Fantasy is the most epic and imaginative genre there is. Anything is possible in worlds where magic, dragons, monsters, witches, great prophecies, chosen ones, and evil villains exist. This is precisely why fantasy is so popular. These books, games, movies, and shows provide fans with an opportunity to escape real life for a little bit and travel to a universe completely marvelous and alien — one in which earthly sciences, laws, and limitations do not exist.
There have been many incredible fantasy TV series over the years, from the 1950s sitcom Bewitched to the currently airing The Wheel of Time. Some that have stood strong over time include Xena: The Warrior Princess, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Merlin, and Supernatural. The on-screen adaptations of George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, have taken the world by storm. Other recent crazes include The Witcher, Rings of Power, and Arcane.
There are a multitude of fantasy shows to pick from, but it’s not often that miniseries are brought into the discussion. Here are 10 selections for those looking to become captivated by an engrossing one-season fantasy series. These definitely shouldn’t be skipped by fans of the genre.
10
‘The Stand’ (1994)
The Stand is the original on-screen adaptation of Stephen King’s gigantic novel, with a screenplay by the author himself. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the show is a blend of fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. The surreal tale depicts the fall of civilization after a deadly superflu, “Captain Trips,” wipes out most of humanity. What follows is a battle between good and evil for the souls of those left alive in the aftermath. The survivors are plagued by mysterious, prophetic dreams drawing them to one of two places: Boulder, Colorado, where a woman named Mother Abigail (Ruby Dee) claims to speak for God, and Las Vegas, which is under the rule of the demonic Randall Flagg (Jamey Sheridan).
A Beloved Classic
This 1994 production is widely more beloved than the newer 2020 version among King fans, especially for its faithful take on its source. Although it’s all early-90s, stylistically speaking, its scope is absolutely epic. At the time, it was one of the most ambitious miniseries ever created, and among the most impressive. With phenomenal directing by Mick Garris and a uniformly outstanding cast, you don’t want to skip out on this classic.
9
‘The Odyssey’ (1997)
Release Date
May 18, 1997
Runtime
176 Minutes
Ancient Greek poet Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey is brought to life in this faithful adaptation written and directed by acclaimed Russian filmmaker Andrei Konchalovsky. Armand Assante sensationally plays the legendary hero Odysseus. The two-part miniseries follows the warrior-king’s arduous journey back to his wife Penelope (Greta Scacchi) in Ithaca after fighting in the Trojan War. Along the way, he confronts sea monsters, one-eyed giants, and the devious enchantress Circe (Bernadette Peters).
A Grandeur You Won’t Want To Miss
The star-studded cast also includes Isabella Rossellini, Christopher Lee, Eric Roberts, and Vanessa Williams. If you’re craving fantasy with epic landscapes, beautiful cinematography, impressive sets, and excellent costumes that take you back to another place and time, this one’s for you. While some of the special effects may be outdated, it doesn’t make this adventurous heroic story any less enthralling or exciting. It will be especially loved by fans of Greek mythology.
8
‘Merlin’ (1998)
Merlin is loosely adapted from the epic tales of Camelot, providing more of a backstory for the legendary wizard, and adding the Fairy Queen Mab (Miranda Richardson) into the mix. Sam Neill stars in the titular role. The miniseries opens with Merlin as an old man, recounting his life story, taking audiences back to his creation, his teenage years, and his mentoring of Arthur (Paul Curran), whom he tries to shape into a man worthy of the throne and the Excalibur.
An Award-Winning Production
The show was nominated for multiple Emmy Awards and won four — Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie, Outstanding Costume Design for a Miniseries or Movie, Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries or Movie, and Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Miniseries or Movie. Among its cast are big names like Martin Short, Isabella Rossellini, Helena Bonham Carter, and Game of Thrones’ Lena Headey.
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7
‘The 10th Kingdom’ (2000)
Release Date
2000 – 2000-00-00
Network
NBC
Directors
David Carson
-
John Larroquette
Anthony Lewis
-
Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Virginia Lewis
-
Peter Vaughan
Wilfred Peep
-
Calum MacPherson
The Village Idiot
The 10th Kingdom is a fairytale fantasy miniseries that functions as a love letter to The Brothers Grimm, continuing many classic stories and portraying various descendants of well-known folklore figures. It follows the journey of a young woman, Virginia Lewis (Kimberly Williams-Paisley), and her father, Tony (John Larroquette), after they’re transported from Manhattan into a magical, fantastical parallel world through a magic mirror.
Lighthearted Fun
Some familiar featured characters include Snow White (Camryn Manheim), The Evil Queen (Dianne Wiest), The Huntsman (Rutger Hauer), and Cinderella (Ann-Margret), among others. The show is incredibly charming, yet it feels like a fever dream at times. It has become a childhood classic with its blend of humor, magic, adventure, and action. Add it to your list if you’re looking for something lighthearted that will evoke feelings of nostalgia.
6
‘Angels in America’ (2003)
This 2003 miniseries by HBO is based on Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize-winning stage play of the same name. Among its brilliant, impressive cast are Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Emma Thompson, Jeffrey Wright, Patrick Wilson, Mary-Louise Parker, Justin Kirk, and Jeffrey Wright. Split into six parts and set in 1985, Angels in America follows six New Yorkers who are all dealing with the AIDS epidemic and whose worlds intersect. Front and center is Prior Walter (Kirk), a man living with the disease who has been abandoned by his partner, and who is visited by an angel who makes him a proposition he can’t ignore.
A Revolutionary Production
Blending magic realism and fantastical elements, it poignantly explores themes of the era with depth, such as the sociopolitical climate of the time, the failings of the Reagan administration, religion, and the epidemic itself. Angels of America was way ahead of its time and still holds up well today. Shocking no one, the show won 11 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie.
5
‘Tin Man’ (2007)
Release Date
2007 – 2007-00-00
Network
SyFy
Directors
Nick Willing
-
Andrew Wheeler
Ralph Bedose
Tin Man is a wildly ambitious revisionist take on L. Frank Braum’s literary classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The three-episode miniseries is a SyFy original starring Zooey Deschanel as DG, a small-town waitress from Kansas who longs for a life richer with experience and adventure. When she’s transported into the magical realm of O.Z., she discovers her true heritage, and must fight to overthrow the tyrannical sorceress Azkadellia (Kathleen Robertson) and restore peace back to the land.
A Hugely Underrated Modern Reimagining
Combining elements of steampunk, sci-fi, and fantasy, the gritty and offbeat Tin Man makes for an immensely compelling one-of-a-kind show. The magical world of O.Z. is immaculately brought to life with stunning visuals and a bold narrative. Charming at times, and dark at others, the story comes with a truly heartwarming ending.
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4
‘The Fades’ (2011)
Release Date
2011 – 2010
Network
BBC Three
Directors
Tom Shankland
-
Francis Magee
Dr. Tremlett
The Fades is a British six-episode series created and written by Jack Thorne, known for Skins (2007-2013) and HBO’s His Dark Materials (2019-2022). The hugely underrated coming-of-age fantasy drama revolves around 17-year-old outcast Paul Roberts (Iain De Caestecker), who has always been haunted by inexplicable apocalyptic dreams. Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya plays his best friend Mac. Natalie Dormer, Lily Loveless, and Tom Ellis also star.
A Thrilling Ride
When Paul’s horrific visions start becoming a reality, he and Mac get caught up in a battle with “The Fades,” spirits of the dead who haven’t been able to ascend and are slowly becoming more powerful. They team up with a group of spirit hunters to keep them from crossing over into the real world and destroying the human race, whose flesh they seek to devour. The Fades is overall dark, with an occasional light and humorous tone, and definitely worth a watch. It won the BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series in 2012.
3
‘Over the Garden Wall’ (2014)
The wonderfully animated Over the Garden Wall had its debut on Cartoon Network, causing many to overlook its brilliance as a dark fantasy. Elijah Wood and Collin Dean voice the protagonists, brothers Wirt and Greg, who find themselves lost in a dark, mysterious forest called the Unknown. Trying to find their way back home, they encounter many perils and strange occurrences along the way. Accompanying them are Beatrice, a bluebird voiced by the great Melanie Lynskey, their pet frog (Jack Jones), and an old woodsman (Christopher Lloyd).
Whimsical, Cozy, and a Little Creepy
With 10 episodes at only 11 minutes long each, the show makes for a pretty quick watch. With a setting that has a surreal aesthetic that borders on a little scary, viewers are dazzled and immersed in another world. Despite being underrated for a number of years, Over the Garden Wall has since become a cult classic, with many of its fans labeling it as the perfect watch for fall.
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2
‘Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell’ (2015)
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is a BBC miniseries based on Susanna Clarke’s book of the same name. Set against a 19th-century backdrop during the Napoleonic Wars, it follows two rival magicians, played by Bertie Carvel and Eddie Marsan, as they begin to discover their powers as part of the fulfillment of a prophecy that has brought magic back to England after hundreds of years.
An Enchanting World
Nominated for four BAFTAs and recognized by the British Film Institute as being among the top 10 most important TV shows of its year, the series was popular among audiences in the UK, but not as well-known internationally. Part of what made it a huge success was the chemistry between its protagonists, which drives the story forward and makes each episode incredibly compelling. With a magnificent production design, viewers become completely immersed in its alternate history. This is one of the best fantasy novel adaptations of all time. Make sure you don’t skip out on it.
1
‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ (2019)
Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is a prequel to Jim Henson’s 1982 fantasy film, The Dark Crystal, but still works great as a standalone entry. Featuring intricate puppetry and stunning sets, it takes audiences back to the mystical world of Thra, depicting the tyrannical rise of the Skeksis, the purging of native Gelflings to near-extinction, and the origins of the Dark Crystal. Three Gelflings — Rian, Brea, and Deet, voiced by Taron Egerton, the great Anya Taylor-Joy, and Game of Thrones’ Nathalie Emmanuel — unite their clans for a rebellion to save the world.
A Unique Dark Fantasy
Despite the hope that the series would continue on not being met and there being more of a story to tell, it does have a satisfying conclusion and is absolutely worth the time of fantasy aficionados. The one-season series is brought to life by A-list talent and has incredible practical effects. There’s an immaculate attention to detail that makes viewers forget the world they’re in and completely immerses them in another place. Hands down, this is one of the best fantasy shows available to stream.
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