The 9 Greatest Fantasy TV Series of All Time : Fantasy television has entered a true golden age. With bigger budgets, deeper storytelling, and global streaming platforms backing ambitious visions, the genre has evolved far beyond its once-niche appeal. From epic battles and mythical lands to morally complex characters and emotional depth, fantasy TV now rivals cinema in scale and impact.
As audiences prepare for new expansions of legendary worlds—especially the return to Westeros with upcoming spin-offs—it’s the perfect time to look back and rank the greatest fantasy TV series ever made. This list celebrates shows that defined eras, influenced pop culture, and proved that fantasy could be intelligent, emotional, and unforgettable.
The 9 Greatest Fantasy TV Series of All Time : 9. Avatar: The Last Airbender
Originally marketed as a children’s animated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender quickly revealed itself to be something far greater. Set in a richly imagined world divided into four elemental nations, the show tells the story of Aang, the last Airbender destined to restore balance.
What elevates Avatar is its emotional maturity. Themes of war, guilt, redemption, and responsibility are handled with surprising depth. Characters like Prince Zuko remain some of the most complex and well-written arcs in TV history. Decades later, the series continues to attract new fans and influence fantasy storytelling across mediums.
Streaming: Netflix
8. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
This BBC adaptation of Susanna Clarke’s celebrated novel is a refined, intellectual take on fantasy. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, it imagines an England where magic once existed—and may yet return.
The show thrives on atmosphere rather than spectacle. Its exploration of class, power, and obsession gives it a literary quality rarely seen in fantasy television. Though restrained by budget, its storytelling ambition and eerie tone make it a standout.
Streaming: Prime Video
7. The Chronicles of Narnia
Before blockbuster fantasy dominated screens, the BBC’s Narnia adaptations quietly captured the haunting magic of C.S. Lewis’s novels. Filmed with modest resources, the series leaned into mood and myth rather than visual effects.
Its melancholic tone, unsettling villains, and sincere performances gave the stories a dreamlike quality that still lingers. While modern reboots may boast scale, the BBC’s version remains uniquely atmospheric.
Streaming: YouTube
6. Children of the Stones
One of the most unsettling fantasy-adjacent shows ever produced for young audiences, Children of the Stones blends folklore, science fiction, and psychological horror. Set around a mysterious stone circle, the series slowly descends into surreal dread.
Its eerie soundtrack and “hauntological” tone make it unforgettable—and proof that fantasy doesn’t need dragons to be terrifying.
Streaming: YouTube
5. Xena: Warrior Princess
Campy, bold, and endlessly entertaining, Xena: Warrior Princess became a cult classic by embracing fantasy’s inherent fun. Lucy Lawless’s charismatic performance turned Xena into an icon of strength and redemption.
While often playful, the series tackled surprisingly dark themes and helped pave the way for later epic fantasy productions filmed in New Zealand.
Available: Prime Video (rent/buy)
4. Robin of Sherwood
This British reimagining of the Robin Hood legend infused folklore and pagan mysticism into a familiar tale. Rather than winking at the audience, the series committed fully to its supernatural elements.
With atmospheric music, mythological depth, and serious storytelling, Robin of Sherwood stands as one of the most influential fantasy shows of its era.
Streaming: ITVX
3. The Magicians
Often described as “Harry Potter for adults,” The Magicians mixes fantasy with cynicism, dark humor, and emotional realism. Set in a secretive magical university, the show explores trauma, ambition, and identity alongside spells and monsters.
Its willingness to deconstruct fantasy tropes while still celebrating magic makes it uniquely compelling.
Available: Prime Video (buy)
2. Arcane
Few fantasy series have arrived with as much confidence and craft as Arcane. Based on the League of Legends universe, it transcends its origins with stunning animation, layered storytelling, and emotionally rich characters.
The tragic relationship between sisters Vi and Jinx anchors a tale of power, inequality, and loss. Visually breathtaking and narratively bold, Arcane redefined what animated fantasy can achieve.
Streaming: Netflix
1. Game of Thrones
Despite a divisive final season, Game of Thrones remains the most influential fantasy TV series ever made. At its peak, it delivered complex politics, shocking twists, and cinematic battles that changed television forever.
Moments like the Battle of the Blackwater, the Red Wedding, and Arya Stark’s transformation are etched into pop culture history. For its first four seasons especially, Game of Thrones represented fantasy storytelling at its absolute best.
Streaming: HBO / Max
Final Verdict for The 9 Greatest Fantasy TV Series of All Time
Fantasy television has never been richer or more diverse. From animated masterpieces to live-action epics, these nine series prove that the genre can be intelligent, emotional, frightening, and thrilling all at once.
As new worlds continue to expand on our screens, these shows remain the benchmarks—the standard by which all fantasy television is judged.