There are still decades to go before the 21st century comes to a close, but there have already been many amazing fantasy TV shows to debut since 2001 — and the best of them promise to stay relevant for years to come. The 21st century has seen an absolute explosion in fantasy projects on-screen, from The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter movies in the 2000s, to Game of Thrones throughout the 2010s, to the post-Game of Thrones wave of TV shows in the 2020s.
On television, the ones that stand out have a combination of strengths — impressive production quality, compelling and well-acted characters, and gripping stories among them. A number are attached to beloved source material or major franchises, which isn’t that surprising, since those things command decent budgets and confidence from studios. Many are also animated, suggesting the medium is ideal for the category. It’s hard to say if these shows will remain the best heading into the rest of the 21st century, but viewers won’t find better options at present. These are the genre’s greatest hits from the last 25 years.
Why You Should Trust Me: I’ve been writing and editing pop culture articles for a decade, and fantasy is my primary area of expertise. I watch a lot of fantasy television, and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the category grow over the years — and watching its offerings get better and better.
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’
Adaptation Issues Aside, It’s a Fantastically Made Series
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power might be divisive as a J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation, but there’s no denying it’s some of the finest fantasy television to emerge from the 21st century. Putting aside the criticisms of its fidelity to Tolkien’s writing, the Prime Video series is a visually stunning spectacle with some of the best fantasy action on the small screen. It also captures the scale of Tolkien’s fantasy world, and it brings audiences everything they could hope for from the category: political intrigue, great chemistry between characters, beautiful visuals, a stunning score, and a larger fight between good and evil. A series like this was unimaginable 25 years ago.
Watch This If: You’re looking for a fantasy show that’s as cinematic as any movie.
Skip This If: Changes to Tolkien’s source material are likely to frustrate you, or you want a story that hits the ground running.
‘The Magicians’
The Syfy Show Isn’t Afraid to Get Deep
The Magicians remains severely underrated, but the Syfy adaptation is still unlike any other fantasy series available. For one, it subverts the typical tropes and conventions of the genre, just like Lev Grossman’s books. While it has some of the appeal that accompanies magic school stories and portal fantasies, it takes a darker and more unconventional approach to both. On top of that, it isn’t afraid to address serious issues, like its main characters’ mental health or grief. The depth infused into its story makes it one of the strongest modern fantasy shows. It also has one of the best fantasy TV episodes ever in “A Life in the Day.”
What This If: You’re interested in a story that unpacks familiar fantasy stories, or you want something that tackles serious subjects.
Skip This If: Idealism and hope are more up your alley when it comes to fantasy.
‘Supernatural’
A Fantasy Series Rans Will Want to Come Back To
Supernatural has its highs and lows, but for a 15-season series, that’s to be expected — and there’s a reason it managed to stay on air for so long. The CW show is a fantasy that offers both monsters of the week and larger conflicts between heaven and hell. Those things keep it suspenseful and entertaining throughout, but it’s the bond between the Winchester brothers that truly makes it shine. Jensen Ackles’s and Jared Padalecki’s portrayals are some of the most iconic of the century, and they make their characters worth repeatedly coming back to. Supernatural also knows how to reinvent itself, and it benefits from never taking itself too seriously.
Watch This If: You want something fun that will evolve into a comfort show.
Skip This If: Episodic adventures and lengthy series are not for you.
‘The Legend of Vox Machina’
A Charming Love Letter to Fantasy (That Will Still Make You Cry)
Another underrated fantasy gem, The Legend of Vox Machina is a love letter to the category itself — and Prime Video’s Critical Role series has a lot going for it. Its ragtag band of unlikely heroes are charming and easy to root for, and their adventures are consistently entertaining. They blend high-stakes danger with humorous banter, and they often take surprising turns. This series has unexpectedly left me in tears on multiple occasions. The world-building is excellent, and there’s clearly a ton of passion behind the project. The voice acting alone is indicative of that, making this a genuine joy to watch.
Watch This If: You love bands of misfits and want fun fantasy that knows when to get serious.
Skip This If: Too many characters to follow is a deal-breaker, or you want fewer common fantasy tropes.
‘Arcane’
Netflix’s Series Is a Masterpiece on Multiple Fronts
Arcane masterfully blends fantasy and sci-fi, and the Netflix series is a masterpiece on multiple fronts. Its animation is its most obvious strength, as its distinct style and combination of 2D and 3D visuals places it a peg up from every other animated fantasy show. The soundtrack is just as impressive. Viewers will find themselves with Arcane’s songs stuck in their heads long after they’ve finished it. The appearance and sound is only half the battle though; Arcane also has incredible world-building, deep and layered character arcs, and some very poignant themes. It delivers those things via a narrative that’s gripping from beginning to end. It’s truly a masterclass.
Watch This If: Dark, gritty worlds and morally ambiguous characters sell you on a fantasy story.
Skip This If: You’re looking for a more straightforward stand-off between good and evil.
‘His Dark Materials’
This Fantasy Adaptation Deserves So Much More Love
His Dark Materials deserves so much more recognition as one of the best fantasy shows of the 21st century. The adaptation of Philip Pullman’s books demonstrates a commitment to high quality throughout. It’s true to the heart of the book trilogy, capturing the philosophical questions at its core without beating viewers over the head with them. The show is well written in that regard, and it’s also a visual marvel. Capturing things like daemons could’ve been difficult, but the effects are top-notch. His Dark Materials also boasts a stellar cast that includes Dafne Keen, James McAvoy, and Ruth Wilson. All the performances are impressive, driving home the emotional stakes. What isn’t there to love about this show?
Watch This If: You’re looking for fantasy with unique but thorough world-building and poignant themes.
Skip This If: Unpacking the intersection of religion and power isn’t something you’d be interested in.
‘House of the Dragon’
‘Game of Thrones’s First Spin-off Has Far More Good Than Bad
House of the Dragon isn’t without its flaws, and even George R.R. Martin has leveraged criticisms at the Game of Thrones spin-off. Like The Rings of Power, it makes questionable choices on the adaptation front. However, it’s still some of the strongest fantasy storytelling to ever appear on TV. The visuals alone are incredible; just a few decades ago, delivering on so much dragon action would’ve been nearly impossible. And while it takes longer to get off the ground than its predecessor, it has the stakes, political intrigue, and complicated characters that make Game of Thrones great. Season 3 really cements it as a modern classic.
Watch This If: Highly political fantasy or family succession drama appeals to you.
Skip This If: Game of Thrones doesn’t interest you, or you can’t get attached to unlikable characters.
‘Attack on Titan’
The Series Shows What Fantasy Anime Is Capable Of
There’s no shortage of great fantasy anime to watch, especially with recent additions like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen. However, Attack on Titan is almost unbeatable, highlighting just what the medium is capable of. The series kicks off with one of the greatest premieres, conveying loads of world-building and high stakes in a single 30-minute episode. From there, it expands its story and world repeatedly, delivering a number of surprises across its four seasons. The characters are layered and interesting, the themes are all too relevant, and the action and animation are gorgeous and gory. Attack on Titan earns its reputation for being one of the best anime. Its many strengths are why it’s so beloved, even among mainstream audiences.
Watch This If: You don’t mind dark fantasy that unpacks difficult themes and goes to some unexpected places.
Skip This If: You prefer your fantasy with a large helping of hope or a happy ending.
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’
A Well-Balanced Fantasy Show That Holds Up Well
Avatar: The Last Airbender is the gold standard for fantasy world-building, which is impressive given that it’s a kids’ show and consists mostly of 30-minute episodes. The backdrops and cultures it introduces feel believable and fleshed out, and its bending provides one of the greatest power systems to date. That’s all impressive set dressing, but it’s the characters and their dynamics that really take Avatar: The Last Airbender to the next level. They’re lovable and charming, and their journeys manage to explore heavy topics like imperialism, trauma, and grief without losing sight of hope. Avatar: The Last Airbender strikes an impressive balance between light and darkness, and it keeps audiences of all ages returning to it. It helps that everything from the animation to the themes mostly hold up.
Watch This If: Fleshed-out power systems are a draw, or you’re into fantasy that prioritizes hope and love.
Skip This If: You find slower starts difficult to get through, or you want longer, deeper episodes.
‘Game of Thrones’
It’s Still the Greatest Fantasy Series to Date
There’s no question that Game of Thrones is among the top fantasy shows of the 21st century, as it’s still the best TV series to join the genre — even with its controversial ending. It’s because of Game of Thrones that there’s so much fantasy TV available these days, as the HBO series proved the category could have a broader appeal. Over its eight seasons, it delivers some of the most jaw-dropping fantasy action to date. Yet it also repeatedly proves that tense conversations between characters can be even more thrilling. The characters and actors are iconic in their own rights, offering further reason to invest in the story. And the brutal realism of the world complements its fight for power, just as it does in the Song of Ice and Fire books.
Watch This If: You love a good balance of political intrigue and high-octane action sequences.
Skip This If: You prefer escapist fantasy stories over those with brutally realistic consequences.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
