10 Best Fantasy TV Shows of 2025, Ranked

2025 was a bit of an odd year for fantasy television. While the genre is usually strong, many of the biggest new shows didn’t premiere until the later months. The initial surge of fantasy projects following the end of Game of Thrones—when streaming services and networks were eager to launch new series—has started to level off. Big hits like House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power didn’t have new seasons until later in the year, and highly anticipated shows like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and the Harry Potter series weren’t released until the end of the year, resulting in a slower pace for live-action fantasy overall.

It looks like science fiction and horror were the most popular genres for streaming in 2025. While live-action fantasy had a few excellent seasons, and animated projects also thrived, there’s been a noticeable change in how these stories are best told. Despite this shift, the most popular series of the year was still a live-action show – and it’s likely a title many people predicted would be at the top.

10) The Witcher Season 4

Season 4 of The Witcher was a major fantasy release in 2025, but it faced significant challenges. The Netflix series had already received criticism, and the departure of Henry Cavill after Season 3 added to the pressure. Replacing him as Geralt of Rivia could have easily doomed the show, and many viewers, judging by its Rotten Tomatoes scores, seem to think it did. However, I believe The Witcher Season 4 successfully overcame these obstacles and managed a surprisingly strong comeback.

Liam Hemsworth stepped into the role smoothly and performed well. The storylines for Yennefer and Ciri were more developed, and the overall plot was more focused and engaging than in Season 3. However, Season 4 of The Witcher still didn’t fully align with the original books and games. While it was likely too late to expect a complete adaptation, this divergence will probably affect how the show is remembered. Despite this, Season 4 wasn’t as disappointing as some critics claim. It may not be the best fantasy series of 2025, but it’s certainly one of the most memorable.

9) Fionna and Cake Season 2

The animated series Fionna and Cake, which broadened the world of Adventure Time, returned for its second season in October 2023. While the first season left viewers wondering where the story would go, the new season has actually been even better in some ways. Although the main storyline isn’t as epic as it was before, the show has focused more on developing its characters, which has been a real strength.

Season 2 isn’t over yet – only eight out of ten episodes have been released. However, I think it’s already one of the best fantasy shows of 2025. While it’s not quite top-tier because it focuses on a smaller story, it’s a good example that great fantasy doesn’t always need epic world-saving plots. Sometimes, the most compelling stories are smaller and more focused on individual characters.

8) Hazbin Hotel

Season 2 of Hazbin Hotel launched in October and was even better than the first. The show had ended its initial run with a cliffhanger, leaving fans excited to see what happened next. This new season delivered, raising the tension and providing more in-depth looks at popular characters like Alastor and Vox. The animation quality also improved, which perfectly matched the stronger storyline.

While Hazbin Hotel‘s first season focused more on developing its characters, it lost some of its fast pace. I think this trade-off was worth it. Even with its issues, the season was still fun to watch, and the musical numbers really stood out. The second season gives me hope for the future of the show, though there’s still room for improvement. It wasn’t quite as impactful as some of the year’s biggest fantasy shows, and its progress wasn’t as noticeable as in a few other series that really excelled in 2025.

7) Percy Jackson & the Olympians Season 2

Season 2 of Percy Jackson & the Olympians premiered on Disney+ on December 10th. It’s likely the season would be even more highly regarded if all the episodes were available, as the two released so far are promising. Like the first season, this adaptation does a great job of staying true to Rick Riordan’s books while also making smart changes that improve the story. The new episodes quickly pull viewers back into Riordan’s world and immediately establish a compelling pace and high stakes, making it easy to get hooked.

The acting in the first two episodes was even stronger than in Season 1, likely because the characters and their relationships were already well-defined. Aside from a few lines that felt a little off, Percy Jackson & the Olympians Season 2 has been nearly flawless so far. However, it’s still too soon to say if it will surpass shows like Wednesday and The Wheel of Time.

6) Wednesday Season 2

Season 2 of Wednesday was a highly anticipated fantasy release for 2025. While it didn’t quite live up to the hype following the first season, it still delivered an enjoyable and quirky magical school story. The Netflix series kept its signature dark and captivating atmosphere, and the relationship between Wednesday and Enid was explored in more detail. The actors continued to give excellent performances, bringing their characters to life effectively.

Like several other shows, the second season of Wednesday struggled with its storyline and how quickly events unfolded. The new episodes sometimes felt disjointed, and Netflix’s unusual release timing didn’t help. While these issues didn’t ruin the season, they did make viewers wonder if Wednesday can become as popular and long-lasting as Stranger Things. To achieve that level of success, the show needs to fix these problems in its third season.

5) The Wheel of Time Season 3

Season 3 of The Wheel of Time was a significant improvement over the first two seasons, making its cancellation by Prime Video especially disappointing. The show saw noticeable gains in quality – from the special effects to the storytelling – and the plot moved at a much better pace. While it still took some liberties with the original books, these changes felt more justified and well-executed compared to earlier seasons. Although dedicated fans might have still disagreed with some choices, the season was generally a more enjoyable experience.

Despite all the improvements, The Wheel of Time was still canceled, and Season 3 wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t just that fans still had issues with earlier seasons; the latest installment also had some weak points, like relying too much on near-death situations, which ultimately made the important moments feel less impactful.

4) Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2

Given how popular the original Castlevania was, it’s no surprise that its sequel, Castlevania: Nocturne, has also become a hit. Season 2 of Nocturne, released in January 2025, stands out as one of the year’s best fantasy shows, arriving earlier than most. This season improved upon the first in many ways, with a stronger story, better pacing, and more engaging relationships between the characters. Since strong character interactions were a key part of the original series, it’s a good sign that the sequel is delivering on that front.

The animation in Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 was noticeably improved, leading to more dynamic and exciting action scenes. There was also simply more action overall, making the season more thrilling. While the characters could still be developed further, and the series doesn’t quite reach the level of others that excelled in this area from the start, it’s still a solid show. Unfortunately, this spin-off hasn’t resonated as strongly as the original Castlevania, preventing it from being a contender for the top fantasy series of the year.

3) Gen V Season 2

It’s debatable whether superhero shows fit into the fantasy genre, but considering real people can’t control blood or minds, I believe Gen V Season 2 definitely does. And the second season of The Boys spin-off was one of the best genre shows of 2025, even though it didn’t have the same fresh feel as its first season. The timing of this season alongside The Boys worked well, but Gen V also managed to tell its own compelling story, continuing the plot from Season 1 in a way that felt rewarding.

Characters we’ve seen before felt more complex, reinforcing the idea that almost no one in The Boys world is purely good or evil. Hamish Linklater’s performance as Dean Cipher was a standout, helping Season 2 maintain the franchise’s signature blend of dark humor. While Season 2 of Gen V wasn’t quite as tightly woven as the first, it was still both impactful and fun to watch. However, one new fantasy show feels particularly original, and another returning show has been better at building anticipation and satisfying its fans.

2) The Mighty Nein

Since its release in November, the spin-off series The Mighty Nein, based on The Legend of Vox Machina, has shown how much audiences appreciate new stories in the fantasy world. Even though only six of the season’s eight episodes have aired, The Mighty Nein is already considered one of the best fantasy shows of 2025. It retains the appealing characters and beautiful animation of the original Legend of Vox Machina, while also building upon that world in interesting ways. The show delves into more intricate and complex political issues, and the new main characters are even more flawed and chaotic than those viewers previously enjoyed.

The characters in The Mighty Nein are really well-developed, creating interesting relationships and a compelling plot that looks set to improve even further. I’m already invested in the story, but it’s still building towards the emotional impact of a more established show like Stranger Things – it just needs a bit more time to fully develop.

1) Stranger Things Season 5

Season 5 of Stranger Things was the most talked-about fantasy release of 2025, though the complete story will unfold over two parts. While it hasn’t been the best season of the Netflix series, it still offered plenty of memorable character development and surprising plot twists, making it a standout in the fantasy genre. The cliffhanger at the end of Episode 4 was particularly satisfying, finally resolving a storyline that had been building for almost ten years.

The show has beautifully paid tribute to its origins while preparing a fitting farewell to the characters we’ve loved for nine seasons. It’s still early to tell if the ending will be satisfying, and a disappointing finish could change its ranking. However, the first episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 suggest it has the potential to be the year’s best fantasy series. It’s still generating a lot of buzz and has viewers excited to see how the story concludes.

What fantasy book or comic released in 2025 did you enjoy the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-14 05:42