Netflix’s new zombie apocalypse series, the “Z-Nation” prequel “Black Summer,” is premiering Thursday, and what better way to welcome it than to rank other “undead” TV shows of the last few years from worst to best. We included the Rotten Tomatoes scores with each ranking for comparison. Share your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom.
10. “Freakish” – Hulu
Rotten Tomatoes score: 64 %
A group of teens have to hide out in their high school after a chemical plant meltdown creates a bunch of zombie-like mutants, who take over the town. “Freakish” lasted only 2 seasons and had the worst Rotten Tomatoes score of the bunch. Critics said it suffered from thin, stereotypical characters, a flawed timeline and numerous plot holes.
9. “Containment” – The CW
Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%
This ill-fated CW show lasted only one season. When a mysterious and fatal virus starts infecting people, part of Atlanta is quarantined — but attempts to find a cure are met with the unravelling of a possible conspiracy. Critics said it used the same old end-of-days scenario without much in the way of originality.
8. “Helix” – Syfy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%
A team from the CDC makes a risky move by visiting a remote research facility in the Arctic to check on reports of a strange illness. They discover — you guessed it — a zombie-like plague that could threaten man-kind. “Helix” lasted only 2 seasons.
7. “Z Nation” – Syfy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%
Your typical zombie apocalypse aftermath show, except this time, someone survives the zombie plague. The show’s heroes embark on a quest to get the survivor from New York to California, where a lab waits to test his blood. Notable cast members included (DJ Qualls, Harold Perrineau). The show was recently canceled after 5 seasons, giving way to its upcoming prequel, “Black Summer.”
6. “Fear the Walking Dead” – AMC
Rotten Tomatoes score: 60%
For those who just couldn’t get enough of “The Walking Dead,” here is its prequel, which explores how the zombie apocalypse that dictates the story of “TWD” began. Though arguably not as popular as the original, the drama series has been going steady since 2015 and its fifth season will premiere on June 2.
5. “In the Flesh” – BBC
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Hailing from across the pond at the BBC, this short-lived series only lasted two seasons. Taking place after the zombie apocalypse is over, it follows 18-year-old former zombie Kieren, as he attempts to reenter society. Fans say it gives a brain and a heart to zombie drama, as it’s less about blood and gore, and more about examining the stereotypes and knee-jerk reactions that lead Kieren’s hometown to discriminate against him. Brownie points for using Daniel Johnston’s song “Devil Town” in the trailer.
4. “iZombie” – The CW
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Running since 2015 on The CW, Rose McIver stars as another cute, unconventional zombie lady named, ironically, Liv. She takes a job in a coroner’s office to gain access to the brains she must eat to maintain her bodily autonomy and avoid becoming a stereotypical zombie. In each new episode, her personality changes to match the latest brain she’s ingested, helping her gain insight into their mysterious deaths. Season 5 premieres May 2.
3. “Ash vs. Evil Dead” – Starz
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
This revival of the 1981 classic movie “Evil Dead” serves up action, comedy and lots of gooey-looking fake blood. The original hero Ash (played by Bruce Campbell) returns after 30 years to finally come to terms with what happened in that cabin. However, despite a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and much to the shock and horror of its legion of fans, Starz canceled the show after 3 seasons due to low ratings, leaving the final season’s cliffhanger ending just… hanging there.
2. “The Walking Dead” – AMC
Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
While there’s no question that this is the most talked about zombie show on TV, it can be argued that “The Walking Dead” has declined in quality since Season 1. But even though we ranked it at #2, there’s something to be said for a show that’s been going since 2010 with no plans to slow down for its 10th season in 2020.
1. “Santa Clarita Diet” – Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
Drew Barrymore may not be the most traditional zombie, but she’s certainly the cutest. When her character Sheila dies from a mysterious illness, she comes back to life without a heartbeat — but with a curiously strong hunger for human flesh. To satisfy her craving, she and her husband Joel (Timothy Olyphant) set out on a path of death and destruction… together.
Season 1 of “Black Summer” comes to Netflix April 11 — we’ll see how this one ranks!
