Ahead of the Walking Dead spinoff show’s premiere on Feb. 25, early reviews have given the series a Rotten Tomatoes debut score of 88%. The number may be fluctuating when more reviews come in, but as of now, this sets the new record as the highest-rated Walking Dead series on the review aggregator website. It has an eight-point lead over The Walking Dead: Dead City, which currently holds an 80% fresh score. The rest of the shows in the Walking Dead franchise at the series include rankings of the original Walking Dead series at 79%; Tales of the Walking Dead at 74%; Fear the Walking Dead at 73%; The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon at 71%; and The Walking Dead: World Beyond at 46%.

Halo Season 2 debuts with a much stronger Rotten Tomatoes score compared to its first season.

“The Ones Who Live plays out as a conspiracy thriller against the backdrop of the post-zombie apocalypse. Part Prison Break and part World War Z, this is The Walking Dead on the scope and scale of a zombie movie blockbuster,” writes ComicBook.com critic Cameron Bonomolo. Like Bonomolo, Sarabeth Pollock of What To Watch also gave The Ones Who Live a perfect 5/5 score, noting in a review, “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is a triumph, lovingly created by TWD fans for TWD fans.”

Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira Have Been Missed

“Each time Lincoln and Gurira are on screen it becomes clear that while the spinoffs have been entertaining, they were missing the kind of sincerity these two actors bring to the table,” another review stated, written by Kaiya Shunyata of RogerEbert.com, giving high praise to the starring cast. Another promising review from Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky noted, “Those who have been waiting forever for Rick to return will be thrilled! Feels like top tier The Walking Dead while also bringing something fresh and unique.”

True Detective’s fourth season has garnered a rare Rotten Tomatoes score, setting a new record for the franchise.

Pearl Thorne (Lesley-Ann Brandt) and Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) being lit by red lights on The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Jadis wears black in the forest on The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live General Beale (Terry O'Quinn) smiling at Rick Grimes on The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
Michonne holding her sword in The Ones Who Live Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Rick Grimes sits on a bench looking at a destroyed city in The Ones Who Live
Pearl Thorne (Lesley-Ann Brandt) and Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) being lit by red lights on The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Jadis wears black in the forest on The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live General Beale (Terry O'Quinn) smiling at Rick Grimes on The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Michonne holding her sword in The Ones Who Live
Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Rick Grimes sits on a bench looking at a destroyed city in The Ones Who Live

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live has generated a lot of interest with fans, as it will finally reunite fan favorites Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira). The two actors also created the series with Walking Dead boss Scott M. Gimple, who serves as showrunner. Pollyanna McIntosh returns from The Walking Dead to reprise her role as Jadis, and there’s a good chance that there will be some special appearances from other major characters from the original series, though none have been officially confirmed at this time. There will be a handful of new cast members joining Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira in the series. This includes Lesly-Ann Brandt, Terry O’Quinn, Andrew Bachelor, and Breeda Wool.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is set to premiere on Feb. 25, 2024, on AMC and AMC+.