4 Best Zombie Shows No One Remembers

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Zombies are a consistently popular horror theme, especially on television. Over the past few decades, audiences have shown an unending fascination with stories about the end of the world and large groups of walking dead. While horror trends come and go, zombie stories remain popular because they constantly adapt and grow, becoming more complex than just simple tales of survival.

Shows like The Walking Dead and The Last of Us became huge hits, but they aren’t the only zombie TV shows worth watching. Many other, lesser-known series offer unique takes on the zombie story and explore the genre in interesting ways.

Despite the many zombie shows already out there, a few surprisingly stand out. These shows offer something new and are just as entertaining as popular series like ‘The Walking Dead’ or ‘The Last of Us’.

In The Flesh (2013-2014)

A Powerful Character Drama That Redefines What A Zombie Story Can Be

The British show In The Flesh starts with a unique idea: zombies have been brought back to life, given therapy, and are now trying to live as normal members of society. The series follows Kieren Walker (Luke Newberry), a former zombie who’s now dealing with feelings of regret, being judged by others, and the emotional scars of his past. But this isn’t your typical zombie story focused on action and violence; In The Flesh is more interested in exploring the psychological impact of what happened and how people cope with it.

A key strength of In The Flesh is its clever use of zombies to examine complex themes like prejudice, what makes us who we are, and the process of recovery. Instead of focusing on massive zombie attacks, the show delves into the personal conflicts within the quiet English village of Roarton. This creates a tense atmosphere where even ordinary conversations and decisions feel significant and risky.

What sets In The Flesh apart from other zombie shows is its thoughtful approach. It shows that the real horror isn’t just about zombies attacking, but about the anxieties and pressures within society – the fear of people who are different, and the struggle to find your place when everything has changed.

As a huge fan of the genre, what really struck me about In The Flesh was how thoughtful it was – genuinely introspective, which is rare for zombie TV. But it never forgot what made zombie stories fun in the first place! The scary parts were truly terrifying, but they always felt connected to the characters and their stories, not just there for shock value. It’s a show that felt incredibly personal and, honestly, really human, and that’s why even though it was short-lived, it still sticks with me so strongly.

Daybreak (2019)

A Bombastic Teen Apocalypse That Turns Zombie Chaos Into Pure Fun

Netflix’s Daybreak immediately sets a unique tone: it’s a post-apocalyptic world seen through the lens of a fast-paced teen comedy, with a visual style inspired by graphic novels, and a playful attitude. The show centers on Josh Wheeler (Colin Ford) as he tries to survive in a dangerous wasteland where high school cliques still rule and the threats are incredibly exaggerated – including a new take on zombies.

With so many zombie shows available, Daybreak stands out because it fearlessly mixes different genres. It combines comedy, action, teen drama, and classic zombie thrills in a way that’s intentionally wild, but always well-executed. The show recognizes that after watching a lot of zombie content, viewers sometimes want something that breaks all the established rules and does its own thing.

One of the show’s biggest strengths is its unique look. With vibrant colors, characters who directly address the audience, and creatively designed action scenes, Daybreak has a lively feel that most zombie shows can’t match. It’s fun and energetic, but also manages to tell meaningful stories about its characters.

Despite all the humor and action, Daybreak is surprisingly thoughtful. The show explores meaningful themes like finding your place, dealing with difficult experiences, and starting over, particularly as the characters figure out their identities in a changed world. What really makes Daybreak special is that it doesn’t fit neatly into any one category.

Black Summer (2019-2021)

A Relentless, Stripped-Down Survival Thriller That Captures The Chaos Of Day One

Unlike many zombie shows that concentrate on creating detailed worlds and following multiple characters, the Netflix series Black Summer takes a different approach. It immediately throws you into intense, raw panic. The story starts with Rose (Jaime King), a mother desperately searching for her daughter as everything falls apart, and it feels incredibly realistic and urgent.

What truly makes Black Summer stand out is its commitment to feeling real. The long, unbroken shots, sparse dialogue, and jumpy editing all create the same confusion and panic you’d experience in a real disaster. Instead of watching characters talk about the apocalypse, you’re right there with them, feeling lost and scared. This intense, immersive style is what sets it apart from most zombie shows and makes it so effective.

The zombies in Black Summer are frighteningly quick and never give up, often appearing just beyond our view. The show builds suspense not through lengthy backstories or dramatic dialogue, but by focusing on basic, intense scenarios – like running from a horde, defending a home, or frantically searching for necessities. Every moment feels like a raw struggle to stay alive.

Despite all the action, the show still manages to develop its characters, often through unexpected and subtle scenes. These quieter moments, set against a backdrop of chaos, show how people change when everything familiar is gone. Some become heroes, while others fall apart. This realistic unpredictability, combined with the show’s intense and brutal nature, makes Black Summer a standout among recent zombie stories.

Dead Set (2008)

A Brutally Sharp Satire That Turns Reality TV Into A Nightmare

I remember when Charlie Brooker first blew my mind with Dead Set back in 2008, even before Black Mirror made him super famous! It was this brilliantly dark and scary miniseries about a zombie outbreak… but it happened inside the Big Brother house! It was so clever – all these reality TV contestants, totally clueless, suddenly realized their TV studio was the safest place to be when the zombies showed up. Their fifteen minutes of fame suddenly meant a whole lot more!

The idea behind Dead Set is instantly captivating, but it’s how the show is made that truly makes it special. This surprisingly overlooked zombie series combines scary moments with sharp social commentary, poking fun at celebrity life, how the media uses people, and our culture’s obsession with being famous. The result is a thrilling and thought-provoking show that’s both intense and meaningful.

Even though it was one of the first shows to bring zombies back into the spotlight, Dead Set still feels surprisingly modern. It moves quickly, delivers genuinely frightening moments, and doesn’t shy away from graphic violence. While Charlie Brooker’s dark wit is present, the show maintains a constant sense of unease. It portrays a harsh, brutal, and fast-moving world.

Despite its intense and often shocking violence, Dead Set is a remarkably clever show. By confining its characters within the artificial world of a reality TV set during a zombie outbreak, it reveals how quickly society can fall apart when the cameras are off. It’s a strikingly original, unforgettable, and surprisingly prescient series. While it hasn’t reached the popularity of shows like The Walking Dead or The Last of Us, it’s arguably one of the best zombie TV shows ever created.

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2025-11-29 15:10