Entertainment
10 Fantasy Shows Without a Single Flaw
It’s not easy being perfect, but these fantasy shows are about as close as it comes to being a flawless series. Some fantasy TV shows start out really strong but then falter at the end (Game of Thrones). Some get repetitive (Once Upon a Time), lose their momentum (The Witcher), or go off the rails in the last season (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). However, these shows not only started strong but also finished strong, maintaining their level of greatness to the end.
Writing alone does not a perfect fantasy series make. Solid plots and interesting characters can be undone by lackluster performances, poor direction, or special effects that are too hokey to be believed. Luckily, the titles on this list excelled in every category, from acting to visual graphics, and from set design to costumes. Here are examples of fantasy TV shows that pulled off perfect execution.
‘The Storyteller’ (1987–1989)
Jim Henson was a visionary who used his creative genius and creature creation skills to tell fantastical stories that captured the imagination. A collection of short, episodic tales entitled The Storyteller is one of his best projects. John Hurt stars as the titular main character, and he narrates the nine episodes, each with its own cautionary anecdote to deliver.
The Storyteller has no flaws. It is a 10/10 fantasy show that captures the essence of older folk and fairy tales. The stories range from ominous to spooky, and each one is enthralling in its own way. It is a testament to how well the show was filmed and designed that it can still be watched today without losing any of its impact.
‘Gargoyles’ (1994–1997)
A castle atop a New York City skyscraper, a clan of guardians cursed into stone, and a story centuries in the making, Gargoyles is a perfect fantasy series. The voice cast is packed with talent, featuring Keith David, Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Edward Asner, and Bill Fagerbakke in key roles. Gargoyles was ahead of its time, and its foreboding atmosphere and Gothic nature continue to be appreciated by fans both old and new.
Gargoyles does everything right. The animation is exemplary of the ’90s, the chemistry between the cast is undeniable, and the storytelling is on point. Gargoyles feels like an interesting blend between superhero tropes and mythic lore. It is an ideal addition to this list and should be on every fantasy fan’s watchlist.
‘Moon Knight’ (2022)
After the Marvel Cinematic Universe set the world of blockbuster cinema on fire, the creative powers that be turned their attention to the small screen. One of the best one-season wonders in their television canon is Moon Knight. Oscar Isaac stars as Steven Grant, a mild-mannered man whose world begins to unravel and take dramatic turns. The audience and Steven soon learn that he has multiple personalities and one of his predominant ones, Marc Spector, can summon powers from the Egyptian moon god Khonshu (Karim El Hakim and F. Murray Abraham). Steven must grapple with not only being intertwined with Khonshu but with Marc, who leads a far more adventurous and dangerous life than his own.
In a single season, Moon Knight packs all the drama and excitement of the best of Marvel projects. It has been vastly overlooked in such a prolific canon, but everything done in Moon Knight is done well. The cast is stacked with talent, including May Calamawy, Ethan Hawke, and F. Murray Abraham, who voices Khonshu. The storytelling unravels in a mesmerizing way, and there are no weak spots in this phenomenal series.
‘Wishbone’ (1995–1998)
Wishbone is a children’s fantasy series starring the aforementioned Jack Russell Terrier (Soccer the Dog) who reenacts classic works of fiction. Voiced by Larry Brantley, Wishbone plays the hero in charming retellings of famous tomes such as Don Quixote, The Phantom of the Opera, and Frankenstein. As Wishbone interacts with his young owner, Joe (Jordan Wall), he can’t help but draw similarities to their current life and the stories he enacts in clever asides.
Watching Wishbone pay homage to some of literature’s greatest hits in tiny dog-sized costumes is delightful. It is a fun series that introduces younger audiences to classic works in a highly engaging format. Wishbone is a masterclass in kids’ TV shows of the ’90s, and there are no bad episodes.
‘Over the Garden Wall’ (2014)
A fantasy miniseries like none other, Over the Garden Wall is a bit spooky, a bit cozy, and a bit of anime in its presentation. All of these factors add up to create a visual storytelling saga that is unique and captivating. The storyline follows a pair of brothers as they venture just beyond their home into a mysterious land that is unknown to them. Each episode operates like a chapter in a book, and many consider Over the Garden Wall a must-watch in the autumn months.
Over the Garden Wall won two Primetime Emmys and remains a favorite choice for fans. At a single season in length and with each episode being around 11 minutes long, Over the Garden Wall can be watched in a single sitting, making it highly rewarding and an interesting, complete narrative to enjoy. If you haven’t seen this incomparable series yet, this is your cue to check out the spectacle that Collider‘s Jiminna Shillingford calls “beautifully strange and skillfully atmospheric.”
‘Locke & Key’ (2020–2022)
After a tragedy befalls the Locke family, the remaining members relocate to a historic family manor in Locke & Key. As siblings Bode (Jackson Robert Scott), Kinsey (Emilia Jones), and Tyler (Connor Jessup) begin to explore their new, old home, they discover mysterious keys hidden throughout the property. These keys are no ordinary pieces of hardware, and each one is imbued with a different, supernatural property.
Being able to control another person’s body or enter their mind are just two examples of the phenomenal abilities the keys give their owners. However, the Lockes aren’t the only ones who know about the keys, and there are several people who want to take them for their own nefarious purposes. Locke & Key has some of the best villains in any fantasy series ever. There are so many twists and turns, it is like going on a thriller/mystery roller coaster ride. With great special effects, acting, and writing, Locke & Key is the whole package.
‘Merlin’ (2008–2012)
A fantasy series set in the Middle Ages, Merlin follows the wizard of legend when he is a young man. In this retelling of the tale, magic has been outlawed by King Uther (Anthony Head), so Merlin (Colin Morgan) must keep his abilities a secret as he works as a servant to Prince Arthur (Bradley James). Setting the story earlier in the lives of the characters is an interesting choice, and it makes them feel more relatable to a wider audience.
Merlin will keep you hooked from start to finish. By starting earlier in the timeline, audiences who are familiar with the story anxiously watch each episode to see how events will play out. Katie McGrath is captivating as Morgana, and watching her slow descent into villainy is one of the series’ most intriguing story arcs. While the series made some bold creative choices, they are paid off, and Merlin creates its own type of magic.
‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019–2024)
Based on the 2014 movie of the same name, What We Do in the Shadows took something that was already awesome and made it even better. In a sort of Real World meets Interview With a Vampire, this dark comedy documents the activities of a group of vampires that share a house together in present-day Staten Island. Horror has never been more hilarious, and WWDITS‘s distinctive blend of special effects and gore with deadpan humor is disarming and brilliant.
Two of the best additions the TV series brings to the table are the addition of a vampiress, Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), and an energy vampire, Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch). These two character types enhance the overall vampiric lore and make the series rich and interesting. What We Do in the Shadows also includes unique human perspectives on the events that take place, and Harvey Guillen is irreplaceable as Nandor’s (Kayvan Novak) familiar, Guillermo. What We Do in the Shadows has so much going on that you can watch it over and over and get a new joke or take something new away from it each time.
‘SurrealEstate’ (2021–2025)
Luke Roman (Tim Rozon) is a real estate agent like no other. While most realtors’ strengths include selling suburban condos or split-levels, Luke Roman’s specialty is specters. At The Roman Agency, the small team of employees led by Luke is adept at clearing any dwelling of deceased property owners who refuse to leave. SurrealEstate is a spooky and interesting series. No two hauntings are alike, and the “monster of the week” format ensures each episode has something new and exciting to entice viewers. There are some longer-running plot points throughout the tenure of the show, and whether the story arc is long or short, they are all interesting.
One of the best episodes is in Season 2, Episode 7, entitled “God & Monsters.” The Roman Agency is hired by a man with a troubled past to sell his childhood home, including the monster who lived under his bed as a kid. There are some fascinating thoughts about strength and fear explored in this episode, and it ends with a surprisingly emotional and poignant resolution. Even though it could have run longer with so many more homes and hauntings to explore, SurrealEstate is lucky to have concluded before it ran out of steam, so it feels complete as it is, and anything extra would be superfluous.
‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ (2017–2019)
Another TV show that took what was great about a feature film and then expanded and improved upon it is A Series of Unfortunate Events. The critically acclaimed series stars Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf, a villain who seeks to entrap the three Baudelaire orphans so he can have access to their family’s wealth. The show is full of star-studded celebrity guest appearances with actors such as Nathan Fillion, Will Arnett, Cobie Smulders, Alfre Woodard, Tony Hale, and Joan Cusack being brilliant in their cameos. Harris is inspired as Olaf, and watching him play one character in disguise as other characters throughout the series is amazing.
Before Wednesday reigned supreme as the Gothic queen on Netflix, A Series of Unfortunate Events was the macabre masterpiece to watch. Every episode is better than the last, and A Series of Unfortunate Events has six Primetime Emmy nominations to prove it. There is something for every fantasy fan to take away from this series. It is overflowing with talent in every execution, from cast and crew, and it is without a single flaw.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
- Release Date
-
2017 – 2019-00-00
- Network
-
Netflix
- Directors
-
Barry Sonnenfeld, Bo Welch, Mark Palansky, Allan Arkush, Loni Peristere, Liza Johnson, Jonathan Teplitzky
- Writers
-
Joe Tracz, Joshua Conkel, Sigrid Gilmer, Emily Fox, Tatiana Suarez-Pico, Daniel Handler
You must be logged in to post a comment Login