Since George Romero modernized the zombie concept in his landmark horror film The Night of the Living Dead, the monster has become a staple of entertainment and pop culture. In film, arguably no other ghastly creation has gotten more attention, and this fascination has slowly made its way into the realm of television, creating one of the most popular TV franchises of all time: The Walking Dead. Despite this, the number of Zombie TV shows outside the franchise is seemingly few and far between, and it can be difficult for audiences to find that next undead fix.
Yet, if you dig a little deeper and are okay trying new takes on the zombie genre, you may unearth some new horrors you previously missed. From standout anime series to bite-sized single-season horrors, these 10 series may not all directly compare to The Walking Dead, but they offer thrills, chills, and occasional laughs to make them worthy of your time.
10Freakish (2016 – 2018)
A group of high school students in detention become the possible last survivors in a town when a local chemical plant blows up and turns the populace into zombie-like monsters deemed ‘freaks’ by the teenagers. The group must navigate their new reality and deal with power struggles and high emotions among the group as they face the severity of their situation.
Teenage Terrors for a Younger Horror Audience
Combining horror, comedy, and teenage drama elements, Freakish carved out a comfortable niche as a Hulu original series, lasting two seasons before being canceled. The series benefited from shorter episodes (23 minutes each) and a cast of Disney Channel alumni, including Leo Howard of Kickin’ It and Adam Hicks of Zeke and Luther, making Freakish perfectly tailored to a slightly more mature Disney audience.
This one may not be the intense thrill ride die-hard zombie fans would like, but Freakish is a perfect series for younger audiences or those with children looking to dip their toes into the horror genre.
Stream Freakish on Hulu.
9Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (2023)
Akira Tendou is a 24-year-old office worker bored with the daily grind and wishing for more extraordinary things. So, when a zombie apocalypse breaks out, Akira openly embraces it as an opportunity to do what he wants instead of giving in to the doom and gloom of the world-ending scenario. He is accompanied by his best friend Kencho and new acquaintance Shizuka. The three work together to complete Akira’s bucket list while fighting off hordes of zombies.
Having a Blast During the Zombie Apocalypse
The clever critique of modern culture and societal pressures gives Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead an infectiously dark wit and edge over many other zombie TV series. The standout horror anime series also shucks the general drab pallet of other titles to offer a bright, vibrant, and exciting world perfect for the adventures of Akira Tendou and his friends.
A great mix of dark comedy, horror, and action, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead has proven successful with a hit manga and live-action feature film, showing that the series has its charms.
Stream Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead on Netflix.
8Death Valley (2011)
Shot in a mockumentary style, Death Valley followed the daily exploits of the Undead Task Force (UTF), a division of the Los Angeles Police Department. The team is tasked and fitted with the latest in monster hunting tech, tasked with controlling the bizarre influx of vampires, werewolves, and zombies appearing in California’s San Fernando Valley. However, it is not all guts and glory controlling the undead, and the camera crew gets an insight into the bumbling antics of the ‘elite’ force.
Undead Task Force, Go!
Death Valley offered a unique premise, predating more popular shows like the always hilarious What We Do in Shadows, to have a comedic and satirical look at the horror genre.
The show never took itself seriously, was quick to bring the gore, and poked fun at more popular media like Twilight and The Walking Dead; for a small fan base, it worked wonders. However, Death Valley lacked the audience needed to carry it, especially on the more youth-oriented MTV network, and it was canceled after one season. Still, the series is a fun ride and a wonderfully silly take on the zombie genre.
7Dead Set (2008)
Dead Set follows a group of contestants in a reality TV show reminiscent of Big Brother. When a zombie apocalypse breaks out, the contestants on the show are unaware of the chaos in the outside world. Still, when they don’t hear from the production staff that usually provides food and information, they slowly expect something has gone wrong on the outside. When they leave the compound, their fight for survival begins.
Well-Executed Social Commentary Through Horror
From the mind of Charlie Brooker, the man behind the mind-altering show Black Mirror, it is unsurprising that Dead Set would hide more significant implications behind its story.
Much like zombies returning to a mall in George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, the undead turning to their screens to watch Big Brother is a scathing commentary on our idle and empty obsession with ‘celebritydom’ and cheap drama. The miniseries is not all social commentary, though, and those who want scares and gore won’t be disappointed by this expertly executed zombie TV series.
6Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (2016)
Humanity is entering a golden age of technology, but their push forward is hindered by a devastating disease that turns people into creatures known as Kabane, violent zombie-like monsters.
The story follows Ikoma and Mumei, who are tasked with protecting a steam locomotive used to transport people and equipment between colonies. As the two venture forth, Ikoma learns he has some abilities of the Kabane, making him both a valuable asset and an object of fear among Japan’s survivors.
A Steam Punk Inspired Zombie Wasteland
Steampunk-inspired zombie chaos? Yes, please! Even those not into anime will likely appreciate how Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress approaches the zombie genre, with explosive action and a sleek aesthetic that mixes horror and fantasy elements in a wholly unique world.
The only downside here is that despite its first season being so well received, a second season was never made, and the attempt to right this with the movie Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato years later did not live up to the strong, emotional, storytelling elements that made the TV series addictive.
Stream Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress on Netflix.
5The Last of Us (2023 – Present)
In a post-apocalyptic world overwhelmed by a deadly fungus that turns those infected into aggressive monsters, it is up to hardened survivor Joel to protect 14-year-old Ellie, who has proven immune to the infection. Joel must transport Ellie across a devastated landscape full of terrors and threats to get her to a group that believes her immunity may be the key to humankind’s survival.
The Best Choice for Walking Dead Fans
Bearing in mind that the cast and crew were forbidden from evoking the word ‘zombie’ when discussing the movie, going with the preferred term ‘infected,’ The Last of Us still resonates with those undead vibes that had fans new and old pushing the series to the top of the streaming charts.
This is particularly true for fans of The Walking Dead, as stepping outside the definition of the monsters on screen, The Last of Us offered the same thoughtful approach to the horror genre while faithfully adapting the source material. Character development and emotional storytelling are the key here, but it does not hurt that the production value is top-notch.
4Zomboat! (2019)
When a zombie apocalypse breaks out, gaming expert Kat feels she is ready to face any threats with her extensive knowledge of the undead and brings her sister Jo with her to hijack a boat to stay safe from the hordes. Here, they meet two stowaways, Sunny and Amar, and the four form an alliance to get the crawling canal boat to the haven of Eel Pie Island. The four must navigate the ongoing zombie threat and their personalities to survive.
A Comedic Zombie Slow Chase
Upbeat and humorous, the British series Zomboat! offered a fantastic bit of comedic escapism over six episodes. The premise of a slowly moving boat offering a window to the world’s end with an eccentric yet relatable cast of characters certainly helped the series’ charm. Fans of British comedy would do themselves a favor by checking out Zomboat!
Even though it was cut short with a single season, the content available is perfect for a weekend binge session and offers a nice change from the doom and gloom of other zombie series.
Stream Zomboat! on Hulu.
3High School of the Dead (2010)
A typical school day for outsider Takashi Komuro quickly becomes a chaotic nightmare when zombies overwhelm Fujimi High School in Japan, leaving him one of the few left alive. However, in the chaos, he finds other survivors from the school, many of them surviving thanks to their skills with technology, guns, or swords from their club activities.
Escaping a zombie-infested school soon becomes the least of the group’s concerns, as they have to navigate a zombie-infested city with desperate survivors offering as big of a threat as the undead.
Stylish Zombie Slaying
Take this recommendation with a grain of salt, as the amount of fan service in this series will be a bit too silly for some, and those who don’t appreciate the constant focus on exaggerated female forms will dislike the approach here. That said, High School of The Dead is an explosive zombie series that has garnered a cult following in the anime community for its action, gore, comedy, and intensity.
This is a case of style over substance, but the anime series will be a blast for those just wanting non-stop, over-the-top fun. The animation is also fantastic, and the style makes it one of the most visually sharp anime series of the 2010s.
Stream High School of the Dead on Hulu.
2Helix (2014 – 2015)
A team of scientists from the CDC is dispatched to a remote Arctic research facility to investigate a potentially deadly outbreak. As the crew learns more about the disease and the dark secrets hidden in the facility, they learn that what they are dealing with has much grander repercussions than any disease. The situation becomes desperate when the infected start to overwhelm the facility, some showing signs of deformities and extremely violent behavior.
A Unique Sci-Fi Take on Infection-themed Horror
Like The Last of Us, the show’s creators were adamant that the creatures featured were not zombies. While this is true with those infected retaining elements of their humanity, Helix still offers a thoughtful and frightful approach to horror that puts it comfortably in zombie-adjacent territory.
Fans of the acclaimed series The Returned, which has a similar approach to the undead with their humanity intact, will appreciate the thoughtful twist on infection-themed horror. Helix is also thick with atmosphere and delivers plenty of plot twists to keep viewers invested over its two-season run.
Sadly, the show ended abruptly, with the second season being less well-received than the first, but there is still enough content here to make it noteworthy for zombie fans.
Stream Helix of Hulu or Tubi.
1All of Us Are Dead (2022 – Present)
After a virus breaks out at Hyosan High School, transforming the majority of students into aggressive, flesh-eating zombies, several students must navigate the dangerous landscape to survive. Cut off from the rest of Korea, also in chaos, the students become the focal point of national interest when it is revealed that one of the school’s teachers may have started the outbreak.
One of the Best Korean Horror Series Ever Made
Out of all the original programming on Netflix, Korean TV series have reigned supreme for exciting content. This is particularly true of their horror content, which masterfully blends sensational horror with emotional drama; All of Us Are Dead is one of the best examples.
The survival stories of the various students, their struggles with trust, and their desire to see their family and find safety are as engaging as the violent zombie attacks they have to fend off constantly. You’ll shed a tear between screams of horror; what more could you want from a modern zombie TV series? All of Us Are Dead is a great companion to The Walking Dead; despite a different tone and pace, the two offer an emotionally poignant look at survival under extreme situations.
