So, you're sitting there, scrolling through AMC+ or checking your DVR, and you’re wondering: when does ftwd start?
It's a fair question. Honestly, the timeline of The Walking Dead universe has become as tangled as a walker’s guts in a barbed-wire fence. If you're looking for a premiere date for Fear the Walking Dead Season 9 in 2026, I have to be the one to give you the cold, hard reality.
It isn't coming back. At least, not as its own show.
The series officially wrapped up its eight-season run on November 19, 2023. I know, I know. It feels like just yesterday Madison Clark was swinging that hammer in the Dell Diamond, but the "Fear" era of the flagship spin-off has technically concluded. However, that doesn't mean the characters are gone. In the world of TWD, "dead" is a relative term.
When Does FTWD Start Its New Life on Streaming?
If you are asking "when does ftwd start" because you want to rewatch the whole messy, beautiful journey from the beginning, you're in luck. As of early 2026, the entire eight-season saga has found a massive new audience.
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In the UK, for instance, Sky and NOW TV just added the full 113-episode run to their library on December 31, 2025. It’s been killing it on the charts, recently hitting the Top 10. If you’re in the US, Netflix and AMC+ are still the primary homes for your binge-watching needs.
But let’s get into what you actually care about: the new stuff.
While Fear is done, the "Walking Dead Universe" (or TWDU, if you want to sound like a superfan) is busier than ever. If you're craving that specific brand of survival horror, you need to look at the 2026 slate for the "Big Two" sequels.
The 2026 Schedule for the Walking Dead Universe
Since we can't give you a Fear Season 9 date, let’s look at the shows that effectively took its place in the rotation. 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for the franchise.
- The Walking Dead: Dead City (Season 3): Filming actually wrapped up fairly recently under new showrunner Seth Hoffman. While AMC hasn't pinned down a specific calendar day yet, the buzz in the industry points toward a mid-2026 premiere.
- The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (Season 4): This is the one people are talking about. Season 3 took us to Spain, and Season 4 is rumored to be the "final" chapter for Daryl and Carol's European tour. It's expected to drop in its usual September 2026 window.
Why Fear the Walking Dead Isn't Starting a New Season
A lot of fans were confused by the Season 8 finale. It felt... final, but also like it was waving a flag for future cameos. Madison, Alicia, and the rest of the survivors headed back toward Los Angeles (or what’s left of it) to help people.
Why stop there?
Basically, AMC shifted their strategy. Instead of one long-running show like Fear that lasted nearly a decade, they are moving toward shorter, high-budget "event" series. They’d rather give you six to eight episodes of Maggie and Negan in Manhattan than sixteen episodes of a sprawling ensemble cast in the Georgia wilderness.
It’s about focus. Honestly, Fear went through so many identity shifts—from a family drama in LA to a Western in Texas to a nuclear wasteland anthology—that it eventually ran out of runway.
What to Watch While You Wait for New TWD Content
If you’ve already finished Fear and you're waiting for Dead City or Daryl Dixon to start their 2026 runs, you should check out the "Tales of the Walking Dead" series. There have been persistent rumors about "More Tales from the TWDU" being in development for a 2026 release, which would be an anthology format.
There's also the possibility of a "Crossover Movie" or a limited event that brings the Fear survivors into contact with Rick Grimes. Scott M. Gimple has teased a 15-year plan for this franchise. He literally said it could go until 2040.
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Think about that. You might be watching Rick Grimes' grandkids fight zombies while you're in a retirement home.
Summary of Upcoming Dates
To keep it simple, here is the "start" timeline for the current universe:
- Fear the Walking Dead: Concluded. All 8 seasons available on AMC+, Netflix (US), and Sky/NOW (UK).
- Dead City Season 3: Expected Summer 2026.
- Daryl Dixon Season 4: Expected September 2026.
- The Ones Who Live: Limited series, no Season 2 planned (for now).
If you are just now starting your journey with Fear, my advice is to stick with it through the weirdness. Season 3 is arguably some of the best television the franchise ever produced. Season 4 changes everything. Season 6 is surprisingly great. It’s a roller coaster, but it’s a ride worth taking.
Check your local listings or the AMC+ app, as they often drop "behind the scenes" specials or "Best of" marathons during the spring months to bridge the gap between the major spin-off premieres. Your best bet for 2026 is to keep an eye on the Dead City production updates, as that will be the next major "start" for the zombie-verse.