While many franchises have found success, not many have made as lasting an impression on both pop culture and television as The Walking Dead. Since its debut in 2010, the popular zombie series has built a sprawling universe full of gripping stories, memorable characters, and intense survival drama. But among its many spinoffs, one easily stands above the rest. I'd even argue that it's a must-watch for fans new and old.
Have you guessed which one yet? No, it's not Fear the Walking Dead or The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. However, those two shows are worth watching as well. The series I'm talking about is the post-apocalyptic horror drama The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks the same way.
I mean, it's one of the highest-rated entries in the horror franchise. It has an 88% Tomatometer score and a 76% Audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that both critics and viewers alike enjoyed the series. I’m usually the type to say you shouldn't rely on critics to determine if you should watch a show or not, but in this case, most of their reviews were spot-on.
What makes this Walking Dead spinoff work so well is who it's centered on and the story. By focusing on Rick Grimes and Michonne (Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira), aka two of the original series' most beloved characters, it pulls in longtime fans with nostalgia while also offering new viewers a thrilling and emotionally engaging entry point into the Walking Dead universe.
At the end of The Walking Dead, we learned that Rick was still alive after the bridge explosion and was captured by a mysterious organization known as the Civic Republic Military (CRM). Though Michonne and the rest of Rick's group initially believed him to be dead, Michonne eventually discovers clues pointing to his survival and sets out on a perilous journey to find him.
With the original series leaving things off like that for Rick and Michonne, fans were left eager and anxious to see how their story would continue. That's when The Ones Who Live came in, picking up the narrative with Michonne's relentless search for Rick. Meanwhile, Rick is just as desperate to be reunited with Michonne, facing his own set of dangers and challenges as he navigates life in captivity.
Michonne and Rick had already gone through so much together in the original show, so to see them apart and struggling to reconnect wasn't the easiest thing to watch in The Ones Who Live. Throughout the six episodes, you're taken on an emotional rollercoaster, witnessing their determination, resilience, and the challenges they face in a world still overrun by the undead. And then there's the CRM that only makes things more dangerous and complicated for Rick and Michonne.
As a viewer, you just want them to be happy, safe, and finally free from the constant threats. You want to see them be able to rebuild their lives together with their kids, Judith and RJ. Now, I'm not going to spoil how things wrap up for these two at the end of the series. But I will say that the conclusion is both emotional and satisfying, offering fans the payoff they've been waiting for since the original series ended.
AMC knew that it had a hit on its hands with this incredible spinoff, and I will forever be grateful for the way it brought Rick and Michonne’s story full circle.
You can stream The Ones Who Live on AMC+.