The Walking Dead backdrop
Action & Adventure•Drama•Sci-Fi & Fantasy

The Best Episodes of The Walking Dead

Every episode of The Walking Dead ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Walking Dead!

Binge this in 5d 16h•Peaking at 9.6/10

Sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes awakens from a coma to find a post-apocalyptic world dominated by flesh-eating zombies. He sets out to find his family and encounters many other survivors along the way.

Airs on
AMC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons11

All1234567891011

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 8 - Too Far Gone
    9.6/10(34004 votes)

    #1 - Too Far Gone

    S4:E8

    Just when everything started to calm down at the prison, Rick and his group now face imminent danger and destruction. This time, they might not win.

    Director:Ernest R. Dickerson
    Writer:Seth Hoffman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 1 - No Sanctuary
    9.6/10(36252 votes)

    #2 - No Sanctuary

    S5:E1

    We learn the true motives of the Terminans as Rick and the group find themselves in a vulnerable situation. Will they be able to work together?

    Director:Greg Nicotero
    Writer:Scott M. Gimple

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 9 - No Way Out
    9.6/10(37070 votes)

    #3 - No Way Out

    S6:E9

    While trying to escape Alexandria, Rick and his group meet trouble when sudden noise draws walkers towards them with what could be fatal consequences.

    Director:Greg Nicotero
    Writer:Seth Hoffman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 7 - Pretty Much Dead Already
    9.3/10(23675 votes)

    #4 - Pretty Much Dead Already

    S2:E7

    Hershel sets a deadline. All secrets are out in the open. Glenn stands up for himself and Shane takes charge.

    Director:Michelle MacLaren
    Writer:Scott M. Gimple

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 4 - Killer Within
    9.3/10(21958 votes)

    #5 - Killer Within

    S3:E4

    The group is severed and lives are put in jeopardy. In Woodbury, Merle has a request for the Governor.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writer:Sang Kyu Kim

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 16 - Conquer
    9.3/10(21308 votes)

    #6 - Conquer

    S5:E16

    Daryl experiences trouble on a run, while Rick and his group continue to feel like outsiders in Alexandria, where trouble is creeping into the gates.

    Director:Greg Nicotero
    Writers:Seth Hoffman, Scott M. Gimple

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Walking Dead

    READ
  7. The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 1 - The Day Will Come When You Won't Be
    9.3/10(49994 votes)

    #7 - The Day Will Come When You Won't Be

    S7:E1

    Rick and his group kneel helplessly before Negan and the Saviors. What Negan does will haunt those who survive forever.

    Director:Greg Nicotero
    Writer:Scott M. Gimple

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Walking Dead Season 9 Episode 5 - What Comes After
    9.3/10(21414 votes)

    #8 - What Comes After

    S9:E5

    Rick is forced to face the past as he struggles to maintain the safety of the communities and protect the future he and Carl envisioned.

    Director:Greg Nicotero
    Writers:Matthew Negrete, Scott M. Gimple

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Walking Dead Season 9 Episode 15 - The Calm Before
    9.3/10(17324 votes)

    #9 - The Calm Before

    S9:E15

    The fair at the Kingdom is underway, with all four communities coming together in celebration for the first time in years, while some pacts are renewed, other deals will come at a much steeper price.

    Director:Laura Belsey
    Writers:Channing Powell, Geraldine Inoa

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Walking Dead Season 1 Episode 1 - Days Gone Bye
    9.2/10(37711 votes)

    #10 - Days Gone Bye

    S1:E1

    Rick searches for his family after emerging from a coma into a world terrorized by the walking dead. Morgan and Duane, whom he meets along the way, help teach Rick the new rules for survival.

    Director:Frank Darabont
    Writer:Frank Darabont

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 13 - Beside the Dying Fire
    9.2/10(22059 votes)

    #11 - Beside the Dying Fire

    S2:E13

    Rick and Carl return from the woods to find the farm in jeopardy. The group is split up in the ensuing chaos. With things looking grim, Rick's leadership is questioned.

    Director:Ernest R. Dickerson
    Writers:Robert Kirkman, Glen Mazzara

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 14 - The Grove
    9.2/10(22266 votes)

    #12 - The Grove

    S4:E14

    After finding an idyllic place to establish a new shelter, the group starts to question whether it is possible to go back to the way things were.

    Director:Michael Satrazemis
    Writer:Scott M. Gimple

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 16 - A
    9.2/10(21527 votes)

    #13 - A

    S4:E16

    Many paths collide. Rick faces sheer brutality. The group struggles to survive.

    Director:Michelle MacLaren
    Writers:Frank Darabont, Angela Kang

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 2 - JSS
    9.2/10(20088 votes)

    #14 - JSS

    S6:E2

    Just when it looks like things can return to normal, or as normal as things can be in the apocalypse, a new problem arises for the Alexandrians.

    Director:Greg Nicotero
    Writers:Matthew Negrete, Scott M. Gimple

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 3 - Thank You
    9.2/10(21209 votes)

    #15 - Thank You

    S6:E3

    A return home doesn't go as expected.

    Director:Michael Slovis
    Writer:Angela Kang

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 22 - Here's Negan
    9.2/10(17939 votes)

    #16 - Here's Negan

    S10:E22

    Carol takes Negan on a journey, hoping to minimize the increasing tension. Negan reflects on the events that led him to this point and comes to a conclusion about his future.

    Director:Laura Belsey
    Writer:David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 12 - Better Angels
    9.1/10(20639 votes)

    #17 - Better Angels

    S2:E12

    The group learns that someone dangerous may be on the loose near the farm. As night falls, Rick, Shane, Daryl, and Glenn comb the woods to handle the situation and keep the group safe.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writers:Evan Reilly, Glen Mazzara

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 8 - Made to Suffer
    9.0/10(16782 votes)

    #18 - Made to Suffer

    S3:E8

    Andrea steps up as the people of Woodbury are thrown into uncharted territory. At the prison, a new threat arises.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writer:Robert Kirkman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 3 - Four Walls and a Roof
    9.0/10(18841 votes)

    #19 - Four Walls and a Roof

    S5:E3

    Rick and the group find themselves pitted against some very nasty people, but our group might just have a plan to gain the upper hand.

    Director:Jeffrey F. January
    Writers:Angela Kang, Corey Reed

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 12 - Not Tomorrow Yet
    9.0/10(16473 votes)

    #20 - Not Tomorrow Yet

    S6:E12

    Rick and the group realize the only way to maintain the peace of Alexandria is to fight a new enemy. This time, though, our group might be outmatched.

    Director:Greg Nicotero
    Writer:Seth Hoffman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 12 - Walk with Us
    9.0/10(12167 votes)

    #21 - Walk with Us

    S10:E12

    Alpha and the Whisperers attack Hilltop, with Negan's help.

    Director:Greg Nicotero
    Writers:Eli Jorné, Nicole Mirante-Matthews

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 14 - Spend
    8.9/10(16194 votes)

    #22 - Spend

    S5:E14

    While trying to secure their new home, Rick and his group face many challenges, some life threatening. Is this really the utopia it seems to be?

    Director:Jennifer Lynch
    Writer:Matthew Negrete

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 1 - Seed
    8.8/10(18812 votes)

    #23 - Seed

    S3:E1

    With the world growing increasingly more dangerous and Lori’s pregnancy advancing, Rick discovers a potentially safe haven. But first he must secure the premises, pushing his group to its limit.

    Director:Ernest R. Dickerson
    Writer:Glen Mazzara

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 15 - This Sorrowful Life
    8.8/10(16615 votes)

    #24 - This Sorrowful Life

    S3:E15

    Rick and the group are faced with a serious problem. If they want a truce with the Governor, they will have to make a huge sacrifice.

    Director:Greg Nicotero
    Writer:Scott M. Gimple

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 5 - Internment
    8.8/10(16883 votes)

    #25 - Internment

    S4:E5

    Multiple enemies put pressure on Rick and the group. Could this finally be the breaking point for the survivors and the prison?

    Director:David Boyd
    Writer:Channing Powell

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Too Far Gone" is the best rated episode of "The Walking Dead". It scored 9.6/10 based on 34004 votes. Directed by Ernest R. Dickerson and written by Seth Hoffman, it aired on 12/1/2013. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "No Sanctuary".