All 7 Walking Dead shows ranked from worst to best

The Walking Dead universe has greatly expanded, currently consisting of seven shows; check out our rankings.
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes - The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live _ Season 1, Episode 5 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes - The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live _ Season 1, Episode 5 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC /
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The Walking Dead universe began with the comic series created by Robert Kirkman. This led to the first TV show, which began airing in 2010. This led to the expansion of the universe with six more series. All of the series are set in the same world and feature a wide range of characters, some of whom have crossovers to other series. Which series is the best? And which one is the worst?

Rankings are always subjective, and each series within the universe has its merits and place in the overall storyline. I have enjoyed all of the series and appreciate what each brings to TWDU, so ranking them is difficult. Each series in TWDU has its own tone and style; some just do a better job of conveying the story.

7. Fear the Walking Dead

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Kim Dickens as Madison Clark, Alycia Debnam-Carey as Alicia Clark - Fear the Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 12 - Photo Credit: Seth F. Johnson/AMC /

The first three seasons of Fear the Walking Dead were outstanding, but by season 4, it started to go downhill, with an all-time low in season 7. The eighth and final season did a decent job wrapping up the story, which began at the onset of the outbreak, as viewers watched the survivors learn how to live in this new world. This series has an outstanding cast who deserved more than they story written for them.

6. The Walking Dead: World Beyond

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Alexa Mansour as Hope, Aliyah Royale as Iris, Hal Cumpston as Silas, Nicolas Cantu as Elton - The Walking Dead: World Beyond _ Season 1, Episode 2 - Photo Credit: Jojo Whilden/AMC /

World Beyond is a limited two-season series about a coming-of-age story in an apocalyptic setting that reveals much about the CRM (Civic Republic Military). The group of teens who are the major focus have spent most of their lives living in an apocalyptic world protected by the walls of their community. Upon setting foot outside of the walls, they receive a rude awakening to the horrors that await them. The series has received a lot of negative criticism, but vital information is featured that ties to the Daryl Dixon spinoff and The Ones Who Live.

5. Tales of the Walking Dead

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Terry Crews as Joe, Parker Posey as Blair, Jessie T. Usher as Davon, Anthony Edwards as Dr. Everett, Samantha Morton as Dee, Daniella Pineda as Idalia - Tales of the Walking Dead _ Season 1, Key Art - Photo Credit: Curtis Bonds Baker/AMC /

If this series title didn't have The Walking Dead tied to it, fans of TWDU would have loved each story. But the expectation was that this series would see familiar faces. Only Alpha's (Samantha Morton) story was expanded in an episode, with the other five telling new stories, with new characters in locations scattered about the United States. Each episode was something new and one episode took place 30 some years after the outbreak.

4. The Walking Dead: Dead City

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Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan - The Walking Dead: Dead City _ Season 1, Episode 6 - Photo Credit: Peter Kramer/AMC /

Dead City did a great job continuing the stories of long-time enemies Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). It was difficult to process how this series would progress and what would cause Maggie to partner with Negan after all her years of trying to kill him. But the story played out nicely, and Manhattan was a refreshing diversion from the wooded setting of the main series. It will be exciting to see what's to come in the second season.

3. The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live

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Danai Gurira as Michonne, Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes - The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live _ Season 1, Episode 2 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC /

The epic love story of Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Dania Gurira) needed to be told. The couple had been parted for years, and it was time to see them together again. This series gave viewers what they wanted: a Richonne reunion, lots of action, and Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh). This series gave a better idea of who and what the CRM is while allowing Rick and Michonne to experience some of that honeymoon phase they never really got.

2. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon

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Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon - The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon _ Season 1, Episode 5 - Photo Credit: Emmanuel Guimier/AMC /

Based on cinematography alone, Daryl Dixon would rank No. 1. This series was a sensory overload with unbelievable backdrops and music that moved viewers to heightened emotional states. Taking Daryl (Norman Reedus) to France was a risky move but this series was able to pull it off in such a way that it didn't seem quite as absurd as it did when it was announced. Daryl is introduced to a fabulous bunch of characters, and the story is very interesting. The second season will bring Carol (Melissa McBride) back into the fold, which should prove for an exciting new season.

1. The Walking Dead

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Amy (Emma Bell), Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal), Glenn (Steven Yeun), Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs), Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies), Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) and Andrea (Laurie Holden) - The Walking Dead - Season 1 - Photo Credit: Matthew Welch / AMC /

You just can't top the original. The Walking Dead was innovative and unlike anything that had been shown. The concept was unique, the cast across the seasons has been amazing. The series had its highs and lows, like any long-running season, but overall, it was a great telling of a group of survivors who, while fighting the undead, must watch out more for living.

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