Within the niche of speculative fiction in TV shows, it’s not uncommon forfantasyand science fiction to get lumped together. While they do focus on realities that differ from our own, there are many elements that differentiate the two, like the focus on magic versus hard science and technology. However, this is what makes it even more interesting when writers and showrunners discover the ways that the genres can go hand-in-hand. Since they both touch upon the hidden realities of the unknown world,the limits of a science-fantasy series are endless.
There are plenty of fantasy andsci-fi shows that never had a bad season, but it’s even more interesting when a project can blend genres and still capture the audience’s attention. As television has evolved, the lines between genres have started breaking down more than ever, as this is a great way to subvert the audience’s expectations. Fans of these genres are sometimes hesitant to cross between them since their stories are considered opposite in some ways. However, sci-fi and fantasy can work together to make larger comments on the nature of the real world.
Fans ofThe Last of Usshould check outThe Mandalorianfor many reasons, as theStar Warsspin-off show features a lead performance from Pedro Pascal and an unforgettable story. While not everyStar WarsTV series has made waves,The Mandalorianis beloved by fans of sci-fi and fantasy alike.The originalStar Warsstories always had elements of fantasy, butThe Mandalorianleans into this,allowing it to stand out within the franchise.
The series has done a lot for the franchise, asAndorwouldn’t exist withoutThe Mandalorian. The strides that theStar Warsuniverse has taken in recent years were sparked by the series. SinceThe Mandaloriantouches upon Grogu and the more ethereal elements of the Force,it’s natural that fans would see how muchStar Warsowes to fantasy.The Force has a magic system similar to fantastical universes. Though the future of the series is uncertain, it’s been an iconic addition to the franchise’s lore and world-building.
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It’s only been in recent years that the modern era ofDoctor Whohas touched upon more fantasy elements, but it’s been a great addition to the world of the story.Revolving around aliens, time travel, and the adventures of the titular Doctor,Doctor Whohasn’t been afraid to grow and evolve throughout the many years it’s been on the air. Every actor brings something different to the role of the Doctor, and each showrunner has explored new territory, blurring the lines between what the Doctor is capable of.
It’s always exciting when the Doctor, who usually comes off as an all-knowing being, is confronted by something they’ve never encountered and can’t explain through science.
It’s always exciting when the Doctor, who usually comes off as an all-knowing being, is confronted by something they’ve never encountered and can’t explain through science. A few examples are the episodes “The Impossible Planet” and “The Satan Pit” in season 2 of the new era, when the Doctor and Rose (Billie Piper) encounter what could be the devil. Every new season ofDoctor Whohas made the Doctor confront their own ideas about the limits of the universe and the existence of magic.
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The countdown to the final season ofStranger Thingshas already been an emotional rollercoaster,as it will be tragic to say goodbye to the beloved TV show. Netflix has defined its streaming success by this science-fantasy series since it premiered in 2016, and based on the popularity and critical reception of the project, it’s not hard to see why. ThoughStranger Thingsis typically lumped into the science fiction category, there are elements that are too otherworldly not to stray into fantasy.
TheDungeons and Dragonsconnection also cementsStranger Thingsas being part of the fantasy genre,as the monsters aren’t just the stuff of parallel universes but the stuff of nightmares. While Eleven’s (Millie Bobby Brown) powers could be considered more sci-fi-based, the Upside Down and its creatures are close to the horror-fantasy world. It will be interesting to see whatNetflix’sStranger Thingsreplacement TV showwill be in the wake of the series' conclusion, as few projects could live up to the reputation and unique blend of genres.
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The Umbrella Academyis not the kind of TV series that can be defined by just one genre,as it defies expectations and the conventions of typical shows from the beginning. The superhero genre can fit into either sci-fi or fantasy, depending on how the story explains the source of the character’s powers, butThe Umbrella Academyis not a series that boxes itself in. Tackling the multiverse and the end of the world in most seasons,The Umbrella Academyhad a rocky run, but it never lost its sense of fun and entertainment.
The ways the Hargreeves find loopholes to save the world often have a sci-fi twist, grounding some of the more unbelievable moments of the action-packed story.
The characters' powers lean more into fantasy, with some being able to commune with the dead or exercise forms of mind control. However, there are still laws and rules of the universe and major consequences when the main characters break them, as they typically do. The ways the Hargreeves find loopholes to save the world often have a sci-fi twist, grounding some of the more unbelievable moments of the action-packed story.
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As the years have progressed,Losthas remained an iconic part of the sci-fi and fantasy genres and is still one of the most-talked-about series of the 2000s. While some of the parts that make it worth discussing are also the most frustrating aspects of the series, this is the fun of watchingLostyear after year.It’s clear that there’s something different about the island the survivors crash on from the landmark pilot episode,butLostkeeps the viewers in the dark for as long as possible.
These puzzles and confusion are whatLostis known for,but it can be confusing to parse through what aspects ofLost’s mysteries can be explained by science versus the ones that are part of its fantasy universe.Lost's time travel is possible thanks to a type of electromagnetic anomaly, but the smoke monster and battle between light and dark fall firmly in the fantasy category. No matter howLostexplains its jaw-dropping twists, they’re never boring and keep us on our toes.
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Adapted from the landmark science-fantasy book series by Isaac Asimov,Apple TV+‘sFoundationis the definition of a sweeping space opera. Spanning hundreds of years and exploring the farthest corners of the universe, there’s a lot of lore and world-building inherent toFoundation, but the nature of the story makes the audience excited to learn more. The series explores the conflict between the Empire and the Foundation, two warring factions that attempt to steer the galaxy in the direction they believe is best.
Though the series discusses complex mathematics and predictions, it does so in a way that takes them past the point of reality and into a world of magic
It’s easy to recommendFoundationfor the incredible ensemble cast alone, as they’re who the audience cares about, but the world of the story is what keeps us watchingFoundation. Though the series discusses complex mathematics and predictions, it does so in a way that takes them past the point of reality and into a world of magic.Foundationunderstands that magic is just the expression of the universe’s laws that we don’t know about yet, and the show plays with the concept with unforgettable results.
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Sweet Toothis apost-apocalyptic TV show that’s surprisingly hopeful, as there are moments of joy and connection throughout the story. Loosely based on the comic book series,Sweet Toothimagines a world where people spontaneously start being born with the characteristics of animals at the same time that a population-decimating virus emerges. ThoughSweet Toothhas been an underrated Netflix original, it’s worth watching for its fresh take on the genre and emotional storytelling.
Sweet Toothhas received critical acclaim for the way the series encourages viewers to see the world through the eyes of its young protagonist, Gus (Christian Convery).The sci-fi parts of the narrative primarily revolve around the virus and the characters’ attempts to find a cure,which supports the larger themes of prejudice that the animal-human hybrids experience. Like many fantasy projects,Sweet Toothuses its otherworldly aspects to make interrogative comments on the real world and the way people relate to each other.
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ThoughArcanecame to an end after season 2, it’s unlikely that this landmark video game adaptation will fade from the minds of fans anytime soon. Based on the world ofLeague of Legends,Arcanehas a uniquely scientific magic system that can be harnessed and refined through the use of technology.However, as the second season progressed, it became clear that the magic was too powerful and volatile to ever be fully controlled by humanity.
Additionally, sinceArcaneuses a steampunk style and aesthetic, there are many technological power-ups and enhancements that characters can make for the fight scenes. One of the most interesting parts ofArcaneis how the characters understand and relate to the existence offantasyin the story. Very few of the leads are willing to accept the reality of magic and unknowable elements of the world until they come face to face with it. As the TV universe ofArcanehopefully expands, it will be interesting to learn more about the rules of arcane magic.
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