Close-up of Perlie Armstrong (Gaius Charles) in The Walking Dead: Dead City Horror has been off to a great start in 2025, making now the perfect time to check out a popular series ahead of its second season. Although we’re not even halfway through the year, 2025 looks like it could be dominated by horror projects, as Sinners has become an early Oscar candidate for Best Picture, while The Last of Us is once again the most talked-about show on TV upon its return. In addition, 28 Years Later, Final Destination: Bloodlines, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and IT – Welcome to Derry could also make a big impact this year.

Still, you shouldn’t overlook the return of The Walking Dead: Dead City, even with all these great options to choose from. Despite being better known for its action and drama elements, The Walking Dead has been a major horror series for 15 years and was once among the most-watched shows on TV. Although the franchise has faced criticism in recent years for going too long and becoming a little bit repetitive, Dead City was a stand-out project in the zombie universe, and its second season is arguably one of the most highly anticipated horror shows of 2025.

There’s Still Time To Watch The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 1 Before Season 2

Dead City Can Easily Be Binged In A Single Day

The Walking Dead Dead: City season 2 still of Negan & Maggie staring at each other. The Croat and his Burazi henchmen wear horned helmets and stand in an alleyway in The Walking Dead: Dead City Perlie Armstrong (Gaius Charles) standing outside at night in The Walking Dead: Dead City The Croat (Željko Ivanek) standing in front of a fence and pointing his fingers in opposite directions in The Walking Dead: Dead City Maggie (Lauren Cohan), Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and another character looking up while on the streets of New York in The Walking Dead: Dead City The Walking Dead Dead: City season 2 still of Negan & Maggie staring at each other. The Croat and his Burazi henchmen wear horned helmets and stand in an alleyway in The Walking Dead: Dead City Perlie Armstrong (Gaius Charles) standing outside at night in The Walking Dead: Dead City The Croat (Željko Ivanek) standing in front of a fence and pointing his fingers in opposite directions in The Walking Dead: Dead City Maggie (Lauren Cohan), Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), and another character looking up while on the streets of New York in The Walking Dead: Dead City

With The Walking Dead: Dead City set to return for its second season on May 4, there is still time to watch season 1. Like the franchise’s other recent spinoffs, Dead City‘s first season consisted of just six episodes, each of which is around 40–50 minutes long. While The Walking Dead continued Maggie and Negan’s long-running feud through this project, it also introduced exciting new villains like the Croat and the Dama alongside interesting supporting characters such as Ginny and Perile Armstrong, with the unique zombie action being quick and easy to digest.

Getting through the show is relatively straightforward, and with just under a week or so until the new season, an episode or two a night could allow you to comfortably catch up on the story. Likewise, if you have the time, it could be binged in a single viewing, especially now that the spinoff is on Netflix, alongside AMC+. While the horror elements are a compelling part of the narrative, there is also enough tense action that helps the story feel fast-paced, and with season 1 being less than five hours long, now is the perfect time to watch it.

Dead City Is Worth Your Time, Even If You Quit The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead Spinoff Is A Relatively Self-Contained Story That Offers Plenty Of Fun Action

Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan holding a bat over his shoulder next to Lauren Cohan as Maggie looking towards the camera in The Walking Dead: Dead City Poster

Dead City‘s ties to the overarching Walking Dead landscape may put people off watching it, but the series is still worth your time even if you aren’t up to speed on the zombie franchise’s wider narrative. The show does have some very obvious connections with the main series, as Maggie and Negan’s previous relationship plays a major role in the story. However, their dynamic is established after just an episode or two of Dead City, and assuming you don’t need all the context behind the protagonists’ hostilities toward one another, there is plenty of entertaining action and drama to enjoy.

The rest of the story is relatively self-contained, with most of the central cast consisting of brand-new characters. Hershel will be a main character in Dead City season 2, but he feels completely different in season 1 compared to the original series, once again highlighting that newcomers or returning fans can still enjoy the project. The vibrant atmosphere of Manhattan also sets Dead City apart from the rest of the franchise, and there are some truly distinct zombie moments like the Rat King that keep viewers entertained while reminding them of The Walking Dead‘s horror background.

The six-episode series is perfect to check out ahead of season 2, and it’s probably even better for viewers not up-to-date on The Walking Dead, as Maggie and Negan’s relationship will feel fresh rather than repetitive.

If you haven’t seen Dead City yet and are looking for a good combination of horror and action, the six-episode series is perfect to check out ahead of season 2, and it’s probably even better for viewers not up-to-date on The Walking Dead, as Maggie and Negan’s relationship will feel fresh rather than repetitive. Therefore, it’s worth giving a go if you’re searching for something short yet eventful, and you won’t have to wait long for the next installment if you end up getting hooked.