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Zombieland: Double Tap

Zombieland: Double Tap

201999 minRMidcredits score: 66th percentile of all films
Director
Ruben Fleischer
Starring
Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin

Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Zombieland: Double Tap?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Zombieland: Double Tap streaming on HBO Max and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Zombieland: Double Tap?

Zombieland: Double Tap earns 9 badges, led by Cultural touchstone and Star-studded.

Show 1 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Zombieland: Double Tap worth watching?

Zombieland: Double Tap's Midcredits score is the 66th percentile of all films, from 823K ratings across 6 sources. 60% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

66th percentile

Better received than 66% of films

79th percentile among Action66th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)63rd
Approval (how many liked it)66th

65 /100

63rd percentile of all films

79th percentile among Action63rd percentile among 2010s

Critics 55 · Audience 66

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.7 — solid but not unanimous.

60% liked it

66th percentile of all films

77th percentile among Action66th percentile among 2010s
60% rated it 7–1040% rated it 1–6

Critics 68% · Audience 88%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 6 noms overall

99th percentile

822K ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Action99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$42M
Opening weekend$27M
Domestic gross$73M
Worldwide gross$123M

Returned 2.9× its budget — 87th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

It is a mindless, fun, and very familiar sequel that sticks closely to the formula of the first film.

Fans praised

  • great cast chemistry and returning performances
  • funny, laugh-out-loud humor and clever gags
  • entertaining, enjoyable sequel for fans of the original

Detractors panned

  • derivative, repetitive rehash with no new ideas
  • weak, thin, and predictable plot
  • forced, stale jokes and lack of genuine laughs

What stands out

ActingDivisive72

strong chemistry between returning leads, new additions like Zoey Deutch often steal scenes

DialogueDivisive65

witty one-liners and banter land often, but jokes can feel stale or overused

Effects and spectacleDivisive65

creative zombie kills and gore, but action set pieces can feel repetitive

HumorDivisive62

fans find it very funny; detractors call jokes forced and juvenile

PacingDivisive55

brisk and energetic for fans; sluggish and padded for detractors

CharactersDivisive50

returning characters beloved but static; new characters are broad stereotypes

Plot and storyDivisive35

thin, predictable, and largely a rehash of the original's road-trip structure

Originality20

highly derivative of the first film; adds little new to the formula

Preferred by

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 22 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 6 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Zombieland: Double Tap like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It never lets up and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
AbsurdThrillingHopefulWarm
Heaviest: throughout
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
PlayfulAbsurdist · 7% of films: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its zombie apocalypse with absurdist humor and a lighthearted, self-aware touch, never taking its own plot or scares seriously.
The rideThe mood is consistently absurd and irreverent, punctuated by action beats and occasional heartfelt moments; the emotional weight is moderate but evenly spread rather than concentrated in one act.
StructureThe story unfolds in chronological order across the road trip, with a frame-like credit scene set at the outbreak's start.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves the viewer with a light, satisfied feeling from the family reunion and happy ending, along with plenty of laughs.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestRescue
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% (this title) · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Rescue: Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).

10% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe narrative follows a group of survivors on a road trip across the zombie apocalypse to find a missing family member, encountering new zombie strains and fellow survivors along the way.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% (this title) · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsComing of age · 5% of filmsRomantic love · 15% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on Tallahassee's struggle to accept that his surrogate daughter Little Rock is growing up and needs independence, while Columbus and Wichita navigate commitment and a new romance with Madison complicates things.
StanceThe film celebrates found family and the messy bonds that survive an apocalypse, treating the carnage as a back-drop for jokes and heartwarming reconciliation rather than as a warning or critique.

The world

ContemporaryInstitutionalWildernessRuralStylized realism
Orchestral modernRockSupportive music · hybrid · David Sardy
SettingRoad-trip across zombie-infested post-apocalypse America, including the White House, a mall, Graceland, a hippie commune called Babylon, and an Elvis-themed motel.
MusicThe score blends orchestral action cues with classic rock needle drops, including Elvis tracks that tie into the Graceland and Tallahassee's character.

Content guide

Is Zombieland: Double Tap okay for kids?

R

Zombieland: Double Tap is rated R: “Rated R for bloody violence, language throughout, some drug and sexual content” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (89/100), sexual content at moderate (36/100), language at severe (83/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (57/100) and frightening material at intense (61/100). Overall it is heavier than 76% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 26 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14A
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France16
  • Ireland16
  • JapanR18+
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil16
  • Belgium18
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK-16
  • Hungary18
  • ItalyT
  • MexicoB-15
  • Netherlands16
  • Poland18
  • PortugalM/14
  • RO15
  • Russia18+
  • SingaporeM18
  • SK15
  • Spain16
  • Sweden15
  • UA16+
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 86% of all filmsHeavier than 76% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 83%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 31%
Profanity
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 79%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 72%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 47%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is violence, language, and frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Zombieland: Double Tap have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Zombieland: Double Tap?

Cast

6 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Jesse Eisenberg
as Columbus
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Woody Harrelson
as Tallahassee
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Emma Stone
as Wichita
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Abigail Breslin
as Little Rock
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Zoey Deutch
as Madison
Avan Jogia
as Berkeley
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Rosario Dawson
as Nevada
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Luke Wilson
as Albuquerque
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Thomas Middleditch
as Flagstaff
Victor Rivera
as Civil War Bearded Guy
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Zombieland: Double Tap?

Movies like Zombieland: Double Tap include Zombieland (2009), Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018). Of the 12 closest matches, several are road-trip stories, and most are films that feel absurdist.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese wrote 5 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Zombieland: Double Tap?

1.9K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: horror comedy. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.