While it hasn’t been announced, The Walking Dead most certainly has more years behind it than ahead. The series’ turn into its eleventh season does seem to suggest that the end might be near, which makes it the best time to consider the theories over its future and whatever fans have seen so far.
These theories tend to be far-reaching, with certain liberties taken to the series’ internal logic. However, there’s still a chance they can be true, given that this is a show that allows zombies to be real. That said, there are theories that would be pretty nice to be part of canon, while others should remain as only theories forever.
10 Like: The CRM Versus The Commonwealth Battle
The Helicopter Group, whose identity has been confirmed as CRM, is expected to play a heavy part in The Walking Dead: World Beyond. However, this theory assumes that it will end up in an all-out war with the Commonwealth at the end of the series.
The Commonwealth is the final community the heroes come across in the comics, and it would make for an incredible finale if two powerhouse factions duked it out for supremacy. The theory argues that the Commonwealth will be the good guys.
9 Don't Like: Eugene Released The Virus
The argument in this theory is that Eugene indeed was a scientist as he claimed. The eventual reveal, though, will be that he’ll be shown as the person who inadvertently created the virus that led to the zombie apocalypse.
There’s a chance this might happen in Season 11 itself, but it’s one fans wouldn’t want to be true since it would put the focus back on Eugene being an antagonist. That venture didn’t reap good results in Season 8, and placing the blame on him for starting the apocalypse doesn’t sound exciting.
8 Like: The Virus Is Actually A Cure Gone Wrong
There have been a number of changes from the comics to the TV series, so it’s not beyond the realm of possibility to explore the virus’ origins. This theory is very interesting, in that it lays claim that the virus is actually supposed to be a cure.
According to this scenario, the story will play out by showing that humans had come up with a cure for death. Unfortunately, this strain mutated and turned people into the zombies the world is infected with. It’s out there, but it would be a breath of fresh air to see the characters uncover the actual cure. This can give way to the finale showing how the remaining survivors managed to overcome the apocalypse by using the cure.
7 Don't Like: Rick Is The Vaccine
This theory asserts that Rick, having bitten into the jugular vein of one of the antagonists and devoured some of his meat, is immune to the virus. Basically, it claims that eating uncooked human meat prevents one from becoming a zombie, and Rick’s blood will be used to make a cure.
It’s been very long since said incident of “eating” meat happened to Rick, which means bringing this singular moment back for such a grand payoff is unwarranted. Not to mention that the explanation for this will take a heck of a long time, due to which the pacing will definitely be too uneven to retain interest.
6 Like: A Flyover Of The Fate Of Every Settlement
While this theory can be considered as something of a prediction, it also brings up a good point. The theorist claims that every settlement that the heroes have encountered have been used to illustrate the toll the apocalypse has taken on the world.
Eventually, the ending of the series will show the impact of the characters’ stay in these locations, with a flyover of the places’ current condition as the last scene in the finale. The reason why this should be true is that it would mean every event in the show was necessary, along with proving how even the smallest decision could lead to a profound consequence.
5 Don't Like: Everything Is Rick's Hallucination
There are many scenarios the show can take to bring Rick back in the mix, but hopefully, this one isn’t it. According to this theory, Rick never actually left the hospital he was seen escaping in the first episode. Instead, the mixture of medication ended up giving him hallucinations.
Every character he’s met has been part of the staff of the hospital, and this has all been his way of rationalizing his coma. Let’s just hope the showrunners don’t fall for the temptation to bring this mega twist, seeing as it would blank out everything fans have seen in the series.
4 Like: The Seasons Represent Human Evolution
This theory has to do with what the series represents, and it does make The Walking Dead out to be a smart show. According to it, each season is meant to illustrate how humanity evolves. The first started out with chaos, following which the farm represented agriculture and hunting.
Seasons three and four were an illustration of gladiatorial times and the plague, respectively. Finally, Alexandria-based seasons represent the renaissance and improving times. This theory connects with evolution, and it’s hard to argue against it since each season really does seem so similar to the time periods they’re linked with.
3 Don't Like: The Characters Are Actors Forced To Survive By The Government
The chances of this theory being true are pretty much non-existent, although more ridiculous things have been known to happen on TV. Under this scenario, it will be revealed that every character is actually an “actor” who has been left stranded in a certain part of America.
These people are forced to survive this hellish atmosphere by the government and will be killed swiftly if they try to escape their confinement. It’s far too ridiculous to actually be used on the show, but the suggestion that the government is using this as a testing ground for a real apocalypse might have a chance of being used in canon.
2 Like: Maggie Is The Original Voice On The Radio
The ways to bring Maggie back to the series have been considered plenty of times before. This theory asserts that she had “returned” much earlier, though. The voice at the end of Season 9 was actually Maggie’s in this scenario, with Stephanie’s communication with Eugene happening much later.
Pretty much the point here is that Maggie had managed to reach out using the radio earlier on. This does sound like an interesting angle since it would present a conflict for Maggie, and a plotline that opens up her return.
1 Don't Like: The Virus Is A Supernatural Force That Seeks To Exterminate Humans
People spend time arguing which villain was the best in the series, but this theory reaches much further out into the supernatural. According to this one, the series exists in the fantasy genre, with a supernatural force causing the virus outbreak.
The explanation is that this force specifically targets humans, explaining why only people turn into zombies and not animals. Although The Walking Dead is kind of a fantasy, let’s just hope the series doesn’t jump the shark and acknowledge the supernatural. It would be an insult to the fans if the cause for the apocalypse turns out to magical in nature, so this theory is better left off canon.