Best Fantasy TV Shows (Ranked 25 to 1)

25. Carnival Row

‘Carnival Row’ blends Victorian noir with mythological fantasy in a world where fairies, fauns, and other mystical creatures are refugees forced to live among humans after their lands are invaded. The series follows Inspector Rycroft Philostrate (Orlando Bloom), who’s investigating a string of murders, and Vignette Stonemoss (Cara Delevingne), a fairy who becomes embroiled in the growing tensions. With its moody aesthetic, intricate politics, and strong allegories about immigration and prejudice, the show is as thought-provoking as it is darkly enchanting.

24. American Gods

Neil Gaiman’s ‘American Gods’ is as weird as it is breathtaking. The series follows Shadow Moon, a recently released convict who discovers his boss, Mr. Wednesday, is actually Odin. Soon, Shadow is drawn into a cosmic conflict between the fading Old Gods—rooted in myth and immigrant belief—and the flashy, modern New Gods of media, technology, and consumerism. It’s a philosophical, violent, and dazzlingly strange ride.

23. The Magicians

At first glance, ‘The Magicians’ seems like “Harry Potter for adults,” but it quickly proves itself much bolder. Following Quentin Coldwater and his classmates at Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy, the show takes classic fantasy tropes and turns them upside down. Characters grapple with trauma, addiction, love, and power in ways far more raw than most fantasy fare. Its witty humor and meta self-awareness balance out the often dark and emotional storylines.

22. Sweet Tooth


A post-apocalyptic fairy tale with heart, ‘Sweet Tooth’ tells the story of Gus, a half-human, half-deer boy searching for answers about his origins. Alongside his gruff protector, Big Man, Gus journeys through a broken America where hybrid children are both feared and hunted. Adapted from Jeff Lemire’s comic series, the Netflix show mixes a bleak setting with an irresistible sense of wonder. A heartbreaking fantasy about innocence in a fractured world.

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.

20. Once Upon a Time

What if every fairy tale character you grew up with lived in the same town, but didn’t know it? That’s the idea behind ‘Once Upon a Time.’ Set in Storybrooke, Maine, the series begins when Emma Swan arrives to help her son, who insists she’s the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. With curses, betrayals, and magical showdowns, the show mashes together Disney icons like Rumplestiltskin, Captain Hook, and Elsa in one sprawling story. Equal parts soap opera and fairy tale, it’s whimsical, twisty, and always brimming with nostalgic charm.

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.

16. Supernatural

Spanning an epic 15 seasons, ‘Supernatural' is the longest-running fantasy series of its kind, and for good reason. Brothers Sam and Dean Winchester travel America in a ’67 Chevy Impala, hunting demons, ghosts, angels, and even God himself. What starts as a monster-of-the-week show grows into a rich mythology filled with heartbreak, cosmic battles, and plenty of laughs. The show balances horror with heartfelt storytelling with the spotlight on family, sacrifice, and destiny, plus a parade of memorable monsters. A true fantasy TV legend.

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.

14. Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Greek mythology gets a modern refresh in Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The Disney+ adaptation follows Percy, a boy who discovers he’s the son of Poseidon and is thrust into a world of demigods, monsters, and Olympian politics. Sent to Camp Half-Blood, Percy learns to harness his powers while navigating quests that could change the fate of the gods themselves. Faithful to Rick Riordan’s beloved novels, the series delivers humor, action, and heart. It’s tailor-made for fans who grew up with the books—and a gateway for new myth-loving audiences.

13. Merlin

‘Merlin’ puts a clever twist on Arthurian legend by focusing on the legendary wizard’s youth. Here, Merlin (Colin Morgan) is a young sorcerer learning to control his magic while secretly guiding the future King Arthur (Bradley James). Their unlikely friendship is the heart of the show, set against the dangers of Camelot, where magic is outlawed. With dragons, prophecies, and plenty of medieval intrigue, the show strikes a genuine balance between lighthearted adventure and emotional storytelling. It’s a charming reimagining of a classic myth, for sure.

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.

11. Penny Dreadful

Dark, stylish, and haunting, ‘Penny Dreadful’ weaves together iconic Gothic characters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and Dorian Gray into one chilling Victorian London tale. The show is less about monsters and more about the tortured souls behind them, exploring love, trauma, and the darkness of humanity. Eva Green is magnetic as Vanessa Ives, a woman grappling with supernatural forces while battling her own inner demons. With lush production design, literary references, and a heavy dose of psychological horror, ‘Penny Dreadful’ is a slow-burn fantasy that’s as heartbreaking as it is terrifying.

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.

4. Good Omens

A fantasy-comedy unlike any other, ‘Good Omens’ adapts the beloved Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett novel with pitch-perfect charm. Michael Sheen and David Tennant shine as Aziraphale, a fussy angel, and Crowley, a snarky demon—two unlikely friends who’d rather prevent Armageddon than watch it unfold. With the Antichrist misplaced, Heaven and Hell mobilizing for war, and prophecies that refuse to make sense, the show mixes biting wit with heartwarming sincerity. Overflowing with clever humor, eccentric characters, and unexpected tenderness, ‘Good Omens’ is proof that the apocalypse can be delightful.

3. Interview with the Vampire

'Interview with the Vampire' breathes new, intoxicating life into Anne Rice’s Gothic masterpiece. Drenched in sensuality, blood, and heartbreak, the series follows Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) and his turbulent relationship with the magnetic, manipulative vampire Lestat (Sam Reid). Set in a richly realized New Orleans, the show leans into themes of love, power, and eternal torment with unapologetic intensity. It’s a story of passion and monstrosity inextricably entwined. More operatic and daring than the 1994 film, it’s a feast for both fans and newcomers.

2. The Sandman


Long deemed “unadaptable,” Neil Gaiman’s ‘The Sandman’ finally arrived on Netflix…and delivered! The series follows Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams, after his century-long imprisonment, as he sets out to reclaim his tools and restore order to his realm, the Dreaming. Along the way, he faces Lucifer, rogue nightmares, and family strife among the Endless. With dreamlike visuals and a philosophical core, the show balances the cosmic with the intimate, weaving horror, fantasy, and myth into one surreal tapestry. Faithful yet fresh, 'The Sandman' is fantasy television at its most poetic.

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.