How To Watch Every Walking Dead Show In Chronological Order

Navigating the expansive universe of AMC’s The Walking Dead can be a daunting task. With nearly 30 seasons of television in the franchise, plus time jumps and intertwining storylines, understanding the chronological order of events is important to understanding the greater context. For first-time viewers and rewatchers alike, approaching the shows along their in-world timeline can provide a clearer picture of how the crumbling civilization affects the characters over time.

Since its debut in 2010, The Walking Dead has expanded into multiple spinoffs, exploring new settings, fresh characters, and different perspectives on survival. The franchise spans over a decade, covering space and time in the walker-infested world, from the outbreak’s early days to rebuilding empires. This guide tracks the order of events as they happen to the characters, so viewers can experience The Walking Dead universe as if they were living in it.

The Walking Dead Timeline at a Glance

Fear the Walking Dead (Seasons 1–3)

Fear the Walking Dead serves as a prequel to the original series, beginning just as the walker outbreak starts. The first three seasons introduce us to a new group of survivors led by Kim Dickens’ Madison Clark, a high school guidance counselor, her fiancé Travis Manawa, played by Cliff Curtis, and their family. Unlike The Walking Dead, which starts after society has already fallen, Fear the Walking Dead provides a slow burn of chaos, showing the world collapsing in real-time.

The first season primarily takes place in Los Angeles, where the characters struggle to understand the virus. As civilization begins to break down, the military takes drastic measures, forcing the survivors to flee. The second and third seasons shift the action to Mexico and Texas, where the group encounters different factions trying to establish control. These early-world seasons provide crucial context for the outbreak’s origins and how society initially tried—and failed—to contain the crisis.

The Walking Dead (Seasons 1–8)

After Fear the Walking Dead sets the stage, the original series begins with The Walking Dead Season 1. This is where we meet Andrew Lincoln’s legendary protagonist, Rick Grimes, a sheriff’s deputy who wakes up from a coma to discover the world has been overrun by the undead. His journey to reunite with his family—Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) and Carl (Chandler Riggs)—and build a safe community forms the foundation of the franchise.

Seasons 1 through 8 follow Rick and his growing group of survivors as they navigate life in the apocalypse. The show introduces iconic characters like Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride), and Michonne (Danai Gurira). The group faces numerous threats, from roving bands of walkers to some of the franchise’s most terrifying villains, including the Governor (David Morrissey) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Season 8 culminates in a dramatic battle with Negan’s group, the Saviors. By the end of this era, leadership shifts, and the story prepares for a significant time jump.

Fear the Walking Dead (Season 4)

Season 4 of Fear the Walking Dead aligns with the timeline of The Walking Dead and introduces Lennie James’ Morgan Jones, a fan-favorite character from the original series. After leaving Rick’s group, Morgan ventures west and encounters a new set of survivors, including John Dorie (Garrett Dillahunt) and Althea (Maggie Grace). The survivors attempt to create a new community but face resistance from the brutal Vultures and the unpredictable nature of the apocalypse.

Tales of the Walking Dead

Tales of the Walking Dead is an anthology series set in The Walking Dead universe. It offers standalone stories about various characters at different points in the apocalypse. While the series doesn’t follow a linear timeline, most episodes occur around this period, after the zombie apocalypse.

Each episode presents a self-contained narrative, ranging from comedic to horror-driven tales. While not essential to the main timeline, this series enriches the world-building and gives fans a broader view of the apocalypse beyond the main storylines.

The Walking Dead (Season 9)

Season 9 is one of the most transformative seasons of The Walking Dead. The first half follows Rick Grimes as he makes a heroic sacrifice, leading to his presumed death. However, he is secretly taken by the mysterious Civic Republic Military (CRM), a subplot that will be explored in the miniseries The Ones Who Live.

The latter half of the season jumps forward six years, showing how Alexandria, Hilltop, and the Kingdom have evolved. It also introduces the Whisperers, a terrifying group that wears walker skins to blend in and control the undead. This season marks a turning point, as the series shifts from Rick’s leadership to a more community-driven narrative.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (Miniseries)

This highly anticipated spin-off finally reveals what happened to Rick after he was taken by the CRM in Season 9. The Ones Who Live follows Rick’s struggle within the heavily militarized organization, uncovering the truth about their power, operations, and the cost of survival. Meanwhile, Michonne embarks on a dangerous journey to find him, leading to an emotional reunion with far-reaching consequences.

There is some debate about where this season falls chronologically, as its events primarily occur alongside those of The Walking Dead Seasons 10 and 11. However, it does some work to fill the gap presented in Season 9, which is why it is placed here.

Fear the Walking Dead (Season 5)

After the explosive events of Season 4, Fear the Walking Dead Season 5 follows Morgan’s group as they search for other survivors. Along the way, they encounter Matt Frewer’s Logan, a former ally-turned-antagonist who opposes their humanitarian efforts and seeks resources for his own gain.

The season also teases connections to the CRM, with the introduction of a black helicopter bearing the same symbol seen when Rick was taken. Season 5 is a pivotal installment as it deepens Morgan’s story while connecting the main cast’s CRM storyline.

The Walking Dead (Season 10)

Season 10 of The Walking Dead picks up immediately after the events of Season 9, continuing the high-stakes battle against the Whisperers. The conflict with Alpha (Samantha Morton) and Beta (Ryan Hurst) intensifies as Alexandria and Hilltop struggle to survive against their relentless attacks. The season explores paranoia, survival tactics, and shifting alliances as the communities rally together to put an end to the Whisperer threat.

In addition to the brutal war, Season 10 also expands on Negan’s controversial redemption arc. After years of imprisonment, Negan infiltrates the Whisperers and ultimately plays a key role in Alpha’s downfall. His journey from ruthless antagonist to complex anti-hero is one of the franchise’s most hotly debated storylines. This season also sets up the growing influence of the Commonwealth, which becomes the primary focus of Season 11.

The Walking Dead: The World Beyond (Seasons 1–2)

A two-season limited series, The Walking Dead: The World Beyond delves into the Civic Republic Military and their hidden influence over the apocalypse. The show follows a group of teenagers, led by sisters Iris (Aliyah Royale) and Hope (Alexa Mansour), who leave the safety of their home to find their missing father. Their journey introduces audiences to the inner workings of the CRM, shedding light on their motivations and brutal tactics.

The series also ties directly into the larger Walking Dead universe, particularly in its connection to Rick Grimes. By the end of Season 2, major revelations about the CRM’s experiments and military dominance connect to Rick’s harrowing experience. World Beyond serves as a crucial piece in the puzzle of The Walking Dead timeline, providing key information about one of the franchise’s most mysterious factions.

The Walking Dead (Season 11)

The final season of the original Walking Dead series introduces the Commonwealth, a massive and well-organized civilization that presents a stark contrast to the brutal world outside. Led by Laila Robins’ Governor Pamela Milton, the Commonwealth offers resources, safety, and a return to a structured society. However, its class system and underlying corruption lead to tensions that ultimately explode into full-scale rebellion.

Season 11 also brings closure to many long-running character arcs while laying the groundwork for future spin-offs. As the flagship series comes to an end, its finale serves as both an emotional farewell and a springboard for the next phase of The Walking Dead franchise.

Fear the Walking Dead (Seasons 6–8)

These final two seasons of Fear the Walking Dead take a darker and more unpredictable turn, shifting from its earlier survival-focused narratives to more political and psychological conflicts. Season 6 explores the survivors under the rule of Virginia, played by Colby Minifie, an authoritarian leader whose oppressive methods create division among the group and her ultimate downfall.

Season 7 introduces a new, devastating threat—a nuclear explosion that transforms the world into an even more desolate wasteland. The subsequent Season 8 serves as the conclusion to Fear the Walking Dead, bringing many storylines and character arcs to a close. The final battle forces Morgan, Madison, and their allies to make impossible choices. The series ends with a mix of heartbreak and hope, solidifying its place as a crucial chapter in the Walking Dead universe while paving the way for new spinoffs.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (Seasons 1–2)

Original series fan-favorite Daryl Dixon embarks on an unexpected journey when he wakes up in France with no memory of how he got there. The show explores a new side of The Walking Dead, introducing French survivors and dangerous new walker variants. With a new setting and unique challenges, Daryl Dixon offers an exciting departure from the main series.

The second season expands on the scientific experiments that have been taking place, hinting at new revelations about the origins of the outbreak. With action-packed sequences, stunning European landscapes, and deep character exploration, Daryl Dixon carves out its own identity within the franchise.

The Walking Dead: Dead City (Season 1)

This gritty sequel spin-off follows main series characters Maggie, portrayed by Lauren Cohan, and former-warlord Negan, into post-apocalyptic New York City, where they face a dangerous new enemy, The Croat (Željko Ivanek). With skyscrapers overtaken by walkers and brutal human factions ruling the streets, the series provides a fresh, claustrophobic take on survival horror.

Maggie’s desperate search for her kidnapped son forces her into an uneasy alliance with Negan, reigniting old tensions between the two—their dynamic fueling the heart of Dead City, and elaborating on the emotional impact of Maggie’s husband’s (Steven Yeun’s Glenn) death at the hand of Negan in The Walking Dead Season 7. The show expands the universe while setting up major developments for the franchise’s future, including the use of walkers for biofuel, and the introduction of a new big bad—Lisa Emery’s The Dama.

By following this chronological guide, viewers can experience the intricate and interconnected stories of The Walking Dead universe as they unfold within the world, gaining a deeper appreciation for the characters’ journeys and the evolution of the post-apocalyptic civilization.