Creators of “The Walking Dead” win $120 million settlement over profit-sharing dispute

The producers of “The Walking Dead” will receive $120 million from AMC after a nine-year legal battle over the profits generated by the television franchise.

The settlement provides for $85 million in cash to be paid by September 18, 2026, and another $35 million by January 31, 2027, according to a company statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The second payment will serve as an advance against future profit participation linked to “The Walking Dead” and its spin-off, “Fear the Walking Dead.”

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The settlement agreement provides for total consideration of $120 million for the plaintiffs, consisting of an $85 million cash payment by September 18, 2026, and $35 million to be paid no later than January 31, 2027.

AMC and the producers reached the agreement amicably on September 4. The settlement ends litigation involving series creator Robert Kirkman and several producers, who accused the media company of failing to honor its contractual obligations to the creative personnel behind what the article describes as the network’s most successful franchise.

The case formed part of a broader series of disputes over the show’s profits. In 2021, AMC paid another $200 million to settle litigation with director Frank Darabont and his representation agency over a similar matter.

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respect its contractual obligations to the creative personnel, the ‘talent’ in industry jargon, behind a long-running, enormously profitable and extremely successful television series