The Walking Dead universe is one of modern TV’s biggest and most complex franchises. What started as a tense story about a small group of survivors in a zombie‑filled world has expanded into a whole empire of shows, exploring new characters, timelines, and locations.
On the surface, this seems like a dream for fans. That means more walkers, more drama, and more stories to immerse themselves in. Yet as exciting as this expansion is, it comes with a double edge. Spinoffs are both revitalizing the franchise and, in some cases, undermining the qualities that made the original series so compelling.
How Walking Dead spinoffs are saving the franchise
One of the biggest strengths of the Walking Dead spinoffs is their ability to expand the world. While the original The Walking Dead focused primarily on Rick, Daryl, and their tight-knit group, spinoffs like Fear the Walking Dead, Tales of the Walking Dead, and The Walking Dead: World Beyond explore entirely new communities and perspectives.
These shows allow fans to see the apocalypse through fresh eyes. By shining a light on different parts of the world and new generations of survivors, spinoffs give the franchise a sense of scale and depth that keeps fans invested.
Spinoffs also offer the opportunity to develop characters who may have been sidelined in the original series or to introduce entirely new protagonists. Whether following familiar faces in new situations or exploring fresh storylines, these shows allow for richer character arcs and deeper emotional engagement.
Creative experimentation is another major advantage of spinoffs. Tales of the Walking Dead leans into anthology-style storytelling, exploring unique, self-contained stories that can be darker or more experimental than the flagship series. The Walking Dead: Dead City adopts a suspenseful, thriller-like approach, while The Walking Dead: World Beyond explores a younger generation coming of age in a world overrun by walkers. These variations keep the franchise from feeling stale, allowing fans to experience the apocalypse in multiple tones and styles.
Another advantage we want to briefly touch on regarding the spinoffs is that some also allow fans to reunite with their favorite characters. Sure, we might have watched them for 11 seasons of the original series, but seeing them navigate new challenges, face different threats, or interact with new characters adds fresh layers to their stories. Longtime fans want that sense of nostalgia and continuity. Two good examples are The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.
How Walking Dead spinoffs are hurting the franchise
Now, let's get into the main downside. While spinoffs have the potential to expand the universe and give fans more of what they love, the truth is that many of them aren’t very good. Some struggle with weak writing, underdeveloped characters, and repetitive or predictable plotlines. While the original series drew in viewers with its mix of tension, moral complexity, and human drama, some spinoffs feel like hollow copies trying to chase the same formula without the same emotional impact or intensity.
Even when a spinoff has high production values or familiar characters, it can fall flat if the storytelling doesn’t resonate. Episodes may feel slow, plots may lack stakes, or characters may fail to inspire investment. For fans, these missteps create frustration and can even diminish the overall perception of the Walking Dead brand.
In other words, having lots of spinoffs isn’t necessarily a problem. But when many fail to hit the mark, it can make the franchise feel weakened instead of strengthened. In my opinion, the franchise really needs to step it up when it comes to the Walking Dead spinoffs. There are more that fall flat than ones that truly add excitement to the universe.