It’s not uncommon for afantasyTV show to struggle to capture the audience’s attention from the start. Most series within the genre have to spend their pilot episodes wading through lore, exposition, and world-building so that the rest of the story makes sense. However, providing all of this necessary context can bog down a show, even if the project turns out to be a masterpiece.
Unlike thefantasy shows I knew would be masterpiecesright away, these series took a little time to convince me to stick with them until the end. However, sometimes the reward for searching for this potential in a show that’s still finding its voice is a story that will stand the test of time. Watching these characters and thrilling lives will appeal to any fantasy fan.
10The Sandman (2022–2025)
Though it was cut short after just two seasons, Netflix’sThe Sandmanwas one of the most ambitious fantasy shows on television while it was airing. Bringing to life the sweeping comics it was based on,The Sandmansoars in terms of visual effects and emotional impact, but the pilot is a heavy episode of TV with lots of time spent on world-building.
This had to be the case, as the universe ofThe Sandmanrequires a lot of explanation. However, the pilot is forced to spend most of the runtime setting up the events that will force Dream to take up his quest. Fortunately, Dream himself is mysterious and captivating enough to pique the viewer’s interest, convincing us to stick withThe Sandman.
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The Sandman’s best performancesare what set the series apart from other additions to the genre, as the actors have the difficult job of grappling with the many settings, events, and timelines thatThe Sandmanincorporates in every episode. While it would have been exciting to watch additional seasons of the series, the ones that are available are thrilling from start to finish.
9Grimm (2011–2017)
Based on the pilot,Grimmseemed very similar to works of fantasy already airing, and the series could have easily been criticized for trying to take a well-used formula and alter it slightly for profit. It’s true thatGrimmhas a lot in common with fantasy procedurals and dramas likeOnce Upon a TimeandSupernatural, butGrimmgrew into so much more than that.
Focusing more deeply on folklore and the dark side of classical fairy tales,Grimmexpanded the world of its story to encapsulate a deeply original world that audiences could get lost in. Unfortunately, the pilot doesn’t make it obvious thatGrimmhad all this potential, as it leans more heavily into the crime drama aspects of the story.
However, like all the best fantasy shows that begin with procedural elements,Grimmquickly outgrows this format, turning its attention to overarching plotlines and pushing Nick, the protagonist, as a character. As the series gets more comfortable with itself and its premise,Grimmisn’t afraid to lean into the humor and magic that make it worth watching.
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8Smallville (2001–2011)
The recent resurgence in interest in Superman and the franchise as a whole has reminded audiences and critics thatSmallvilleis one of the best takes on Clark Kent’s origin story in history. Tom Welling’s work as the famed hero will forever tie the actor to the show, as he captures the best parts of the character while making him a flawed, complex character.
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WhileSmallvillerelies on some formulaic storytelling throughout its run and can be a little over-the-top at times, this doesn’t change the fact that it’s a nostalgic and endlessly entertaining fantasy show. Though the line between the superhero and fantasy genres is a little blurry,Smallvilleis elevated by its more fantastical elements, especially as the show continues.
For audiences getting intoSmallvillefor the first time, don’t be fooled by some of the missteps of the pilot or how different the show feels from the traditional myth of Superman. The characters we meet in the pilot are very different from those in the comics. However,Smallvilledoes an amazing job of crafting a realistic arc for Clark that Welling handles brilliantly.
7Merlin (2008–2012)
Of all the recent adaptations of the legends of King Arthur,Merlinmakes the story the most accessible and relatable to young audiences looking to fall in love with fantasy. With the amount of lore and myths available for the series to adapt,Merlinnever struggled to capture the depth of the world of Camelot, but sometimes the budget and resources were a barrier for the show.
The somewhat campy and obviously fake visual effects made it easy not to takeMerlinas seriously in the beginning. Additionally, the pilot episode does a good job of introducing the cast of characters, but it doesn’t get the opportunity to mine the series' best relationship for all it’s worth. This, of course, is the dynamic between Merlin and Arthur, which becomes more nuanced as the story progresses.
Merlin’s devastating endingis one that audiences will never forget, as the series concluded on a sudden, tragic note, shocking viewers and critics. However, this doesn’t disrupt the many successful and compelling years of storytelling that madeMerlinone of the best fantasy shows of the 2000s. Watching Merlin and Arthur grow as characters and friends will never get old.
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6The Dragon Prince (2018–2024)
The Dragon Princehad a storied legacy to live up to when it premiered in 2018, as it was brought to life by members of the creative team behindAvatar: The Last Airbender. SinceATLAis considered one of the greatest fantasy series of all time, animated or not,The Dragon Princeinitially struggled to meet audience expectations, as the pilot is a little choppy.
There are some strong elements inThe Dragon Prince’s pilot. The visuals and world-building do a good job of immersing the viewer in the story. However, it doesn’t seem like much more than an enjoyable fantasy adventure for kids in the beginning. What would follow was a far more complex and important addition to the genre that all fans should engage with.
One of the ways thatThe Dragon PrincesurpassesATLAis its ability to dig into long-term character development and evolution. WhereasAvatar: The Last Airbendertakes place over the course of a single summer,The Dragon Princespans years, and the series takes full advantage of that. By the end of the show, the characters have gone through highly nuanced arcs.
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5The Leftovers (2014–2017)
One of the best and most underrated fantasy TV shows of the 21st century,The Leftoversis a masterclass in storytelling and character development. However, the pilot episode could easily be a barrier to entry for some viewers, as it’s unabashedly dark, weighing heavily on the audience. The juxtaposition between the fantastical and realistic elements is also jarring at times.
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The Leftoversproves itself to be a near-perfect series because of these aspects of the story. Its steady trajectory toward acceptance of the unknown and the possibility that there’s magic out there allowsThe Leftoversto explore unforgettable philosophical questions. However, these aren’t easy topics to engage with in a pilot.
The Leftoversdoesn’t pull any punches or talk down to the audience, but the relentless despair of the pilot and much of season 1 can’t be overlooked. However, if audiences are willing to stick it out,The Leftoverschronicles an odyssey of epic proportions, thanks in part to the lead performances by Carrie Coon and Justin Theroux.
4Wynonna Earp (2016–2021)
Blending fantasy, horror, and the neo-Western genres,Wynonna Earpfollows the titular character as she takes up the legacy of her ancestors, beating back demons and the forces of evil. Melanie Scrofano leads the cast as Wynonna, and she’s reluctant to come back to the town of Purgatory and reconnect with her family and their storied past.
Though there are some thrilling parts of theWynonna Earppilot, fans of the show know that this episode is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the lore and world-building ofWynonna Earp. Overall,Wynonna Earpseason 1 doesn’t break many boundaries within the fantasy genre, but as the show progresses, it becomes more than a cult hit.
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The way thatWynonna Earpwould engage with relevant social and cultural conversations has allowed the series to make its mark within the contemporary fantasy landscape. Additionally, the characters and their complexities are some of the most gripping parts ofWynonna Earp, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats in the later seasons.
3The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)
It’s easy to write off supernatural teen dramas, or not to take them as seriously as other additions to the genre. However, there’s a reason why TV shows likeThe Vampire Diariesremain so popular. Self-aware enough to poke fun at itself and lean into the campy aspects of the vampire genre,The Vampire Diariesthrived as the seasons progressed, but the pilot veered into maudlin territory.
The Vampire Diarieshas a bit of a dark premise and can sometimes lean into over-the-top depictions of grief, and this is the case in the pilot. When the audience meets Elena (Nina Dobrev), she’s not the most likable character, and some of the more magical and thrilling elements of the series, like her relationship with Damon (Ian Somerhalder), aren’t explored this early on in the show.
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Additionally, Stefan (Paul Wesley) comes off as one-dimensional, making the budding romance between him and Elena less effective. Across the board,The Vampire Diariesisn’t sure of itself and its characters quite yet, but as the show gained momentum, this changed, andThe Vampire Diariesgot to invest in its most compelling aspect: its villains.
2Supernatural (2005–2020)
Within the monster-of-the-week niche of the fantasy genre,Supernaturalis considered the gold standard for a reason. However, looking back on the series premiere, there are some aspects ofSupernaturalthat needed to evolve for the show to become a hallmark of the genre. Though it’s fun to look back on Sam and Dean’s early years, the show was markedly different at first.
Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki are just as charming and likable as always from the beginning, butSupernaturalwas still determining what kind of dynamic the writers wanted the brothers to have. Additionally, the pilot has to spend a lot of time explaining the Winchesters' backstory, which can feel formulaic in combination with the procedural elements.
ThoughSupernaturalwould never have an enormous VFX budget, these elements take the viewer out of the action throughout the pilot. The best parts ofSupernaturaland the way the show would experiment with form and metatextual references came later, whenSupernaturalhad the time and space to play with its premise.
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1The Magicians (2015–2020)
The Magiciansis a perfect fantasy showin many respects, but there’s little question that the beloved series throws the audience into the deep end from the beginning. Based on the book series by Lev Grossman,The Magicianssees its lead character, Quentin (Jason Ralph), suddenly transported into a magical reality, and he’s left with as many questions as the viewer.
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Following a group of young magicians honing their craft at the mystical Brakebills University,The Magiciansnot only has to explain the rules of the world and the magic systems, but it also has to lay the groundwork for the many twists to come in season 1. While the pilot episode is compelling enough to keep watching, it’s pretty overwhelming, especially for viewers who don’t traditionally watch fantasy projects.
Of all thefantasyTV shows that attempt to grapple with the contemporary era and weave modern perspectives into the fantastical world,The Magiciansis by far the best. After the audience gets used to the tone and fast pace of the story, the reward is a detailed and thrilling exploration into the cost of magic, the importance of friendship, and a richly crafted world.
