Disney Channel’s beloved musical franchise returns with Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, set to premiere on July 10, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel.
The highly anticipated fourth installment will be available for streaming globally on Disney+ the following day, July 11, 2025.
The Story: A Summer Road Trip Takes a Dark Turn
After successfully bringing humans and monsters together in Seabrook, Zed (Milo Manheim) and Addison (Meg Donnelly) embark on a summer road trip following their first year at Mountain College.
Their romantic getaway takes an unexpected detour when they discover the warring worlds of Sunnyside and Shadyside.
The couple finds themselves caught between two new supernatural factions: the sun-powered Daywalkers and the mysterious Vampires.
Cast Returns with Fresh Faces
The original stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly reprise their roles as Zed and Addison, this time also serving as executive producers on the project.
Returning cast members include:
- Chandler Kinney as Willa
- Kylee Russell as Eliza
Newcomers joining the franchise include:
- Freya Skye as Nova, a fierce Daywalker
- Malachi Barton as Victor, a brooding Vampire
- Swayam Bhatia as Vera
- Julian Lerner as Ray
- Mekonnen Knife as Vargas
- Lisa Chappell as Eldress
- Jonno Roberts as Commander Bright
Production Details and Filming
Paul Hoen returns to direct the fourth installment, having helmed all previous Zombies films.
The screenplay was written by David Light, Joseph Raso, and Josh Cagan.
For the first time in the franchise’s history, production moved from Toronto, Canada to Auckland, New Zealand, where filming began on March 26, 2024.
Music and Soundtrack
The Zombies 4 soundtrack features 13 tracks, including nine brand-new original songs and two reprises of fan-favorite hits “Someday” and “Ain’t No Doubt About It.”
Key songs include:
- “The Place to Be” – released as the first single on May 2, 2025
- “Don’t Mess With Us” – released June 13, 2025
- “Legends In The Making”
- “Dream Come True”
Choreography is by Dondraico Johnson, with an original score composed by Tom Howe.
A Franchise Phenomenon
The ZOMBIES franchise has become a powerhouse in youth entertainment since its 2018 debut.
The first three films consistently ranked No. 1 among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 during their cable premieres.
The franchise has garnered nearly a quarter billion streaming hours on Disney+, with its music amassing over 5.7 billion streams across platforms.
What the Stars Are Saying
Milo Manheim shared his enthusiasm for the new film: “Personally, it’s my favorite soundtrack of any of the movies. It’s shot like a feature film, it’s almost like Marvel.”
Meg Donnelly added that the movie has a nostalgic feel, comparing it to classic Disney Channel originals like Camp Rock and High School Musical.
For Manheim and Donnelly, this film serves as a “goodbye” to their beloved characters, though they plan to remain involved with the franchise behind the camera.
The Dawn of a New Era
Zombies 4 marks several franchise firsts:
- First Zombies movie filmed outside of Canada
- First to introduce vampires as main characters
- First where the story takes place outside of Seabrook
- First Disney Channel Original Movie premiere in 3 years
The film promises to explore themes of unity and acceptance while delivering the high-energy musical numbers fans have come to expect.
Release Information
Disney Channel Premiere: Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET/PT
Disney+ Global Streaming: Friday, July 11, 2025
Also Available: Disney Channel On Demand
The soundtrack is available on all major digital music platforms, with a special vinyl release featuring tracks from the entire franchise.
Looking Forward
While Zombies 4 may serve as a conclusion for Zed and Addison’s story, the introduction of new characters suggests the franchise could continue in new directions.
The film sets up potential future storylines while delivering a satisfying adventure for longtime fans.
With its combination of catchy music, energetic dance numbers, and messages of acceptance and unity, Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires promises to be another hit for Disney Channel’s successful franchise.
