We were originally promised an 11th season of The Walking Dead, as well as 10 additional episodes (including the finale) for Season 10 to release this year, but the COVID-19 pandemic had other plans.
The good news is that there are plenty of other post-apocalyptic zombie offerings to keep us entertained until 2021 when the fresh TWD content is said to finally release.
Sure, I could simply list a bunch of zombie shows and leave it at that, but here’s the thing: there’s a special recipe for The Walking Dead that has made it a success. The ingredients in that zombie casserole (ew) have kept fans coming back for more season after season. So I wanted to break down those basic elements and recommend other TV shows and movies that could help you scratch that TWD itch for another year.
First, let’s take a look at those storyline ingredients that make The Walking Dead what it is:
1. Eclectic group of people surviving together
2. Modern-day post-apocalyptic setting
3. Crazy surprises
4. Love stories within a horror story
5. Zombies!
Now let’s explore my personal picks for the top 10 TV shows and movies that come closest to replicating that formula.
10. The Society
The Society | TV Series (2019) 3480min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi | TV Series (2019)
Writer: Christopher KeyserStars: Kathryn Newton, Gideon Adlon, Sean Berdy
Summary: When everyone else mysteriously vanishes from their wealthy town, the teen residents of West Ham must forge their own society to survive.Countries: USALanguages: English
What it has: Eclectic group of people surviving together, Modern-day post-apocalyptic setting, Love stories within a horror story
What it’s missing: Crazy surprises, Zombies
Special similarities: The apocalypse is one big mystery and normal rules are out the window
Where you can watch it: Netflix
9. Survivors
Survivors | TV Series (2008–2010) 60min | Drama, Sci-Fi | TV Series (2008–2010)
Writer: Adrian HodgesStars: Julie Graham, Max Beesley, Paterson Joseph
Summary: An unknown virus pandemic kills more than 90% of the world's population. Those immune must strive to survive and overcome the difficulties of this new world order, hoping that the virus will not mutate.Countries: UKLanguages: English
What it has: Eclectic group of people surviving together, Modern-day post-apocalyptic setting, Love stories within a horror story
What it’s missing: Crazy Surprises, Zombies
Special similarities: Very reminiscent of the first season of TWD
Where you can watch it: Amazon
8. Jericho
Jericho | TV Series (2006–2008) 2700min | Action, Drama, Mystery | TV Series (2006–2008)
Writer: Stephen Chbosky, Josh Schaer, Jonathan E. SteinbergStars: Skeet Ulrich, Lennie James, Ashley Scott
Summary: A small town in Kansas is literally left in the dark after seeing a mushroom cloud over near-by Denver, Colorado. The townspeople struggle to find answers about the blast and solutions on how to survive.Countries: USALanguages: English
What it has: Eclectic group of people surviving together, Modern-day post-apocalyptic setting, Crazy surprises, Love stories within a horror story
What it’s missing: Zombies
Special similarities: Similar group of survivors completely confused by the apocalypse and how to handle it
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu, CBS, Google Play
7. Maggie
Maggie (2015) 95min | Drama, Horror | 8 May 2015 (USA)
Director: Henry HobsonWriter: John Scott 3Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Abigail Breslin, Joely Richardson
Summary: A teenage girl in the Midwest becomes infected by an outbreak of a disease that slowly turns the infected into cannibalistic zombies. During her transformation, her loving father stays by her side.Countries: USA, SwitzerlandLanguages: English
What it has: Modern-day post-apocalyptic setting, Love stories within a horror story, Zombies
What it’s missing: Eclectic group of people surviving together, Crazy surprises
Special similarities: The power of a father’s love for his child
Where you can watch it: Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango Now, Google Play, Vudu, Tubi, Redbox
6. Carriers
Carriers (2009) 84min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi | 2 September 2009 (Indonesia)
Director: David Pastor, Àlex PastorWriter: Àlex Pastor, David PastorStars: Chris Pine, Piper Perabo, Lou Taylor Pucci
Summary: As a lethal virus spreads globally, four friends seek a reputed plague-free haven. But while avoiding the infected, the travelers turn on one another.Countries: USALanguages: English
What it has: Eclectic(ish) group of people surviving together, Modern-day post-apocalyptic setting, Crazy Surprises, Love stories within a horror story
What it’s missing: Zombies
Special similarities: Very horror-centric
Where you can watch it: Amazon, Google Play, Fandango Now, Vudu, Apple TV, Tubi, Fubo, Showtime
5. Falling Skies
Falling Skies | TV Series (2011–2015) 2520min | Action, Adventure, Drama | TV Series (2011–2015)
Writer: Robert RodatStars: Noah Wyle, Drew Roy, Maxim Knight
Summary: Survivors of an alien attack on earth gather together to fight for their lives and fight back.Countries: USA, CanadaLanguages: English
What it has: Eclectic group of people surviving together, Modern-day post-apocalyptic setting, Crazy surprises, Love stories within a horror story
What it’s missing: Zombies
Special similarities: It’s basically TWD with aliens.
Where you can watch it: Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, Hoopla
4. The Crazies
The Crazies (2010) 101min | Horror, Thriller | 26 February 2010 (USA)
Director: Breck EisnerWriter: Scott Kosar, Ray WrightStars: Radha Mitchell, Timothy Olyphant, Danielle Panabaker
Summary: After a strange and insecure plane crash, an unusual toxic virus enters a quaint farming town. A young couple are quarantined, but they fight for survival along with help from a couple of people.Countries: USA, United Arab EmiratesLanguages: English
What it has: Eclectic group of people surviving together, Modern-day post-apocalyptic setting, Crazy surprises, Love stories within a horror story, Zombies (kinda)
What it’s missing: Nothing
Special similarities: Main character is a no-nonsense Law Enforcement Officer
Where you can watch it: Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, Hoopla, Tubi, Redbox
3. Z Nation
Z Nation | TV Series (2014–2018) 2640min | Action, Comedy, Drama | TV Series (2014–2018)
Writer: Craig Engler, Karl SchaeferStars: Russell Hodgkinson, Nat Zang, Keith Allan
Summary: Three years after the zombie virus has gutted the United States of America a team of everyday heroes must transport the only known survivor of the plague from New York to California, where the last functioning viral lab waits for his blood.Countries: USALanguages: English
What it has: Eclectic group of people surviving together, Modern-day post-apocalyptic setting, Crazy surprises, Love stories within a horror story, Zombies
What it’s missing: Nothing
Special similarities: One of the closest TV shows to get that complete TWD formula right.
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon, Fandango Now, Vudu, Google Play
2. Black Summer
Black Summer | TV Series (2019– ) 2400min | Action, Drama, Horror | TV Series (2019– )
Writer: John Hyams, Karl SchaeferStars: Justin Chu Cary, Jaime King, Christine Lee
Summary: In the dark, early days of a zombie apocalypse, complete strangers band together to find the strength they need to survive and get back to loved ones.Countries: Canada, USALanguages: English
What it has: Eclectic group of people surviving together, Modern-day post-apocalyptic setting, Crazy surprises, Love stories within a horror story, Zombies
What it’s missing: Nothing
Special similarities: This is made by the Z Nation folks, so it’s another that gets the TWD formula right
Where you can watch it: Netflix
1. Fear The Walking Dead
Fear the Walking Dead | TV Series (2015– ) 2640min | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi | TV Series (2015– )
Writer: Dave Erickson, Robert KirkmanStars: Kim Dickens, Frank Dillane, Cliff Curtis
Summary: A Walking Dead spin-off, set in Los Angeles, following two families who must band together to survive the undead apocalypse.Countries: USA, MexicoLanguages: English
What it has: Eclectic group of people surviving together, Modern-day post-apocalyptic setting, Crazy surprises, Love stories within a horror story, Zombies
What it’s missing: Nothing
Special similarities: It’s a spin-off of TWD, so everything!
Where you can watch it: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon, Fandango Now, Vudu, Google Play, Redbox
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