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The Walking Dead Watch Order: Chronological & Release Date Guide

Unlock the complete Walking Dead experience! We break down the best ways to watch every series, chronologically and by release date, including all spin-offs and specials. Conquer the zombie apocalypse the right way!
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The Walking Dead Watch Order: Chronological & Release Date Guide

The Walking Dead Universe: How to Watch Every Series, Chronologically and By Release Date!

The Walking Dead: A Universe of Zombies and Choices – How to Dive In

The Walking Dead universe is MASSIVE. It all started back in 2010 with that original AMC series, but it’s expanded into an insane number of spin-offs, sequels and other related material which created additional spin-offs which continues even to this day and there is even a comic series. This means you’ve got tons of viewing options! You could jump in anywhere and still get hooked. We are going to analyze two very critical viewing approaches, discuss the differences and present the strengths and disadvantages for audiences to further comprehend those various aspects. But first – be warned! There's a real possibility you will have various points in the series spoiled! So continue only if this doesn’t worry you!

Also Read: Carol Peletier Returns to The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 Spoilers!

How to Watch The Walking Dead Chronologically: A Timeline Adventure

Rick Grimes looking at flowers on The Walking Dead Image

The release order? That's not the same as the chronological order. To really understand what happened in this entire timeline you need to realize some key points: Fear the Walking Dead initially was intended as a prequel, and several series ended up having multiple seasons overlapping with that very original storyline.   So this begs the question; just how easy or difficult is it to make sense of this entire thing. Watching chronologically means re-ordering shows AND even splitting seasons up based on events.   Let’s have a look!

(The following listing demonstrates some crucial crossover and thematic elements; these various interconnected parts demonstrate a far greater experience; making sure these different show releases really interlock; emphasizing several other important plot details involved, enhancing the overall experience for everyone watching.)

  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 1)
  • Fear the Walking Dead: Dead in the Water
  • Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 2)
  • Fear the Walking Dead: Passage
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 3)
  • The Walking Dead (Season 1)
  • The Walking Dead: Torn Apart
  • The Walking Dead (Season 2)
  • The Walking Dead: Cold Storage
  • The Walking Dead (Season 3)
  • The Walking Dead: The Oath
  • The Walking Dead (Seasons 4-7)
  • The Walking Dead: Red Machete
  • The Walking Dead (Season 8)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Seasons 4-5)
  • The Walking Dead (Season 9, Episodes 1-5)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Seasons 6-7)
  • Tales of the Walking Dead (Season 1)
  • The Walking Dead: World Beyond (Season 1)
  • The Walking Dead (Season 9, Episodes 6-16)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 8)
  • The Walking Dead (Seasons 10-11)
  • The Walking Dead: Dead City (Season 1)
  • The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (Season 1)
  • The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (Season 1)

(Yes, it’s a long list!  It’s a complicated timeline! This demonstrates how much content actually exists within this incredibly vast, connected universe! Even with that complexity however, a well-structured, carefully crafted timeline and well-placed plot details really works to add another layer, creating something totally memorable and really rewarding to audiences everywhere.)

Also Read: Negan's Dark Side Returns: Why Is He Evil Again in The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2?

The Walking Dead By Release Date: The Original Viewing Order

Daryl holding a gun in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon Image

Most fans watched by release date, and that's totally understandable!  The following listing might look slightly easier and you will probably immediately realize what is included.

  • The Walking Dead (Season 1)
  • The Walking Dead: Torn Apart
  • The Walking Dead (Season 2)
  • The Walking Dead: Cold Storage
  • The Walking Dead (Season 3)
  • The Walking Dead: The Oath
  • The Walking Dead (Season 4)
  • The Walking Dead (Season 5)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 1)
  • Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462
  • The Walking Dead (Season 6)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 2)
  • Fear the Walking Dead: Passage
  • The Walking Dead (Season 7)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 3)
  • The Walking Dead: Red Machete
  • The Walking Dead (Season 8)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 4)
  • The Walking Dead (Season 9)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 5)
  • The Walking Dead (Season 10, Part 1)
  • The Walking Dead: World Beyond (Season 1)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 6, Part 1)
  • The Walking Dead (Season 10, Part 2)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 6, Part 2)
  • The Walking Dead (Season 11, Part 1)
  • The Walking Dead: World Beyond (Season 2)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 7, Part 1)
  • The Walking Dead (Season 11, Part 2)
  • Tales of the Walking Dead (Season 1)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 7, Part 2-3)
  • The Walking Dead (Season 11, Part 3)
  • Fear the Walking Dead (Season 8)
  • The Walking Dead: Dead City (Season 1)
  • The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (Season 1)
  • The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (Season 1)

(This is a HUGE list, but it remains slightly easier. This makes more sense for someone streaming this or doing a binge-watch.  This method avoids spoilers completely for fans used to consuming content immediately; but it completely ignores the continuity!)

Also Read: The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 Cast and Characters - Complete Guide

The Best Way to Watch The Walking Dead Universe: A Practical Guide

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon Danai Gurira as Michonne in Walking Dead The Ones Who Live and Lauren Cohan as Maggie in Dead City Image

This depends on your preference; either starting with the original Walking Dead and branching out from there into other related series; or to try chronological order to maintain consistency in the plot. Spoilers remain an extremely crucial issue – and even choosing those individual approaches does not guarantee freedom from potential spoilers.  There’s also that trickier issue of how this impacted story continuity; multiple time skips and changing plot details mean there isn’t an easy single “correct” answer. We'll analyze further options and possible complications, but overall, viewers should choose those things that make the experience better.

(It’s noteworthy to consider this approach as a superior option for most audiences. A structured approach, avoiding potential confusion in the timeline, would easily satisfy the desires for those viewers. Even if timelines remain confusing– this remains better due to improved consistency.)

Also Read: The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - Carol's Shocking Lie and its Impact

The Walking Dead Comics: Where They Fit In!

Custom image of Daryl in front of various walkers in The Walking Dead Image

The comics’ a totally separate thing— mostly focusing on that original series!  Early seasons stick close but later diverge. Those character fates vary in significant ways which made a whole separate storyline which only made the changes critically essential.

The Walking Dead’s Future

Rick Grimes in The Ones Who Live surrounded by classic Walking Dead characters Image

Things will continue for a while longer, with some amazing new adventures already announced, adding yet another aspect that increases the overall amount of future entertainment!

Conclusion: Your Walking Dead Journey Awaits!

THE WALKING DEAD Image

The Walking Dead universe’s vast.  These methods can help anyone choose an enjoyable way. But be warned: choosing one or another brings disadvantages and advantages!

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