7 Underrated Fantasy Series You Forgot Were Great

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Many fantasy TV shows achieve popularity, but some truly excellent series never get the recognition they deserve. These hidden gems often get overlooked, sometimes because they were too ambitious, suffered from poor promotion, or simply didn’t fit the tastes of the time. However, that doesn’t diminish their value. These shows offer intricate worlds and intelligent stories, proving that a show doesn’t need to be popular to be genuinely good. They’re creative, engaging, and original stories just waiting to be discovered.

We’ve gathered a list of 7 fantastic fantasy shows that don’t get enough attention. If you’re a fantasy fan who thinks you’ve watched everything worth seeing, you might be surprised – these hidden gems are definitely worth checking out!

7) His Dark Materials

HBO’s His Dark Materials seemed destined for success – it’s a book adaptation with a talented cast and a truly imaginative world. The series centers on Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen) as she discovers secrets and conspiracies spanning multiple universes, all while trying to unravel the mystery of a substance called Dust. Visually, the show is stunning and immediately captivating. Beyond that, it fearlessly explores complex themes like religion, authority, and personal freedom, making it a top pick for fans of immersive fantasy storytelling.

Despite being a well-made show, His Dark Materials never really captured the public’s attention. Many viewers stopped watching before the end, and those hoping for another Game of Thrones were often put off by its complex, thoughtful themes. It wasn’t that the series was bad; it just didn’t quite connect with audiences at the time, possibly because it came out at an unfavorable moment.

6) Interview with the Vampire

As a huge fan of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, I was honestly surprised by how good the TV series turned out. The book is a classic, of course, but the show – heading into its third season now – is just beautifully done and still feels underrated. It follows Louis de Pointe du Lac as he recounts his life with the captivating, but wild, Lestat. What’s really great is that it proves remakes can work! It’s a really stylish and dark fantasy, and I especially appreciate how it fully leans into the romantic relationship between Louis and Lestat as a central part of the story.

Despite receiving positive reviews, Interview with the Vampire doesn’t seem to reach a wider audience, and it’s a shame. The show is a bit of a slow burn, prioritizing a dramatic, theatrical style over instant thrills, which might not appeal to everyone. However, it offers a level of sophisticated and thought-provoking storytelling that’s uncommon in the genre and often sought after by viewers. It’s disappointing that it still isn’t getting the attention it truly deserves.

5) Grimm

Before shows like Supernatural and The Witcher became popular, Grimm was already successfully blending monster hunting with detective work. The series centers on Nick Burkhardt, a detective who learns he comes from a family of hunters responsible for controlling supernatural beings called Wesen. Grimm was always straightforward about being a procedural show with fantastical elements, and that’s likely why some viewers didn’t give it much attention. Despite consistently good seasons and a rich mythology, and earning the praise of those who watched it, the show never quite reached a wider audience.

In retrospect, Grimm was a really solid show that didn’t get the recognition it deserved. It wasn’t groundbreaking, but it excelled at what it did. Many viewers probably started watching for some light entertainment and ended up thoroughly hooked. It may have been overlooked because it required more commitment from the audience as the story developed – it wasn’t a show you could casually watch. Also, shows like Grimm – procedural dramas with complex, ongoing storylines – weren’t considered prestige television at the time, which likely contributed to it being underrated.

4) Sweet Tooth

Initially, Sweet Tooth generated some initial interest, but didn’t become a major hit. Many viewers found it charming, but quickly forgot about it – a real oversight. Adapted from Jeff Lemire’s comic, the series takes place in a world after a disaster, where children are born who are part human and part animal. The story focuses on Gus (Christian Convery), a boy with deer antlers, as he navigates this broken world and tries to understand what’s left of humanity. While the show has a beautiful, fairytale-like appearance, it tackles surprisingly dark themes, sensitively exploring fear, loneliness, and the importance of understanding others – something rarely seen on television.

When people picture fantasy, they often think of dragons, battles, or grand predictions. So, shows that deviate from those expectations sometimes struggle to gain an audience. These days, fantasy fans crave deeper, more nuanced stories, and Sweet Tooth delivers a story about hope and compassion in a world that desperately needs them. While the show’s marketing and somewhat ambiguous tone, along with tough competition, may have contributed to it being overlooked, it’s a shame such a genuinely touching series didn’t receive more recognition.

3) Galavant

It’s hard to think of a show more hindered by its own structure than Galavant. This medieval musical comedy was full of witty, self-aware humor and surprisingly excellent songs, but it struggled to find an audience alongside popular fantasy dramas. The series follows knight Galavant (Joshua Sasse) on his quest to reunite with his beloved, cleverly subverting every fairy tale trope for comedic effect. Galavant was unique, ambitious, and arguably ahead of its time. Unfortunately, when it first aired, it didn’t quite connect with viewers, which is a disappointment.

Galavant was consistently funny, and the actors clearly loved performing the material. The songs, written by Alan Menken of Disney fame, were surprisingly fantastic for a show that only lasted two seasons. Its biggest issue was likely being on network television – it felt a bit too unconventional for that platform. It would have thrived today with streaming services! Though it was eventually canceled, Galavant proves you can create hilarious fantasy without making fun of the genre itself. Anyone who didn’t see it really missed out on a special show.

2) Pushing Daisies

Pushing Daisies is a fantastic show that unfortunately didn’t get the recognition it deserved when it originally aired. The series centers around Ned, a baker with the extraordinary ability to revive the dead – with the catch that he can’t have physical contact with his girlfriend, or she’ll die again. It’s a clever and charming mix of comedy, romance, and mystery, all wrapped up in a visually stunning style that resembles a vibrant pop-up book. Each episode is both a self-contained story and contributes to a larger, engaging plot. Ultimately, Pushing Daisies is one of the most original and imaginative shows ever made for television.

While critics and a dedicated fanbase adored it, Pushing Daisies never reached a wider audience. Its unique tone – a blend of sweetness and darkness, humor and tragedy, and lightness with deep emotion – often left viewers unsure what to expect, leading to quick cancellations. It also suffered from being ahead of its time, as quirky shows weren’t as accepted then. Today, it would likely be a beloved cult classic. Despite this, the show holds up remarkably well and stands as a brilliant example of heartfelt, original storytelling.

1) CarnivĂ le

Before HBO was known for blockbuster shows, it often took chances on more unusual ideas, and CarnivĂ le is a prime example. This series, set during the Great Depression, centers on a traveling carnival that becomes entangled in an epic struggle between good and evil. It’s a visually stunning and dreamlike show, rich with symbolism and atmosphere, and its mythology feels incredibly original. The show’s detailed sets and dusty landscapes are particularly impressive. If you enjoy complex fantasy worlds, you’ll appreciate the intricate and mysterious mythology. CarnivĂ le isn’t always easy to follow, it requires your full attention, but it’s a thought-provoking exploration of themes like fate, belief, and what’s right and wrong.

You know, CarnivĂ le was a truly special show, but I think it was just ahead of its time. It was so layered and mysterious, and honestly, a bit slow-burn for most viewers back then. That’s why it got canceled before it could finish its story, which was a real shame and left a lot of questions unanswered. But what’s amazing is how it created this huge, fantastical world without relying on constant action or tons of special effects. It was all about atmosphere and a compelling story, and it really showed that you could do that on TV. Honestly, rewatching it now, it totally reminded me how incredible it was – a real hidden gem.

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2025-11-11 17:20