There are plenty ofcult fantasy TV showsthat deserve a second look, but these six stand above. Fantasy TV shows come in all shapes. Some fantasy series don’t have a single bad season and are touted forever after as the gold standard for others to aspire to. Some haveall the goodwill in the world but drop the ball.
Some plain don’t work. Everyone has their own tastes, but there are some obvious examples (Legaciesdoesn’t work, sorry, it just doesn’t). However,there are plenty of fantasy shows that are excellent and yet are totally forgotten over the years, save for the loyal but small cults that form around them.
The 10th Kingdomwas a fantasy miniseries that premiered on NBC in 2000, which combines a modern setting with classic fairy tales. Kimberly Williams stars as Virginia Lewis, a cynical but ambitious restaurateur in New York City whose mother left her and her father when she was young.
Below the city exists a magical world of nine kingdoms, the fourth of which is ruled by the arrogant, lazy, but good-natured grandson of Snow White, Prince Wendell (Daniel Lapaine). Dianne Wiest co-stars as the Evil Queen, who escapes her imprisonment and brings magical havoc to the 10th kingdom, the human world.
Enchantedowes a lot toThe 10th Kingdom, and in just five 2-hour episodes, the series tells a charming story with just the right amount of earnest acting.
Enchantedowes a lot toThe 10th Kingdom, and in just five 2-hour episodes, the series tells a charming story with just the right amount of earnest acting. It may come off as cheesy at first, but you’ll grow to appreciate the tone and sincerity of the series, which feels like a call-back to fantasy series that aren’t made anymore.
Anunderrated 2-season fantasy seriesmight not sound like the most unique show ever, but what if I told you it was also a medieval fantasy musical? That’s just whatGalavantoffers. This series, created by Dan Fogelman ofThis is UsandParadise, is set in a high fantasy kingdom and follows the titular “Galavant” (Joshua Sasse).
Ella Enchanted,Glee, andThe Princess Bridewrapped into one,Galavantsees Sir Galavant attempt to reclaim his reputation and earn his “happily ever after” after it’s stolen from him by the evil King Richard (Timothy Omundson). For the most part,the series is just an excuse to get colorful characters to sing together.
The production is excellent, the acting impressive, and the music is as good as anything tocome out of musical TV shows. The campiness of the show worked in its favor, and the costuming and cheeky energy of the series kept it running strong for all two seasons. It’s charming, funny, and hard to turn off.
Lockwood & Co.is a one-season British fantasy detective thriller that only lasted one season, but is still worth watching, even though you don’t get the closure you might want. Based on the book series by Jonathan Stroud,Lockwood & Co.is set in an alternate version of Britain where ghosts have been rising for the last 50 years.
Because of the paranormal threat, society has slowed down, and technology has been stagnant since around the 1960s.Only children and teens are able to see the ghosts, and are therefore organized into ghost-hunting squadsto stamp out ghosts wherever they arise. The series has a 94% onRotten Tomatoes.
Only the first two books of the five-book series were adapted to the first season ofLockwood & Co.:The Screaming StaircaseandThe Whispering Skull.
The series has a unique premise, an ensemble of talented young actors, and a charming and whimsical tone that still allows for plenty of danger. The stars ofLockwood & Co.may be children, but the show is for people of any age as long as they enjoy paranormal storytelling combined with dry British humor.
The British TV seriesRobin of Sherwoodran for three seasons between 1984 and 1986 and, as the title implies, is an adaptation of the legend of Robin Hood, combining history, pagan magic and myth, and the tale itself. Played by Michael Pread and then Jason Connery,Robin of Sherwoodis the definitive adaptation.
The term is thrown around a lot in modern media, butRobin of Sherwoodis a true example of a gritty adaptation, and the grimness and realness of the story are critical to the show’s success. It’s moody, has a powerful atmosphere, and the writing and dialogue are superb. The fantasy elements are constant, but it still feels grounded.
It’s an innovative and influential look at the legendary character, and an oft-forgotten version of Robin Hood, but arguably the best incarnation of the benevolent thief. Despite its subject matter,Robin of Sherwoodis definitely a series aimed at mature audiences, and young viewers may find it frightening.
Wynonna Earpran for four seasons (and one special) and isbased on the comic book seriesof the same name by Beau Smith. The series stars Melanie Scrofano as the eponymous Wynonna, the great-great-granddaughter of the legendary gunslinger, Wyatt Earp, who wields Wyatt’s “Peacemaker”.
The series mashes up horror, fantasy, and Westerns to great effect.
Don’t let the name fool you. “Peacemaker” is a supernatural handgun capable of killing all manner of supernatural beings. Wynonna and her posse travel all over the Canadian Rockies hunting down demons and ghosts, while also trying to break the Earp family curse. The series mashes up horror, fantasy, and Westerns to great effect.
The series has a 92% onRotten Tomatoesand is an extremely fresh take on well-trodden ground. While the mythology is as heavy and complex as any comic book,the committed performances and well-choreographed action will keep you invested. The feminist and pro-LGBTQ+ overtones also ensure it will age well.
A prequel series to Jim Henson’s cult classic fantasy movie,The Dark Crystal,The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, delves deeper into the world of Thra, which was invented for that original movie. The series premiered in 2019 to a lot of excitement, butNetflix decided to cancel the seriesafter just one season.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistancehas an 89% onRotten Tomatoesand earned an Emmy to go along with its critical and audience acclaim. Sadly, the series was just another victim of Netflix’s propensity to axe its original TV shows without much explanation. The puppetry alone made it a unique, worthwhile series.
The show tracks three Gelflings: Rian (Taron Egerton), Brea (Anya Taylor-Joy), and Deet (Nathalie Emmanuel), who inspire a rebellion when they uncover a terrible secret about the exalted ruling class of their world, the Skeksis. Though thecult fantasy TV showwent unfinished, at least there’s a film to give some closure.
