While all three Cornetto Trilogy movies are fantastic in their own right, Shaun of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ has an all-time classic opening which cannot be competed with. Released in 2004, Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ is a horror comedy movie which follows a downtrodden Shaun (Simon Pegg) as he finds himself in a zombie apocalypse alongside his loved ones.

The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing $38.7 million on a $6 million budget, and soon became the first film in Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy, which features the similarly successful H๏τ Fuzz and The World’s End. Named due to Wright’s repeated use of the famous ice cream, the Cornetto Trilogy shares actors, but is otherwise unconnected.

Shaun Of The ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Has The Cornetto Trilogy’s Best Opening Sequence

Shaun’s Nonchalant Atтιтude To A Zombie Apocalypse Is Very British

Shaun of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ is a fantastic non-American zombie movie with a very British-type of humor. This approach worried director Edgar Wright, however, Shaun of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ surprisingly became an international success. In an interview with GQ, Wright said he was proud as “we didn’t compromise it for an international audience. People appreciated it more because it was British.”

Yet, the best part about the 2004 movie is, without a doubt, its brilliant opening sequence. Launching into an intervention in the pub which outlines Shaun’s current life, with comedic interjections from supporting characters, the first scene sets up the predominant theme of the film; Shaun of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ is about a man who is already a metaphorical zombie.

However, the true opening sequence that follows – people listlessly navigating their normal lives, seemingly unaware of their zombie-like behavior – is absolutely genius. Furthermore, the way Shaun unknowingly treats the zombie apocalypse afterward provides a deeper message about the state of the world and his life, making it one of the best opening scenes that hooks viewers from the start.

Why Shaun Of The ᴅᴇᴀᴅ’s Opening Is One Of The Best In Horror Comedy

Wright’s 2004 Zombie Movie Masters Morbid Humor

The opening sequence, with everyday people behaving like zombies, followed by Shaun navigating his normal life unknowingly surrounded by zombies, is one of the best in horror comedy. The predominant element required for horror comedies movies to be entertaining and successful is the need to address the humor and scary elements in one. Shaun of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ does this perfectly.

Audiences are given more information than the character, as we can see the danger looming in Shaun of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. Therefore, Shaun’s nonchalant reaction is quite comedic in contrast. For example, there’s a moment where Shaun actually slips on blood buying his Cornetto, but he doesn’t even blink. This brilliant brand of morbid humor and complete detachment is very British.

With the opening credits showcasing a world of zombie-like citizens, it makes sense that Shaun doesn’t hear alarm bells when faced with real-life zombies, as this behavior is normal. However, as an outside viewer, and especially for audiences outside the UK, the sudden juxtaposition makes for a fantastic horror comedy, which is why Shaun of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ remains so well-loved.

Source: GQ