1. The Walking Dead Universe
Of course, you can’t talk about zombie TV without mentioning The Walking Dead. This series redefined the zombie genre on TV, offering a long-running exploration of survival, humanity, and society breaking down in the face of an undead apocalypse. With a massive fan base and multiple spin-offs, The Walking Dead universe has become a cultural phenomenon.
- “The Walking Dead” (2010–2022) – The flagship series that follows Rick Grimes and his group of survivors as they navigate a world overrun by “walkers.” With 11 seasons, it’s packed with emotional highs, intense action, and character-driven stories that explore how far people will go to survive.
- “Fear the Walking Dead” (2015–present) – This spin-off starts at the very beginning of the zombie outbreak and follows different survivors as the world collapses. It offers a fresh perspective on the early days of the apocalypse.
- “The Walking Dead: World Beyond” (2020–2021) – A two-season limited series that focuses on the first generation to grow up in the post-apocalyptic world. It explores how life has evolved a decade into the zombie outbreak.
- “Tales of the Walking Dead” (2022–present) – An anthology series that tells stand-alone stories set in The Walking Dead universe, giving fans new perspectives on the apocalypse.
- Upcoming spin-offs – The Walking Dead universe isn’t slowing down anytime soon. With upcoming spin-offs focused on characters like Daryl Dixon and Rick & Michonne, there’s plenty more zombie action on the horizon.
Perfect for: Fans of long-running, character-driven narratives who want to dive deep into a complex post-apocalyptic world.
2. Z Nation
If you’re looking for a more fast-paced and often hilarious take on the zombie apocalypse, Z Nation is a wild ride from start to finish. Unlike the more serious tone of The Walking Dead, this series embraces a mix of humor, camp, and outrageous zombie action.
- “Z Nation” (2014–2018) – Set three years into the apocalypse, Z Nation follows a group of survivors tasked with transporting the only known human to survive a zombie bite across the country in hopes of finding a cure. The show mixes over-the-top zombie battles with quirky characters, making it a fun, action-packed romp through the apocalypse.
- “Black Summer” (2019–2021) – A spin-off of Z Nation, this series is much darker and more intense. It focuses on the early days of the outbreak and follows several characters trying to survive in a collapsing world. The tension and fast-paced zombie attacks make Black Summer a must-watch for those who prefer grittier survival stories.
Perfect for: Fans of fast-paced, action-heavy zombie stories with a good dose of campy humor.
3. Kingdom
For a unique twist on the zombie genre, Kingdom brings the undead to feudal Korea in a stunningly crafted historical horror series. This South Korean show is a visual masterpiece, blending period drama with terrifying zombie action.
- “Kingdom” (2019–present) – Set during Korea’s Joseon dynasty, the show follows a crown prince investigating a mysterious plague that’s turning people into bloodthirsty monsters. As political intrigue and royal conspiracies unfold, the prince must stop the infection from destroying the kingdom. The zombies in Kingdom are fast, vicious, and unlike anything else in the genre.
With its breathtaking cinematography, intricate storytelling, and terrifying zombies, Kingdom stands out as one of the most original and engaging zombie series in recent years.
Perfect for: Fans who love historical drama, political intrigue, and fast, terrifying zombies.
4. iZombie
If you prefer your zombie shows with a bit more humor and a quirky twist, iZombie is the perfect choice. It blends elements of crime procedural with zombie mythology, making it a lighter but still satisfying entry in the genre.
- “iZombie” (2015–2019) – The series follows Liv Moore, a medical resident turned zombie who works in a morgue. She discovers that by eating the brains of murder victims, she can experience their memories—and uses this ability to help solve their murders. As Liv navigates her double life as a crime-solving zombie, she also contends with other undead threats and conspiracies.
iZombie is witty, clever, and features a unique take on zombies that’s refreshing and fun, while still delivering some solid undead action.
Perfect for: Fans who enjoy crime-solving mysteries with a supernatural twist and a good sense of humor.
5. Santa Clarita Diet
Santa Clarita Diet is another comedic take on the zombie genre, blending suburban life with gruesome undead hijinks. This show is a gory yet hilarious romp that never takes itself too seriously.
- “Santa Clarita Diet” (2017–2019) – The show stars Drew Barrymore as Sheila Hammond, a real estate agent in suburban California who turns into a zombie after a mysterious illness. As she develops a craving for human flesh, her husband (played by Timothy Olyphant) and daughter try to help her navigate her new undead lifestyle, while covering up her occasional murders.
Though it only lasted three seasons, Santa Clarita Diet is beloved for its sharp writing, laugh-out-loud moments, and unexpected twists.
Perfect for: Fans of dark comedy who love witty dialogue mixed with gory zombie antics.
6. Ash vs Evil Dead
While not strictly a zombie show, Ash vs Evil Dead is a must-watch for any horror fan, especially those who loved the original Evil Dead films. It blends horror, gore, and humor in the best way possible, with plenty of undead action to satisfy zombie fans.
- “Ash vs Evil Dead” (2015–2018) – Picking up decades after the events of The Evil Dead, the show follows Ash Williams (played by Bruce Campbell) as he’s forced out of retirement to once again battle Deadites—possessed, zombie-like creatures. Full of over-the-top gore, slapstick humor, and one-liners, Ash vs Evil Dead is the perfect blend of horror and comedy.
It’s the ultimate show for fans who like their undead with a side of camp and chainsaw-wielding heroes.
Perfect for: Fans of horror-comedy and the original Evil Dead films who crave lots of bloody mayhem and undead slaying.
7. Daybreak
If you’re in the mood for something a bit more offbeat, Daybreak offers a unique, teen-centered take on the zombie apocalypse. It’s part coming-of-age story, part post-apocalyptic adventure, with plenty of humor thrown into the mix.
- “Daybreak” (2019) – Set in a post-apocalyptic world where adults have turned into zombie-like creatures called “Ghoulies,” Daybreak follows a group of teenagers trying to survive in this new world. The show mixes Mad Max-style action with high school drama and quirky humor, creating a fun and fresh spin on the zombie apocalypse.
Unfortunately, Daybreak was canceled after just one season, but its unique style and tone make it worth watching for a quick, enjoyable binge.
Perfect for: Fans of teen dramas who want a lighthearted yet action-packed take on the zombie apocalypse.
8. Dead Set
If you’re looking for something short and binge-worthy, Dead Set is a fantastic mini-series that blends reality TV with a full-blown zombie apocalypse. Created by Charlie Brooker (Black Mirror), it’s a sharp, satirical take on the genre.
- “Dead Set” (2008) – Set during a fictional season of the UK’s Big Brother, the show follows contestants who are isolated in the house as a zombie outbreak ravages the country. As the contestants slowly realize what’s happening outside, they must figure out how to survive both the zombies and each other.
This five-episode series is perfect for a quick, intense zombie binge, with all the wit and dark humor you’d expect from Charlie Brooker.
Perfect for: Fans of fast, intense zombie action with a satirical edge.
Whether you’re in the mood for intense drama, horror-comedy, or something a little different, these zombie TV series offer a variety of undead thrills to satisfy any fan. With shows that mix heart-pounding tension, laughs, and gory action, there’s no shortage of binge-worthy content to get you through the Halloween season.
What’s your favorite zombie TV series? Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking for more undead shows to devour!