From ancient legends to epic tales, there’s hardly a realm the empire of reels hasn’t reached. In a world obsessed with magic and murals, mythology has always held a place of intrigue. The books, the tales around the fire, there’s just something so captivating about diving into the possibility of gods and creatures and small screens make that dive more epic with their adaptations and retellings.
So get your mythological maps ready because we’re about to set sail on a voyage to distant shores, the ones with stardust instead of beach sand. From ancient tales to modern-day dramas, these shows have woven a tapestry of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures that’ll make you wanna dress up and escape into the Neverland.
Related: How Historically Accurate Is ‘Outlander’?
1. ‘Outlander‘
Let me transport you to the lush and magical world of ‘Outlander,’ a series that’s more addictive than a freshly brewed pot of Scottish breakfast tea. Created by the brilliant Ronald D. Moore and adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s page-turning novels, this show is a time-traveling adventure you won’t want to miss.
The mythology follows Claire Randall, a WWII nurse with more guts than a man of this time. She goes to see a mythical stone structure and suddenly finds herself hurtling through time, landing smack dab in 18th-century Scotland.
The land of kilts, castles, and some seriously complicated history. The show covers Jacobite uprisings and the clans of the Highlands, all through Claire’s wide-eyed perspective. Political intrigue? Check. Romance hotter than a Highland summer? Double check.
Since its debut in 2014, ‘Outlander’ has bewitched audiences worldwide with its meticulous historical accuracy, deep character development, and storytelling that hits you right in the feels. Love, loyalty, survival—this show has it all, wrapped up in tartan and topped with a sprig of heather.
2. ‘Vikings‘
Behold the rugged and riveting world of ‘Vikings,’ created by the masterful Michael Hirst. This bloody show will transport you back to medieval Scandinavia, where Norse mythology comes alive through the legend of Ragnar Lothbrok. Smoldering Travis Fimmel in Viking gear is a sight worth checking out.
It’s a landscape of icy fjords and towering longships, where Viking warriors seek glory, conquest, and culture of two shores clashes. Inspired by ancient sagas of the Norse lands, it will definitely give you more space for digging than ‘Thor’ did.
Ragnar Lothbrok is a farmer turned Viking legend and this show tells the tale of it all with that extra dash of drama, not like the medieval era had any lack of it. We get to witness his ascent from humble beginnings to becoming a feared and respected leader of the most fearsome warriors.
And let’s not forget Lagertha, played by Katheryn Winnick. She’s Ragnar’s shieldmaiden wife and a force to be reckoned with in her own right. From 2013 till its sixth season, this show is a mythical ride you won’t want to get off from.
3. ‘Atlantis‘
Next up we the fantastical world of ‘Atlantis,’ where Greek mythology gets a modern twist—think Mount Olympus meets a beachside rave. Howard Overman, Julian Murphy, and Johnny Capps are the masterminds behind this mythical escapade, and they’ve given us Jason, played by the charming Jack Donnelly, as our guide to this underwater wonderland.
So our boy Jason accidentally stumbles into a secret portal and boom! He’s in Atlantis, where Medusa’s got snakes for hair and Hercules is bench-pressing sea monsters.
It’s like ‘Clash of the Titans’ meets ‘The Little Mermaid’ with a dash of ‘Top Chef’ thrown in (okay, maybe not ‘Top Chef,’ but you get the idea). Debuting in 2013, ‘Atlantis’ has reeled in viewers with its imaginative storytelling.
This isn’t your average history lesson—it’s a live show in a mythical city where gods and mortals mingle like they’re at a celestial cocktail party. So, grab your trident (or pitchfork, if you’re more Poseidon than Zeus) and dive right in.
4. ‘Cursed‘
‘Cursed,’ of Netflix is where the legends of King Arthur get a bold and empowering makeover. Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler have conjured up a fresh take on this timeless tale, putting Nimue, played by the captivating Katherine Langford( Hannah Baker guys, remember now?), front and center.
So Nimue, a young woman with mysterious powers, is entrusted with the legendary Sword of Power. If you thought this was a damsel in distress story you’ll be severely wrong. Nimue’s on a quest to fulfill her destiny, and she’s not taking any dragons (or knights) lying down.
Premiering in 2020, ‘Cursed’ flips the script on traditional Arthurian stories. In this retelling, Nimue isn’t just a supporting character—she’s the queen. Along the way, she crosses paths with familiar faces like Arthur, played by Devon Terrell, and the enigmatic Merlin, portrayed by Gustaf Skarsgård (If you watch this after Vikings you’ll have mixed feelings about him).
5. ‘Ragnarok‘
This Norwegian show is a fusion of Norse mythology and the iPhones, I mean the 21st century. We get to witness the ‘Ragnarok’ taking place in the stunning landscapes of modern-day Norway. Adam Price has worked his magic, breathing new life into ancient prophecies and gods, with Magne, played by the charismatic David Stakston. So Magne was just your average teenager until he discovered that he’s not.
Our pretty boy is the reincarnation of the almighty ‘Thor’. No big deal, right? Except he’s got to save his hometown from ancient forces that make ‘Loki’ look like child’s play. From 2020 to 2023 ‘Ragnarok’ has served the Norse Mythology geeks till they had their fill.
But this show isn’t just about epic battles and lightning bolts—it also takes a dive into themes of identity, fate, and the clash between old traditions and modern dilemmas. Oh, and did I mention the atmospheric setting? Norway’s rugged beauty displayed in this Netflix gem has hiked up its tourism revenue.
6. ‘Percy Jackson And The Olympians‘
Another epic world where mythology meets modern-day kids. This is gonna be the millionth adaptation retelling of ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ but it’s gonna make you explode. This Disney+ series is a perfect balance of Greek and games, courtesy of Rick Riordan’s genius.
The tales of Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon and all-around demigod extraordinaire, diving headfirst into a world of gods, monsters, and seriously epic quests.
To give you a charming run down, Zeus is throwing lightning bolts like he’s auditioning for a rock concert, and Medusa’s hair giving Rapunzel a run for her money in the danger department. It doesn’t have that classic CGA vibe to it but that is why it’s a new series and not the old movies with America’s favorite white boy.
In case you missed: ‘Percy Jackson And The Olympians’ Series On Disney+ Tweak One Of The Prophecies
7. ‘Troy: Fall Of A City‘
The world hasn’t had enough of the story of the Trojan War just yet. Created by David Farr this ancient tale of lust and love hit the small screen in 2018. The myth here stems from the iconic Greek mythology penned in Homer’s ‘The Iliad.’
Who doesn’t love a forbidden romance, especially when it includes a runway bride? So to all who are still too green to know this myth here’s a synopsis. Paris (played by Louis Hunter) and Helen (portrayed by Bella Dayne) are the ultimate star-crossed lovers whose romance sets off a chain reaction that leads to the destruction of an entire city and many more.
This show isn’t just about sword fights and epic speeches though that is a big part of it. It also dives into themes of honor, destiny, and the messy, emotional aftermath of war.
8. ‘Olympus‘
This series premiered in 2015 and stars Hero (played by Tom York), who’s not just any guy—he’s prophesied to shake up Olympus like a mythical Taylor Swift. It has gods, monsters, and mortals mingling in a divine soap opera where Zeus (also played by Tom York, because why not?) rules the roost. The scariest wife of mythology Hera, keeps things interesting. It’s like ‘Keeping Up with the Olympians.’ just with a little less spray tan.
9. ‘American Gods‘
Welcome to ‘American Gods,’ where ancient deities roam modern-day America like it’s their personal playground. Premiering in 2017 and based on Neil Gaiman’s mind-bending novel, this series created by Bryan Fuller and Michael Green is a fun-packed ride through mythological mash-ups.
Here we have Shadow Moon (played by the dashing Ricky Whittle), our ex-convict protagonist who gets caught up in a celestial showdown between old gods and new. You can guess its range by making an imaginary fusion of ‘Clash of the Titans’ and the clan of Kardashians but with way cooler characters.
‘American Gods’ isn’t your classic, off-the-old-book story. It’s a cultural buffet featuring Norse, Slavic, Egyptian, African, and many more gods. These ancient deities are struggling to stay relevant in a world that’s too busy swiping left and right and you get to watch them struggle with popcorn.
10. ‘The Witcher‘
To watch this Henry Cavil classic, you’ve got to grab your silver sword and prepare for the journey. The twisted tale of ‘The Witcher,’ is straight out of Andrzej Sapkowski’s mystical universe. Created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, this series dropped in 2019 after making waves in the game world. Here we get to follow Geralt of Rivia, the ultimate monster-slaying Witcher played by everyone’s favorite Superman.
It’s a world overflowing with Slavic folklore, creatures like strigas, dopplers, and dragons lurk around every shadowy corner. Our hero Geralt, with his supernatural gifts, roams through these morally ambiguous alleys and one day bumps into formidable sorceresses like Yennefer. There you got your heroine.
‘The Witcher’ has spellbound audiences with its intricate world-building, its characters dripping with depth, and a plot that’s more twisted than a drowner’s lair. If you are missing ‘Game of Thrones’ and want something with a little more magic, get on Netflix.
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