ZOMBIES 5: Mermaids Join Disney Channel Franchise – News & Updates
Disney is doubling down on the wildly popular ZOMBIES franchise, greenlighting a fifth installment for both Disney+ and Disney Channel. , the studio announced that ZOMBIES 5 will bring back breakout stars Malachi Barton and Freya Skye as Victor and Nova, even as franchise veterans Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly will return as executive producers.
The new film picks up after the events of ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, where a fragile peace between zombies and vampires was established. That harmony is now threatened by the arrival of a group of mermaids in Seabrook, who are described as possessing a “persuasive siren song” and seeking to build alliances. Nova and Victor will once again be tasked with uniting their communities to uncover the mermaids’ true motives and protect the hard-won peace.
Returning alongside Barton and Skye are Swayam Bhatia as Vera, Julian Lerner as Ray and Mekonnen Knife as Vargas. Joining the cast are Diaana Babnicova as Pearl, Taylor Oliver as Fin, and Olive Mortimer as Sandy – the trio of mysterious mermaids causing a stir in Seabrook. Emily Costtrici will also appear as Izzy, Zed’s zombie cousin and a new student at Seabrook High.
At the helm is Paul Hoen, the DGA Award-winning director and executive producer who has guided the ZOMBIES franchise since its inception. He’ll be joined by executive producers Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Joseph Raso, and David Light, as well as producers Manheim and Donnelly. The film will feature choreography by Dondraico Johnson and an original score composed by Tom Howe, with a script penned by Chris Hazzard, Michael Fontana, and Eydie Faye.
The ZOMBIES franchise has become a significant success story for Disney, resonating with a young audience and generating substantial viewership across both linear television and streaming platforms. The first three films consistently ranked number one among kids aged 6-11 and tweens aged 9-14 during their premiere years. Collectively, the franchise – including the films and related shorts – has garnered a staggering 385 million hours of viewing in the U.S.
The most recent installment, ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, released in the summer of 2024, proved particularly popular, attracting 9.3 million viewers globally within its first nine days on Disney+. Within six months, the film had amassed 43 million views, demonstrating the franchise’s continued appeal.
Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis emphasized the franchise’s ability to evolve while remaining true to its core values. “ZOMBIES has become a defining franchise for the current generation,” Davis said. “With each movie, we intentionally push the story somewhere new. Introducing mermaids in ZOMBIES 5 opens up a completely different dynamic, while staying true to the music, characters and themes of unity and acceptance that are at the heart of these films.”
The success of the ZOMBIES franchise isn’t solely attributable to its narrative. Dondraico Johnson’s choreography has been a key component, evolving the series’ dance language by blending hip-hop, theatrical jazz, and unique movement styles inspired by the various creature groups. His perform on ZOMBIES 4 was described as “bolder and more inventive than ever,” designed to translate effectively across visual effects, staging, and camera work, and to thrive on platforms like TikTok.
Production on ZOMBIES 5 is slated to begin this spring in New Zealand. An official title for the film will be revealed at a later date. The continued success of the franchise suggests Disney is confident in its ability to attract and retain a young audience with its blend of music, dance, and inclusive messaging. The introduction of mermaids promises a fresh dynamic, but the core themes of acceptance and unity – which have resonated with viewers thus far – are expected to remain central to the story.
The return of key creative personnel, including Hoen, Johnson, and the core cast, signals a commitment to maintaining the quality and consistency that have defined the ZOMBIES franchise. As Disney continues to navigate the evolving landscape of streaming and linear television, properties like ZOMBIES – with their established fan base and cross-platform appeal – will likely remain a priority.