Science fiction is incredibly popular, but fantasy rivals it in appeal. This genre often takes place in imaginative worlds filled with magic, supernatural events, or fantastical creatures, and is usually packed with adventure, danger, and even a touch of romance. Within fantasy, you’ll find many different types of stories, including epic fantasy, which is known for its large-scale narratives and detailed, unique worlds with their own rules and governments. While sometimes similar to high fantasy, the fantasy genre is incredibly diverse and makes for compelling television.
There’s a lot of excellent fantasy TV out there, and epic fantasy specifically has some real standouts. Here are seven series that consistently delivered great entertainment from beginning to end. We’re not claiming perfection in every episode, but these shows maintained a high level of quality throughout, and you might have even overlooked a few!
7) The Outpost
You might be surprised by The Outpost. This series aired on The CW for four seasons but was largely overlooked by many. Initially, the premise – following Talon, the last of the Blackbloods, as she travels to a remote outpost after her village is attacked – didn’t immediately grab attention. However, the show quickly evolves as Talon discovers she possesses a unique power tied to an ancient prophecy. She must learn to control this power not only to survive, but also to protect the world from a dangerous and extreme religious leader.
While the visual effects in The Outpost aren’t top-notch, the show delivers a compelling revenge story that expands into a complex world with detailed history and characters. It explores themes of identity and loyalty, features exciting monster battles, and cleverly incorporates political intrigue and romance. It’s a refreshingly simple take on fantasy, reminiscent of classic genre storytelling.
6) Penny Dreadful
While some might call Penny Dreadful an urban horror fantasy, it also shares elements of epic fantasy. Though set in Victorian London, the show presents a distorted, fantastical version of the city, filled with famous literary characters, vampires, and other supernatural beings. The story begins when Sir Malcolm’s daughter is taken by these creatures, leading the psychic Vanessa Ives to recruit the skilled gunslinger Ethan Chandler. Together, they fight against a variety of monsters and supernatural threats to try and rescue her.
Throughout the entire series, the show consistently balances fantasy elements with genuine horror and thrilling suspense. It also consistently explores the inner lives of its characters and maintains a complex, tense storyline. It’s a remarkably well-executed show, and the fact that it’s a fantasy series makes it even more enjoyable.
5) Shadow and Bone
Inspired by Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, Shadow and Bone blends epic fantasy with a steampunk aesthetic. Instead of traditional medieval settings, it presents a world with a vintage feel, combining detailed world-building, fantastical costumes, and magic.
The series centers on Alina, a woman who learns she possesses magical powers as a Grisha, and is even more surprisingly the Sun Summoner – a figure destined to bring unity to a fractured world, making her a target for those who oppose that change. Although Netflix cancelled the show after just two seasons, both were consistently well-made and engaging.
4) The Magicians
At first glance, The Magicians seems like a more mature version of Harry Potter. But it quickly becomes much more – a show that expertly crafts two unique worlds, constantly evolves with each season, and features complex, realistic characters and storylines. It’s a truly exceptional series where almost every episode, even the unconventional ones, is outstanding.
The show follows a group of graduate students at Brakebills University, a school for magic. When one student, Quentin Coldwater, realizes the magical world from a beloved childhood book is actually real – and a threat to people – his life is completely upended. Over the show’s five seasons, the story evolves and tackles challenging themes, but it does so with impressive skill.
3) His Dark Materials
HBO’s three-season series, His Dark Materials, is based on Philip Pullman’s popular books. It tells the story of Lyra, a young girl who uncovers a shocking secret and learns she’s destined to change the world – questioning everything from science and religion to the very idea of fate. It was consistently excellent throughout its run.
What truly sets His Dark Materials apart is its incredible world-building – the story spans multiple universes and parallel worlds. Despite featuring fantastical elements like armored polar bears, the series feels surprisingly realistic and emotionally resonant. If there’s any criticism to be made, it’s that it didn’t find as large an audience as it deserved.
2) The Shannara Chronicles
You might not expect to find high fantasy on MTV, but that’s where The Shannara Chronicles first aired (later moving to Spike, now Paramount Network, for its second season). The show, inspired by Terry Brooks’ The Sword of Shannara trilogy, centers on three heroes working to safeguard an ancient tree and prevent exiled demons from breaking free.
While not flawless – it has some rough edges – this series is ultimately a strong and satisfying watch, particularly thanks to the excellent performances. It’s notable for featuring Austin Butler early in his career, and he’s fantastic as Wil, the last of a unique half-human, half-elf lineage. Sadly, the show was cancelled after just two seasons.
1) Outlander
It’s hard to beat a show as fantastic as Outlander. While it’s a bit early to declare it perfect from beginning to end – with the final season still arriving in March – the series has been consistently excellent so far, and we’re confident it will continue to be until the very end.
The series Outlander centers around Claire, a British army nurse, who unexpectedly travels back in time from post-WWII Scotland to 1743. There, she falls in love with Jamie Fraser, a Highland warrior, leading to a grand and intricate romantic story involving time travel. Outlander is unusual in that it appeals to viewers who don’t typically enjoy fantasy, largely because the show unfolds at a compelling but unhurried pace, and features a captivating, epic romance.
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2026-02-22 03:11