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The Undead Empire: Ranking All 7 The Walking Dead Shows And What’s Coming In 2025

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The Walking Dead Universe is not just surviving; it's aggressively expanding. As of late 2025, the franchise has solidified its place as a sprawling, interconnected zombie epic, moving far beyond the original Georgia-based group of survivors. The days of a single, central narrative are long gone, replaced by a trifecta of highly anticipated character-focused spin-offs that are currently dominating the conversation and setting the stage for a potential grand reunion. The latest news confirms major developments for the flagship spin-offs, with *Dead City* and *Daryl Dixon* both returning to screens with fresh, compelling plotlines that continue the story of fan-favorite characters in entirely new, dangerous locales. The sheer volume of content—seven major series in total—can be overwhelming, but it’s a testament to the enduring appeal of the post-apocalyptic world created by Robert Kirkman. The new chapters, especially the highly-praised *The Ones Who Live*, have successfully injected new life and high-stakes drama back into the franchise, satisfying viewers who craved closure for core characters like Rick Grimes and Michonne. The universe is now defined by three distinct, ongoing character sagas, each exploring different corners of the ravaged world, from the urban jungle of New York City to the mysterious, walker-infested landscapes of France.

The Complete TWD Show Universe: A Definitive Ranking (2025 Update)

To truly appreciate the current state of the franchise, it helps to look back at the journey. From the groundbreaking original series to the experimental anthologies, here is a definitive ranking of all seven major *The Walking Dead* television shows, based on critical reception, narrative impact, and overall topical authority within the universe.

1. The Walking Dead (2010–2022)

The original, the blueprint, and the foundation of the entire empire. While its later seasons were often criticized for pacing issues, the early years are undeniable masterpieces of tension, character development, and apocalyptic horror. It introduced us to icons like Daryl Dixon, Maggie Rhee, and Negan, and set the standard for the entire zombie genre. Its 11-season run concluded in 2022, but its legacy lives on through every spin-off.

2. The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (2024 Miniseries)

This miniseries was the reunion fans had been waiting for, finally resolving the decade-long mystery of Rick Grimes’ disappearance. The six-episode event brought Rick and Michonne back together, pitting them against the formidable Civic Republic Military (CRM). The show was praised for its cinematic scope, emotional depth, and providing a satisfying (though potentially not final) conclusion to their tumultuous love story. It also established the CRM as the largest and most dangerous entity in the entire TWD Universe.

3. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (2023–Present)

Unexpectedly transplanted to France, Daryl Dixon’s solo journey has been a refreshing change of scenery. The show introduced new, terrifying variants of walkers and a compelling religious group, the Union of Hope, led by Isabelle. Its French setting and focus on the search for a potential new messiah, Laurent, gave it a unique identity. The first season was a critical success, setting the stage for the highly anticipated return of a fan-favorite character.

4. The Walking Dead: Dead City (2023–Present)

A high-stakes road trip that paired two of the most volatile characters in the franchise: Maggie and Negan. Their uneasy alliance to rescue Maggie’s son, Hershel, in a walker-infested Manhattan was a huge draw. The series succeeded by focusing on their complex, deeply damaged relationship and introducing a new antagonist, The Croat. It's a short, punchy series that feels like a return to the franchise's grittier roots.

5. Fear the Walking Dead (2015–2023)

The first spin-off, *Fear the Walking Dead*, had a rocky but ultimately long run. Starting as a prequel in Los Angeles and focusing on the initial outbreak, it eventually caught up to the main timeline and introduced crossover characters like Morgan Jones and Dwight. While its later seasons struggled with narrative coherence, its initial focus on the breakdown of society was a chilling and unique take on the apocalypse. The series concluded its run in 2023.

6. The Walking Dead: World Beyond (2020–2021)

A two-season limited series that focused on the first generation of survivors to come of age in the apocalypse, specifically the young residents of the Campus Colony. Its main purpose was to provide crucial world-building context for the mysterious CRM, a task it performed admirably, even if the main characters and plot didn't always resonate with the core audience. It paved the way for *The Ones Who Live*.

7. Tales of the Walking Dead (2022)

This anthology series offered standalone episodes exploring new characters and backstories, including a return for Dee (Alpha) and introducing Terry Crews as the survivalist Joe. While a fun experiment in format, the inconsistency of the episodes and lack of impact on the main narrative place it at the bottom of the list. It’s a great way to explore the various facets of the apocalypse without the commitment of a full series.

What’s Next? The TWD Universe in 2025 and Beyond

The most exciting news for fans centers on the confirmed returns of the two most successful spin-offs: *Dead City* and *Daryl Dixon*. Both are slated to continue their stories, promising more action, character development, and a deeper dive into the world’s new power structures.

The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 Plot Details

The second season of *Dead City* is one of the biggest confirmed events for the TWD Universe, with its premiere set for Sunday, May 4, 2025, on AMC and AMC+.

Season 1 concluded with Maggie making a deal with the new leader of the New Babylon community, Marshall Perlie Armstrong, to bring Negan back to face justice for his past crimes. This set up a massive conflict, as Negan was seemingly in a position of power with the formidable Dama in Manhattan.

  • The Negan/Maggie Dynamic: Season 2 will immediately dive into the fallout of Maggie's betrayal. The tension between the two characters is the core of the show, and this new arrangement, where Negan is essentially a prisoner or a pawn, will push their relationship to its breaking point.
  • New Babylon's Role: We will see more of the New Babylon Federation, a large, organized community similar to the Commonwealth, which is seeking to expand its influence and eliminate threats like the Manhattan survivors. Marshall Armstrong’s pursuit of Negan will be a central narrative driver.
  • The Croat's Legacy: While The Croat was a major antagonist in the first season, the focus is expected to shift to the larger political machinations of Dama and the growing threat of New Babylon, with Negan caught in the middle.

The return of both leads, Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, for a second season promises a dark, morally gray continuation of their saga, further cementing *Dead City* as a must-watch for fans of complex character drama.

Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol – A Long-Awaited Reunion

The second season of *The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon*, officially subtitled *The Book of Carol*, is perhaps the most anticipated continuation. The finale of Season 1 saw Carol Peletier (played by Melissa McBride) finally track Daryl down via radio, setting up her journey across the Atlantic to find him.

The new season promises a dual-narrative structure:

  • Carol's Search: Carol’s storyline will focus on her determined search for Daryl, likely involving her own encounters with the remnants of the Commonwealth and the new challenges of the post-apocalyptic world back in the States. The search for information about Daryl will be fraught with peril, forcing Carol to use her unique survival skills.
  • Daryl in France: Daryl remains in France, where he is dedicated to protecting young Laurent and Isabelle from the dangerous group known as Pouvoir. The second season will continue to explore the advanced walker variants, the 'Burners' and 'Strikers', and the political struggle within the French survivor communities.
  • The Full Reunion: The ultimate goal is the on-screen reunion of the two best friends, a moment that fans have been waiting for since Daryl was swept away to Europe. Melissa McBride is now a series regular, confirming her integral role in the show's future.

The blend of Carol's emotional journey and Daryl's high-stakes fight against the French antagonists promises a powerful and action-packed season. The show continues to be a crucial part of the TWD Universe, exploring the global impact of the outbreak far beyond the familiar American landscape.

The Future of The Walking Dead: Crossovers and Timeline

The biggest question looming over the entire franchise is the potential for a massive, universe-spanning crossover. The successful resolution of Rick and Michonne’s story in *The Ones Who Live* has opened the door for them to potentially reunite with Daryl, Carol, Maggie, and Negan.

The current timeline places *The Ones Who Live* and the ongoing spin-offs after the main series' final time jump. This means that all the core characters are essentially operating in the same time frame, making a crossover logistically possible for the first time in years. While no official crossover series has been confirmed, industry rumors and reports continue to suggest that AMC is actively developing a "Crossover Reunion Series" that would bring all these major players back together.

The focus on the CRM across multiple shows—from *The Ones Who Live* to *World Beyond*—suggests that this massive military group will be the ultimate, overarching villain that forces all the separate survivor groups to finally unite. The future of the TWD Universe is not about finding a cure; it's about fighting for freedom against the most powerful organization to emerge from the apocalypse.

From the streets of Alexandria to the fortified walls of the CRM, the journey of these survivors is far from over. The 2025 slate of shows confirms that the undead empire is thriving, delivering fresh narratives and long-awaited reunions that continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Keep an eye on the developments, as the grand finale of the entire saga may be closer than you think, potentially culminating in a battle against the CRM that decides the fate of the entire world.

The Undead Empire: Ranking All 7 The Walking Dead Shows and What’s Coming in 2025
the walking dead shows
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