Netflix could lose a show that drew nearly half a billion hours of viewership in 2025

Each month, the most exciting part about being a fan of Netflix is learning what new releases are coming, whether they're beloved movies or underrated shows we can't wait to binge-watch. But with additions inevitably come removals, and we never want to hear that our favorite shows will be leaving Netflix. Unfortunately, sometimes that happens, and The Walking Dead could be next.

AMC's wildly popular — we're talking billions of hours viewed, and half-billion of those were in the final half of 2025 alone — post-apocalyptic drama series The Walking Dead has called Netflix its streaming home for quite some time. All 11 seasons are available to watch on the streamer, and a number of the show's spinoff series have also become available, like Daryl Dixon and Dead City. However, AMC has revealed plans to regain the rights, which could lead to leaving Netflix.

The Walking Dead could be leaving Netflix

During a conference call in February 2026 discussing AMC's fourth-quarter earnings and future plans, AMC Networks CEO Kristin Dolan shared the news that the company will be taking back the rights to The Walking Dead series "in less than a year," and that talks are ongoing for what the future could look like for the show's streaming home. But departing Netflix is a real possibility now.

Currently, it's not confirmed that The Walking Dead will actually be leaving Netflix, and there's no set timeframe for when the potential for the series to jump streaming services beyond "in less than a year." When AMC gets the rights back to the series before the end of 2026, they will have the power to decide how and where to license, distribute, and sell all 11 seasons.

For those unfamiliar with what this would mean, The Walking Dead will basically be a free agent. The series will most definitely become available to stream on the network's own streaming service, AMC+, where it's oddly not currently streaming. You'd think it would be, but it's not, and that's a problem they're likely looking to solve. But AMC will also hold the show's destiny in its hands. That could mean either returning to or staying put on Netflix or seeking out another home like HBO Max or Hulu.

While it's entirely possible for AMC to gatekeep The Walking Dead on AMC+ for some period of time, the show's rabid success with fans on Netflix will certainly warrant exploring another streaming home. Given its half-billion hours viewed on Netflix in the latter half of last year, it's unimaginable that Netflix would want to lose such a draw and could put in a sizable bid to keep in on the platform.

Similar moves have been made with long-running shows with equal draw. Disney's Grey's Anatomy remains one of the top acquired performers on Netflix, but the series also become available to stream on Hulu/Disney+ beyond the most recent episodes. Gilmore Girls, which is owned by Warner Bros., has been a staple on Netflix for over a decade, but it's stayed put while also landing on Hulu.

An arrangement such as the aforementioned two could be on the horizon for a show as popular as The Walking Dead. However, even if the series leaves Netflix, we never have to worry about it becoming inaccessible. It will always be available to watch somewhere. Until we learn further details when AMC regains the rights to the series, let's keep our fingers crossed for some good news!