Every streaming service has its fair share of greatfantasyTV shows, both original and classic, available to watch. However, Netflix has an unforgettable lineup of speculative fiction projects to get immersed in. ThoughNetflix has iconic TV series and movies in every genre,it’s exciting that there’s such a wide array of magical and mystical stories for viewers who can’t get enough of these types of stories.
Like thebest sci-fi TV shows on Netflix, many of the iconic fantasy series that you’re able to watch on Netflix right now won’t be available on the service forever. The streamer has a revolving door of content that it licenses for the service.. However, the fact that some of these works come and go makes it all the more special that there’s still time to discover them.
20Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018–2020)
Kiernan Shipka might have gotten her start as the young Sally on the prestige TV showMad Men, but she had no trouble leaving this character behind and tackling a whole new genre inChilling Adventures of Sabrina. Putting a new and darker spin on the world ofSabrina the Teenage Witch,Chilling Adventures of Sabrinawas a short-lived but memorable addition to Netflix’s fantasy catalog.
Like all thebest supernatural teen drama TV shows,Chilling Adventures of Sabrinauses the everyday dramas and romances of coming-of-age to support the fantastical elements of the story. Loosely connected to the world ofRiverdaleandArchie Comics, the series grows more complex and far-reaching as it progresses, but the stylized atmosphere and charismatic cast help emotionally anchor the show.
19Legacies (2018–2022)
Audiences might not be able to watchThe Vampire Diarieson Netflix anymore, but the spinoff seriesLegaciesis the next best thing. Expanding on stories from bothThe Vampire DiariesandThe Originals,Legaciesfollows Klaus’s daughter, Hope, as she comes of age alongside supernatural teens of all kinds, grappling with new mysteries in Mystic Falls.
Featuring some familiar faces from the earlier shows while still distinguishing itself with new villains and lore,Legaciesdemonstrates why we still can’t get enough of the world ofTVD. One of the problems with the later seasons ofThe Vampire Diarieswas the fact that the show left high school behind. Coming back to this atmosphere makesLegaciesa refreshing return to form.
18A Discovery Of Witches (2018–2022)
Based on theAll Soulsnovel series by Deborah Harkness,A Discovery of Witchesblends romance, magic, time travel, and academia. For most fans of the genre, these elements hit all the beats that a fantasy series should, andA Discovery of Witcheshas the added benefit of being led by Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer, two actors with chemistry that leaps off the screen.
One of the hardest things to get right about any otherworldly TV show is the magic system. However,A Discovery of Witchesdoes an excellent job of making its magic realistic and accessible. However, it still holds onto the elements of mysticism that draw us into fantasy in the first place. With only three tightly packed seasons,A Discovery of Witchesis easy to binge straight through.
17She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power (2018–2020)
It’s true thatShe-Ra and the Princesses of Powerprioritizes its lighter tone and themes of friendship and acceptance like most series targeted at younger audiences. However, to overlook the nuance, pacing, and long-term planning of the overarching story would be a disservice to the series. Though it’s a reboot of the 1985 show, this take onShe-Rais everything a modern fantasy fan could ask for.
Following the hero’s journey of Adora, the vessel for the power of She-Ra, the series sees her grapple with her position of power within the show. The parallel arcs between Catra, Adora’s childhood friend, and Adora and their position as foils in the story are one of the most compelling parts ofShe-Ra and the Princesses of Power, making their reunion and relationship all the more satisfying.
Despite being cut short after just one season,Dead Boy Detectiveshad the potential to be the next great supernatural mystery series in Netflix’s catalog. However, audiences can now watch all ofDead Boy Detectivesin just one weekend, and it’s easy to do this, as once you start the show, it’s almost impossible to turn it off.
George Rexstrew and Jayden Revri play Edwin and Charles, the titular ghosts who remain on Earth to solve the supernatural mysteries and crimes that no one else can. There’s an inherent sadness and sense of grief that permeates the narrative, as the characters are grappling directly with death, but this sparks cathartic moments and a sense of importance that goes beyond a typical teen drama series.
15Kaos (2024)
It’s not uncommon for recent fantasy series to put a modern spin on the Greek mythology genre, as narratives with roots in the classics have grown in popularity in every type of media. However, works likePercy Jacksonuse Greek mythology as a delivery system for moral lessons and explorations of coming-of-age. Conversely,Kaostakes on a more adult, comedic tone.
Led by Jeff Goldblum as Zeus,Kaosintertwines the world of the immortals with humans who are caught in the divine web of fate. However, the gods aren’t quite as powerful as they once were, andKaosmakes them into fallible characters the audience can dissect. Though it deserved another season to find its footing, it’s still fun to watch the chaos ofKaosunfold onscreen.
14The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (2022)
One of thebest underrated fantasy TV shows, and a far-too-often overlooked Netflix original series,The Bastard Son & The Devil Himselfis your next must-watch project. Jay Lycurgo plays Nathan, the son of the most dangerous witch in the world, who must escape the pursuit of the different witch councils, all of whom are trying to tell Nathan what kind of witch he’s going to be.
Full of blood, guts, and a little bit of romance,The Bastard Son & The Devil Himselfhas gone overlooked on Netflix for too long. Some of the most groundbreaking additions to the fantasy genre have been YA adaptations because these stories tap into raw, unfiltered emotions, which only serve to intensify the effect of the onscreen action and magic.
13Shadow And Bone (2021–2023)
The fact that the TV adaptation ofShadow and Bonehas gone unfinished is one of the great recent tragedies of fantasy television. Blending the different stories of Leigh Bardugo’sGrishaverseand intertwining the adventures of the series' best characters,Shadow and Bonesuccessfully updates the narrative without losing the core elements that define Alina’s journey.
It helps thatShadow and Bonefeatures one of the most seductive villains audiences can’t help falling for, the Darkling, played by Ben Barnes. Barnes and Jessie Mei Li, who plays Alina, have excellent chemistry, but their onscreen bond isn’t the only reason to watchShadow and Bone. The plotlines surrounding the Crows quickly become the audience’s favorite part of the series as it progresses.
12The Witcher (2019–Present)
It’s not surprising that Andrzej Sapkowski’s high fantasy book series was adapted for the screen after the success of similar works likeGame of Throneschanged television. WhileThe Witcherseries probably wouldn’t exist ifGOTdidn’t pave the way for projects that leaned into the medieval side of the genre, the show more than justified its existence.
Fans of the books will notice the significant changes to the source material made by the series, as the show doesn’t shy away from deviating from the text. However, a good literary adaptation knows that it’s the spirit of the story that matters most, not necessarily the adherence to every detail. Since 2019,The Witcherhas remained one of Netflix’s most prominent original fantasy titles.
11Outlander (2014–Present)
Outlanderis one of thebest period romance TV shows ever made, and following the love story of Jamie and Claire for the past seven seasons has been one of the most fun experiences on television. Diana Gabaldon’s enormously popular books ensured thatOutlanderpremiered with a built-in fanbase, but it was the series itself that captured our attention with its lush, heartwrenching stories.
Over the years, Claire and Jamie have changed a lot, andOutlanderhas evolved into a more family-oriented project, but it’s not hard to remember the heat of the early years. However, Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan are as undeniable onscreen today as they were in 2014, and it’s thrilling to imagine what the upcoming final season has in store for Claire and Jamie.
