20 Fantasy Shows to Binge Watch in 2024

Ellie Tishdale

Updated on:

TV

Fantasy is wonderful. Especially due to its ability to expand the imagination and transport you to realms you never thought of. It is so easy to get lost in fantasy, so fantasy shows make the perfect binge-watch. Here are 20 of the best!

His Dark Materials (2019 – 2022)

Photo Credit: HBO.

HBO’s His Dark Materials is an adaptation of the Philip Pullman trilogy of the same name and one show I think is severely underrated. It follows Lyra, an orphan from Oxford, as she searches for her missing friend and uncovers huge secrets.

American Gods (2017 – 2021)

Photo Credit: Starz.

Adapted from the 2001 Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, American Gods follows the Shadow, who is released from prison early after his wife’s death. On his way to the funeral, he meets a mysterious Mr. Wednesday who would change his life forever.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)

Photo Credit: Mutant Enemy Productions.

You can already guess what this show is about from the name, but that doesn’t mean it still doesn’t provide its fair share of suspense and mystery. The main character, Buffy Summers, tries to maintain a normal high school life while fulfilling her destiny.

Game of Thrones (2011 – 2019)

Photo Credit: HBO.

It won’t be an exaggeration to say Game of Thrones was the catalyst for TV as we know it today. It, quite literally, changed television. If you haven’t seen the show yet, trust me, you gain nothing by not seeing it. It’s one fantastical world you’ll likely enjoy.

The Witcher (2019 – present)

Photo Credit: Netflix.

Netflix’s The Witcher was propped to be the next Game of Thrones, and while it hasn’t attained that level yet, it still makes for a pretty engaging watch. It’s a story of monsters, elves, humans, and magic, with cool fight scenes.

Stranger Things (2016 – present)

Photo Credit: Netflix.

Stranger Things uniquely combines sci-fi, fantasy, and horror against the backdrop of the quiet town of Hawkins, Indiana, in the 1980s. When accidents happen at a government research facility in the town, the lives of four boys are forever changed. Get ready for aliens, magic, and Russians!

The Mandalorian (2019 – present)

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm.

The Mandalorian is amazing, especially for fans of the Star Wars Universe (where it’s set). With a mix of sci-fi and Western elements that make it so captivating, the show has gained a huge fanbase. Following a lone bounty hunter on a journey, it’s chock full of adventure and excitement.

Lucifer (2016 – 2021)

Photo Credit: Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

What happens when the Devil gets bored of ruling Hell and decides to vacation in Los Angeles? Lucifer explores that and makes all these metaphysical beings as real as it gets. It’s the ultimate family drama, and you’ll love every bit of it with the dashing Tom Ellis.

The Magicians (2015 – 2020)

Photo Credit: Syfy.

Quentin Coldwater is a brilliant but disillusioned student who discovers the existence of Brakebills University, a secretive school for magic. He embarks on a journey into a dark, fantastical world filled with danger, intrigue, and a quest to save magic.

Once Upon a Time (2011 – 2018)

Photo Credit: ABC.

It doesn’t get more fantasy than Once Upon a Time. Here, fairy tale characters are brought to life with stories that often take a modern twist, making them much more relatable. It’s ultimately multi-generational but is also a great fantasy show for kids.

The Haunting (2018, 2020)

Photo Credit: Netflix.

Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House (2018) and The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020) are part of the same horror anthology series. And even though they’re not direct sequels to each other, they both possess incredible storytelling and amazing performances that make the paranormal feel real.

Carnival Row (2019 – 2023)

Photo Credit: Amazon Studios.

Cara Delevingne and Orlando Bloom lead the cast in this mythical story of Pix (human-looking creatures with wings), Pucks (also human-looking creatures with horns and hooves), and the discrimination they face in a world dominated by humans. Will true love between a Pix and a human survive? Find out!

The Wheel of Time (2021 – present)

Photo Credit: Amazon Studios.

The Wheel of Time is adapted from Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy novels. It follows the search for the Dragon Reborn and his struggles to fight the Dark One. The show explores a complex world filled with prophecies, magic, and politics, all set against an impending cataclysmic conflict.

Outlander (2014 – present)

Photo Credit: Starz.

With elements of romance, fantasy, and drama, Outlander follows Claire Randall, a nurse from 1945 who finds herself transported back to 18th-century Scotland. As she navigates the challenges of two different eras, including political turmoil and a passionate love affair, it weaves a tale that will keep you hooked.

Shadow and Bone (2021 – present)

Photo Credit: Netflix.

Netflix’s Shadow and Bone is a captivating adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels. Alina Starkov, a mapmaker, discovers her extraordinary magical power. She’s then thrust into the dangerous world of the Grisha, facing peril and romance in her quest to save her war-torn nation.

Merlin (2008 – 2012)

Merlin Shine TV
Photo Credit: Shine TV.

Merlin blends Arthurian legends with a lot of magic. It follows the young wizard Merlin as a servant who secretly aids Prince Arthur in a Camelot where magic has been banned. Filled with mythical creatures, epic quests, and some terrible CGI, it still makes for a gripping tale.

A Discovery of Witches (2018 – 2022)

Photo Credit: Bad Wolf.

Diana Bishop, a new and reluctant witch, discovers a bewitched manuscript at Oxford’s Bodleian Library. She is then drawn into a world of supernatural beings, secrets, romance, and danger, all while safeguarding the enchanted book that holds the key to their coexistence.

The Umbrella Academy (2019 – present)

Photo Credit: Netflix.

After their father’s death, seven siblings with extraordinary abilities reunite to solve the mystery of his demise and prevent an impending apocalypse. Along the way, they must also confront their dysfunctional family dynamics. I think very few things make for a better fantasy watch than time-traveling and superpowers.

Cursed (2020)

Photo Credit: Netflix.

Sadly, this only lasted one season before it was canceled, but I enjoyed it, and you might, too. Another reimagination of Arthurian legend, Cursed is centered around Nimue, an equally prominent character in the legend who is sent on a quest to find Merlin and finds a partner in a young mercenary named Arthur.

Loki (2021 – present)

Photo Credit: Marvel Studios.

If you’re a Marvel fan, you’ll enjoy this. After stealing the Tesseract and creating a “branch in the sacred timeline,” the god of mischief is arrested by the Time Variance Authority. It can get confusing due to all the time travel, but there are brilliant performances and a good story here.