Zombie TV showsmight trace their roots back to movies and the slow-shuffling undead of George A. Romero’sNight of the Living Deadin 1968, but they’ve since found new unlife on the small screen. Over the last few decades, the genre has evolved from gritty horror to sharp satire, teen drama, and beyond. When done right, zombie TV shows rival any movies.
The 2010s especially sawan explosion of zombie contentacross streaming platforms and cable alike. While some were quickly buried by formulaic plotting or weak characters, a handful stood out as instant classics. With so many shows to choose from, only the most inventive, emotionally resonant, or downright terrifying efforts have managed to hold up.
The absolute best of the bestare the zombie showsthat don’t just deliver blood, gore, and brain-munching chaos, but also elevate the genre. Whether they’re playing it for laughs, slow-burn dread, or clever social commentary, each of these entries deserves to be called a masterpiece.
Freakishdoesn’t try to reinvent the zombie wheel, but it spins it in a different direction by trapping a group of teens (includingLiza On Demandstar Liza Koshy) in their high school after a chemical plant explosion unleashes mutant, rage-filled creatures. It’s a perfect “what if The Breakfast Club had to survive a zombie outbreak” scenario - and it works surprisingly well.
Freakishblends horror and teen survival drama into something distinctive
The appeal ofFreakishcomes from its tension-packed setting andlean episodes that never overstay their welcome.The show’s zombie-like mutants aren’t exactly traditional undead, but they’re still terrifying, fast-moving predators. Their origins are tied to a mysterious biochemical incident, giving the series a slight sci-fi edge.
Freakish’s breakneck pacing and solid production values keep it engaging. It may not have the prestige ofsome other zombie TV shows, or their budget, butFreakishblends horror and teen survival drama into something distinctive, and it’s a must-watch for fans who like their apocalypse with a side of high school angst.
Syfy’sHelixmay not look like a traditional zombie showat first glance, but its infected subjects - black-goo-oozing, hive-minded, fast-moving humans - are pure nightmare fuel. Created by writer Cameron Porsandeh, this unique zombie TV show follows CDC scientists investigating a viral outbreak at a remote Arctic base.
It’s the relentless tension and claustrophobic setting that really makeHelixshine
What starts as a clinical procedural quickly descends intofull-blown body horror and conspiracy territory.Helixleans heavily into its biotech themes, asking disturbing questions about genetic experimentation and the ethics of controlling evolution. The virus turns victims into aggressive, infected carriers with zombie-like behavior, all underpinned by a sinister corporate agenda.
Billy Campbell leads a strong cast, but it’s the relentless tension and claustrophobic setting that really makeHelixshine.While season 2 divergesinto more surreal territory, the first season is tightly plotted, atmospheric, and utterly gripping. If you’re into zombie horror with a heavy dose of paranoia and scientific dread,Helixis worth the deep dive.
Few shows redefined a genrethe wayThe Walking Deaddid. With its brutal realism, deep character arcs, and some of the most harrowing moments in modern television, it became a phenomenon that extended far beyond the horror niche. At its peak, it was a cultural juggernaut.
The Walking Deadat its best remains unmatched in scale, world-building, and emotional impact.
From Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) waking up in a hospital to face the end of the world, to unforgettable episodes like “The Grove” and “No Sanctuary,”The Walking Deadbuilt a sprawling narrative of survival, loss, and the cost of humanity. Its zombies - referred to as walkers - are grotesque and terrifying, butthe show smartly makes humans the real threat.
Yes, it had a few slow seasons, butThe Walking Deadat its bestremains unmatched in scale, world-building, and emotional impact. The franchise has since expanded into multiple spin-offs, but none quite capture the original’s raw power when it was firing on all cylinders.
Santa Clarita Dietisn’t your typical zombie show. When Sheila Hammond (Drew Barrymore) suddenly develops a taste for human flesh, herhusband Joel (Timothy Olyphant)does what any loving spouse would do: help her discreetly murder people. It’s absurd, charming, and surprisingly heartfelt.
Santa Clarita Dietstill stands as one of the most inventive takes on the zombie genre
Rather than portraying zombies as mindless monsters,Santa Clarita Dietflips the script with Sheila retaining her personality - aside from an inconvenient craving for raw human organs. This approach gives the show room toexplore themes of identity, morality, and marriage, all while delivering plenty of laughs.
The chemistrybetween Barrymore and Olyphantis a major highlight, but the writing is equally sharp, with witty dialogue and a twisted sense of humor. Though it was cut short after three seasons,Santa Clarita Dietstill stands as one of the most inventive takes on the zombie genre, proving horror can be hilarious and still bloody as hell.
FromVeronica Marscreator Rob Thomas,iZombietakes a wildly different approachto the undead. Liv Moore (Rose McIver) is a medical resident turned zombie who eats brains to maintain her humanity while temporarily absorbing the memories and personalities of the deceased. Naturally, she uses this to help solve murders.
It balances humor, horror, and heart better than most
What sounds like a gimmick becomes an engine for wildly creative storytelling. Every episode sees Liv take on a new persona - anything from a country singer to a conspiracy theorist - giving McIver space to flex her comedic and dramatic range. It’slikeCSImeetsBuffy the Vampire Slayer, but with brains.
Beyond the weekly mysteries,iZombiedives into a deeper mythologyaround the zombie outbreak, government cover-ups, and power struggles in a world on the brink of apocalypse. It balances humor, horror, and heart better than most, and its bold finale cements it as one of the most underrated genre gems of the 2010s.
Black Summeris not a zombie TV show for the faint of heart.ThisZ Nationprequelabandons lighthearted action in favor of raw, nerve-shredding realism. Its fast-moving zombies, long unbroken takes, and near-total lack of exposition make it feel like a found-footage survival nightmare - one that never lets up.
It’s one of the most realistic portrayals of a zombie outbreak ever made
Season 2’s 100%Rotten Tomatoesscore isn’t surprising. It refines everything that made the first season compelling: nonlinear storytelling, unpredictable character deaths, and jaw-dropping action sequences. The series doesn’t care about traditional narrative structures - it cares aboutimmersing viewers in pure chaos.
There’s no comic relief, no safety, and barely any dialogue in parts. However, that’s the point.Black Summerturns the apocalypse into a series of tense, brutal encounters where survival depends on instinct and luck. It’s one of the most realistic portrayalsof a zombie outbreak ever made- and arguably one of the scariest.
Based on the beloved video game,The Last of Usisn’t just a faithful adaptation - it’s a masterclass in character-driven horror. Starring Pedro Pascal as Joeland Bella Ramsey as Ellie, the show follows their perilous journey across a post-apocalyptic America ravaged by a fungal outbreak that turns victims into grotesque, mushroom-faced monstrosities.
The Last of Ushas already made a massive cultural impact.
While the infected are terrifying (especially the Clickers), it’sthe emotional weight that truly defines the series.Every episode feels meticulously crafted, with standout chapters like “Long, Long Time” offering devastating detours into love, loss, and survival. The show doesn’t just depict a world falling apart - it explores what’s worth holding onto within it.
As evidenced by its slew of awards, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Television Series - Drama,The Last of Ushas already madea massive cultural impact. It’s a haunting, stunning piece of television that shows just how far zombie stories can go when character and humanity are placed at the forefront.
Black Mirrorcreator Charlie Brookergave the zombie genre one of its sharpest, bloodiest entries withDead Set. Set during a fictional season of the UK’sBig Brother, the five-part miniseries traps housemates inside the studio while a real zombie apocalypse breaks out across the country - and they have no idea it’s happening.
Dead Setis a brutal, high-concept survival story that never overstays its welcome.
It’s a brilliant setup that weaponizes reality TV absurdity and turns it on its head. Once the housemates realize what’s going on, the show becomes an all-out siege thriller with razor-sharp satire.The zombies are fast, furious, and unrelenting, and the gore is impressively grisly.
Its impressive 92%Rotten Tomatoesscore highlights just how enjoyable this zombie TV show truly is. The lean runtime makes every pulse-pounding minute count, andDead Setis a brutal, high-concept survival story that never overstays its welcome. It’s nihilistic, tense, and at times deeply cynical - but that’s exactly what makes it such a standout. Few zombie shows go for the jugular like this one does.
3In The Flesh (2013-2014)
A Deeply Human Drama About Zombies Seeking Redemption In A World That Fears Them
In The Fleshflips the zombie script completely. Instead of focusing on survival or carnage, this heartfelt yetcreepy British TV showexplores the aftermath of an undead uprising. Those infected - now called PDS (Partially Deceased Syndrome) sufferers - have been medicated and reintroduced into society. But prejudice, trauma, and guilt still haunt them and the communities that survived the outbreak.
One of the most emotionally resonant pieces of zombie media ever created.
Kieren Walker (Luke Newberry) returns home to a hostile village where he must hide his past and cope with both internal shame and external discrimination. The show isn’t about zombie attacks - it’sabout healing, forgiveness, and the societal scars left behind.Think of it asThe ReturnedmeetsDistrict 9.
With a 97%Rotten Tomatoesscore and a BAFTA win for Best Mini-Series,In The Fleshstands as one of the mostemotionally resonant pieces of zombie mediaever created. It’s poetic, heartbreaking, and far more thought-provoking than its premise might suggest. It’s a true one-of-a-kind masterpiece, and there’s almost nothing quite like it out there.
Picking up decades after theoriginalEvil Deadfilms,Ash vs Evil Deadsees Bruce Campbell return as chainsaw-handed, demon-slaying legend Ash Williams. Equal parts slapstick and splatter, the show delivers relentless action, inventive kills, and outrageous one-liners all while still honoring the horror roots of the franchise.
Ash vs Evil Deadis pure, unfiltered genre joy.
The Deadites in this series are more demonic than traditional zombies, but the show ispacked with the kind of undead mayhem zombie fans crave.From head-splitting carnage to cabin-in-the-woods chaos, every episode is a blood-soaked fever dream. And somehow, it all works perfectly.
Critically adored with a 99%Rotten Tomatoesscore and a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Television Series,Ash vs Evil Deadis pure, unfiltered genre joy. It’s campy, clever, and constantly surprising. Whether you’re adie-hardEvil Deadfanor new to the franchise, this is must-see horror television.
