12 Shows Like The Walking Dead You Need To Watch

Listening to “The Fall of Civilizations” podcast, one can’t help but realize that the end times have been a constant presence for humanity since its inception. Most regions on Earth are built upon the ruins of civilizations that were once at the pinnacle of human advancement. It might be this transience that makes post-apocalyptic narratives so intriguing – the thought that we could lose everything in a moment is like gazing into the void.

Perhaps it’s an innate desire to discard societal norms and rely solely on our personal autonomy, as if we were characters in “The Walking Dead.” Although the life portrayed might be tough, it’s free from petty microaggressions and oppressive bosses scrutinizing your every move. The show offers a simple charm, where characters like Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) forge relationships amidst the backdrop of battling zombies and procuring their own sustenance.

There is something about post-apocalyptic stories that resonates with us deeply. Immersing ourselves in series like “The Walking Dead” can provide a sense of calm for our anxious late capitalist souls. Whether it’s environmental catastrophes or global zombie outbreaks, we find ourselves drawn to them compulsively.

Fear the Walking Dead

In the ever-growing world of “The Walking Dead” (TWD), series such as “The Ones Who Live,” “Daryl Dixon,” and “Dead City” add to its depth. However, it’s “Fear the Walking Dead” (FTWD) that stands out with a dedicated fanbase separate from the main series. This could be due to FTWD’s distinct atmosphere and narrative approach. Similar to TWD, FTWD chronicles the journey of survivors following the outbreak of a mysterious virus. Unlike TWD, which starts post-outbreak in the American Southeast, FTWD (2015-2023) is set in Los Angeles before the outbreak, depicting one family’s escape from the city to Mexico and ultimately settling in Texas.

Rick’s team’s journeys generally revolve around their attempts to build a settlement, which are frequently interrupted by malevolent antagonists reminiscent of “The Walking Dead” villains such as the Governor, Negan, or Alpha. The storylines involving Madison Clark (Kim Dickens) and her family, however, are typically more chaotic and unpredictable.

Or, in a shorter version: Rick’s group’s storylines mainly focus on their community-building efforts, often disrupted by villains like the Governor, Negan, or Alpha; meanwhile, Madison Clark’s family experiences are usually wilder and unpredictable.

During one period, they journey across the sea on a luxury yacht. At other instances, they find themselves in a strict survivalist community, initiating a relief effort coordinated by truckers along highways, managing an oil refinery, and encountering a murderous cult led by a serial killer, who detonates nuclear weapons from a stranded submarine. Partway through the series, it adopts a western-style narrative that surprisingly fits, introducing “The Walking Dead” character Morgan (Lennie James). Moreover, one character survives being infected with the virus – an extraordinary event indeed.

Z Nation

When it comes to outlandish zombie shows, nothing beats the insanity of “Z Nation,” which is Syfy’s wildly eccentric counterpart to “The Walking Dead.” This offbeat series was brought to life by The Asylum, a studio known for its zany productions such as “Sharknado” and numerous other mockbusters like “AVH: Alien vs. Hunter” and “The Paranormal Entity.

The TV series “Z Nation,” airing from 2014 to 2018, is rich with parody, but it stands out for its robust storytelling and world-building. The show features intriguing antiheroes such as Doc (Russell Hodgkinson), whose knowledge of recreational drugs makes him essentially a mobile surgeon, or 10K (Nat Zang), the ambitious young man who aims to achieve 10,000 kills. Lastly, there’s Murphy (Keith Allan), the ex-convict who endured forced medical experiments in prison and has become humanity’s last viable hope due to his miraculous survival.

Under the distant supervision of Citizen Z (DJ Qualls), a soldier positioned at an NSA monitoring station in the Arctic Circle, a band of survivors promise to escort Murphy across post-apocalyptic America, starting from New York and ending at a CDC lab in California with the aim of halting the epidemic. As they journey, we encounter a variety of unusual and amusing undead creatures: juggalo zombies, vegetable zombies, pharmaceutical zombies, bedazzled zombies – even a series of zombies on a conveyor belt.

Black Summer

In simpler terms, “Black Summer” (2019-2021), a prequel to “Z Nation,” delves into the grim periods preceding the downfall of society, rather than focusing on the ferocious zombies. The name is derived from an event hinted in “Z Nation” – a severe drought that ensued after the initial outbreak, leading groups like those portrayed in “Philly Feast” to resort to cannibalism as a means of survival. Unlike “The Walking Dead” universe, “Black Summer” offers a plausible reason for why so many apocalypse survivors become bitter and resort to killing other survivors – the harsh reality of the Black Summer event.

Six weeks following the onset of the zombie outbreak, the show focuses on a woman named Rose (Jaime King) as she strives to reconnect with her daughter Anna (Zoe Marlett), who they were separated from during a zombie attack. “Black Summer,” distinct from its predecessor and featuring none of its characters, offers an engaging exploration of the events leading up to the ‘Black Summer’ that left many characters in the original series despondent. The fact that horror maestro Stephen King found it frightening makes it a compelling watch.

Zomboat!

2019’s “Zomboat!”, a compact series that unfortunately came to an end too soon, is a hidden gem for those who enjoy zombie shows like “Z Nation”. Set in Birmingham, England, which has more canals than Venice and is home to numerous narrowboats – small boats designed to navigate shallow waters. These waterways are surprisingly popular living quarters, with many Brits choosing to reside in these compact floating RVs.

Given that zombies are known for their poor swimming abilities, it’s logical for sisters Kat (Leah Brotherhead) and Jo (Cara Theobold) to escape by narrowboat when a zombie outbreak occurs in Birmingham. Despite the fact that canal boats travel at roughly four miles per hour and the canals aren’t particularly wide, the series “Zomboat!” follows their leisurely journey with companions Sunny (Hamza Jeetooa) and Amar (Ryan McKen). Over the course of bite-sized 24-minute episodes, they encounter numerous obstacles such as a zombie stripper, a draining canal, and a failing phone battery that hinders Jo’s attempts to track her boyfriend.

The zombies are preposterous, and the whole concept seems far-fetched. Yet, this tale presents a remarkably fresh perspective on the zombie apocalypse, along with a captivating exploration of living aboard a narrowboat.

The zombies are absurd, not to mention the premise. However, what makes this story stand out is its unique angle on the zombie apocalypse, and it also gives us a fascinating peek into life in a narrowboat.

The Last of Us

The highly praised television version of the post-apocalyptic perspective game for PlayStation 3, titled “The Last of Us,” is the adaptation that “Resident Evil” envies. Unlike most zombie outbreaks caused by viruses, the apocalypse-inducing pandemic in “The Last of Us” is actually fungal in origin. What makes it even more unsettling is that this type of infection is based on a real-life fungus that infects fire ants, altering their behavior as it attaches to their exoskeletons before consuming the ants from within.

In the realm of “The Last of Us,” these Cordyceps creatures, known as “the infected,” have an incredibly striking appearance. Once bitten by Cordyceps, victims undergo a terrifying transformation, with their heads morphing into mushroom-like structures that seem to have sprung from Guillermo del Toro’s most nightmarish visions.

20 years after a worldwide pandemic, the show centers around Joel Miller’s (Pedro Pascal) mission to guide Ellie (Bella Ramsey), an immune teenager, out of a quarantine zone managed by FEDRA and across the nation. Critics have highly commended “The Last of Us,” praising aspects such as its exceptional music and the performances of the main cast. The flashback episode titled “Long, Long Time,” starring Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett as long-term partners, was generally acclaimed, with Rolling Stone describing it as “a rare depiction of an apocalypse that’s more than mere misery; there may be something worth fighting for.” The talented ensemble also includes Kaitlyn Dever, Anna Torv, Melanie Lynskey, and Rutina Wesley.

The Last Ship

The TV show ‘The Last Ship’, created by Michael Bay and initially aired from 2014 to 2018, presents an unusual kind of disaster: a viral pandemic that swiftly wipes out approximately 80% of the Earth. The narrative revolves around a band of survivors who are onboard the fictitious U.S. Navy vessel, USS Nathan James. At the moment of the outbreak, the crew of the Nathan James is engaged in work in the Arctic, oblivious to the crisis until they’re ambushed by rogue Russian forces. On board the ship, a CDC paleomicrobiologist named Rachel Scott (played by Rhona Mitra) embarks on a mission to develop a cure and rescue what remains of humanity.

In simpler terms, “The Last Ship” may not stand out for its character development or elaborate setting, but it presents an intriguing tale of post-apocalyptic fiction from a military angle, somewhat like “Battlestar Galactica,” minus the deep sociopolitical and religious storylines. It’s less flashy on special effects compared to typical Michael Bay productions. However, what it lacks in visual spectacle, it makes up for with intense, adrenaline-pumping action scenes. The reason for this is that Bren Foster, who plays Delta Team special forces member Wolf Taylor, is responsible for choreographing many of these scenes himself.

Foster explained that Behind the Lens was correct in noticing its impact. The role has provided him with numerous physical tasks, ranging from scuba diving to scaling structures adorned with poles, engaging in fight sequences, and even handling a bayonet and a gun equipped with a knife as a weapon against stunt performers.

The 100

The 100″ (2014-2020), loosely inspired by Kass Morgan’s YA novel series, appeals to both young adult and adult sci-fi enthusiasts alike. The story unfolds a century after Earth experiences an apocalyptic nuclear war, with the survivors residing on space stations consolidating their ships into one large station known as the Ark. However, centuries later, the Ark’s oxygen supply is depleting rapidly. In a desperate attempt to save as many lives as possible, the Ark’s leadership sends 100 juvenile delinquents to Earth, considering it safer than returning themselves, effectively using these youngsters as test subjects.

In the fashion of Young Adult novels, each season of “The 100” presents a nearly unique tale. One season has them fighting against the “Grounders” and the morally questionable survivors in Mount Weather. Other seasons see them trapped underground, launched back into space, and at one point, clashing with an intelligent AI that turns them into zombie-like creatures. Despite its outlandish elements, “The 100” is a highly intriguing and imaginative story that places groups of survivors in ever-changing predicaments – much like another beloved science fiction series we’re all familiar with.

As a gamer immersed in the post-apocalyptic world of “The 100”, I’m thoroughly hooked by the stellar lineup of talents like Eliza Taylor, Richard Harmon, Henry Ian Cusick, Eve Harlow, and Alycia Debnam-Carey. The intricate costumes, captivating sets, and skillful world-building only serve to heighten my gaming experience.

12 Monkeys

12 Monkeys (2015-2018), a TV series based on the film and original short French film “La Jetée,” portrays a world that has drastically changed due to a catastrophic lab-created pandemic, which nearly wiped out humanity decades ago. A scientist from this desolate future (Barbara Sukowa) believes she holds the solution and sends James Cole (Aaron Stanford), a scavenger, back in time via a time machine known as the “splinter” machine to prevent the Army of the 12 Monkeys from manufacturing the virus at its source. Over time, what was intended to be a simple temporal fix turns out to be much more intricate; each journey through the splinter machine reveals the 12 Monkeys’ intention to create a timeless limbo where every moment exists simultaneously and death is nonexistent.

This series exhibits a genuinely artistic blend of science fiction and hopeful messaging. Over the course of its four-season run, writer Terry Matalas crafts an intriguing tale that concludes satisfactorily by the end, especially for those fond of time travel narratives. The acting across the board is compelling, with Emily Hampshire’s portrayal of Jennifer Goines, a character grappling with time travel, and Todd Stashwick’s charismatic antagonist Deacon standing out. Even legendary actor Christopher Lloyd makes an appearance. If you’re a fan of Matalas’ other series, “Star Trek: Picard,” you might notice several references to “12 Monkeys” scattered throughout Season 3, and even spot some familiar faces appearing in both shows.

Jericho

If a nuclear disaster were to occur, staying away from large urban areas seems advisable. Fortunately for the main characters in the CW’s YA series “Jericho,” the small town of Jericho, Kansas, is as isolated as it gets. After a nuclear strike wipes out 23 American cities, the residents of Jericho are left clueless. When they eventually restore their electricity, an electromagnetic pulse causes another blackout, rendering all their electronic devices useless simultaneously.

The show revolves around a community struggling to rebuild after a series of attacks, with Skeet Ulrich and Lennie James in starring roles before their respective roles in “Riverdale” and “The Walking Dead”. Since there’s no state or federal support, they must construct everything anew. Simultaneously, they seek answers about the attacks and the struggle for resources escalates into something ugly.

In the same fashion as numerous shows from that period, “Jericho” (2006-2008) garnered a passionate fan base, but it fell short in attracting the required audience numbers to continue airing. Despite the fans’ efforts to revive the series in 2007 and discussions about a third season with Netflix as late as 2013, nothing ultimately came to fruition.

Revolution

In 2012, an unknown catastrophe led to a worldwide power blackout that lasted permanently, as depicted in the series “Revolution”. This sudden event rendered everything electronic useless, including airplanes, trains, and streaming video services for millions of Americans. Interestingly, even with the absence of death and destruction, it proved challenging to rebuild a world without technology.

Following the aftermath of the disaster, chaos ensues as militias seize control and rival groups question the cause of the massive blackout and if any actions can undo it. The two-season series from Bad Robot featured Giancarlo Esposito, Jim Beaver, and Elizabeth Mitchell in its ensemble cast, with Eric Kripke, known for “Supernatural” and “The Boys,” as its creator. Although the show didn’t explore its mythology extensively, the introduction of self-aware nanites hinted at a promising conclusion. A digital comic published by DC Comics in 2015 further developed the narrative.

From

Although not strictly a post-apocalyptic series, “From” (which debuted in 2022) shares many similarities and carries an air of desolation reminiscent of zombie narratives. In this grim MGM+ horror production, the protagonists are simply traveling when they become ensnared in a tight-knit community where attempts to escape only lead them back to the same tree blocking the road. This fallen tree appears mysteriously to all travelers, regardless of their origin within the United States.

Similar to stories like “The Walking Dead,” the residents of Fromville strive to preserve some sense of normality amidst a world that’s growing increasingly alien. However, the most chilling aspect emerges once night falls. Every evening after sundown, From is besieged by creatures that initially seem human, with their smiles and all, but in mere moments, they savagely attack and consume their victims, stripping them down to the bone. Even though they only enter if invited, there’s an ever-present danger of someone losing control and opening a window – something that happens more frequently than one might expect. But as it transpires, the creatures are merely the tip of the iceberg in this peculiar location.

Earth Abides

In the years prior to Rick Grimes’ slumber during the zombie apocalypse, George R. Stewart conceived the original Rip Van Winkle character in his 1949 post-apocalyptic novel “Earth Abides.” This groundbreaking eco-fiction explores how swiftly Earth might recover without human interference and proposes a means for our survival.

The 2024 MGM+ series is quite faithful to the original novel, portraying its narrative over several lifetimes with significant time leaps. Similar to the book “Earth Abides”, it follows Alexander Ludwig’s character, Isherwood (“Ish”), after a severe snake bite keeps him from experiencing a global pandemic that wipes out almost all of humanity within mere weeks. In due course, Ish encounters a woman named Emma (Jessica Frances Dukes) and begins a family. Over the years, they gradually expand their group.

The main emphasis in this narrative isn’t on personal relationships, rather it delves into a man’s fight against nature to survive. This tale bears resemblance to a hypothetical portrayal of “Life After People,” a documentary exploring Earth’s transformation after human extinction. Characters Ish and Emma face challenges such as rat plagues, water scarcity, and later societal problems again. Navigating the post-technology era proves challenging yet fulfilling for them.

2025-01-23 22:31