Best Fantasy TV Shows (Ranked 25 to 1)
21. A Discovery of Witches
If you like your fantasy with a hefty dose of romance and academia, ‘A Discovery of Witches’ delivers. Based on Deborah Harkness’s bestselling ‘All Souls Trilogy,’ the series follows historian and reluctant witch Diana Bishop (Teresa Palmer), who stumbles upon a magical manuscript at Oxford. Enter Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode), a centuries-old vampire who becomes both her ally and love interest. Together, they’re thrust into a battle that spans time, power, and forbidden passion. With gorgeous European backdrops and gothic allure, the series is a stylish blend of supernatural intrigue and star-crossed love.
19. Shadow and Bone
Based on Leigh Bardugo’s bestselling Grishaverse novels, ‘Shadow and Bone’ whisks viewers into a war-torn world divided by the Shadow Fold, a sea of monsters made of pure darkness. Jessie Mei Li stars as Alina Starkov, an orphaned mapmaker who discovers she may be the legendary Sun Summoner with the power to destroy the Fold. The Netflix series also weaves in fan-favorite characters from ‘Six of Crows,’ offering heists alongside epic magic. It’s a tragedy that Netflix canceled it.
18. Wednesday
Tim Burton’s ‘Wednesday’ takes one of pop culture’s most iconic goth girls and gives her a whole new spotlight. Jenna Ortega shines as Wednesday Addams, who’s sent to Nevermore Academy, a school for outcasts. There, she solves mysteries, dodges prophecies, and wrestles with teenage angst while maintaining her deadpan wit. The show balances dark humor with coming-of-age drama. Equal parts murder mystery and supernatural romp, it transforms Wednesday into a sleuthing, relatable antihero for a new generation.
17. The Umbrella Academy
A dysfunctional family of adopted superheroes who can’t stop fighting each other yet have to save the world over and over again. That’s ‘The Umbrella Academy’ in a nutshell. The Netflix series follows seven estranged siblings, each with bizarre abilities, as they stumble through time travel paradoxes, assassins, and apocalypses. At its heart, though, it’s about family, love, and forgiveness. With outrageous action, sly humor, and plenty of weirdness, it’s a superhero fantasy with a darkly emotional core that makes it binge-worthy.
15. Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
‘The Rings of Power’ takes fans back thousands of years before Frodo ever set foot in Mordor. Set in Tolkien’s Second Age, the show chronicles the rise of Sauron, the forging of the Rings, and the epic battles that shaped Middle-earth. We meet younger versions of iconic figures like Galadriel and Elrond, alongside brand-new characters who flesh out the vast world. Visually breathtaking, with sweeping landscapes and colossal battles, the series embraces the story’s grandeur while adding fresh intrigue.
12. What We Do in the Shadows
Few fantasy shows manage to be as hilariously absurd as ‘What We Do in the Shadows.’ Spun off from Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement’s mockumentary film, the series follows four vampire roommates living in Staten Island. From dealing with werewolf rivals to running for local council, their undead lives are filled with ridiculous predicaments. Equal parts horror parody and workplace sitcom, the show brilliantly skewers vampire lore while delivering genuine belly laughs.
10. Pushing Daisies
Quirky and colorful, ‘Pushing Daisies’ is a whimsical fantasy that feels like a fairy tale wrapped in a detective story. Lee Pace stars as Ned, a pie-maker who can bring the dead back to life with a single touch, though if he touches them again, they’re gone forever. With the help of a private investigator and his revived childhood sweetheart, Ned solves murders in the most unusual ways. The show’s candy-colored visuals, sharp humor, and heartfelt romance make it utterly unique. Short-lived but unforgettable, it’s a bittersweet cult classic.
9. The Witcher
‘The Witcher’ stormed Netflix with Henry Cavill’s unforgettable turn as Geralt of Rivia, the stoic monster hunter with a gruff voice and a moral code. Based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels, the series blends politics, sorcery, destiny, and plenty of sword fights. Rest assured, once you’re in, the lore and character arcs pay off richly. Toss in fan favorites like Yennefer and Jaskier, plus stunning fight choreography, and ‘The Witcher’ stands tall as one of the most ambitious fantasies.
8. His Dark Materials
Finally, Philip Pullman’s beloved trilogy gets the adaptation it deserves. Set in a parallel world where every human’s soul manifests as an animal companion, ‘His Dark Materials’ follows Lyra Belacqua as she uncovers a sinister conspiracy involving missing children, the mystical substance Dust, and the fate of entire universes. Expect sweeping adventure with emotional depth. Packed with daemons, armored polar bears, and interdimensional journeys, it’s both magical and deeply philosophical.
7. The Wheel of Time
Based on Robert Jordan’s epic saga, ‘The Wheel of Time’ brings high fantasy to life with sprawling world-building and complex characters. Rosamund Pike stars as Moiraine, a powerful Aes Sedai who leads five young villagers on a journey, believing one to be the Dragon Reborn—a figure destined to save or destroy the world. With prophecies, magic-wielding women, and richly layered cultures, the show embraces its ambitious source material. Unfortunately, this vast, lore-heavy fantasy was canceled after three seasons, just when the fandom was getting lost in it.
6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Few fantasy shows have had the cultural impact of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as Buffy, a seemingly normal teen who just happens to be the chosen one fated to fight vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness. Balancing high school drama with supernatural battles, the series blends campy fun, sharp wit, and heartbreaking storytelling. From iconic villains like The Master and Glory to unforgettable episodes like “Hush,” Buffy’s world is endlessly rewatchable. Its mix of action, comedy, and poignant coming-of-age themes make it a genre-defining classic.
5. House of the Dragon
HBO’s return to Westeros with ‘House of the Dragon’ proves the world of ‘Game of Thrones’ still has plenty of fire left. Set 200 years before the original series, it chronicles the Targaryen civil war—when dragonlords turned against each other in a bloody fight for the Iron Throne. With political intrigue, forbidden romances, shocking betrayals, and, of course, gripping dragon battles, it captures everything fantasy lovers want. Slick, brutal, and emotionally charged, it’s the kind of prequel that feels truly epic.
1. Game of Thrones
Few shows have reshaped television like ‘Game of Thrones.’ Based on George R.R. Martin’s ‘A Song of Ice and Fire,’ HBO’s juggernaut brought the world of Westeros—dragons, direwolves, knights, and political betrayal—to vivid, brutal life. Following the power struggles of houses like Stark, Lannister, and Targaryen, the series became a global phenomenon, blending shocking twists with jaw-dropping battles. While its final season remains divisive, the show’s legacy as a cultural landmark is undeniable. With one of the greatest ensembles in TV history, Game of Thrones made fantasy truly mainstream—and yes, the dragons are epic.
