Imagine a zombie outbreak so sweeping and terrifying that it not only captivated millions at the box office but continues to dominate streaming charts over a decade later—that's the enduring legacy of World War Z, and it's got fans and critics buzzing all over again!
Published just a short while ago, this piece comes from Monica Coman, a seasoned entertainment journalist and editor at CBR. She's well-regarded for her deep dives into pop culture, movies, and TV shows. Her insightful articles have appeared in top-tier outlets like The A-List Hype, autoevolution.com (where you can check out her profile at https://www.autoevolution.com/editors/browse/monica-coman/), ScreenRant (https://screenrant.com/author/monica-coman/), We Got This Covered (https://wegotthiscovered.com/author/monicacoman/), and The Escapist (https://www.escapistmagazine.com/author/monica-coman/). With nearly ten years under her belt in digital media, Monica excels at crafting compelling narratives and sharpening editorial approaches.
As we stepped into 2025, the 28 Days Later series made a comeback, injecting fresh energy into the zombie flick genre. Yet, despite its accomplishments, it couldn't topple the all-time champion in zombie movie earnings. But here's where it gets controversial—why does one film from over a decade ago keep overshadowing newer hits? Let's dive in and explore what keeps World War Z reigning supreme.
Brad Pitt's blockbuster World War Z remains incredibly popular, even today. Released in 2013, this zombie thriller drew some flak for how it diverged from Max Brooks' 2006 bestseller, but that didn't stop it from becoming a huge moneymaker. Its momentum carried over to streaming services, and now, 12 years down the line, it's climbing the ranks once more on Paramount+, as verified by FlixPatrol. For beginners wondering what all this means, think of streaming platforms like digital libraries where you can watch movies at home instead of theaters—it's how many films find a second life after their initial release.
While World War Z didn't make waves on U.S. box office lists, it landed at number ten globally on December 11. The film really caught fire in various South American nations, hitting as high as number six in several spots. This global appeal shows how zombie stories can resonate differently across cultures, perhaps because they tap into universal fears of pandemics and societal collapse—a timely theme even beyond the screen.
Throughout 2025, World War Z kept popping up on various platforms (as detailed in another CBR article about its streaming triumphs on Netflix at https://www.cbr.com/highest-grossing-zombie-movie-ever-new-streaming-success-netflix/), and now it's making a strong comeback on its primary streaming hub, Paramount+. Produced by Paramount Pictures, it also became available for free on Tubi in November (learn more at https://www.cbr.com/world-war-z-streaming-november-2025/). This accessibility explains its resurgence; with streaming, films can reach audiences who missed them in theaters, extending their cultural impact.
World War Z hit U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, following its international premiere in London, UK, on June 2. Drawing inspiration from Brooks' bestselling book, it was directed by Marc Forster, with a screenplay crafted by Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard, and Damon Lindelof, based on a story by Carnahan and J. Michael Straczynski. Pitt stars as Gerry Lane, a retired United Nations investigator racing to develop a cure amid a sudden zombie uprising. Supporting him are Mireille Enos as Karen Lane, along with James Badge Dale and Matthew Fox.
Financially, the movie was a triumph, raking in $540 million worldwide on an estimated $190 million budget, according to The Numbers. This made it the top-earning zombie film ever, a title it still holds firmly. Fast-forward to 2025, and while 28 Years Later added to the 28 Days Later universe (check out the sequel details at https://www.cbr.com/28-years-later-sequel-confirmed-cilian-murphy-alex-garland/), earning around $150 million in theaters (and streaming on Netflix here: https://www.cbr.com/28-years-later-streaming-on-netflix/), it couldn't come close to World War Z's heights. And this is the part most people miss—why do some zombie epics fade while others endure? Perhaps it's the scale of the story or the star power involved.
That said, World War Z received mixed feedback from reviewers. On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a 67% approval from critics and 72% from everyday viewers—both decent scores, but the critiques often focused on its significant deviations from the source novel (as explored in CBR's piece on unfaithful sci-fi adaptations at https://www.cbr.com/unfaithful-sci-fi-adaptation-movies/). For those new to this, think of it like remaking a favorite book into a movie: sometimes changes are made for pacing or drama, but fans of the original might feel the magic is lost. Is sacrificing fidelity to the book worth it for broader appeal? That's a debate that's raged in film circles forever.
Will World War Z Ever Get a Sequel?
Credit: Jaap Buitendijk/©Paramount Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
It's only natural that a hit movie sparks talk of a follow-up, and World War Z was no exception. Right after its release, fueled by the popularity of shows like The Walking Dead, plans for a trilogy starring Brad Pitt were greenlit. But, as often happens in Hollywood, things stalled.
Reports surfaced that director Marc Forster wouldn't be returning, and various writers and directors, including David Fincher, were considered for World War Z 2. However, Fincher's commitments to other projects (like Mindhunter, discussed at https://www.cbr.com/mindhunter-star-possible-return-6-years-later/) caused delays, and the sequel was officially scrapped in 2019 (find out more at https://www.cbr.com/world-war-z-2-cancelled-everything-to-know/). Ever since, despite the original's streaming buzz, Paramount hasn't hinted at reviving it. This raises a provocative question: In an era where franchises like The Walking Dead thrive on endless extensions, why hasn't World War Z gotten a reboot? Could it be that the film's self-contained story doesn't lend itself to sequels, or is it simply about studio priorities?
World War Z is currently available on Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
Release Date
June 21, 2013
Runtime
116 minutes
Director
Marc Forster
Writers
Damon Lindelof, Drew Goddard, Matthew Michael Carnahan, J. Michael Straczynski, Max Brooks
Producers
Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Ian Bryce, Jeremy Kleiner
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Brad Pitt
Gerry Lane
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Mireille Enos
Karen Lane
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Former United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop a zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatens to destroy humanity itself.
So, what do you think? Does World War Z deserve a sequel to expand on its world, or is its original standalone power what makes it timeless? And here's a controversial twist—some argue that adapting novels too loosely hurts the genre, but others say it allows for fresh takes. Do you side with the purists, or do you enjoy cinematic liberties? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we'd love to hear your take on zombie legacies!
