Blab Entertainment
2026 Promises a Zombie-Heavy Slate: New Walking Dead Seasons and Three Major Horror Films
2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for zombie‑themed entertainment, with two new seasons of the long‑running Walking Dead franchise and three feature films that promise fresh takes on the undead. The Walking Dead: Dead City returns for a third season on July 26 2026, while The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon moves to Netflix for its third season on July 19 2026. In cinema, Capcom’s Resident Evil reboot, Yeon Sang‑ho’s Colony, and Sébastien Vaniček’s Evil Dead Burn are slated for release between July and September.
The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 will air on AMC and stream on AMC+ beginning July 26, 2026. The eight‑episode season follows Maggie and Negan as they navigate a new post‑apocalyptic landscape. The series, created by Eli Jorné, had its first two seasons released in 2023 and 2025, and the third season was announced in July 2025. The show continues the narrative thread of the original Walking Dead universe and is expected to bring back key characters such as Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
A week earlier, Netflix will launch The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 3 on July 19, 2026. The spin‑off, starring Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride, follows the iconic survivor Daryl Dixon. The third season arrives on the streaming platform after the first two seasons premiered on Netflix in 2024 and 2025. The release date was confirmed in June 2026, and the series is positioned as the penultimate chapter before the franchise’s final season.
Capcom’s long‑running video‑game franchise is getting a new live‑action entry with Resident Evil (2026). Director Zach Cregger, known for Weapons (2025) and Barbarian (2022), is helming the film. The story centers on a new character named Bryan, who has no combat skills and is described as an “everyman” thrust into a world of horror. Cregger has stated that the film will avoid using established game characters such as Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield, and will instead focus on a single, continuous survival sequence. The movie is scheduled for theatrical release on September 18, 2026.
Colony, directed by Yeon Sang‑ho—the filmmaker behind Train to Busan—offers a different zombie concept. The film follows a group of survivors trapped in a conference center while infected creatures that can communicate like ants pursue them. Colony is set to release in the United States on August 28, 2026. Critics have noted the film’s enclosed setting and the infected’s adaptive behavior, though overall reception has been mixed.
Evil Dead Burn, the latest entry in the Evil Dead franchise, is slated for release on July 10, 2026. Director Sébastien Vaniček aims to deliver a brutal, unrelenting horror experience that pushes the series’ violent reputation further. Early screenings have highlighted the film’s intense gore and the promise of a post‑credits scene that could set up future installments.
The 2026 slate reflects the continued popularity of zombie narratives across media. Resident Evil’s video‑game roots trace back to 1996, and the franchise has sold over 201 million copies worldwide as of May 2026. Its film adaptations, while not critically acclaimed, have collectively grossed more than $1.2 billion, making it the third‑highest‑grossing video‑game film series. The new Resident Evil film seeks to refresh the brand by focusing on a new protagonist and a streamlined survival story.
In the broader context, 2026 also sees the release of Resident Evil Requiem, a video‑game title that launched on February 27, 2026. The game’s success underscores the franchise’s ongoing relevance and provides a backdrop for the upcoming film.
Overall, the year’s zombie‑centric offerings—from television to cinema—highlight the genre’s resilience and its ability to adapt to new storytelling formats. Fans can expect a mix of familiar characters and fresh narratives, with release dates spread from July to September. The upcoming films and shows will test the limits of horror conventions while continuing to draw audiences to both theaters and streaming platforms.
The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 will air on AMC and stream on AMC+ beginning July 26, 2026. The eight‑episode season follows Maggie and Negan as they navigate a new post‑apocalyptic landscape. The series, created by Eli Jorné, had its first two seasons released in 2023 and 2025, and the third season was announced in July 2025. The show continues the narrative thread of the original Walking Dead universe and is expected to bring back key characters such as Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
A week earlier, Netflix will launch The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 3 on July 19, 2026. The spin‑off, starring Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride, follows the iconic survivor Daryl Dixon. The third season arrives on the streaming platform after the first two seasons premiered on Netflix in 2024 and 2025. The release date was confirmed in June 2026, and the series is positioned as the penultimate chapter before the franchise’s final season.
Capcom’s long‑running video‑game franchise is getting a new live‑action entry with Resident Evil (2026). Director Zach Cregger, known for Weapons (2025) and Barbarian (2022), is helming the film. The story centers on a new character named Bryan, who has no combat skills and is described as an “everyman” thrust into a world of horror. Cregger has stated that the film will avoid using established game characters such as Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield, and will instead focus on a single, continuous survival sequence. The movie is scheduled for theatrical release on September 18, 2026.
Colony, directed by Yeon Sang‑ho—the filmmaker behind Train to Busan—offers a different zombie concept. The film follows a group of survivors trapped in a conference center while infected creatures that can communicate like ants pursue them. Colony is set to release in the United States on August 28, 2026. Critics have noted the film’s enclosed setting and the infected’s adaptive behavior, though overall reception has been mixed.
Evil Dead Burn, the latest entry in the Evil Dead franchise, is slated for release on July 10, 2026. Director Sébastien Vaniček aims to deliver a brutal, unrelenting horror experience that pushes the series’ violent reputation further. Early screenings have highlighted the film’s intense gore and the promise of a post‑credits scene that could set up future installments.
The 2026 slate reflects the continued popularity of zombie narratives across media. Resident Evil’s video‑game roots trace back to 1996, and the franchise has sold over 201 million copies worldwide as of May 2026. Its film adaptations, while not critically acclaimed, have collectively grossed more than $1.2 billion, making it the third‑highest‑grossing video‑game film series. The new Resident Evil film seeks to refresh the brand by focusing on a new protagonist and a streamlined survival story.
In the broader context, 2026 also sees the release of Resident Evil Requiem, a video‑game title that launched on February 27, 2026. The game’s success underscores the franchise’s ongoing relevance and provides a backdrop for the upcoming film.
Overall, the year’s zombie‑centric offerings—from television to cinema—highlight the genre’s resilience and its ability to adapt to new storytelling formats. Fans can expect a mix of familiar characters and fresh narratives, with release dates spread from July to September. The upcoming films and shows will test the limits of horror conventions while continuing to draw audiences to both theaters and streaming platforms.
