There’s something undeniably exciting about starting a newfantasyTV show, especially when it instantly captures your attention.It’s not easy for a fantasy series to connect with viewers quickly,as these types of stories require lots of exposition, world-building, and the explanation of magic systems that might not be simple to grasp. However, this makes it all the more impressive when the power of these narratives is undeniable.
For some of thebest fantasy TV shows of all time, it’s obvious from the first few moments that these are series that will be impossible to stop watching. Through a combination of the characters, tone, and intrigue of the overarching plotlines, these fantasy projects set the bar for what the genre can do and show that there are universal truths to be found within these magical worlds..
7Once Upon A Time (2011–2018)
The Juxtaposition Between The Real & The Magical Pulls You Into Once Upon A Time
Though not perfect,Once Upon a Timewill always hold a place in the hearts of fantasy fans for how brilliantly it updated the fairy tale genre and made it accessible to modern audiences. Throwing up head first into the fantastical world that will parallel the real one throughout the series,Once Upon a Timeswiftly sets up the tension and premise in just a few moments.
After this, the series roots us back in reality and introduces the series' hero, Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), who’s as likable as she is impossible to crack.As the viewers' stand-in, Emma gets to be skeptical, questioning everythingabout the magical town of Storybrooke, while we’re pulled into the emotional stakes of her reunion with her son.
This balance between the character-driven drama and the magical heroes and villains is what would defineOnce Upon a Timethroughout its seven seasons, and has enshrined it as such an influential part of the genre. Perfectly blending the number of flashbacks required to tell the story with Emma’s development within the pilot,Once Upon a Timedemonstrates a clear sense of identity from the start.
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6Arcane (2021–2024)
Netflix’s Animated Masterpiece Is A Show That All Fantasy Fans Should Experience
Arcaneis aNetflix show that’s considered a masterpiece, and this becomes clear almost instantly.The pilot episode ofArcaneis an emotional rollercoaster,doing the heavy lifting of setting up the backstory and creating the wounds that will follow the protagonists for the rest of the show, driving their actions.
Of course, it’s impossible to talk aboutArcanewithout bringing up the visual style, which is not only gorgeous, but also so intricate that the audience can get lost in each frame, combing the screen for details. It takes a moment to get used to the way the action plays out, but once the viewer is immersed in the world, there’s no going back.
However, it’s the ease with whichArcanedemonstrates the key relationship between Vi and Jinx, the young sisters at the heart of the story, and lays the groundwork for the series' magic system and essential conflicts that set it apart. As the years go by, there’s little question thatArcanewill never be forgotten, asthe show set a new standard for fantasy animation.
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5My Lady Jane (2024)
Though Short-Lived, My Lady Jane Is A Must-Watch Fantasy Love Story
It’s true that the chemistry between Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel, who play Jane and Guildford, is a large part of why audiences fall in love withMy Lady Jane. However, before the pair meet,My Lady Janebrilliantly blends genres,transporting the audience back in time to a magical and anachronistic version of Tudor England that will have you laughing in moments.
Jane makes a fantastic protagonist,as her sharp mind and desire to escape the trappings of her circumstances make her an easy heroine to root for.My Lady Janehas to use voice over and some obvious expository dialogue to communicate the rules and logic of the story, but this doesn’t put the audience off. After demonstrating Jane’s predicament,My Lady Janemoves quickly.
The fact thatMy Lady Janewas cut short after just one season was a shock and disappointment to critics and fans alike, as the series was quickly hailed as a worthy addition to the genre. However, as the pilot suggests, the season unfolds brilliantly, drawing the viewer deeper into the narrative and making the love story between Jane and Guildford one for the ages.
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4Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)
This Animated Fantasy Show Set A New Standard For The Genre
SinceAvatar: The Last Airbenderended in 2008, the show’s popularity and enduring fanbase have only grown, as has the scope of the story’s universe. With spinoffs likeThe Legend of Korra, live-action adaptations, comics, and many more additions to the franchise coming soon, the amount of content being created within the world ofATLAspeaks for itself.
The creators ofATLAmight not have known what a hit the series would be in 2005, but anyone who’s watched the show knows thatits staying power is obvious from the beginning.Katara and Sokka make relatable but compelling characters, and after Aang is dramatically introduced, emerging heroically from his iceberg,ATLAhas already illustrated some of the series' most important dynamics and stakes.
Writing offATLAbecause it’s a kids' show would be an enormous mistake, as even in the pilot, the series demonstrates how nuanced its storytelling is, and thatthe narrative will grapple with serious loss and moral questions.Beginning the show in the isolated Southern Water Tribe allowed viewers to get a handle on the universe and magic system ofAvatar: The Last Airbenderwithout overwhelming the audience.
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3Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)
Without GOT, Fantasy Television Would Look Very Different Today
Game of Thronesis based on the epic high fantasy novel seriesA Song of Ice and Fireby George R.R. Martin. While the show owes a lot to the source material,it can’t be denied that it’s a near-perfect TV adaptation of the beloved books.The fact thatGOTconnected with such a wide array of audiences set it apart from everything else on television and paved the way for the recent resurgence of fantasy.
Whilemany parts ofGame of Throneslend themselves to being adapted to the screen,it’s a sweeping story full of overlapping characters. The fact that the pilot episode managed to introduce so many of these elements with flawless pacing and a strong narrative throughline speaks to why the show will always be considered one of the best TV dramas of all time, fantasy or not.
Though it’s easy to criticizeGame of Thronesfor its disappointing final season, it can’t be argued that the series is one of the most influential pieces of modern fantasy. Posing enough questions in the series' opening scenes to capture the audience’s attention, while presenting a world that viewers want to spend time in, theGame of Thronespilot is one that can be rewatched many times over.
Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
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2Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Revisiting Buffy Only Makes It More Clear That This Is A Once-In-A-Generation Show
As long as there has been vampire media, there have been vampire hunters, but few are as iconic as Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), the iconic teenage slayer.Buffy The Vampire Slayeriseverything a monster-of-the-week TV show should be.Campy, referential, and eternally stylish,Buffysets the tone for the rest of the series with its brilliant cold open.
Before we meet Buffy herself,the series plays with the audience’s expectations about who’s the predator and who’s the preyin the first few moments. When the would-be damsel in distress turns out to be the monster,Buffylets the viewer know that this sweeping story about power and the pressure of being chosen will never be what we expect.
Buffyis avampire TV show that changed television, evolving with its characters and using its fantasy metaphors to truthfully explore the pain of coming-of-age. As the pilot ofBuffy The Vampire Slayerprogresses and the audience spends time with our hero, her charm and refusal to be who the narrative wants her to be make it easy to love this character and the way she saves the day.
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1Pushing Daisies (2007–2009)
A Romantic, Offbeat Series That Could’ve Gone On For Many Seasons
Everything from the set design to the character relationships immerses audiences in the quirky and campy world ofPushing Daisies. More than a cult classic,Pushing Daisiesis simply a must-watch fantasy series,especially for fans of Lee Pace, who plays against type in the show as the mild-mannered and slightly bumbling pie maker, Ned, who can bring people back to life.
It’s nearly impossible not to be charmed byPushing Daisies, as the chemistry between Pace and Anna Friel, who plays Chuck, leaps off the screen from the beginning. However, asPushing Daisiessets the scene for its story in the first few minutes, viewers can tell the series is something special. The unique premise is just strange enough to work.
Given the opportunity,Pushing Daisiescould’ve gone on for many more seasons, as thefantasyshow was cut short after season 2. However, this doesn’t make the series any less worth watching, or take away from the fact that the story will spark plenty of strong emotions, taking the audience by surprise amid the mysteries and theatrical production design.
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