Cheer The Walking Dead Alternatives
Back in its heyday, The Walking Dead was one of the biggest shows on network TV. Adapted from the comic books sporting the same name, Walking Dead was brutal, action-packed and full of drama. The later seasons did slip in quality, but despite that, its cultural impact is undeniable.
If you’ve finished watching this one and are looking for alternate shows to binge through, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you’ve finished streaming The Walking Dead.
Z Nation
Similarities – Zombies & Family Unit
When it comes to the zombie apocalypse, Z Nation is a quirky and well written zombie series that certainly doesn’t take itself too seriously. However, what it lacks in big set pieces and polish, it more than makes up for with its wicked humour and ideas.
The story takes place 3 years after a zombie virus has decimated the United States of America. However, a team of everyday heroes are tasked with transporting the only known survivor of the plague from New York to California, where the last functioning viral lab waits for his blood.
This is a show intent on having as much fun as possible while upping the stakes every season. The later segments of this one are bonkers but it’s the tight-knit family vibes that make this an easy sell.
You can read our thoughts on Z Nation in our full season reviews here!
Black Summer
Similarities – Action & Frantic Set-Pieces
Black Summer is an interesting take on the downfall of humanity, sticking much closer to the days of humanity’s downfall rather than the post apocalyptic wasteland depicted in so many other shows.
Despite some strange stylistic choices and questionable character logic, Black Summer maintains a consistent danger throughout, with intelligent, fast zombies and an extremely tense atmosphere gripping most of the season.
You can read our thoughts on Black Summer in our full season reviews here!
Kingdom
Similarities – Zombies
Beautifully presented and dripping in Asian culture, zombie action-thriller Kingdom is quite the thrill ride. Split across two seasons, Kingdom effortlessly blends political drama with a thrilling action plot, full of beautifully shot set pieces.
It’s one of the few shows that balances the action with drama nicely. This one is full of tension and suspense too, leading to the welcome prospect of a possible third season on the horizon.
You can read our thoughts on Kingdom in our full season reviews here!
To The Lake
Similarities – Gritty slow-burn
To The Lake feels like a mash-up between the latter half of 28 Days Later and The Walking Dead Season 1. The human drama is tense, the characters nicely developed and the dystopian world is bleak and unforgiving.
At the heart of this, a terrible plague strikes and a group decides to risk their lives to escape. Specifically, they intend to reach a lake that may be their last refuge for salvation. However, humanity struggles to survive as the end of civilization looms heavy.
This plays out much closer to a character-driven commentary about the selfishness and paranoia hidden away in all of us.
You can read our thoughts on To The Lake in our full season review here!
The Last Of Us
Similarities – Zombies & Drama
Adapted from the popular videogame series sporting the same name, The Last Of Us takes place right after a global pandemic destroys civilization. A hardened survivor called Joel is forced to take charge of a 14-year-old girl who may be humanity’s last hope.
With plenty of brutal action, lots of deep characterisation and plenty of drama throughout, The Last Of Us is a solid adaptation. There’s plenty to enjoy here, and the visual design is fantastic too, with a faithful recreation of specific areas from the game and a real gritty and beautiful feel of this being a post-apocalyptic world.
Falling Skies
Similarities – Action & Characters
Falling Skies is basically The Walking Dead with aliens. There’s plenty of drama, action and tense segments interspersed across the five seasons but do be aware the season finale at the end of 5 is considered to be pretty bad.
The tale centers on survivors of an alien attack on Earth who gather together to fight for their lives and fight back against the invaders. There’s plenty of interpersonal drama, relationship issues and all that jazz, alongside the actual fight against the aliens.
If you’re looking for something that has a similar up-and-down vibe and characters you can get behind, this one may be worth a shout.
Snowpiercer
Similarities – Class Warfare, Dystopian Setting
Orphan Black creator Graeme Manson mans the engines of this serial adaptation of the movie sporting the same name. At the centre of this conflict lies the same hierarchical class issues as the source material, teasing a possible rebellion on the horizon.
The story takes place in a frigid post-apocalyptic wasteland. With biting winds that can freeze you in an instant, the only sanctuary comes in the form of a high-speed train called Snowpiercer circling the globe.
With the Snowpiercer segmented into different classes, the “Tailies” and 3rd Class are fed scraps and given little light or hope. By comparison, the bright, lavish carriages in 1st class play host to powerful and influential men and women living the high life.
Across four seasons, Snowpiercer blends action, mystery and drama together into an enticing cocktail of influences.
You can read our thoughts on Snowpiercer in our full season reviews here!
Survivors
Similarities – Outbreak & Characters
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. Sound familiar?
Welcome to Survivors, a BBC drama about the end of the world. The characters are well written, the pacing is nicely balanced and the relatively easy 12 episode run-time (6 episodes a season) makes this an easy show to get into and a difficult one to put down.
Dead Set
Similarities – Zombies
Channel 4 has a knack for creating cult hits from nothing. Dead Set is another such example, revolving around a zombie apocalypse that takes place outside the walls of Big Brother. However, the house-mates inside are actually unaware of the impending doom outside, making for some really clever writing and solid drama.
With a great blend of horror and comedy, Dead Set is a surprisingly tense and well written series coming straight from the mind of Charlie Brooker.
This is one of those underrated gems that’s gone completely under the radar, but it’s a really solid watch.
The Strain
Similarities – Outbreak & Action
Split across four seasons, The Strain combines elements of a viral outbreak with vampires in an explosive and bloody fight that encapsulates the entire show.
At the heart of this fight lies Dr. Ephraim Goodweather who leads a group of New Yorkers to fight against the undead and secure the fate of humanity itself.
It’s a thrilling, decently paced show and although there are a few lulls along the way, this one does an excellent job keeping tensions high throughout.
So there we have it, our 10 TV show picks to keep you busy in the wake of The Walking Dead drawing near its final conclusion.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!