Fantasy television has flourished in the 21st century, moving from a small, dedicated fanbase to become a major part of popular culture. Big budgets and improved special effects, combined with a desire for complex, ongoing stories, have allowed creators to build incredibly detailed and believable worlds. This has given audiences a wide range of options, from dark and realistic political dramas to exciting animated adventures and family-friendly stories. This new era of fantasy shows isn’t just visually impressive; it’s also changing what people expect from the genre.
Fantasy shows are most successful when they combine magical elements with realistic human stories about things like power, family, loss, and finding oneself. These shows, whether based on popular books or completely original, have become major parts of our culture. They spark a lot of conversation online, create passionate fan groups, and prove that stories about magic, monsters, and heroes appeal to everyone.
10) Percy Jackson and the Olympians
“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” follows Percy (Walker Scobell), a teenager who learns he’s the son of the Greek god Poseidon. Suddenly, he’s pulled into a dangerous world filled with mythical creatures and feuding gods. This new Disney+ series, based on Rick Riordan’s popular books, does a much better job than previous movie attempts. It succeeds by staying true to the books and capturing the same feeling as the original stories. The series takes its time building the world and characters, something the movies didn’t have room for. It’s carried by strong performances from the young actors and skillfully mixes the challenges of being a teenager with classic Greek mythology, creating an adventure that’s both fun and faithful to the source material.
9) The Wheel of Time
Turning Robert Jordan’s massive 14-book fantasy series into a TV show was a huge challenge, but Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time has done a commendable job bringing this detailed world to life. The series centers on Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), a member of the powerful Aes Sedai, as she searches for the Dragon Reborn, a figure from prophecy. While the first season received some criticism for being slow-paced and feeling similar to Game of Thrones, the show has improved over time. Recent seasons have been lauded for better visuals, exciting action sequences, and a more thorough exploration of the complex story that has captivated readers for decades.
8) Hilda
Inspired by Luke Pearson’s graphic novels, Hilda is a beautifully animated series that offers a touching and imaginative take on fantasy. The show centers around Hilda, a courageous blue-haired girl (voiced by Bella Ramsey), as she adjusts to life in the city of Trolberg after growing up in a magical wilderness. Along the way, she meets fascinating creatures rooted in Scandinavian folklore. What sets Hilda apart is its heartwarming tone and genuine sense of wonder. The series celebrates kindness, friendship, and finding magic in everyday life. With its delightful visuals, compelling stories, and emotional resonance, Hilda is a truly special show that both kids and adults will enjoy.
7) The Legend of Vox Machina
The Legend of Vox Machina is a hilarious and mature animated series that successfully brings the popular Dungeons & Dragons web show, Critical Role, to life. The show centers around a group of flawed mercenaries who stumble into a quest to save their world, Exandria, all while dealing with their own messy lives and plenty of crude jokes. It brilliantly captures the unpredictable and lively feel of a tabletop role-playing game, mixing exciting fantasy battles with funny, relatable characters. Featuring the original voice actors, the series is both a treat for longtime fans and a great way for new viewers to discover a world where fantasy is grand, yet delightfully irreverent.
6) His Dark Materials
HBO’s adaptation of Philip Pullman’s acclaimed His Dark Materials novels is a triumph. The series centers on the brave young Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen) and her discovery of a large-scale conspiracy involving kidnapped children, different worlds, and a fight against a controlling power. What makes the show so good is its willingness to tackle the complex philosophical and religious ideas from the books, creating a story that’s both an exciting fantasy adventure and a thought-provoking exploration of freedom, faith, and what it means to be aware. With a talented cast and stunning visuals – especially the daemons and armored bears – the series is a truly impressive achievement in fantasy television.
5) Adventure Time
What started as a strange and playful cartoon for kids unexpectedly became one of the most important and emotionally resonant animated series of our time. Adventure Time centers on the adventures of Finn, a boy, and Jake, his magical, shape-shifting dog, in the fantastical, post-apocalyptic world of Ooo. Despite its colorful and silly appearance, the show developed a surprisingly rich and complex story, tackling big ideas about friendship, growing up, and even death. Its unique combination of weird humor, moving character development, and creative world-building has deeply influenced a whole generation of viewers and artists, establishing it as a truly groundbreaking fantasy story.
4) Arcane
Inspired by the popular game League of Legends, Arcane surprised everyone with its incredible quality. It’s a beautifully animated and deeply moving story that focuses on the beginnings of two central characters, sisters Vi (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (voiced by Ella Purnell). Their bond is fractured by the escalating tensions between the wealthy city of Piltover and the struggling, polluted undercity of Zaun. Beyond its stunning visuals, Arcane is celebrated for its complex and heartfelt story, which blends steampunk fantasy with a tragic family drama. The show has resonated with viewers both inside and outside the League of Legends community, setting a new standard for animated series.
3) House of the Dragon
Returning to the world of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon faced high expectations – and has delivered. This prequel dives into the fierce Targaryen civil war, the Dance of the Dragons, bringing back the political maneuvering and grand scope that made the original series so popular. However, House of the Dragon stands on its own by focusing on the tragic story of one powerful family. With captivating characters, impressive dragon scenes, and the same thrilling drama fans crave, the show has proven itself a worthy successor and a top-tier fantasy series.
2) Game of Thrones
As a huge cinema fan, I remember when Game of Thrones completely took over the world – it really changed what we expected from fantasy shows. Based on George R.R. Martin’s books, it drew you in with its huge story about families fighting for power, constantly surprising you with unexpected turns, and, let’s be honest, not being afraid to kill off characters you really loved! What really set it apart, though, was how realistic and morally grey everything felt. It proved that fantasy could be serious, high-quality television and appeal to everyone. Even though the final season was divisive, the show’s amazing production, unforgettable characters, and bold storytelling have definitely secured its place as one of the most ambitious and influential series ever made.
1) Avatar: The Last Airbender
Originally shown on Nickelodeon, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a brilliantly told story that’s become one of the most beloved TV series ever made, going far beyond its reputation as a kids’ show. The series centers on Aang, the last of his kind and the prophesied Avatar, and his journey to learn all four elements and bring an end to a hundred-year war. What truly sets it apart is how well it combines grand adventures with heartwarming humor and meaningful themes. The characters are incredibly well-developed, especially Prince Zuko, and the show tackles difficult subjects like war, genocide, and colonialism with a surprising level of depth. Ultimately, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a timeless fantasy classic thanks to its perfect timing and emotionally powerful story.
What other fantasy shows from the 2000s or later would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-11-11 23:15