🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John McPhail
- Genre: Comedy, Horror, Musical, Zombie, Christmas
- Release year: 2017
- Runtime (length): 1h 33min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (21k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A girl and her friends decide to graduate… to fighting zombies with musical numbers during Christmas, because why not?
🍿 Anna and the Apocalypse: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Little Haven and its Inhabitants
In the quaint town of Little Haven, England, high school student Anna grapples with her post-graduation plans, much to the dismay of her widowed father, Tony. She’s close friends with John, who harbors unrequited feelings for her. We are also introduced to Steph, an American exchange student struggling with her identity, and the power-hungry headmaster, Mr. Savage.

The Outbreak Ignored
As a mysterious virus starts to spread, turning people into zombies, the residents of Little Haven remain largely oblivious. Anna and her friends are caught up in their own teenage dramas and the preparations for the school’s Christmas show, while news reports about the outbreak are dismissed or ignored.

Realization and the Fight for Survival
Anna and John awaken one morning to a town overrun by zombies. Forced to confront the horrifying reality, they team up with other survivors, including Steph, to fight their way through the undead horde. They use whatever weapons they can find, from bowling balls to Christmas decorations, in their desperate struggle to reach their loved ones.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Anna (Ella Hunt): A teenager struggling with her future plans who must fight to survive a zombie apocalypse in her small town.
- John (Malcolm Cumming): Anna’s loyal best friend, secretly in love with her, who is always there to support her during the zombie outbreak.
- Steph (Sarah Swire): A sardonic American exchange student and social activist who joins Anna in the fight for survival.
- Arthur Savage (Paul Kaye): The tyrannical and sadistic headmaster who descends into madness during the zombie apocalypse, becoming a major threat to the students.
- Nick (Ben Wiggins): Anna’s ex-boyfriend who tries to redeem himself during the apocalypse and fight for survival.
- Tony (Mark Benton): Anna’s widowed father who struggles to connect with his daughter and protect her from the dangers of the apocalypse.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Chris Wise: “Justin Bieber is a zombie!” – Chris states this in disbelief after realizing the zombie apocalypse is actually happening.
- Arthur Savage: “Nothing’s gonna stop me now!” – Headmaster Savage sings this as he fully embraces his tyrannical nature amidst the zombie outbreak.
- Anna: “(Singing) Turning my life around!” – Anna sings about starting a new day, completely oblivious to the zombie apocalypse unfolding around her.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: $545,597
- Worldwide Gross: $673,523
💥 Anna and the Apocalypse Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so “Anna and the Apocalypse” is definitely a wild ride. I went in expecting a cheesy zombie flick, and I got that, but with surprisingly catchy musical numbers! The Christmas setting adds a weirdly festive touch to all the zombie mayhem. I was laughing one minute and then genuinely feeling for these characters the next, especially during the more emotional song moments. If you’re in the mood for something totally different and a bit bonkers, give it a watch!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of horror comedies”
- “Musical enthusiasts”
- “Zombie movie aficionados”
- “Viewers looking for unique genre blends”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Zombie violence and gore”
- “Language”
- “Mature themes”
- “Brief suggestive content”
Professional Reviews
- Film Fugitives: “It’s a fun film that starts excellent and finishes ok. The early songs are extremely good. The lead Ella Hunt is a star in the making with not only great vocals, but a believable performance as Anna. The horror zombie element was very well done and a similar quality to Shaun of the Dead.
- IMDB: “Delightfully ridiculous, albeit not quite perfect. Blending a whole range of random genres together, it proves a delightfully silly watch that, despite not always hitting its beats perfectly, will leave you laughing and smiling throughout.
- IMDB: “Greetings again from the darkness. This zany little flick is a welcome diversion … despite, or perhaps due to, defying traditional movie genres. It likely would have benefited from another song or two, and remains an oddball mash-up of “Glee”, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, SWEENEY TODD, and SHAUN OF THE DEAD.
Audience Reactions
The unexpected musical numbers made the zombie apocalypse strangely fun and entertaining.: Viewers appreciated the unique blend of horror, comedy, and musical elements.
Ella Hunt’s performance as Anna was a standout, bringing both vulnerability and badassery to the role.: The cast, especially Ella Hunt, received praise for their performances and chemistry.
Overall Consensus: A divisive but ultimately enjoyable zom-com musical that offers a fresh take on the zombie genre with catchy tunes and surprising emotional depth.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the short film ‘Zombie Musical’ (2011) by Ryan McHenry, who sadly passed away before this feature-length adaptation was made.”
- “The film blends multiple genres: horror, comedy, musical, and Christmas movie, making it a unique and ambitious project.”
- “Filming took place in Port Glasgow, Scotland, utilizing practical effects and locations to create the zombie-infested small town.”
🖥️ How to Watch Anna and the Apocalypse?
As of October 2024, ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’ is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability, as services may vary by region. Unfortunately there is no streaming service that carries the film for free at this moment.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Anna and the Apocalypse, you might like these similar films:
- Shaun of the Dead (2004): A British horror-comedy that expertly blends zombie action with humor, a key element also found in ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’.
- High School Musical (2006): Shares the high-school setting and musical numbers focusing on the drama and experiences of teenage life.
- Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010): Another horror-comedy that uses humor to subvert genre expectations, appealing to those who enjoy the comedic aspects of ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’.
- Zombieland (2009): Another comedy about a zombie apocalypse with a strong ensemble cast which makes it a good modern equivalent.
🛒 Anna and the Apocalypse Related Products
- Anna and the Apocalypse [Blu-ray]: Own the movie on Blu-ray and relive the zombie-slaying, musical-filled holiday madness. Great for collectors and fans!
- “Anna and the Apocalypse” Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official movie poster. The perfect addition to any horror or musical fan’s collection.
- Anna and the Apocalypse: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Stream or download the complete soundtrack. Includes all the catchy musical numbers that make this movie special. Listen to the songs even when you aren’t watching!
- Candy Cane Weapon Prop Replica: A high-quality replica of Anna’s iconic candy cane weapon. Perfect for cosplay or display.
🎧 Soundtrack
Anna and the Apocalypse features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Turning My Life Around” – performed by Ella Hunt & Malcolm Cumming
- “Hollywood Ending” – performed by Malcolm Cumming
- “It’s That Time of Year” – performed by Marli Siu
- “Human Voice” – performed by Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Sarah Swire & Christopher Leveaux
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Anna and the Apocalypse’ blends horror with comedy and musical elements, resulting in a tone that is more fun and quirky than genuinely frightening. While it features zombie gore and violence, its comedic and musical aspects lighten the overall tone.
Due to its zombie violence, gore, and some mature themes, ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’ is generally not suitable for young children. It is rated 15 in the UK and R in the US, indicating it is intended for mature audiences.
Yes, ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’ is set during Christmas time, featuring Christmas decorations, music, and themes. The holiday setting adds a unique and festive backdrop to the zombie apocalypse narrative.
🔥 Bonus Content
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017) Carnage Count
Ever wondered just how many zombies get taken out in ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’? This video meticulously counts every single one, and it’s surprisingly satisfying (and maybe a little disturbing) to watch!
ZOMBIES disguise themselves as CHRISTMAS PRESENTS to STALK their victims during the holiday – RECAP
Need a quick refresher on the crazy plot of ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’? This recap video hits all the key moments, from zombie mayhem to Christmas cheer gone wrong. It’s a wild ride!
Anna and the Apocalypse – Hollywood Ending LIVE from Fantastic Fest
Did you know ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’ is a musical? Check out the cast performing “Hollywood Ending” live! It’s so cool to see them having fun with it. It’ll definitely get you singing along!
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