Summary
- Season 11: Final Season wraps up character arcs and sets the stage for spin-offs.
- Season 6: Tense build-up to Negan, action-packed with shocking moments.
- Season 9: Introduces Whisperers, return to earlier seasons' thrilling form.
The Walking Dead is one of the most iconic TV shows of all time, and despite some lackluster moments, had a great run across all eleven seasons. From its beginning in 2010, the show consistently delivered thrilling action, excellent horror, and emotional drama, but some seasons stand out above the rest.
With new spin-off shows, it's a great time to dive back into the apocalyptic world. For both long-time fans looking to refresh their memory, or die-hard viewers wanting to rewatch some great content in limited time, this ranking will explore the eight best seasons of The Walking Dead.
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8 Season 11
The Final Season
- First Episode: "Acheron: Part 1"
- Last Episode: "Rest in Peace"
- Released: 2021 / 2022
After more than a decade of storytelling, the eleventh and final season of The Walking Dead had high expectations to meet, and it delivered. Coming off the back of the season ten cliffhanger, season eleven effectively wrapped up key character arcs, resolved plotlines, and set the stage for upcoming spin-off shows.
Both the Reaper and Commonwealth arcs provide a great amount of action as well as political intrigue, a subject not often seen in this apocalyptic world. The eleventh season is a worthy and emotionally satisfying send-off to one of the most iconic TV shows of all time. It is worth rewatching, especially now that viewers don't have to wait for each part to be released.
7 Season 6
The Build-Up To Negan
- First Episode: "First Time Again"
- Last Episode: "Last Day on Earth"
- Released: 2015 / 2016
Despite mixed opinions regarding the season six finale, it was one of the most tense seasons in the series, with an excellent build up to the show's best villain, Negan. The first half of the season made the group look almost invincible, which made the lead-up to Negan all the more nerve-wracking.
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With the conflict with the Wolves, dealing with the Quarry Horde, Glenn's fake-out death, and internal conflict at Alexandria, the season was action-packed and had fans on the edge of their seats. The introduction to the Hilltop Colony helped make the world feel more hopeful and lived-in, which would of course all come crashing down in the shocking season finale.
6 Season 9
Farewell To Rick, Hello To the Whisperers
- First Episode: "A New Beginning"
- Last Episode: "The Storm"
- Released: 2018 / 2019
Season nine introduced perhaps the scariest villains in The Walking Dead: the Whisperers. For fans who hadn’t read the comics, the first scene featuring the Whisperers was truly shocking. The famous ‘pike scene’ towards the end of the season was particularly brutal, creating a sense of impending doom that hadn’t been felt since the buildup to Negan.
The mid-season finale was one of the best the show had ever produced and had fans both scared and excited to see what was to come. Despite the departure of Rick, the show felt more like the earlier seasons of The Walking Dead than it had for years. With excellent plotlines and a gripping finale, season nine marked a return to form.
5 Season 2
The Slowest, Yet Best-Written Season
- First Episode: "What Lies Ahead"
- Last Episode: "Besides the Dying Fire"
- Released: 2011 / 2012
After the success of season one, season two had a lot to live up to, especially with its increased episode count. The season, albeit slow-paced, had some of the best drama and acting in the entire series, especially in the scenes with Rick, Shane and Glenn. The first episode had one of the best cliffhanger endings in the series, with Carl getting shot by Otis.
The rivalry between Rick and Shane is still one of the best in the franchise, and the reveal from Hershel’s barn is one of the most shocking moments. The final episodes of the season help set the tone for the entire series with the deaths of Dale and Shane as well as the loss of the only safe place the survivors had come across, Hershel's Farm.
4 Season 4
“Look At The Flowers”
- First Episode: "30 Days Without an Accident"
- Last Episode: "A"
- Released: 2013 / 2014
Season four was an emotional rollercoaster, featuring some of the best storylines in the entire series. The character development was great, with Carol taking a dark turn, Rick adjusting to the new world, Carl and Michonne forming a close friendship, and the heartfelt moments shared between Daryl and Beth.
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The fall of the prison, Hershel's death, the Claimers' attack on Carl, and the heartbreaking "look at the flowers" scene set the tone for the upcoming seasons. The storylines leading up to Terminus did an excellent job of developing exciting characters while introducing new ones, even if the conclusion to the Terminus arc in season five felt slightly shorter than expected.
3 Season 5
Mercy For The Lost, Vengeance For The Plunderers
- First Episode: "No Sanctuary"
- Last Episode: "Conquer"
- Released: 2014 / 2015
Season five had a little bit of everything, with the action-packed conclusion to the terminus arc, the mental struggles of being on the road, and the hopeful yet uneasy introduction to Alexandria. Despite subtle moments during earlier seasons, it’s in season five that viewers see Rick fully adapt to the inhumane apocalyptic world.
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The introduction to Alexandria is a key point in the series and highlights the effect the apocalypse has had on the group, especially with characters like Daryl, Rick, and Carol. Fans are also introduced to a key character in Father Gabriel, as well as a returning Morgan. Overall, season five is perhaps the most versatile season.
2 Season 1
The Season That Started It All
- First Episode: "Days Gone Bye"
- Last Episode: "TS-19"
- Released: 2010
Season one of The Walking Dead is one of the best first seasons of any TV show. It perfectly sets up the rest of the series by blending elements of horror, drama, and suspense. When Rick wakes up three months into the apocalypse, viewers, just as new to this world as he is, get to learn how everything works alongside the main character.
Although brief, the season effectively introduces the world and introduces key characters such as Rick, Daryl, Shane, Carol, Glenn, and Lori. The city of Atlanta perfectly showcases the effects that the virus has had on the world, and the finale at the CDC sets the tone for what's to come.
1 Season 3
Fight The Dead, Fear The Living
- First Episode: "Seed"
- Last Episode: "Welcome to the Tombs"
- Released: 2012 / 2013
Season three is a masterpiece. From the death of Lori and the effects on Carl and Rick to the Governor's descent into madness, the season truly captures what life is like in the apocalypse. This season marks a significant shift in focus — from walkers being the main threat, to humans becoming the primary danger, a theme that would become all too familiar in future seasons.
Season 3 features some of the most heartbreaking moments in the show, including Lori's death during childbirth, T-Dog's sacrifice to save Carol, Andrea's death, and Carl having to put down his mother. The war between the Prison and Woodbury was thrilling from the start, and helped develop long-lasting characters like Rick, Michonne, Daryl, Carol, and Carl.
- Release Date
- 2010 - 2022
- Network
- AMC
- Showrunner
- Frank Darabont, Angela Kang, Scott M. Gimple, Glen Mazzara
Cast
-
Norman ReedusDaryl Dixon -
Melissa McBrideCarol Peletier
