The Walking Dead: 10 Scariest Zombies, Ranked

Hit AMC show The Walking Dead has consistently sustained massive ratings compared to any show, even surviving the loss of its protagonist. True, there have been plenty of fair criticism over the years. But casual viewers who lost interest are missing some powerful character-driven intrigue, thanks to serious course correction.

And yet, regardless of the many highs and lows, the special effects department has always delivered stunning work. After so many seasons, it would be difficult to imagine effects wizard Greg Nicotero and company could possibly maintain creativity. But they continue to surprise, and terrify, with convincing and imaginative walkers. That level of skill, and distinctly sincere enthusiasm, should definitely be celebrated.

10 Mud Walker

Through the Governor, the series virtually explored every compelling theme human threats could muster in the zombie apocalypse. This arguably contributed to viewers’ frustration as Rick’s group subsequently wandered from one enemy group to another. The Governor was a fascinating character, and this mid-season finale finally delivered the resolution that season three had promised.

The Governor lies to manipulate an entire group of people into joining his vengeful cause. He also professes his love to Lilly and her daughter Meghan but abandons them to attack the prison instead. Ultimately, little Meghan was playing alone in the mud, when a walker emerges from the ground itself and successfully kills her. It’s a stark scene, boasting a chilling design.

9 Fungi Walker

This season delved deep into the controversial Savior war, which did demand suspension of disbelief at times. However, Dwight’s role throughout the conflict was often interesting. In this episode, Dwight leads Alexandrians towards Hilltop. Unfortunately, there’s also Father Gabriel’s sub-plot. Gabriel’s faith is deliberately translated through impossible coincidences, as the Sanctuary’s doctor helps him flee.

However, when the doctor is caught in a bear trap, walkers show up, and Gabriel must rescue him while partially blind. One attacking walker has mushrooms growing all over him. He only gets a few seconds on screen, but it’s easily one of the most repulsive visuals of the series.

8 Spider Walker

An abrupt turnaround for the series, season nine’s tidy balance of character construction and pacing was invaluable. It begins with Rick’s final episodes and another massive time jump. The group has regressed to simpler methods of survival, as time naturally decays certain luxuries.

Rick and several others actually peruse the Smithsonian museum for supplies. It’s blatant symbolism, but a neat parallel nonetheless, as Rick’s group looks to history for their future. Siddiq is eventually attacked by a walker filled with spiders. The arachnids swarm from every orifice and blanket the floor. It’s a fun jump scare and promises just how much the show will finally indulge genuine horror from that point onward.

7 Burnt Walkers

In this episode, the hopelessly demented Lizzie forces the perpetually tormented Carol to utter those famous words, “look at the flowers”. This heartbreaking story is driven by potent drama throughout, generating suspense through Lizzie’s confused misdeeds. Her complete misunderstanding of the walkers leads to some terrible things. And this allows the show to explore Carol’s own psyche, ultimately leading her to a suicidal admission of murder.

And the episode musters further thematic intent with its burnt walkers, the result of a forest fire. Carol’s relationship with fire is elaborated on following this episode, but it’s also just terrifying imagery. Particularly with vulnerable, confused kids at risk.

6 Asphalt Walkers

These melted walkers were so memorable, one of them was modeled for the season’s limited edition set of blu-rays. Beth’s situation in the hospital invariably led to conflict, and Rick’s group decides to take enemies hostage. Daryl ends up in another of many iconic fistfights, with Officer Licari. The two end up fighting in an area surrounded by fleshy, sagging walkers that were burned by napalm. It’s considerably inventive, and Daryl keeps from getting bitten by ripping one of their heads off like a bowling ball. The walkers resemble exposed muscles and endanger a fan-favorite character. And further, Beth’s life is on the line with this mission.

5 Barnacle Walkers

More so than any other season, the burgeoning Savior war caused serious headaches among viewers. Whole episodes were relegated to one character at a time. Fortunately, not so much in this case. This episode juggles between Sasha’s incarceration at the sanctuary, and Gregory’s conflict with Maggie.

But Tara’s little adventure to Oceanside finally pays off, and Rick leads a group to the newfound community. They aren’t especially welcome there, but the coastal setting was naturally conducive to deformed walkers. Rick and company easily overcome a wave of walkers that are covered in barnacles. But they’re still horrifying to look at because water always distorts walkers’ skin.

4 Well Zombie

There are some walkers that simply cannot be omitted here, no matter how unsurprising, and this is the first. Yes, Hershel’s farm slowed the show to a glacial pace. But the show still felt grounded, and certainly produced interesting character development and tough ethical decisions. Here, fan-favorite Glenn is lowered into a well to help remove the most disgusting walker of all time.

The process is excruciating and methodical, building suspense throughout. The walker is unexpectedly large, and again, water is the culprit for the series’ ugliest, terrifying design. The relief of Glenn’s escape from the well is countered by the walker ripping in half, all their effort undone.

3 Winslow

True fear generally requires deeper investment, but this gladiator match transcended the season’s reputation. Jadis and her scavengers were instantly implausible and frustrating, with the guise of limited speech. And Rick’s determination to recruit them for the Savior war always felt like a bad idea, which later proved correct.

However, Rick goes one-on-one with a very disconcerting walker—Winslow—who’s designed for combat. One can’t imagine anything more frightening, like an elaboration of the famous SWAT walkers. Winslow’s covered in defensive spikes, and Rick takes one through the hand before he defeats the monstrous thing. Winslow feels like he belongs in the Mad Max universe.

2 Hannah

This is the famous Bicycle Girl Zombie, who was later named in a series of her own webisodes. Andrew Lincoln’s impeccable performance really sells Hannah’s impact, but the effects team definitely flaunted their tremendous abilities. Hannah is one of the most devoured walkers on the show, barely composed of half a corpse and half a face.

But she’s also the first walker Rick sees after waking from a coma and fleeing the hospital. Later on, he would return to Hannah for a mercy kill, again insisting on the drama that set this series apart. Hannah is definitely a powerful translation from the stirring comics.

1 The Little Girl

The pilot inarguably produced the two most frightening walkers of all, not owed to nostalgia, but first impressions. In the opening scene of the entire series, Rick tries to help a little girl, only to discover that she’s actually a walker. There could be few things more horrifying than watching a sheriff, in full uniform, gun down a child whose face has been chewed off. The grave tone of the show is immediately established, emphasizing drama with superior acting and special effects.

And since the pilot, the walkers have drastically changed. Lengthy decay frequently keeps walkers from looking so human as this little girl, and that humanity is what truly invokes fear.

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