedy with a unique premise and a strong cast, but its uneven tone and gory content may not appeal to all viewers. Fun for those who enjoy dark humor and zombie flicks, but proceed with caution!
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film’s script was featured on the 2012 Black List, a collection of the best unproduced screenplays.”
- “The original ending was reshot by Lionsgate, changing the fate of the teachers and hinting at a wider outbreak.”
- “Many of the child actors were encouraged to improvise lines and actions to add a sense of chaotic realism.”
🖥️ How to Watch Cooties?
Cooties is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. You can also find it on DVD and Blu-ray from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Cooties, you might like these similar films:
- The Faculty (1998): A group of teachers suspects that their students are being controlled by aliens, leading to a fight for survival.
- Shaun of the Dead (2004): Balances horror and comedy while depicting ordinary people dealing with a zombie outbreak in a satirical manner.
- Zombieland (2009): Road trip with unlikely survivors fighting zombies with humor and heart.
- Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010): A horror comedy with a similar blend of gore and humor, featuring mistaken identities and escalating violence.
🛒 Cooties Related Products
- Cooties Blu-Ray: Own the madness! The ‘Cooties’ Blu-Ray comes with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and deleted scenes, providing hours of extra entertainment. A must-have for horror-comedy collectors!
- Cooties Movie Poster: Get the official ‘Cooties’ movie poster. Perfect for your game room or classroom!
- Zombie Makeup Kit: Create your own zombie look and start your own zombie apocalypse! This kit includes everything you need for realistic zombie effects.
- Chicken Nugget Plush Toy: A cute but ironic plush toy in the shape of a chicken nugget. A fun reminder of the movie’s dark humor and a perfect gift for fans with a sense of irony.
🎧 Soundtrack
Cooties features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Cooties’ is a horror-comedy about a virus in chicken nuggets that turns elementary school children into savage, zombie-like creatures. The film follows a group of teachers as they fight to survive the outbreak.
You can watch ‘Cooties’ on various streaming platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. It is also available for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray.
While ‘Cooties’ contains horror elements, it leans heavily into comedy. It’s more of a gory and funny take on the zombie genre than a genuinely frightening experience.
🔥 Bonus Content
Zombie Virus That Only Affects Children Leaves Adults To Fight For Survival
Want a quick rundown of what happens in the movie? This recap video breaks down the entire plot in under 13 minutes. Honestly, it’s pretty wild how fast things escalate, you gotta see it!
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