Marvel Zombies Brings Gory New Era to Marvel Animation
Marvel Studios is diving into darker territory with Marvel Zombies, a four-episode animated series rated TV-MA, premiering September 24, 2025, on Disney+.
The new trailer for Marvel Animation’s Marvel Zombies unveils a chilling alternate reality where Earth’s mightiest heroes and villains have fallen victim to a devastating zombie plague. The limited series, adapted from Robert Kirkman’s acclaimed comic book run, will stream exclusively on Disney+ this fall, marking one of the boldest creative departures in Marvel’s animation history.
Unlike Marvel’s usual family-friendly animation, this project carries a rare TV-MA rating. The tone leans heavily into gore and mature themes, signaling Marvel’s willingness to embrace more adult-oriented content. Fans of the “What If…?” anthology will recognize the world, as this show directly continues from the fan-favorite episode “What If… Zombies?!”
Behind the project is director Bryan Andrews, who also helmed the “What If…?” episode, alongside head writer Zeb Wells. The series is backed by Marvel heavyweights Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, Andrews, and Wells as executive producers. Their involvement ensures that Marvel Zombies maintains Marvel’s signature scope, even while charting darker territory.
The voice cast is packed with returning MCU talent. Awkwafina reprises her role as Katy, David Harbour voices Red Guardian, and Simu Liu returns as Shang-Chi. Other highlights include Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, and Paul Rudd as Ant-Man. Tessa Thompson, Iman Vellani, Hailee Steinfeld, and Randall Park are also on board, bringing authenticity to the animated adaptation.
One of the more intriguing elements is the debut of “Blade Knight,” a unique twist on the Daywalker. Voiced by Todd Williams, this version is distinct from Mahershala Ali’s live-action Blade. It reinforces the fact that the series, set in Earth-2149, belongs to Marvel’s expanding multiverse rather than the main MCU continuity.
For fans of the original comics, the animated series appears to remain faithful to its source material’s grim survival themes. Survivors like Shang-Chi, Yelena, and Kate Bishop must navigate a ruined world while fighting off zombified versions of their former allies. The trailer emphasizes both action and horror, striking a balance that appeals to fans of superhero epics and horror stories alike.
With only four episodes, Marvel Zombies promises a tight, intense viewing experience. Its release strategy, dropping all episodes at once, differs from Marvel’s usual weekly rollout, catering instead to binge-watchers eager to consume the story in one sitting. That, paired with its horror leanings, makes it one of the most anticipated Marvel titles of the year.
