Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows

Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows
Slide Nr 1
TV shows often have a lot to say about the world around us. But sometimes, we prefer it when they take us to a different world entirely – whether it’s one filled with knights and dragons, demons and spectres, or strange lands beyond our belief. With the release of House of the Dragon Season Two keeping many fantasy fans on the edge of their seats, we’re running down the very best fantasy shows ever to grace the small screen – and bring just a little bit of magic into our homes.

By Victoria Luxford

0/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 2
Once Upon a Time (2011-2018) – What if there was a place where fairy tales, and the characters within them, were real? That’s the premise of this wildly popular fantasy show, starring Jennifer Morrison as a woman who discovers the people of her town are actually fairy-tale legends trapped in our world and unable to remember who they truly are. Featuring modern takes on characters like Cinderella, Captain Hook, Rapunzel and Pinocchio, the mystery and magic of this show brought many beloved fairy tales into adulthood, and gave them a darker twist. It also provided fans their first glimpses of breakout stars like Jamie Dornan.

1/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 3
The Wheel of Time (2021-Present) – Oscar-nominated star Rosamund Pike leads this series as Moiraine, a powerful member of the organisation Aes Sedai who’s on the hunt for the foretold coming of the Dragon Reborn – a prophesied figure who will either save the world from evil, or leave it in ashes. While some shows focus on special effects and empty spectacle, this series – born from the books by Robert Jordan – combines fantastical entertainment with thoughtful character development, giving audiences a reason to care about the fate of the people they are watching. In a crowded fantasy landscape, The Wheel of Time is grand enough to forge its own path.

2/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 4
Merlin (2008-2012) – This modest British TV production might have ended in 2012, but its legions of followers have ensured the show’s legend endures. Putting a different spin on the legend of King Arthur, this story is told, of course, from the perspective of the sorcerer Merlin (Colin Morgan). In the show, Merlin learns of his powers and his destiny to protect Prince Arthur, but must keep his powers secret due to the current king’s ban on practicing magic. Elegantly told, the show blended action, humour and heart to find a place in the affections of fantasy lovers, even more than a decade after it ended.

3/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 5
Disenchantment (2018-2023) – When the creators of The Simpsons come up with a new show, you know it’s something worth checking out. Disenchantment was a hilarious spoof on the fantasy genre, following hard-partying princess Bean, who doesn’t seem fit for the destiny laid out for her, along with her ‘personal demon’ Luci and a besotted elf named, appropriately, Elfo. Offering a smart take on many of the usual fantasy tropes, the show was packed full of wit, as well as a few touching moments. The show’s devoted following also fell for its use of non-conventional heroes and storylines that include a wider range of themes.

4/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 6
Outlander (2014-2024) – Eras collide as a World War II nurse (Caitríona Balfe) travels to Scotland for a second honeymoon, only to be mysteriously transported back to 16th-century Scotland where she’s taken in by a battling clan, and falls for one of their warriors (Sam Heughan). Based on the books by Diana Gabaldon, the show has lasted for eight seasons and a decade of epic adventure, with sweeping romance and a combination of history and fantasy making for a story that’s proven irresistible to millions.

5/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 7
Sandman (2022-Present) – Neil Gaiman’s wonderful comic book series comes to vivid life in this captivating TV series. Tom Sturridge plays Dream, a mystical personification of dreaming, who is released from over a century of imprisonment and attempts to reclaim his realm. Considered ‘unfilmable’ by TV and movie producers in the past, Gaiman himself was on hand to help develop a faithful adaptation. A hit with viewers, it has delighted fans of the source material with its dark, playful tone and incredibly well-cast ensemble.

6/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 8
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022-Present) – How do you build upon some of the most beloved stories in history? For The Rings of Power, the answer lies in research. The makers of the most expensive TV show ever made studied the appendices of J.R.R. Tolkein’s novels to create a story set around the Second Age of Middle Earth, a thousand years before the events of Lord of the Rings. The result is an expansive, beautiful show about the creation of the Rings of Power, one that has already drawn in millions of viewers thanks to its spectacle and imagination.

7/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 9
The Witcher (2019-Present) – The Witcher was originally a series of novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, before becoming a popular video game series. The TV adaptation draws from the books, and original star Henry Cavill seemed to be the perfect person to play the show’s lead, Geralt of Rivia, a magically enhanced monster hunter (or ‘Witcher’) whose need for solitude is disturbed when a young girl’s destiny becomes entwined with his own. Liam Hemsworth will be taking over as the lead for the fourth and final season, but Cavill’s performance has already ensured that Geralt will go down in history as one of TV’s great fantasy heroes.

8/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 10
His Dark Materials (2019-2022) – Adaptations of popular books don’t always gain the approval of the original author, but Philip Pullman was enthusiastic in his praise of the HBO adaptation of his work. “I think it’s great… I’m very happy with it,” he said of the TV telling of the story of Lyra, a young orphan in a magical alternate Britain uncovering a kidnapping plot related to the disappearance of her friend. Featuring the likes of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Andrew Scott and James McAvoy, the book series’ fan base took the show to its heart and expanded the beloved universe even further.

9/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 11
Good Omens (2019-Present) – British actors David Tennant and Michael Sheen are very close in real life, so it made perfect sense for the friends to play opposite each other in another adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s work. Tennant portrays a demon named Crowley, a representative of Hell living on Earth who is comfortable with his life, and his unlikely friendship with angel Aziraphale (Sheen). When the end of times is announced by their superiors, the pair work together to keep life on Earth as it is. Funny, touching and featuring one of the great TV duos, it’s clear to see why so many have come to love the series.

10/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 12
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019) – Expanding on a classic 1980s adventure is no easy task, but this incredible prequel to Jim Henson’s 1982 film The Dark Crystal manages to replicate the world perfectly. Set on the planet Thra, it focuses on the peaceful Gelfling people and their efforts to overthrow the villainous Skeksis, who rule the planet and threaten to plunge it into darkness. The show featured a star-studded voice cast, from future stars like Taron Egerton and Anya Taylor-Joy to established legends like Mark Hamill and Jason Isaacs. Capturing the thrills, terror and adventure of the previous story, the show only lasted one season, but left a lasting impression.

11/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 13
One Piece (2023-Present) – What’s a fantasy story without a quest for a magical artefact? One Piece, for its part, has a prize that few can match! Based on the classic manga series, the show follows a group of pirates in pursuit of the eponymous One Piece, a fabled treasure that will make them the most famous pirates in the land. While live-action manga adaptations aren’t always well-received, this series has brought the energy, adventure and fun of the source material to life, telling a story that will be instantly accessible to lovers of the franchise, as well as to those coming to it for the first time.

12/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 14
Supernatural (2005-2020) – No matter how good the show is, achieving longevity in TV is a difficult task. So, when a show lasts 327 episodes and spans three different decades, you know you’re onto something special. Supernatural follows two brothers, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) as they hunt demons, ghosts, monsters and other supernatural beings. What kept the show going for 15 seasons was the bond between the two stars, an increasingly inventive formula that saw the pair fight and team up with a variety of different supernatural beings, and a fan base that just couldn’t get enough.

13/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 15
Doctor Who (1963-Present) – It’s arguable that the BBC time travel show can be considered sci-fi, but there’s more than a little bit of fantasy in there, too. The continuing adventures of The Doctor, a Time Lord travelling through time and space to right wrongs with his various assistants, has been a beloved part of the TV landscape for decades, particularly since its 2005 revival. From classic Doctors like Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, to modern heroes like David Tennant and current star Ncuti Gatwa, the effects may have evolved, but the sense of adventure never left.

14/15
Culture
Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows.
Slide Nr 16
Game of Thrones (2011-2019) – Quite simply the benchmark when it comes to fantasy television, Game of Thrones arguably formed the peak of what many termed the era of ‘prestige TV’ in the 2010s. A high-budget, large-scale epic fantasy based on the novels by George R. R. Martin, tens of millions around the world tuned in every week to watch the different noble families of the mythical continent of Westeros plot, scheme and kill their way to the Iron Throne. The final season proved divisive among viewers, but the show’s place in history is assured, along with the growing fan base for its spinoff, House of the Dragon.

15/15
Editor's Choice
TV’s Gaming Boom: Why Video Games Are Taking Over Television
From our consoles to our streaming queues: some of this year’s most anticipated TV series began life as video games. We explore what's behind the game-to-TV trend

What Makes A Good TV Spin-Off?
TV show spin-offs are a way to explore extended storylines, develop beloved characters and connect with audiences... if done right. These are the rules to abide by

No Comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

Show Me The World: TV’s 14 Greatest Globetrotters

If hopping on a plane isn’t an option, then armchair travel it is. With their wit, intelligence and electric personalities, these TV travel presenters bring the world to you

The Best Holiday Movie Getaways

Take your festivities on the road: from castles to pubs and department stores, these iconic locations from your favourite Christmas flicks are places you can actually visit

Santa On Film: The 10 Most Memorable Movie Portrayals

Jolly, benevolent, kind-hearted and sometimes a little bit naughty, these iconic Christmas movie Santas brought the magic of the holiday season to the silver screen

TV Capitals: On Location In… New York City

Looking to immerse yourself in TV history and visit real-life locations from your favourite shows? Head for the most-filmed city in the world: New York

Films For The Ages: 15 All-Time Family Classics

Whether they teach us about friendship, kindness and community, or simply offer a wild ride, we put forth our picks of the family-friendly movies that have never gotten old

Hollywood’s 10 Best Broadway Adaptations

Musical films may be having a moment right now, but these stage-to-cinema adaptations are the golden standard on the silver screen

Shades Of Fear: The 13 Movie Classics That Redefined Horror

This spooky season, look to the classics for your thrills and chills: we present our list of the best horror films ever made

11 Incredible Art Exhibitions To Catch Now

From captivating retrospectives to celebrations of spectacular creativity, these art exhibitions deserve a spot on your cultural bucket list for the coming months

15 Page-Turning Books Destined For Film

From fantasy to romance and Oscar-worthy drama, these are the bestselling books and underrated titles you should read right now – before they hit the big screen

15 Movies For Cosy Autumn Vibes

From the snuggly to the spooky and the beautifully atmospheric, these are the best films to curl up with this season

Quality Comedy: The 15 Funniest TV Shows Of All Time

If laughter is the best medicine, then these TV shows – both new and old – will cure whatever ails you

5 Minutes With… Author Azar Nafisi

Azar Nafisi, the multi-award-winning author of ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran’, has plenty to say about storytelling and imagination, as well as the dangers of today

Culture

Dreams On Screen: The 15 Greatest Fantasy TV Shows

0/15

Culture