Marvel’s new animated series, Marvel Zombies, promises a gory spectacle that’s already generating significant buzz, thanks to its recently released trailer. The trailer, which debuted on September 2, 2025, showcases a brutally violent and mature take on the Marvel universe, diverging sharply from the studio’s typically family-friendly fare. With a TV-MA rating and a September 24, 2025, premiere date on Disney+, this four-part event is poised to offer a unique, horror-centric experience for Marvel fans, according to showrunner Bryan Andrews.
A Zombified Marvel Universe
The Marvel Zombies series, based on the comic book series of the same name created by writer Zeb Wells, plunges viewers into an alternate reality within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, expanding upon the “What If… Zombies?!” episode from the first season of the “What If…?” animated series. According to Marvel Studios, the show will be available for streaming exclusively on Disney+.
Heroes and Horrors
The series features a compelling mix of surviving heroes battling against zombified versions of beloved characters. Among the living are Shang-Chi (voiced by Simu Liu), Katy (Awkwafina), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), T’Challa, Red Guardian (David Harbour), Jimmy Woo (Randall Park), Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), Spider-Man, Ironheart (Dominique Thorne), Valkyrie, and U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell). A particularly exciting addition is “Blade Knight,” a version of Blade with Moon Knight’s powers, voiced by Todd Williams, marking his official on-screen debut in a Marvel Studios project.
On the undead side, the trailer reveals horrifying zombified versions of iconic characters. These include a particularly powerful Scarlet Witch (voiced by Elizabeth Olsen), Captain America, Hawkeye, Okoye, Abomination, Namor, and even Thanos, still wielding the Infinity Gauntlet. The presence of such formidable characters as zombies raises the stakes and promises intense conflicts, as reported by ComicBook.com.
The Creative Force Behind the Gore
The series boasts a strong creative team, ensuring a high level of quality and faithfulness to the source material. Bryan Andrews serves as showrunner and director, while Zeb Wells, the creator of the original comic series, is the writer. Executive producers include Marvel heavyweights Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, and Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, according to IGN.
Trailer’s Impact: Hilariously Violent Reception
The release of the trailer on September 2, 2025, generated immediate buzz across social media, with many viewers expressing excitement for the series’ unique blend of superhero action and zombie horror. The explicit depiction of violence and gore, a departure from Disney+’s typically family-friendly offerings, highlights a strategic move to cater to a broader audience and explore diverse storytelling avenues within the Marvel multiverse, as noted by ScreenCrush.
Why the Gore? A TV-MA Marvel
The decision to make the series TV-MA rated signifies Marvel Studios’ intent to push creative boundaries in animation, allowing for a more graphic and horror-centric narrative. Producers Bryan Andrews and Zeb Wells have indicated that this rating allows them to fully depict the gruesome consequences of the zombie plague and explore darker themes without holding back. This departure from the norm is a key factor in the trailer’s positive reception, attracting viewers who appreciate mature content and a willingness to take risks with established superhero conventions, according to Bloody Disgusting.
Marvel Zombies: A Bold New Direction
Marvel Zombies represents a bold new direction for Marvel Animation, embracing mature content and taking risks with established superhero conventions. The series’ success hinges on its ability to deliver a compelling narrative that balances the inherent horror of a zombie apocalypse with the established lore and character dynamics of the Marvel universe. The debut of “Blade Knight” is also a significant point of interest for fans, adding another layer of excitement to this highly anticipated animated event.
The early buzz suggests that Marvel Zombies will be a hit. The trailer’s “hilariously violent” content has successfully convinced many previously skeptical viewers to tune in, generating significant anticipation for the series’ September 24, 2025, premiere on Disney+. This series promises to be more than just another zombie story; it’s a visceral and engaging exploration of the Marvel universe through a darkly twisted lens.
