The film was shot in several locations in Florida and Pennsylvania and is the third installment of George A. Romero's iconic zombie series. The story follows a small group of scientists and soldiers hiding in an underground bunker while the world above is completely overrun by the dead. Surface scenes depicting a deserted, abandoned cityscape were filmed in downtown Fort Myers, Florida, and the bunker entrance was created at a helipad on Sanibel Island. The extensive underground episodes, which make up the bulk of the film's action, were shot inside a huge former limestone mine in Wampum, Pennsylvania — a real underground facility spanning 850,000 square feet. All zombie extras were paid just one dollar each and received a commemorative cap reading "I was a zombie in Day of the Dead" along with a prop newspaper. The soundtrack was written by John Harrison, Jim Blazer, and Spatzi Sparino.

Filming Locations:

Old Robb & Stucky Building — Rooftop View

In the Movie

Scene where they shoot from the rooftop, revealing a view north toward the intersection of Hendry Street and Main Street. The high vantage point effectively shows the scale of the deserted downtown and especially emphasizes that not a single person is visible below.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a building constructed in 1926 that originally served as the Robb & Stucky furniture store at 1625 Hendry Street. Over time, the building lost its connection to the furniture company and today houses various law offices. It stands near the intersection of Hendry Street and Main Street in the historic downtown district of Fort Myers.

Edison Theatre

In the Movie

Scene where an abandoned Edison Theatre sign is visible in the background as the camera drives by, enhancing the feeling that normal life here has already collapsed. The empty streets and deserted city center look as if the space has long been given over to the dead.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the historic downtown district of Fort Myers, at a theater built in 1941 and named after Thomas Edison. It is located at 1533 Hendry Street and ceased operating as a movie theater in the early 1980s, shortly before the film's production. The building is part of a historic district officially listed on the National Register on January 6, 1990.