A Billion-Dollar Success Story That Shows No Signs of Slowing Down
Summary
– The Walking Dead has generated over $1 billion in game revenue and remains a top show on Netflix
– The franchise spans 330 TV episodes, multiple game adaptations, and ongoing comic book releases
– Skybound Entertainment continues to expand its universe while investing in new projects like Invincible
The Walking Dead is proving to be one of the most successful entertainment franchises of the 21st century, continuing to thrive across TV, games, and comics, according to a report by Owl & Co., the franchise’s games alone have generated over $1 billion in revenue, while the Netflix series racked up 1.3 billion viewing hours in 2023.
Skybound Entertainment, founded by creators Robert Kirkman and David Alpert, has built an empire out of the post-apocalyptic universe. With 330 TV episodes across seven live-action series, The Walking Dead remains one of the most-watched shows globally, ranking in the top three on Netflix. The engagement value alone is estimated at $83 million annually for the streaming platform.
The gaming side of the franchise is just as lucrative, with titles like The Walking Dead: Road to Survival surpassing $500 million in revenue and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners bringing in $100 million. Skybound has successfully licensed the IP across platforms, from mobile games to VR experiences.
While The Walking Dead remains a juggernaut, Skybound also focuses on expanding other projects, including Invincible, which has gained massive traction on Amazon Prime Video. Despite the challenges of sustaining long-term franchises, the company continues to explore new storytelling opportunities, ensuring The Walking Dead remains a dominant force in entertainment.