Filmmaker George Romero's flick "Dawn of the Dead" and others have catapulted zombies into cult-like status in Monroeville, Pa., where the movie was filmed. (See related article.)

Limping, bloodied (sort of) and wearing shredded clothing, 2,000 souls from near and far descended on the Zombie Fest and Walk of the Dead at Monroeville Mall in Monroeville, Pa., Oct. 11 (Ross Mantle for The Wall Street Journal)

The mall is famous as the main setting of filmmaker George Romero's 1978 cult classic "Dawn of the Dead," in which survivors of a plague that turns humans into zombies take refuge in the shopping center. Pittsburgh zombie enthusiast Sandy Funtal, 39, participated in this year's walk and competed in an Ugly Pageant, but she didn't win. (Ross Mantle for The Wall Street Journal)

Each year, hundreds of pale-faced zombie wannabes come to the mall, trying to look dazed and confused as they stumble past chain retail stores. (Ross Mantle for The Wall Street Journal)

Jen Welles and Randy Garrison, of New Jersey, sat for a portrait on a bench at the mall's entrance. (Ross Mantle for The Wall Street Journal)