Is there anything more fun than an episodic fantasy adventure? Whether it’s a binge-worthy saga on streaming, or a new series airing on a conventional weekly schedule, a fantasy show can bring viewers together with its depiction of imaginative worlds.
Clearly, in the eight seasons the adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series aired on HBO, Game of Thrones reshaped popular perception of fantasy. But even Westeros had its predecessors. Earlier series such as Xena: Warrior Princess, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, or True Blood have their legions of devoted fans.
At the same time, Game of Thrones does serve as a clear ‘before’ and ‘after’ dividing line for fantasy shows. The success of the series has paved the way for ambitious adaptations of other book sagas, such as the Amazon Prime adaptations of The Wheel of Time or Good Omens, Netflix’s Shadow and Bone, or even the adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman comics.
If you need a guide through the wealth of fantasy TV shows waiting to be discovered, we offer reviews, recommendations, and guides to help you find your way through this massive realm.
"A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone."
By Carolyn Cox
Dragons and hobbits and heroes, oh my!
These are some of the most controversial sci-fi and fantasy love triangles ever.
Get sucked into a fantastical new world.
By Allison Wild
Welcome to the teenage wasteland.
Take a crash course in the page-to-screen history of George R.R. Martin's hit series.
It’s a race against time.
Who run the (fantasy) world? Girls.
Dan Simmons' story of Arctic carnage is finally getting the series it deserves.
By Carolyn Cox
Celebrate the show's 20th anniversary with these 11 action-packed reads.
By Nick Sweeney
Fantasy and sci-fi television has some great LGBTQ+ representation—but progress still needs to be made.
By Dana Piccoli
Don't sleep on these imaginative series.
By Dana Piccoli