What’s happening with The Walking Dead on Netflix?
All 177 episodes of The Walking Dead are currently available to stream on Netflix, but that could change later this year. The show’s licensing deal is approaching its expiration, and Netflix is reportedly negotiating with AMC to extend the agreement before the content leaves the platform.
Why Netflix wants to keep the series
The Walking Dead remains one of the most valuable catalog titles for streaming platforms. The series — adapted from Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard’s comics — ran for 11 seasons from 2010 to 2022 and spawned multiple spin-offs, keeping the franchise culturally and commercially relevant long after the finale. Netflix users have continued to watch in large numbers: the show generated roughly half a billion hours of viewing during the second half of 2025 alone. Those sustained viewing figures make a renewal attractive from both an audience-retention and revenue standpoint.
The reported price tag and ongoing negotiations
A recent industry report says Netflix is in active talks with AMC for an extension that could be worth about $300 million. AMC Networks’ CEO Kristin Dolan acknowledged the discussions without confirming any finalized deal, describing the relationship between the companies as long-standing and noting the commercial potential of the content.
She said in part:
“There’s more to report. We’re just not ready to speak about it now. We’re very optimistic about the value of the content and our opportunity to monetize it.”
While conversations appear promising, neither side has announced a formal agreement. If talks stall, the series is expected to depart Netflix when the current license expires.
What it would mean if The Walking Dead leaves Netflix
If Netflix and AMC don’t reach a new deal, viewers who rely on Netflix would lose access to the full archive of The Walking Dead. The show is also available via AMC+ for the time being, and AMC could refocus distribution on its own streaming outlets and international partners. For fans, that could mean turning to AMC+ or other regional services that pick up the rights — and it could alter discovery metrics for the franchise, which currently benefits from Netflix’s broad, global subscriber base.
Zombie-and-post-apocalypse alternatives already on Netflix
Even if The Walking Dead departs, Netflix maintains several zombie-leaning titles that continue to draw audiences. Notable options include:
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All of Us Are Dead (2022): This South Korean coming-of-age horror series centers on students trapped in a school during a zombie outbreak. It received strong critical and audience reception (reported Rotten Tomatoes scores near the high 80s/low 80s) and logged sizable viewing numbers on Netflix in 2025 — more than 95 million hours, by some tallies. A second season has been greenlit, following lead character Nam On-jo as she navigates life after the trauma of the initial outbreak; a release date has not yet been announced.
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Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (anime and live-action): The anime series premiered in 2023 and spans 12 episodes, following a former salaryman who embraces the chaos of a zombie-ruled Tokyo to pursue his bucket list. A live-action film adaptation also arrived in 2023. Both versions are available on Netflix and offer a more comedic, irreverent take on the genre.
These and other titles help Netflix maintain a presence in the zombie/post-apocalyptic space even without The Walking Dead’s catalog.
What viewers can do now
- If you want to rewatch or binge the series while it’s still on Netflix, there’s time to stream the complete run.
- Keep an eye on announcements from Netflix and AMC for confirmation of any new licensing deal.
- If the series departs Netflix, check AMC+ and other local streaming services for availability — AMC has previously bundled its series across its own platform and third-party partners.
- Follow official show and network channels for updates about spin-offs and franchise releases that may remain available on Netflix or other platforms.
Why this matters for the streaming landscape
High-profile catalog titles like The Walking Dead illustrate how crucial legacy shows are to streaming strategies. For platforms, retaining proven hits can support subscriber engagement and drive viewing hours at a lower acquisition cost than original productions. For content owners, licensing legacy hits to global streamers can generate substantial revenue without the overhead of producing new episodes. The outcome of Netflix and AMC’s negotiations will be a reminder of how valued established franchises are in the streamers’ competitive calculus.
For now, fans can continue to find The Walking Dead on Netflix and AMC+ — and watch the space for an update on the negotiations that will decide whether those 177 episodes stay put.