There are many great fantasy episodes out there, especially following the genre’s post-Game of Thrones boom, but the best of them will stay with viewers long after their credits roll. In some cases, it’s because they tug at the heartstrings, leaving a lasting impression with their emotional blows. In others, it comes down to the spectacle and action. All of these installments have one thing in common: they masterfully elevate the story at hand, whether it’s by setting up what’s to come or paying off everything leading up to them.
It’s no surprise that fantasy’s best episodes mainly hail from the category’s most popular shows, as they all repeatedly prove why they’re so beloved. Most of the series featured on this list showcase strengths throughout that are placed front and center in their most impressive outings. From a stunning addition to an underrated series all the way to one of the most influential fantasy episodes of all time, these are not to be missed by anyone who loves the genre.
Why You Should Trust Me: I’ve been writing about fantasy topics for the last decade, and the genre was my primary area of focus while I was a Features Editor at ScreenRant. TV is also one of my main beats, so I’ve watched and covered a ton of fantasy television over the years.
“A Life in the Day”
‘The Magicians’ Season 3, Episode 5
The Magicians knows how to pack an emotional punch, and that’s never clearer than in Season 3’s “A Life in the Day.” Quentin and Eliot’s journey in this episode winds up being one of the most beautiful to grace the small screen. It’s an installment that will leave viewers in awe of its surprising turns and clever writing choices. Its incredible LGBTQ+ representation isn’t anything to scoff at, either. The performances are great, and the experience will leave very few viewers with dry eyes. It all comes together in a way that deserves far more love. (But then, The Magicians just deserves more love in general.)
Why It’s #10: It’s because The Magicians is so underrated that this chapter ranks at the bottom of this list. Sadly, “A Life in the Day” is not as influential as the other choices. That said, it’s hard to find criticisms of this episode. That speaks volumes about its quality.
“Queen’s Landing”
‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 2
“Queen’s Landing” is a recent addition to this list, but it’s easily the best episode of House of the Dragon so far — and it’s the epitome of great fantasy television. This Season 3 installment has it all: deep character work, political maneuvering, and the kind of action that pays off years of storytelling. Watching Daemon and Rhaenyra take the Red Keep is reason enough for this to rank among fantasy TV’s greatest hits, but the performances in “Queen’s Landing” really cement it. Emma D’Arcy nails every complicated aspect of Rhaenyra’s grief. Add in the incredible scoring and cinematography, and House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 2 deserves a place among the strongest fantasy installments overall.
Why It’s #9: “Queen’s Landing” may be a stunning hour of television, but it’s not yet as influential as some of the older, more iconic entries on this list. On top of that, it diverges from George R.R. Martin’s source material in places, making it a poor adaptation despite being otherwise impressive. These things prevent it from ranking higher, but they don’t take away from what an engaging watch it is.
“Swan Song”
‘Supernatural’ Season 5, Episode 22
Supernatural Season 5’s finale was supposed to be the CW project’s last episode overall, and it shows. “Swan Song” brings the first five seasons of Supernatural to a close in a satisfying way, tying the original story together without leaving much on the table. It keeps its focus where it should be — on the brotherhood between Sam and Dean Winchester — and gives its main characters send-offs that make sense for their individual journeys. It also showcases Supernatural‘s usual charm and humor, serving as a reminder of why fans fell in love with the show in the first place. There’s a reason “Swan Song” remains Supernatural’s highest-rated episode (via IMDb), even after it went on for another 10 seasons. It represents the series at its best.
Why It’s #8: While “Swan Song” is a mostly strong episode, especially given how difficult endings are to pull off, there are a few minor flaws that prevent it from ranking higher. Sam’s return at the end obviously undermines his sacrifice, and Dean’s decision to settle down doesn’t feel as natural as it should. As finales go, the issues could be much worse…but they’re noticeable nonetheless.
“Dear Billy”
‘Stranger Things’ Season 4, Episode 4
Stranger Things has many great episodes across its five-season run, but Season 4’s “Dear Billy” is the one permanently etched into many fans’ brains. The entire episode is a masterclass in tension, leaving viewers to wonder if Max really will become Vecna’s next victim — or if she’ll be the first to successfully avoid his pursuit. The Netflix series keeps fans guessing until the very end, and it delivers a poignant depiction of trauma and grief in the process. The “Running Up That Hill” sequence will also go down as one of fantasy television’s greatest. It’s well shot and acted, and it will leave Kate Bush’s hit song bouncing off the walls of viewers’ brains for days.
Why It’s #7: Although “Dear Billy” does incredible work with its main storyline, its supporting narratives aren’t necessarily as strong. In general, Joyce and Murray’s trip to Russia is one of Stranger Things‘ weaker plots. It drags down what’s otherwise a masterpiece.
“The Base Violence Necessary for Change”
‘Arcane’ Season 1, Episode 3
Speaking of fantasy episodes that pack an emotional punch, “The Base Violence Necessary for Change” proves Arcane is a heavy-hitter. It sets the standard for the rest of the Netflix series, and Arcane continues to deliver gut punch after gut punch going forward. But while it comes close to reaching the same heights in later episodes, I’d argue this one remains the best. It’s a sickeningly tragic conclusion to the show’s past narrative, and it’s a turning point that perfectly sets up everything that comes after. It unflinchingly presents its main characters with the consequences of their actions, offers a powerful exploration of trauma, and, like all episodes of Arcane, is gorgeously animated.
Why It’s #6: “The Base Violence Necessary for Change” has few flaws to speak of, though it doesn’t have as much payoff as the installments that rank higher on this list. Because it comes so early in the series, it’s an installment that’s easier to appreciate in hindsight. It also offers little reprieve from the devastation, making it a harder watch than most of these episodes.
“The Crossroads of Destiny”
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Season 2, Episode 20
It’s hard to choose just one Avatar: The Last Airbender episode to include among fantasy’s best, but “The Crossroads of Destiny” has everything that makes the Nickelodeon series shine. The Season 2 finale isn’t as triumphant as Season 3’s, but that’s partly why it’s better. It proves the series is willing to let its heroes fail, which is refreshing, especially in a story intended for a younger audience. It also lays the groundwork for some of the best bits of growth in Season 3, whether it’s Zuko’s redemption or Aang fully embracing his Avatar duties.
Why It’s #5: “The Crossroads of Destiny” also features thrilling action, and it gives every prominent character a chance to shine. Zuko and Katara’s heart-to-heart is among the episode’s highlights, as is Iroh’s demonstration of how he became the Dragon of the West. The whole thing is an enjoyable experience, and it holds up well. It was a close contest between this episode and the next on this list, but the latter wins out for better action sequences.
“Hero”
‘Attack on Titan’ Season 3, Episode 17
Attack on Titan is another series with a number of episodes that could land among fantasy’s strongest. “Hero” takes the top spot, however, as it juggles emotional payoff with high-stakes action, striking the ideal balance of both. On the heels of Erwin and the Scouts’ last stand, “Hero” keeps the momentum going impressively. It features a satisfying one-on-one between Levi and the Beast Titan before giving Armin his moment in the spotlight — and showcasing how far he and the rest of the characters have come.
Why It’s #4: “Hero” is Attack on Titan at its peak, delivering on the brutal world established over the course of the series and the intensive character work throughout. The episode looks great visually, and the score and voice acting complement everything going on in both the sub and dub. Its shorter runtime prevents it from comparing to the top three efforts on this list.
“Battle of the Bastards”
‘Game of Thrones’ Season 6, Episode 9
Game of Thrones could take up half this list with its strongest chapters, but I’ll cap the HBO series at two episodes. (Plus, the House of the Dragon entry from earlier gives the franchise a total of three entries.) Naturally, “Battle of the Bastards” is one of them, as it features some of the best action of the entire series. It’s well choreographed, intense, and hits all the right emotional beats. Rickon’s death is gutting, but watching Sansa save the day is immensely satisfying. The Starks taking back Winterfell is also what Game of Thrones builds to for six seasons, and the win proves well worth the wait.
Why It’s #3: Even the opening of “Battle of the Bastards,” which focuses on Daenerys Targaryen, is action-packed and exciting. This is the prime example of a Game of Thrones episode that maintains impressive pacing and quality from its opening moments to its final scene. It’s the series’ best battle episode, though there’s one quieter Game of Thrones installment that trumps it. The one downside to “Battle of the Bastards” is that there’s very little time to take a break from the action, so two other all-time fantasy episodes feel more nuanced due to the additional narrative breathing room.
“The Body”
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Season 5, Episode 16
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is known for its supernatural adventures, so it’s somewhat ironic that its best episode challenges Buffy with something far more ordinary: grief. “The Body” flawlessly captures the sudden and shattering nature of losing a loved one, and it successfully puts viewers into Buffy’s shoes. The writing choices, acting, and decision to cut the score all contribute to the emotional impact, ensuring that “The Body” is a viewing experience audiences won’t soon forget.
Why It’s #2: This installment ranks so highly because it demonstrates what fantasy storytelling is capable of, driving home that it’s about more than just magic and monsters. At its core, the genre seeks to unpack deeply human experiences. “The Body” is one of the best examples of this. It sent shock waves through the fandom, and it still manages to rattle newcomers. It’s not as influential as the top pick, however.
“The Rains of Castamere”
‘Game of Thrones’ Season 3, Episode 9
The greatest fantasy episode of all time is one that other shows have been trying to replicate since it aired, and nothing has ever managed to come close. That, of course, would be “The Rains of Castamere,” which brought audiences Game of Thrones‘ infamous Red Wedding. For those coming to the story for the first time, it’s a shocking turn — one that once again proves not a single character is safe. Even for those who know what’s coming, “The Rains of Castamere” manages to be a tense and heart-wrenching experience. The lead-up to the main event is well done, and everything from the performances to the scoring makes the tragedy itself a masterpiece.
Why It’s #1: In addition to its quality, the sheer influence of “The Rains of Castamere” places it at the top of this list. It’s largely the reason Game of Thrones blew up the way it did, and knowing that, the entire fantasy boom of the 2020s can be linked back to its success. It set the bar higher for everything that followed, and I can only hope that a future fantasy series finds a way to top it.
What do you think? Is there an amazing fantasy episode you think belongs on this list? Let me know in the comments!
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
