Top 10 Fantasy TV Shows Pre-2000s: Iconic Series You Can’t Miss

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While the 2000s brought us a lot of memorable fantasy TV shows, many classic fantasy series existed long before then. What makes fantasy so special is its flexibility – it blends well with other genres while still feeling like fantasy, and it allows creators a lot of freedom.

When looking at the best TV shows ever made, fantasy series stand out, appealing to a wide range of viewers. While many popular fantasy shows aired in the 2000s, the genre has consistently produced excellent television for decades, with some of its most beloved shows premiering well before that time.

Dungeons & Dragons

1983-1985

In the 1980s, the popular game Dungeons & Dragons became a TV show. The cartoon featured a group of friends, aged eight to fifteen, who were magically transported to the world of Dungeons & Dragons while riding a roller coaster at an amusement park.

The kids encounter Dungeon Master, who provides each of them with a magical item and unique abilities. As they search for a way back home, they meet various characters and face dangerous challenges, all while being pursued by the formidable wizard Venger.

Dungeons & Dragons is a beloved fantasy adventure series known for its compelling characters and surprisingly emotional stories. While it faced criticism for violence when it first aired, modern audiences are likely to see it in a new light.

Charmed

1998-2006

Charmed is a fantasy TV show created by Constance M. Burge. The series follows the Halliwell sisters – Phoebe, Prue, and Piper – who discover they are powerful witches. Together, using their combined strength – known as the “Power of Three” – they work to protect innocent people from dangerous and evil forces.

Charmed is now considered a beloved classic and one of the greatest fantasy shows ever made. It also played a significant role in shaping the fantasy shows of the 1990s. The show is celebrated for its mix of fantasy, action, and drama, along with its characters that viewers could connect with, its humor, and its rich mythology.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

1983-1985

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was a hugely popular cartoon from the 1980s, and it’s easy to see why. The show, based on Mattel’s Masters of the Universe toys, transports audiences to the fantastical world of Eternia, where they meet Prince Adam – the son of King Randor and Queen Marlena, and twin brother to Princess Adora.

As a movie critic, I have to admit, the transformation sequence still gives me chills. Whenever Prince Adam raises the Sword of Power and shouts, “By the Power of Grayskull! I have the power!” it’s pure magic as he becomes He-Man, arguably the strongest hero in the universe. The film really showcases how He-Man, alongside his incredibly powerful friends, constantly battles to protect Eternia from the clutches of the truly menacing Skeletor.

I remember being totally hooked on He-Man and the Masters of the Universe! The whole premise was awesome – Skeletor was always trying to take over Castle Grayskull, because that’s where He-Man got his incredible powers. It was such a big hit back then, it’s spawned comics, movies, and even new versions of the show, and people still love it today – me included!

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

1996-2003

Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a funny fantasy show created by Nell Scovell, inspired by the Sabrina Spellman character from Archie Comics. The show centers around Sabrina (played by Melissa Joan Hart) who discovers she has magical abilities on her sixteenth birthday.

Sabrina lives with her magical aunts, Hilda and Zelda, because her father faced consequences for marrying someone without magic, and seeing her mother is dangerous. With their guidance and help from her talking cat, Salem, Sabrina learns to control her witch powers while trying to live a normal teenage life in high school.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a lighthearted show that combines fantasy and comedy, featuring characters and stories many viewers can connect with. It offers a playful take on a world where magic exists. In the 2010s, the story was revisited with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, a much more serious and suspenseful take on the original.

Gargoyles

1994-1997

©Buena Vista Television/Courtesy MovieStillsDB

One popular animated fantasy show is Gargoyles. The series focuses on a clan of gargoyles led by Goliath. In the year 994, they were betrayed, and most of the clan was killed. The survivors were cursed to turn to stone and remain frozen until their castle rose high enough into the clouds.

I remember when David Xanatos bought Castle Wyvern back in ’94 – it was incredible! He actually moved the whole castle and rebuilt it on top of one of his skyscrapers, and that’s what finally broke the spell that had kept the gargoyles frozen for centuries. Now they’re learning to live in our world, and they’ve become these amazing, secret protectors of New York at night. But we’re starting to realize that Xanatos isn’t exactly what he seems… he’s got his own plans, and we’re figuring them out.

Many viewers and critics appreciate Gargoyles for its use of mythology, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes. These elements give the show a depth and complexity that’s rare in fantasy television, making it both darker and more captivating than most.

Merlin

1998

Unlike the other shows on this list which take place over multiple seasons, Merlin is a short, two-part series directed by Steve Barron. It tells the story of the famous wizard Merlin (played by Sam Neill), drawing from the well-known legends of Camelot but also adding some new characters and storylines.

The film Merlin delves into the history of the main character, exploring events before King Arthur was born. Merlin was popular when it came out in 1998, and it later inspired a 2006 miniseries called Merlin’s Apprentice. It’s important not to mix this up with the 2008 British TV series also named Merlin, which is also a good show.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

1992-1996

Are You Afraid of the Dark? is a scary story series created by D.J. MacHale and Ned Kandel. The show centers around a group of teenagers known as “The Midnight Society” who gather in a hidden location in the woods at midnight to tell each other frightening tales.

Each night, the members of the group take turns telling scary stories – everything from horror and science fiction to fantasy and blends of all three. While Are You Afraid of the Dark? is designed for younger viewers, it also appeals to older audiences with its relatable fears and sometimes surprisingly intense moments.

As a lifelong fan of spooky stories, I always loved how imaginative the tales on Are You Afraid of the Dark? were. Some episodes genuinely scared me as a kid – and that’s part of what made the show so special! Each story always had a fantastic element, whether it was aliens, creepy dolls that talked, or even characters escaping from comic books – it really ran the gamut.

Highlander: The Series

1992-1998

As a huge fan of the original Highlander film, I was thrilled when Highlander: The Series came out. It’s a really fun science fantasy action show that continues the story, but in a different direction. The series focuses on Duncan MacLeod, played by Adrian Paul, who’s another Immortal from the Scottish Clan MacLeod – basically, he’s another one of the title ‘Highlanders’ we all love.

In Highlander: The Series, Duncan MacLeod tries to live a normal life while secretly being immortal, but he’s constantly forced to battle other immortals – because the last one remaining wins a mysterious “Prize.” The show also features The Watchers, a hidden group of humans who monitor the lives of immortals. For fans of the Highlander movies and lore, the series greatly expands on that world and is definitely worth watching.

Xena: Warrior Princess

1995-2001

Xena: Warrior Princess is a fantasy television series that began as a spin-off of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. The show centers on Xena (played by Lucy Lawless), a skilled warrior seeking to make amends for her past by protecting those in need. She’s joined by Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor), who starts as a simple farm girl but becomes a powerful Amazonian warrior.

Xena: Warrior Princess is a thrilling show filled with action, fantasy, and stories inspired by Greek mythology and history. It also features supernatural beings, along with plenty of drama and humor. Many consider it one of the greatest fantasy TV series ever made, and it helped create opportunities for other shows with powerful female protagonists.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

1997-2003

No list of great shows would be complete without Buffy the Vampire Slayer, even though it finished airing over two decades ago. Created by Joss Whedon, the series is based on his 1992 film of the same name. Buffy the Vampire Slayer follows Buffy Summers (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar), who is the newest in a long line of young women destined to fight vampires as the “Vampire Slayer.”

Buffy’s job is to fight vampires, demons, and other evil creatures, and she receives training and advice from her mentor, Giles. She’s also helped by her close friends, Willow and Xander, who often find themselves caught up in the supernatural world with her.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer successfully combines fantasy, horror, drama, and humor. With a wide range of both supernatural creatures and realistic human challenges, the show keeps viewers hooked for all seven seasons. It’s a show everyone should watch, and one you’ll enjoy revisiting again and again.

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2025-10-25 20:32