As a big fan of fantasy shows, I always feel like the first episode – the pilot – is *crucially* important. It’s seriously tough to pull off a good one, and when you add the fantasy genre, it gets even harder! A show needs to quickly introduce us to the story, the characters, and what the main conflict is – all in just a few minutes. Plus, with fantasy, there’s usually a *lot* of world-building to do, and it has to feel natural, not like an info dump. I think that’s why when a fantasy series really nails its pilot, it tends to run for many seasons and build a really loyal fanbase that sticks around even after the show is over. So, I’ve put together a list of what I think are the ten best fantasy TV pilots, and you’ll notice that almost all of them enjoyed long and successful runs. Here they are!
10) Lucifer
Many believed the Devil and mainstream television were an unlikely combination, but that idea was completely disproven when Lucifer first aired on FOX in 2016. The show’s pilot brilliantly took the Lucifer character from DC comics and built an entire world around him. Plus, Tom Ellis is captivating as the Prince of Darkness, seamlessly transitioning from charming to portraying a hurt and resentful son. We were hooked and wanted more even after just the first episode of this imaginative crime show.
9) Once Upon a Time
Fairytales have been retold countless times, so when Once Upon a Time premiered in 2011, it really stood out. The show focused on a captivating story of a family searching for each other, and it skillfully balanced its two different storylines and impressive special effects. We were hooked from the moment Emma Swan and Henry Mills appeared in Storybrooke.
8) What We Do in the Shadows
Vampires are a monster that have been portrayed in many different ways in movies and TV shows. When What We Do in the Shadows first aired in 2019, people had high hopes for it because the original movie – which starred Jermaine Clement and Taika Waititi – had become a beloved cult hit. Thankfully, the show’s cast fit their characters perfectly and were hilarious, quickly making people forget any concerns that it wouldn’t work as a comedy series.
7) Good Omens
Michael Sheen and David Tennant. Do we even need to explain how great they are together? These two highly-regarded British actors were a surprisingly perfect match in the first episode of Good Omens back in 2019, and it felt like they were *made* to play those roles. It was the witty back-and-forth between Sheen and Tennant, combined with the show’s creative and unique approach to its end-of-the-world storyline, that immediately captivated us.
6) Kaos
Greek mythology is a popular theme in fantasy, but Charlie Covell’s Kaos felt remarkably fresh and unique. The Kaos pilot quickly introduces a large group of characters without revealing too much, but the world felt incredibly detailed and real, making it an enjoyable experience. Covell skillfully tied everything together by the end of the season. And Jeff Goldblum as Zeus was such perfect casting that we’re still disappointed the show was canceled so soon.
5) Supernatural
Supernatural remarkably lasted for fifteen seasons, and revisiting the first episode reveals the reason. The undeniable brotherly connection between Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles is a key element of the show’s success, as their bond while battling terrifying demons is what made it special from the beginning.
4) The Good Place
As a huge fan of comedy, I was already excited when I heard about The Good Place. Mike Schur, the guy behind shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation, had a great reputation, but this felt different. The premise – a woman accidentally ending up in heaven, wonderfully played by Kristen Bell – was just too good to pass up. I think the pilot episode worked so well because it quickly introduced us to the main conflict and characters, all while being genuinely funny. But what *really* impressed me was how Schur subtly hinted at things to come. It created this feeling of anticipation, so when that big twist hit at the end of Season One, it was totally shocking, but looking back, it felt completely inevitable.
3) Smallville
The premise of “Superman in high school” risked becoming overly sentimental or cheesy, but the creators, Al Gough and Miles Millar, successfully gave Smallville a serious and dignified tone – similar to Richard Donner’s Superman films and even the feel of a classic Greek tragedy (given that we already know the character’s ultimate fate). They achieved this without sacrificing what made Clark Kent appealing to teenage viewers in the early 2000s. The pilot episode of Smallville treated both its subject matter and its audience with respect, offering a fresh perspective on a character many believed they already understood, and resulting in one of the strongest fantasy pilot episodes in television history.
2) Game of Thrones
The world of Game of Thrones is incredibly detailed and complicated, with so many characters and creatures that it’s easy to get lost. Despite this, the HBO pilot beautifully showed off the harsh, complex world of Westeros, and also introduced us to characters we quickly felt invested in. The episode cleverly balanced shocking moments with a sense of something bad coming, ultimately launching the show that would become a global success.
1) Buffy the Vampire Slayer
When Buffy the Vampire Slayer first aired in 1997, Buffy Sanders brought a fresh, empowering, and down-to-earth perspective to the familiar “chosen one” storyline. The very first episode skillfully blended fantasy, teenage issues, humor, and scary moments – and it probably paved the way for many of the other shows you’ll find on this list. Remarkably, even after twenty-eight years, the speed, writing, and acting in the Buffy pilot still feel strong and effective.
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2025-10-04 16:45