The Walking Dead Timeline: A Complete Guide for Every Show
The Walking Dead series runs across several shows over many seasons and years of narrative. Following this complex chronicle can be difficult since the main series and spinoffs occur at different points in the continuing story. From Rick Grimes' waking to the most recent exploits in the post-apocalyptic world, this is a thorough overview of the Walking Dead chronology.
Main Series's Walking Dead Timeline
Rick Grimes wakes up on day 59 of the zombie epidemic, roughly mid-to-late 2010, starting The Walking Dead main series. Major time jumps occur between seasons as the show spans more than 13 years.
The Walking Dead Season 1: Terror for One Week
Over one week, from day 59 to day 64, season 1 plays out. Rick comes out of a coma, discovers the zombie epidemic, meets his family, finally finishes at the CDC. This little period prepares the survivors for their continuous trip.
Second season of The Walking Dead: Hershel's Farm and the ascent of Negan
Season 2 spans a few weeks from day 64 to day 83 mostly on Hershel's farm. This period covers Rick's group seeking cover with the Greene family, the farm's overrun, and the survivors' choice to move on. Along with the events that preceded Negan's ascent—including the death of his wife Lucille—which inspired him to create the Saviors—this era also marks his emergence.
Season 3: The Prison and Woodbury The Walking Dead
Season 3 leaps ahead seven months to bring the chronology to June 2011 and day 303. Rick's group discovers a prison and settles into a new house, running across The Governor's dangerous Woodbury community. This season emphasizes the conflict between the survivors and The Governor by showing the dangers both other people and the undead present.
Season 4 The Walking Dead: The Fall of the Prison
Beginning in January 2012 on day 520, a six-month time gap waits before Season 4. This season centers Rick's group dealing with a terrible flu epidemic, The Governor's destruction of the prison, and the meeting of survivors with the Terminus cannibals. It ends with Rick's group seeking temporary solace in Alexandria, so bringing the chronology to February 6, 2012, and day 567.
Walking Dead Season 5: Alexandria and the New Leader
Beginning right after the events of Season 4, Season 5 sees the survivors fighting the Terminus cannibals and running across Father Gabriel. They settle into a new house in Alexandria. Over one month, this season culminates in Rick's decisive actions to establish his authority, which mark March 13, 2012, day 567.
The Herd and Negan's Introduction for the Walking Dead Season 6
Starting with a limited window, Season 6 centers on the survivors' attempts to stop a sizable herd from attacking Alexandria. A four-week mini-skip brings the chronology to April 19, 2012, the birth of Jesus. Negan joins the second half of the season and finishes with the infamous cliffhanger ending on May 3, 2012, and day 630.
Season 7: The Aftermath of Negan The Walking Dead
Direct from the last season's finale, Season 7 highlights the terrible aftermath of Negan's rule. Over 12 days, the survivors struggle under Negan's control and form an alliance to challenge him. Rick's choice to declare war on Negan marks the end of this season and shapes the next significant conflict.
Season 8 The Walking Dead: The War Against Negan
Based on 2012, Rick's group starts a six-day war with Negan and the Saviors in Season 8. June 7, 2012, and day 653 mark Rick's choice to confine Negan and the survivors finding peace, so concluding the season.
Season Nine of The Walking Dead: A Major Time Jump and Rick's "Death"
Season 9 leaps forward twenty months to February 2014, and Alexandria is experiencing a time of prosperity. With Rick's apparently dead on March 18, 2014, and the arrival of the Whisperers, this season marks a significant change in the chronology. The events span several years and finish in January 30, 2021, with day 3,812.
Season 10 The Walking Dead: The Whisperer War
Starting on August 15, 2021, Season 10 picks up seven months following the last one. The last fight with the Whisperers and Negan's ascent to antihero status take front stage in this season. It also prepares the Commonwealth narrative, which ends on September 23, 2021, day 4,047.
Season 11 The Walking Dead: The Commonwealth and the Finale
One day following the ending of the last season of The Walking Dead picks up the show. The storyline unfolds over seven months, with the survivors facing threats from within and without the Commonwealth, culminating in April 10, 2022, and day 4,247. The finale concludes with a year-long time jump, bringing the series to 4,678 days, or just under 13 years.
Timeline on Fear the Walking Dead
Fear The Walking Dead acts as a prequel to the main series, exploring the early days of the outbreak in Los Angeles. The show begins before Rick Grimes' awakening, gradually catching up to the main series' timeline. The series features several time jumps and overlaps with the main series, providing a unique perspective on the apocalypse's initial stages.
Fear The Walking Dead Season 1: The Outbreak Begins
Season 1 begins on August 25, 2010, covering approximately two weeks. The story follows Madison and her family, introducing characters who navigate the early days of the outbreak, from the first signs of the undead to their arrival on Victor Strand's yacht, marking September 9, 2010, and day 16.
Fear the Walking Dead Season 2: The Fall of the Family
Season 2 continues directly from the previous season, spanning another week. The families struggle to survive, with the survivors becoming increasingly fragmented. This season takes place before anything happens in the main series, marking September 15, 2010, and day 37.
Fear the Walking Dead Season 3: The Clark Family's Separation
Season 3 picks up where the previous season left off, covering over a month. Madison and her family become embroiled in conflict between various factions, culminating in their separation on October 27, 2010, and day 64. This is significant because the very next day, Rick Grimes wakes up from his coma in the main series.
Fear the Walking Dead Season 4: Morgan's Arrival and a Two-Year Jump
Season 4 jumps ahead two years, bringing the timeline to mid-to-late 2012. This season introduces Morgan Jones from the main series and features a crossover with the main series as Rick and Carol visit Morgan. The season spans several days, concluding on November 18, 2012, and day 817.
Fear the Walking Dead Season 5: Virginia's Reign
Season 5 begins in late 2012, with Morgan and his group trying to help others in need. The season spans a week and then jumps ahead to December 5, 2013, and day 1,199. The events culminate in a clash with Virginia and a shocking season finale, marking December 12, 2013.
Fear the Walking Dead Season 6: The Valley and Nuclear Disaster
Season 6 begins with a time jump of five or six weeks, with Morgan building The Valley and Virginia controlling her captives. The season spans two months, culminating in a nuclear disaster on April 23, 2014, and day 1,338.
Fear the Walking Dead Season 7: The Aftermath of the Nuke
Season 7 features a complex timeline, with events unfolding months after the previous season's finale. The season takes place over 100 days, with the survivors navigating a post-nuclear landscape, highlighting the ongoing struggle for survival.
Fear the Walking Dead Season 8: A Seven-Year Jump and Final Goodbye
Season 8 begins on the same timeline as the main series, but jumps ahead seven years to December 15, 2021. This season concludes the series with a resolution for Madison and her daughter Alicia, marking the end of their journey.
The Walking Dead: World Beyond Timeline
The Walking Dead: World Beyond is set a decade after the outbreak, focusing on the first generation to grow up in a post-apocalyptic world. The series follows the journey of a group of young survivors as they navigate the dangers of the new world.
The Walking Dead: World Beyond Season 1: The Endlings' Journey
Season 1 begins on August 25, 2020, coinciding with the main series' seasons 10 and 11. The story follows the Endlings' journey from their community to the CRM facility, spanning over a month, concluding on October 5, 2020, and day 3,694.
The Walking Dead: World Beyond Season 2: The Final Chapter
Season 2 picks up directly from the previous season, covering a few weeks. The story continues the Endlings' journey, revealing secrets about the CRM and the origins of the outbreak. This season concludes on October 29, 2020, and day 3,719.
Tales of the Walking Dead Timeline
Tales Of The Walking Dead is an anthology series, exploring various stories from the franchise's history. The show takes place at different points in the Walking Dead universe, covering various time periods.
Each episode of Tales Of The Walking Dead tells a standalone story, jumping back and forth through time. Some episodes are set in the early days of the outbreak, while others explore events years later. The series offers a glimpse into different perspectives on the apocalypse, adding further depth to the franchise's narrative.
The Walking Dead: Dead City Timeline
The Walking Dead: Dead City is set six years after the main series' finale, taking place in 2029. It follows Maggie and Negan's journey to Manhattan, where they are tasked with rescuing her son Hershel.
The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 1: A Week in Manhattan
Season 1 takes place over the course of a week, from June 20 to June 27, 2029, bringing the timeline to day 6,875. The story showcases the survivors' struggle to navigate the dangerous streets of Manhattan, encountering the Croat and his group. The season ends with Maggie and Negan finding themselves in a precarious situation, setting the stage for further conflict.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Timeline
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, set in the summer of 2023, follows the titular character's journey in France. The series takes place less than a year after the main series' finale, showcasing a new perspective on the apocalypse and offering new challenges for Daryl.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 1: A New World
Season 1 takes place in the summer of 2023, around day 4,380. The story follows Daryl's adventures in France, navigating a different landscape of the zombie outbreak and encountering new threats. The series explores Daryl's resourcefulness, resilience, and ability to adapt to unfamiliar circumstances, highlighting his strength and survival skills in a new setting.
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Timeline
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live picks up some time after Michonne's departure from the main series, as she searches for Rick Grimes. It follows their reunion and their joint effort to dismantle the CRM.
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live: A Decade of Separation
The Ones Who Live's timeline is relatively clear, spanning a decade of separation for Rick and Michonne. The present storyline takes place in 2023, following their reunion and the resolution of their personal journey. Flashbacks offer insight into their experiences during the time they were apart, building upon the characters' individual arcs.
Upcoming Walking Dead Spin-Offs
The Walking Dead franchise continues to expand, with new spin-off series in development. These upcoming projects will likely explore new stories and characters, adding further layers to the franchise's timeline.
Conclusion
The Walking Dead franchise provides a vast and complex timeline, spanning over 13 years and featuring multiple shows that intertwine with each other. From the outbreak's beginnings in Los Angeles to the survivors' journey across the United States and beyond, the Walking Dead universe offers a compelling and intricate narrative. Understanding the timeline helps to appreciate the interconnectedness of the franchise, revealing the various characters' paths and the impact of the zombie apocalypse on their lives. As new shows continue to expand the Walking Dead universe, the timeline will likely grow even more complex, offering a rich tapestry of stories for fans to explore.
