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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 9.7/10

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.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 9 - No Way Out
    9.7/10(40520 votes)

    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

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  2. The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 8 - Too Far Gone
    9.6/10(36814 votes)

    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

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  3. The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 1 - No Sanctuary
    9.6/10(39774 votes)

    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

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  4. The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 7 - Pretty Much Dead Already
    9.3/10(26232 votes)

    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

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  5. The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 4 - Killer Within
    9.3/10(24203 votes)

    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

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  6. The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 16 - Conquer
    9.3/10(23454 votes)

    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:Scott M. Gimple, Seth Hoffman

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Walking Dead

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  7. The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 1 - The Day Will Come When You Won't Be
    9.3/10(53716 votes)

    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

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  8. The Walking Dead Season 9 Episode 5 - What Comes After
    9.3/10(23497 votes)

    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:Scott M. Gimple, Matthew Negrete

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  9. The Walking Dead Season 9 Episode 15 - The Calm Before
    9.3/10(18847 votes)

    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

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  10. The Walking Dead Season 1 Episode 1 - Days Gone Bye
    9.2/10(42024 votes)

    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

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  11. The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 12 - Better Angels
    9.2/10(23153 votes)

    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

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  12. The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 13 - Beside the Dying Fire
    9.2/10(24420 votes)

    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:Glen Mazzara, Robert Kirkman

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  13. The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 14 - The Grove
    9.2/10(24115 votes)

    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

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  14. The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 16 - A
    9.2/10(23576 votes)

    S4:E16

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

    Director:Michelle MacLaren
    Writers:Angela Kang, Frank Darabont

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  15. The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 2 - JSS
    9.2/10(21696 votes)

    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:Scott M. Gimple, Matthew Negrete

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  16. The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 3 - Thank You
    9.2/10(22819 votes)

    S6:E3

    A return home doesn't go as expected.

    Director:Michael Slovis
    Writer:Angela Kang

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  17. The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 22 - Here's Negan
    9.2/10(19434 votes)

    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

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  18. The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 8 - Made to Suffer
    9.0/10(18559 votes)

    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

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  19. The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 3 - Four Walls and a Roof
    9.0/10(20532 votes)

    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

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  20. The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 12 - Not Tomorrow Yet
    9.0/10(17945 votes)

    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

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  21. The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 12 - Walk with Us
    9.0/10(13202 votes)

    S10:E12

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

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

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  22. The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 14 - Spend
    8.9/10(17677 votes)

    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

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  23. The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 1 - Seed
    8.8/10(20535 votes)

    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

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  24. The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 15 - This Sorrowful Life
    8.8/10(18207 votes)

    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

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  25. The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 5 - Internment
    8.8/10(18348 votes)

    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

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Best Episodes Summary

"No Way Out" is the best rated episode of "The Walking Dead". It scored 9.7/10 based on 40520 votes. Directed by Greg Nicotero and written by Seth Hoffman, it aired on 2/14/2016. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Too Far Gone".