Entertainment
8 Forgotten Fantasy Shows That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
There are quite a few fantasy shows that may not have dominated the headlines as some were able to, but over the years since airing, they have found a lasting appreciation among dedicated viewers who praise them for their storytelling and charm. From heartfelt character arcs and epic world-building to rather bold creative risks, these subtle gems are proof that, even if forgotten by most, such great fantasies don’t always fade away — sometimes, they age like fine wine.
Forgotten fantasy jewels like the one-season banger The Nine Lives of Chloe King, whose potential was abruptly cut short, and the fantastically captivating The Magicians are perfect examples of shows that may not be very well known or well remembered, but have still aged quite well. Compiled on this list are eight forgotten, but compellingly brilliant, fantasy series that have only gotten more enjoyable as the years have gone by.
1
‘Pushing Daisies’ (2007–2009)
There will never be a time when Pushing Daisies doesn’t stand among some of the best fantasy series out there. The whimsical show follows pie maker Ned (Lee Pace), a man who can restore life to the dead with a simple touch and, with another, return them to their graves. After learning of his childhood sweetheart’s demise, Ned resurrects her, which then ensues the greatest quirky, tragic, and adorable relationship ever brought to screens.
Pushing Daisies is the true definition of fairy-tale charm, as it delivers a compellingly unique concept. The underappreciated series seamlessly blends sweet romance, case-by-case mysteries, and vibrant fantasy allure, crafting a story that improves with time. It’s a one-of-a-kind series that, sadly, audiences just don’t talk about much, despite its ageless beauty. Thankfully, the series, even with its short run, garnered devoted fans, who often praise it for its vibrant wonder and whimsy. Pushing Daisies may be a forgotten fantasy series, but it definitely stands as one with inventive storytelling and a heartfelt tone that warrants a place in everyone’s hearts, no matter what the era.
2
‘Atlantis’ (2013–2015)
This forgotten fantasy gem from the BBC offers fans an extremely adventurous and fresh take on Greek mythology. Atlantis centers on Jason (Jack Donnelly), a man who somehow survives a shipwreck only to end up in the mythical city of legend, Atlantis. Jason quickly realizes that there is more to his destiny as he discovers his role in a prophecy to save it.
Atlantis offers a strong blend of myth and action — an intoxicating mixture for any fantasy enthusiast. The series reimagines legendary tales through a modern lens, gifting viewers a genuinely entertaining fantasy show that still holds up pretty well. Fans often praise Atlantis for its earnest tone and great chemistry between its leads. Even with many critics finding the series fantastically charming, reviews remain pretty uneven, while the show has gone, unfortunately, unremembered. Atlantis may not be as gritty as most modern fantasies are, but its sincerity, mythos, and overall lighthearted tone mark it as an enchanting hidden gem for fantasy fans.
3
‘The Magicians’ (2015–2020)
The Magicians is an epic Syfy TV show that presents a mature and enticingly dark take on magic and wonder. Based on Lev Grossman’s novels, the series focuses on grad student Quentin Coldwater (Jason Ralph) as he discovers magic is real and that he is able to wield it at a secret university of magic known as Brakebills.
The Magicians is one of the most underrated fantasy series of all time. Its layered storytelling, which mixes real-world struggles with magic, makes it a uniquely entertaining watch. The Magicians may not have garnered much mainstream attention during its time on air, and even less now, but it remains one of the best in the vast landscape of fantasy and has honestly only gotten better with time. Its emotional depth and complexity aged fantastically well. Though The Magicians is terribly underappreciated and stands mostly unremembered, it is a cult sensation that has matured rather beautifully with a great number of hardcore devoted fans.
4
‘Lost Girl’ (2010–2015)
This underrated Canadian supernatural drama is lowkey fantasy gold. Lost Girl follows the succubus Bo (Anna Silk), who joins a shapeshifter named Dyson (Kris Holden-Ried) and a human doctor named Lauren (Zoie Palmer) to solve mysteries while navigating Fae politics and attempting to discover her origins.
Lost Girl may not be the best-written fantasy series ever created, but it stands as one of the greatest guilty pleasures to exist, and over time, it has only grown even more so. The series, with its supernatural edge and spicy drama, explores a hidden world of fae and supernatural beings. Even decades later, Lost Girl’s world-building and characters remain pretty engaging. The series attracted quite a fandom, who may all see the show’s flaws but find it extremely worth it as they take to rewatching the intoxicatingly addictive show over and over again. Lost Girl remains an overlooked fantasy great that has continued to age beautifully.
5
‘Samurai Jack’ (2001–2017)
Samurai Jack is a sci-fi/fantasy blend that delivers not only visually striking animation but also a truly stylistic fantasy journey. The Cartoon Network animated series focuses on the samurai dubbed Jack (Phil LaMarr) as he travels through time to defeat the evil shape-shifting demon Aku (Mako Iwamatsu), who is reigning over the world in the distant future.
Samurai Jack is peak fantasy television, and although it stands now as a mostly forgotten cartoon, dedicated fans continue to praise its timeless feel and artistry. Even after all these years, the series has grown into a true cult classic that has only become all the more impressive with time. Samurai Jack’s blend of sci-fi time travel and fantasy wonder made it a unique standout during the early 2000s, but even now, the series’ artistic brilliance and minimalistic storytelling feel just as — and often even more — impressive, cementing its place on this list of fantasy shows that have aged like fine wine.
6
‘Merlin’ (2008–2012)
This reimagining of a legendary tale takes a more youthful approach to an ancient story. Merlin centers around the young wizard Merlin (Colin Morgan), who arrives in Camelot, where magic is outlawed, and somehow finds himself becoming the servant of Prince Arthur (Bradley James).
With forbidden magic, drama, and adventure, Merlin is an all-around fantasy standout. The series is quite old, but it honestly still feels ageless. From characters to relationships, much of Merlin still resonates beautifully with fans. It’s a beloved gem that doesn’t get much shine these days, but remains a truly timeless take on the Arthurian legend, marking it as a well-aged fantasy that explores the origins of one of the most iconic stories ever made. Merlin may be forgotten by almost everyone other than its diehard fans, but the show stands as a perfect treat for those in need of hopeful storytelling and legendary mythos.
7
‘The Nine Lives of Chloe King’ (2011)
The Nine Lives of Chloe King may have only lasted a single season, but its impact — however small — is lasting. The creative fantasy series based on the novels by Liz Braswell focuses on San Francisco teen Chloe King (Skyler Samuels), who, on her sixteenth birthday, experiences multiple transformations that prove that she is a part of an ancient cat-like race called the Mai.
The fantasy drama came to screens in a burst of teenage angst, fantastical lore, and epic love triangle antics, then left quite abruptly. It wasn’t long before viewers forgot the show even existed, even as its heartfelt drama and fantastically unique premise have stood the test of time. Fans who remember The Nine Lives of Chloe King continue to praise it for its enduring appeal, dubbing the fantasy series a binge-worthy mix of supernatural elements and high school coming-of-age fun.
8
‘Legend of the Seeker’ (2008–2010)
This 2008 fantasy adventure brilliantly immerses its viewers in a sword-and-sorcery world. Based on Terry Goodkind’s novels, Legend of the Seeker follows the humble woods guide, Richard Cypher (Craig Horner), who discovers he is actually the Seeker, a person destined to fight dark magic.
Most have forgotten about the epic fantasy Legend of the Seeker, but its small fanbase has ensured that the series continues to be appreciated for its subtle brilliance that added much to fantasy television during its time on air. The series’ memorable characters, classic high-fantasy appeal, and adventurous storytelling are often praised by fans, and despite its camp, most of the show’s aspects, like special effects and sword fights, still hold up pretty well. Standing strong as a venerable cult classic, Legend of the Seeker is a fantasy epic that has definitely stood the test of time.
Legend of the Seeker
- Release Date
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2008 – 2010-00-00
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Craig Horner
Richard Cypher
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Bridget Regan
Kahlan Amnell
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