As someone who watched “Fear the Walking Dead” when it first came out, almost ten years agoI can tell you that this series is one of the best spin-offs the “Walking Dead” universe has to offer. So when I learned that all eight seasons were now available on one of the best streaming services, I was thrilled — not just for me, but for anyone who has yet to experience the captivating journey this series takes you on.
Whether you're rewatching the series like me or diving into it for the first time, now is the perfect time to stream one of the most intense survival stories out there. And if you're eagerly awaiting the return of “Daryl Dixon” for Season 2 in September, you can fill that time by diving into this prequel series.
Here's everything you need to know about 'Fear the Walking Dead' and why you should start binge-watching it right now on Netflix…
What is “Fear the Walking Dead” about?
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“Fear the Walking Dead” is a post-apocalyptic horror series that serves as a prequel to the hit series “The Walking Dead.” It explores the early days of the zombie apocalypse, offering a glimpse into how the world fell apart at the start of the outbreak.
The series follows a group of survivors as they navigate a disintegrating society, starting in Los Angeles and then spreading to various locations across the United States and Mexico. The main characters, including a dysfunctional stepfamily and others they meet along the way, must adapt to the brutal new realities of a world overrun by the undead.
Over the seasons, the series evolves to focus not only on survival, but also on the challenges of rebuilding and finding hope in a world where everything familiar has been destroyed.
'Fear the Walking Dead' brilliantly shows the fall of the world
“Fear the Walking Dead” flashes back to the beginning of the outbreak in a way that feels terrifyingly real. Watching the first few episodes, I was struck by how quickly everything we take for granted — order, safety, normalcy — began to crumble. Unlike “The Walking Dead,” where we enter a world months after the apocalypse begins, this show drops us into chaos from the very beginning, and that’s what makes it so intriguing.
I remember the first time I saw panic spreading through the streets of Los Angeles. It was frightening to see ordinary people, like us, slowly accepting that life as we knew it was over. The scenes of deserted highways, overrun hospitals, and desperate attempts to escape were incredibly powerful because they made it seem like something could really happen.
I remember the first time I saw panic spreading through the streets of Los Angeles.
What stood out to me the most was how the characters had to adapt to a changing world. The series initially focused on the Clark family, led by Madison Clark (Kim Dickens) and her fiancé, Travis (Cliff Curtis). Along with their children, Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey), Nick (Frank Dillane), and Chris (Lorenzo James Henrie), they formed the core of the survivors. Their individual and collective journeys shed light on the emotional toll of the apocalypse, making “Fear the Walking Dead” not only a story of survival, but also a touching exploration of family bonds in the face of devastation.
However, for the sake of transparency, this series loses its way towards the end of its run. Seasons 1-3 are the best, but as it gets deeper into the apocalypse, it becomes exactly like “The Walking Dead” (which seems unnecessary given that it's a prequel). It would have worked perfectly as a limited series, as it could have shown the decline of society without transporting us years into the future. Regardless, it's still worth watching if you're a fan of the franchise.
Watch All Seasons of 'Fear the Walking Dead' on Netflix
If you haven’t yet experienced the gripping drama and intense storytelling of “Fear the Walking Dead,” now is the perfect time to get started since all eight seasons are streaming on Netflix. Sure, it’s not the best thing out there and certainly doesn’t surpass the main series, but it’s definitely entertaining and thrilling enough.
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Stream all 8 seasons of “Fear the Walking Dead” on Netflix.