Listen, That ‘Riverdale’ Zombie Apocalypse Theory Isn’t As Crazy As You Think

Keely Flaherty
TV Riverdale
TV Riverdale Netflix The CW

SPOILER ALERT: Warning, this article contains major spoilers for the Season 3 premiere of Riverdale. Proceed at your own peril.

We adore Riverdale. It’s a bright pop of Gen Z color in a bleak world full of milkshakes, pearls, and delicious family drama — and the Season 3 premiere, “Labor Day,” packed a whole series of on-brand punches. But it also introduced us to some possible supernatural elements that might mean the peppy town of Riverdale is headed for, well, a zombie apocalypse. It’s a theory that’s been floating around for a while, and based on “Labor Day,” it’s actually looking preeetty likely.

Betty Cooper Riverdale Season 3 premiere Episode 1

The premiere revealed a lot: Betty’s been secretly battling an Adderall addiction, Archie took a plea bargain for a murder he didn’t commit and is headed to juvenile detention for two years, Veronica declared all-out war on her father, Moose and Kevin made a pact to bone by Halloween, Sweet Pea and Josie hooked up all summer (?!?!), Cheryl shot Malachai with an arrow while wearing a bikini top and Serpent jacket, Hot Dog escaped the evil grips of Penny and the Ghoulies, Jughead discovered this season’s mysterious new villain known only as the Gargoyle King, and Polly’s babies floated over a fire like two fleshy hot air balloons.

Based on the last few minutes of the Season 3 premiere alone, it looks like the supernatural has officially arrived in Riverdale. Here’s exactly what that might mean for the rest of this season.

The Gargoyle King Looks Super Supernatural

Gargoyle King Riverdale Fox Forest Season 3 premiere

So far, we only know a few things about the Gargoyle King: He’s somehow a part of Ben and Dilton’s role-playing game, he hangs out in Fox Forest, he’s terrifying, and he’s serving some serious demonic vibes. Last season’s villain, the Black Hood, was a flesh and blood dude (or dudes, still not totally clear on how many Black Hoods there actually are). But the Gargoyle King might be something else — and based on that creepy final scene, it’s entirely possible he’s not even human. That could open up a whole slew of supernatural possibilities for Riverdale.

A Dangerous and Possibly Magical Cult Has Arrived

Riverdale the Farm Juniper Dagwood Cooper Season 3 Premiere

The premiere made a point of mentioning Edgar Evernever, the leader of Polly’s beloved Farm, and he seems like all kinds of bad news. Polly keeps blathering on and on about how Edgar healed her — and now she’s even recruited her own mother to the Farm’s ranks — but no one’s buying that this is some sort of simple yoga-driven nature retreat.

Polly and Alice dropped Juniper and Dagwood over a fire and, they frickin’ floated. Yes, Betty had a seizure right after that happened and chances are Alice and Polly will try to convince her she imagined the whole thing — but she didn’t. Those babies flew, and that is some dark magic, end-of-days nonsense. There have also been rumors that Edgar and his daughter Evelyn will become the Coopers’ neighbors this season, and that she and Betty will form a friendship. Run away, Betty, run far away.

The Zombie Apocalypse Might Be Coming

Riverdale Greendale Afterlife with Archie zombie apocalypse Season 3 premiere

Look, it could legitimately happen. Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s popular Archie comic series, Afterlife With Archie, is all about the Riverdale gang surviving (and sometimes not surviving) the zombie apocalypse. He’s been dropping some serious hints that fans might want to pay attention to that source material — for example, the Season 3 mid-series finale is called “Outbreak.”

Last season Riverdale started to set us up for a transition into the gruesome supernatural Episode 7, “Tales from the Darkside.” Remember that zombie-looking deer on the road to Greendale? Don’t forget Farmer McGinty‘s ominous words: “You never know on the road to Greendale.”

Hot Dog Could Be Patient Zero

Riverdale Hot Dog Jughead Afterlife with Archie Season 3 premiere

In Afterlife With Archie, Hot Dog is the first being to become infected with the zombie virus before it spreads to Jughead, who in turn becomes Jugdead, King of the Zombies (seriously, read this comic series). It’s a heartbreaking theory, but making Hot Dog a key player in the first episode of Season 3 — and emphasizing how much Jughead loves him — might be setting the pup up to play a crucial (and tragic) role this season.

Enter Sabrina Spellman

Riverdale Sabrina Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Afterlife with Archie

As we all know, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina — Aguirre-Sacasa’s magical new Riverdale companion show premiering on Netflix October 26 — is all about Greendale’s favorite teenage witch. The show will inevitably offer the opportunity for the crossover of our dreams. Sabrina’s already a major player in Afterlife, where she technically started the zombie apocalypse by resurrecting Hot Dog.

After using the dreaded Necronomicon to bring her friend Jughead’s dog back from the dead, Sabrina’s aunts banish Sabrina to witch limbo as punishment. Later, she’s transported to a horrifying H.P. Lovecraft-inspired nether realm and becomes the bride of Cthulhu. It’s a lot, and that probably won’t all happen on Riverdale or Chilling Adventures, but it would be pretty badass to see Sabrina swoop in to lend her neighbors across Sweetwater River a magical hand in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

Betty Might Die

Betty Cooper Jughead Jones Riverdale Season 3 premiere

It’s extremely unlikely, and no one could emotionally deal with the permanent loss of Bughead, but Aguirre-Sacasa did tease a major death in “Outbreak” — and the most recent issue of Afterlife with Archie is titled “Betty: R.I.P.,” so it’s not impossible. She technically isn’t dead in the comics (yet), but no one’s safe in a zombie apocalypse. Not even the core four.

The Overwatch 2 X Street Fighter Collaboration Is "A Match Made In Heaven"
Two of Overwatch's key art directors discuss bringing Capcom's fighter to Blizzard's hero shooter.
Copied to clipboard
Some $80 Games Are A "Steal" Based On What They Offer, Former Sony Exec Says 
"As long as people choose carefully how they spend their money, I don't think they should be complaining."
Copied to clipboard
New Xbox Update Makes A Key Improvement
Microsoft is delivering an improvement that fans have been asking for.
Copied to clipboard
The Last Of Us Season 2 Finale's Intense Trailer Sets Up A Dramatic Conclusion
Season 2 wraps up this Sunday with what looks like a powerful episode.
Copied to clipboard
Red Dead Redemption At 15: There Will Never Be Another Spaghetti Western Like It
Even in its own trilogy, there's nothing quite like Red Dead Redemption.
Copied to clipboard
15 Games Like Call Of Duty To Play With Your Friends In 2025
Here's our full list of the best games like Call of Duty to play right now if you need a new multiplayer shooter to dive into.
Copied to clipboard
Magic: The Gathering - Final Fantasy Through The Ages: Every Bonus Sheet Card
Here are all 64 cards from the special subset included within the MTG Final Fantasy expansion.
Copied to clipboard
Switch 2's Bravely Default Remaster Rings In 3DS Nostalgia Era With A Great RPG
The retro-throwback RPG looks beautiful in some ways, and charmingly rudimentary in others.
Copied to clipboard
Murderbot Review: Alexander Skarsgård Is Hilariously Awkward in Sci-Fi Dramedy
Skarsgård plays a rogue cyborg in Apple TV+'s somewhat shallow but appropriately snarky adaptation
Copied to clipboard
The Handmaid's Tale Cast and Crew React to the Show's Own Red Wedding Episode
'People are going to have their minds blown by what happens.'
Copied to clipboard
All The PlayStation Plus May 2025 Games For Premium And Extra Subscribers
PS Plus subscribers can look forward to a diverse selection of games this month.
Copied to clipboard
Duster Review: Thank You, J.J. Abrams, for Another Josh Holloway Show
The new crime thriller from Abrams and LaToya Morgan is a messy delight
Copied to clipboard
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Review - Completing The Set
Capcom delivers another great fighting game collection--even with varying quality in the selections this time around.
Copied to clipboard
Control Spin-Off FBC: Firebreak Is A Defiant, Punk-Rock Take On Co-Op Shooters
Remedy's three-player FPS combines a DIY spirit with Left 4 Dead-like chaos.
Copied to clipboard
The Bear Season 4 Has a Tasty Premiere Date
We'll be back in the kitchen imminently
Copied to clipboard
FX Just Dropped a Ton of Alien: Earth Info, Including a Premiere Date
Noah Hawley's take on the sci-fi franchise is set somewhere Alien has never been
Copied to clipboard
Tracker Boss Unpacks That Season 2 Finale and What's Coming in Season 3
Elwood Reid says Justin Hartley evokes a certain classic tough guy
Copied to clipboard
Marvel Rivals Battle Pass Season 0 - All Skins, Emotes, And Other Rewards
The free-to-play hero shooter Marvel Rivals has arrived, launching with a short Season 0 battle pass.
Copied to clipboard
Marvel 1943: Rise Of Hydra Delayed
The new Marvel game won't make it out on time.
Copied to clipboard
The Best And Wildest Grand Theft Auto 6 Theories We've Seen So Far
Even with limited footage and screens, the GTA community has some big ideas for the next game.
Copied to clipboard
WoW Legion Is Getting The Remix Treatment, Blizzard Confirms
Legion Remix has been officially announced at PAX East.
Copied to clipboard
Fallout Renewed For A Third Season, But Heading To New Vegas First
Prime Video has greenlit Fallout Season 3 while we're still waiting for Season 2 to premiere later this year.
Copied to clipboard
Boba Fett, Final Fantasy 7's Aerith, And The Best Cosplay From PAX East 2025
Halo, Helldivers, Fallout, and much more were on display by fans at PAX.
Copied to clipboard
GTA 4 Remaster May Be In The Works
We might get GTA 4 a second time before GTA 6.
Copied to clipboard
Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Collab Led To Spirited Discussions Over Cuts
"I had to say 'Daniel, if they don't make it in, I will be very upset, because someone will get very upset with me if they don't make it in."
Copied to clipboard
Nintendo Reveals A Switch 2 Setting That Prevents Its Battery From Deteriorating
Make sure you turn on this Nintendo Switch 2 setting if you don't want your battery to deteriorate as fast.
Copied to clipboard
Magic: The Gathering – Final Fantasy PAX East Panel: See The Revealed Cards Now
The mad dash to June 13 has begun, as the PAX East panel revealed over 20 cards from the upcoming set.
Copied to clipboard
Borderlands 4 Will Feature Substantial Changes For Co-Op Players
From improved lobbies to the ability to fast-travel directly to your friends, Borderlands 4 looks like it'll be a blast of fun for fans of co-op games
Copied to clipboard
Andor's Kyle Soller: Syril's 'Finally Understanding That He's Been the Patsy'
'He's in such a primal state of transition, it's like he's leaving a cult'
Copied to clipboard
The Hilarious Peacemaker Season 2 Trailer Features Some DC Cameos
Check out the Superman connection in the first Season 2 trailer
Copied to clipboard
Revenge Of The Savage Planet Review - A Goo(d) Time
A bigger and better sequel, stretching out its joyful mix of platforming, exploration, and puzzle-solving across four diverse and lively planets.
Copied to clipboard
Doom: The Dark Ages Review - The Old One
Doom: The Dark Ages reinvents and reins in with equal measure, taking the series in a bold new direction without straying from its captivating roots.
Copied to clipboard
Europa Universalis 5 Is Unabashedly Hardcore, And I Love It
Europa Universalis 5 features all of the thorough mechanical depth Paradox Interactive’s grand strategy series is known for.
Copied to clipboard
How To Survive Fortnite's Painfully Slow Star Wars Meta
Zero Build players should never leave home without shield bubbles.
Copied to clipboard
8 Horror Subclasses Join Unearthed Arcana For Dungeons And Dragons 2024
New D&D horror subclasses announced with the latest Unearthed Arcana.
Copied to clipboard
Squid Game's Season 3 Trailer Teases a New Deadly Game
Let's talk about that gumball machine in the new trailer
Copied to clipboard
The Best Anime TV Shows on Netflix
The biggest streamer has a ton of Japanese imports and exclusive originals worth watching
Copied to clipboard
GTA 6 Trailer 2 Breakdown: What's Happening In Leonida?
You'd be amazed how much can be packed into two minutes and 46 seconds.
Copied to clipboard
Disney Lorcana Next Chapter Livestream: Everything Revealed For Lorcana's Future
Ravensburger's hit TCG has some big plans for its third year.
Copied to clipboard
Games Joining Game Pass In May 2025, Including Doom: The Dark Ages
Three day-one releases are part of this wave for the subscription service.
Copied to clipboard
GTA 6 - Here Are 177 Screenshots To Ease The Wait Until 2026
Grand Theft Auto VI is coming in May 2026.
Copied to clipboard
Filming The Last of Us Episode 4's Subway Action Scene Was No Easy Task
Go behind Episodes 2 and 4 with cinematographer Catherine Goldschmidt
Copied to clipboard
Apex Legends Season 25 Patch Notes: New Legend, Arenas Mode, And More
Season 25: Prodigy includes a new audio bug report system, the return of Arenas, and a new Legend named Sparrow.
Copied to clipboard
Nintendo Switch's Latest Update Disables Popular Game-Sharing Loophole
Switch owners have lost a helpful way to share online-enabled games thanks to the latest hardware update.
Copied to clipboard
Fortnite Star Wars Battle Pass: All Skins And Other Rewards
Fortnite is going all in on Star Wars this month.
Copied to clipboard
GTA 6 Delayed To 2026
Rockstar's giant open-world game will not make it out on time.
Copied to clipboard
FX Gives First Details on Shōgun Season 2
Production is set to begin in 2026
Copied to clipboard
Sam Elliott Joins Landman Season 2, as He Should
A legend of the West is joining Season 2 — yeehaw!
Copied to clipboard
Everything New In Fortnite's Star Wars Season, Galactic Battle
For the next five weeks, Star Wars is taking over Fortnite battle royale and Lego Fortnite.
Copied to clipboard
Fortnite Returning To US iOS Soon After Judge Slams Apple For "Insubordination"
The latest chapter in the Epic Games/Apple legal battle gives Epic a big win.
Copied to clipboard
Xbox Consoles, Games, And Accessories See Price Increases Starting Today
An Xbox Series X system will now cost $600 in the US, after previously being listed for $500.
Copied to clipboard
PlayStation Plus Free Games For May 2025 Revealed
Here's what PS Plus subscribers can look forward to in May.
Copied to clipboard
These Nintendo Switch 2 Titles Have The Full Game On The Game Card
Only certain physical releases for Nintendo Switch 2 will contain the entire game on the Game Card. These are all of the ones confirmed so far.
Copied to clipboard
Best Oblivion Remastered Mods To Download So Far
Mods are available to download in Oblivion Remastered, but which ones should you prioritize first for your journey in Cyrodiil?
Copied to clipboard
Borderlands 4 Release Date Moved Up
Gearbox's looter-shooter is now coming a few weeks sooner.
Copied to clipboard
Skin Deep Review - System Snark
While rewarding creativity like any great game in its genre should, Blendo Games' Skin Deep also offers a refreshingly lighthearted take on the im sim
Copied to clipboard
The Best Games Of 2025 (So Far)
2025 is off to a great start, thanks to games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Civilization VII.
Copied to clipboard
Gameloft CEO Reflects On 25th Anniversary:"No Miracle Recipe For A Blockbuster"
The CEO of the tenured game maker speaks about agility, collaboration, and vigilance in a volatile industry.
Copied to clipboard
You Won't Find Switch 2 Consoles On Amazon, But You Can Get Games & Gear
Here's why only select Nintendo Switch 2 products are available at Amazon right now.
Copied to clipboard
Andor's Undocumented Labor Subplot Hits Terrifyingly Close to Home
The Star Wars series draws real-world parallels with its harrowing refugee storyline
Copied to clipboard
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Review
Despite its name, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered comfortably toes the line between a remake and remaster
Copied to clipboard
You Season 5 Takes a Strange Detour but Ends Where It Must
The final season of the twisted Netflix drama knows what Joe Goldberg deserves, even if it takes too long to deliver
Copied to clipboard
Getting A Switch 2 Was A Chaotic, Stressful Mess
The floodgates opened, and online retailers nearly buckled under the surge of Switch 2 seekers.
Copied to clipboard
Fortnite Star Wars Map Revealed A Week Before Major Update
The next Fortnite update might not be Chapter 6 Season 3 like players expected.
Copied to clipboard
What's Coming to Netflix in May
Check into the Four Seasons with Tina Fey and Colman Domingo on May 1
Copied to clipboard
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review - Light And Shadow
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a phenomenal RPG, telling a heartbreaking tale while incorporating thrilling action into its tactical turn-based combat
Copied to clipboard
Everything Sucks, But Video Games Help Me Process It
As much as the world needs games that make us feel secure and cozy, I believe we need games that encourage and empower us, too.
Copied to clipboard
Best Classes In Oblivion Remastered And All Elder Scrolls IV Classes
There are nearly two dozen classes to choose from in Oblivion Remastered, so which ones are the best to use for your character?
Copied to clipboard
Oblivion Remastered Is Steam Deck Verified And Steeply Discounted For PC
If you want the newly released remaster of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion on Steam, check out Fanatical's deals on the standard and Deluxe Editions.
Copied to clipboard
73 Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Remaster Screenshots Showing Off The New Visuals
Bethesda's new Unreal Engine 5-powered RPG remaster is out now, and it looks pretty great.
Copied to clipboard
New Max and HBO TV Shows and Movies in April 2025
I couldn't help but wonder, what's coming to HBO in May?
Copied to clipboard
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Full Walkthrough
Oblivion Remastered is here, and we have a full walkthrough, including character customization, quests, guilds, shrines, and more.
Copied to clipboard
Oblivion Remaster Surprise-Launches Today On Game Pass, Also Available On PS5
The long-rumored Elder Scrolls remaster was announced today, and it's out now.
Copied to clipboard
Andor Season 2 Review: A Thrilling Conclusion to the Greatest Star Wars Spin-Off
Diego Luna's rebel spy returns in this beautifully realized anti-fascist drama
Copied to clipboard
The Last Of Us Season 2's Shocking Death: Cast And Writers React To Big Reveal
Pedro Pascal says he is in "active denial" about the latest developments on HBO's The Last of Us.
Copied to clipboard
Star Wars: Zero Company Trailer Teases Stealthy Tactics In A Galaxy Far Far Away
The first look at Star Wars: Zero Company showed off a darker side of the Clone Wars.
Copied to clipboard
Fatal Fury: City Of The Wolves Review In Progress - A New Mark
A mechanically sound and fun fighting experience is slightly hampered by a lacking set of modes to use it in.
Copied to clipboard
Black Mirror's Jimmi Simpson Drew Inspiration From Elon Musk for his Latest Role
'Right now, the Tech-Billionaire-Out-of-Control is such a present issue'
Copied to clipboard
Sunderfolk Review - A Great Tabletop-Inspired Game With Friends
Sunderfolk isn't great if you play it on your own, but the experience with friends is fantastic and memorable.
Copied to clipboard
The Wheel of Time's Rand and Lanfear Have the Most Twisted Romance on TV
The unexpected relationship evokes Star Wars' Reylo, but in reverse
Copied to clipboard
Matlock's Boss on the 'Heartbreaking' Finale and What It Means for Season 2
She also reveals how the team decided who stole the Wellbrexa documents
Copied to clipboard
WrestleMania 41 Predictions For All Matches Using WWE 2K25
We predicted WWE WrestleMania 41 the best way we know how: by simulating the WrestleMania 41 match card inside WWE 2K25.
Copied to clipboard
Did Nintendo Justify Mario Kart World's $80 Price?
The Nintendo Direct focused on Mario Kart had some neat features but didn't exactly make the case for a steep price increase.
Copied to clipboard
Nintendo Switch 2 Console Preorders Sold Out At All Major Retailers
The Switch 2 will still cost $450 on its own or $500 in a bundle with Mario Kart World when it launches on June 5.
Copied to clipboard