House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power may have both wrapped up their first seasons, but if you’re a fantasy lover suffering from withdrawal, have no fear! There are a ton of other great fantasy shows for you to sink your teeth into.
From video game adaptations that pack a punch to epic quests based on beloved fantasy novels, we’ve chosen five shows guaranteed to satisfy the part of you that longs for magic, adventures, and more. All are fairly recent, having been released in 2021 and beyond, and they all have second seasons on the way. So, if you get hooked now, great news! You’ll get more of these worlds down the line. Here, in alphabetical order, are five excellent fantasy series you should check out.
If you like your fantasy with a little steampunk flair: Arcane
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Arguably the best on-screen video game adaptation ever, Arcane takes the world, lore, and characters of League of Legends and crafts a deeply moving story about estranged sisters Vi (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (voiced by Ella Purnell). You don’t have to know anything about League of Legends to get sucked into the the battle between cities Piltover and Zaun, or to enjoy the show’s spectacular animation. All you need is the ability to appreciate steampunk fantasy goodness — think airships, magic gems, and enhanced weapons — and a love for damn good storytelling.
How to watch: Arcane is now streaming on Netflix.
If you like vampires and gothic horror: Interview with the Vampire
Credit: Alfonso Bresciani / AMC
If you’re craving dark fantasy with a bit more of a bite, look no further than Interview with the Vampire. AMC’s reimagining of Anne Rice’s classic Vampire Chronicles brings the novels’ queerness to the forefront as it examines the relationship between vampires Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson) and Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid). The show departs somewhat from its source material, taking time to comment thoughtfully on race and power, yet it never loses the gothic spirit of Rice’s work. The pairing of Louis and Lestat remains as twisted and darkly sensual as ever, bolstered by great performances from Anderson and Reid, making this a must-watch for anyone remotely interested in on-screen vampires.
How to watch: Interview with the Vampire is now streaming on AMC+.
If you like Dungeons & Dragons: The Legend of Vox Machina
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Studios
Want some chaotic comedy with your fantasy? Then check out The Legend of Vox Machina, which adapts Critical Role’s first live-streamed Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Vox Machina is a group of outcast mercenaries struggling to make a quick buck, but when they uncover a great evil in the heart of the Republic of Tal’Dorei, they’ll have to band together and become the heroes they never thought they could be. The Legend of Vox Machina‘s cast of lovable misfits takes you on a raunchy, magical ride full of swords, spells, and a ton of dick jokes.
How to watch: The Legend of Vox Machina is now streaming on Prime Video.
If you like magic factions and heists: Shadow and Bone
Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Based on Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse series, Shadow and Bone drops us into the 19th-century Russia-inspired country of Ravka. A sea of darkness known as the Fold splits Ravka in two, and only the mythical Sun Summoner is said to be able to dispel it. When cartographer Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li) discovers that she possesses the Sun Summoner’s powers, she’s unwillingly thrust into the court of the magical Grisha, where she comes face to face with their leader, the mysterious Darkling (Ben Barnes). Meanwhile, halfway across the world, three charismatic criminals known as the Crows are about to embark on their most daring heist yet. How these plots intersect is one of Shadow and Bone‘s great joys, as is its vividly realized world and a cast that fulfills Tumblr’s wildest dreams.
How to watch: Shadow and Bone is now streaming on Netflix.
If you like world-spanning quests: The Wheel of Time
Credit: Jan Thijs
Before Prime Video released The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, it adapted another beloved high fantasy series: Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time. In a world beset by a growing evil, the best chance for peace is a mythical figure known as the Dragon, who has been reincarnated in an unknown body. Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike), a member of the order of magic women known as the Aes Sedai, identifies five possible Dragons in one village. The group of them embark on a quest across the world, facing evil Trollocs and menacing Aes Sedai hunters, all while discovering powers they never knew they had. If you’re looking for classic fantasy adventure and a world with an intriguing magical hierarchy, The Wheel of Time is a great place to start.
How to watch: The Wheel of Time is now streaming on Prime Video.
