If there’s one thing you can expect from a fantasy series on Netflix, it’s immersive, bold visuals, methodical world-building, and a nice dose of escapism. While the streamer contains fantasy aplenty, though, not all are created equal. One of its biggest IPs, The Witcher, based on the book series of the same name by Andrzej Sapkowski, started strong before taking a nosedive in quality. The replacement of series lead Henry Cavill also feels like the proverbial nail in the coffin.
Thankfully, dear TV watcher, while The Witcher didn’t live up to expectations, these 10 great Netflix shows exceed them and then some. Toss a coin to your new favorites (if you dare).
‘Wednesday’ (2022-Present, 2 Seasons)
She’s creepy, and she’s kooky. Mysterious and spooky. And she takes that “ooky” spirit to Nevermore Academy, where she solves mysteries like a Goth Nancy Drew. Jenna Ortega stars as Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s Wednesday, which has macabre auteur Tim Burton’s signature style all over it. Burton also serves as executive producer and director for the two-season fantasy series, which is currently in production for Season 3 in Ireland.
The great thing about Wednesday is that, unlike The Witcher, it doesn’t have source material to adapt. There’s more narrative freedom in that regard. However, fans can expect nods to previous stories in the Addams-verse, like The Addams Family sitcom from the 1960s and the ’90s films. Wednesday is as aesthetically enthralling as it is just plain fun. Wednesday Addams and Enid Sinclair (Wenclair, if you will) forever.
‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021-2023, 2 Seasons)
The Grishaverse is undoubtedly still reeling from Shadow and Bone‘s untimely cancellation, although you shouldn’t let that stop you from giving this show a whirl. Shadow and Bone adapts Leigh Bardugo’s debut novel of the same name and Six of Crows, and it amassed quite a loyal following despite its short tenure. In it, Alina Starkov is the long-prophesied Sun Summoner. This revelation paints a target on her back as various factions endeavor to capture her. It doesn’t help that Shadow Summoner General Kirigan, also known as The Darkling, is hellbent on finding her, too. Alina struggles to reckon with her new identity, evade her pursuers, and save Ravka, home to most magic users known as the Grisha.
Shadow and Bone is a solid adaptation of Bardugo’s books, presenting an artful blend of grittiness and dark, magical elements. The show’s intricate world-building is also a boon, to be sure, as are the performances. It’s a downright shame we won’t see the other Grishaverse novels adapted for the small screen.
‘Arcane’ (2021-2024, 2 Seasons)
Arcane is easily one of Netflix’s most visually stunning fantasy series. Taking place in Riot Games’ League of Legends universe, the two-season show zeroes in on the conflict between Piltover, a city of immense wealth, and Zaun, its oppressed underbelly. The creation of hextech, a mode for controlling magical energy, threatens to upend the precarious balance between them as two sisters, Vi and Jinx, are caught in the crossfire. Runeterra will never be the same.
The series deftly explores class warfare, the rise of advanced technology, and the complex, messy relationship between Vi and Jinx. It also defies genre conventions, and while it certainly has fantasy elements, there’s something for everyone: sci-fi, steampunk, and action-adventure. The vocal performances are stellar across the board, but it’s the animation that truly elevates Arcane as one of the best to do it in the medium.
‘Dead Boy Detectives’ (2024, 1 Season)
RIP, Dead Boy Detectives. You deserved better. This one-season fantasy/mystery follows two ghost buddies, Charles Rowland and Edwin Payne, who decide to remain on Earth instead of crossing over into the afterlife. They start up the titular Dead Boy Detectives Agency to investigate supernatural-related crimes. The dynamic duo meets Crystal Palace, a psychic medium who can see ghosts, in the series premiere. What transpires next is a fun-filled adventure in which the trio squares off against Esther, a powerful witch who kidnaps girls to maintain her youth and feeds them to her snake.
This world is so meticulously constructed and lived in that one feels like they’re in the series. It’s as immersive as they come. Fans encounter a walrus trapped in human form, demons, sprites, a witch’s familiar, the Cat King, and the Night Nurse (who previously appeared in DC’s Doom Patrol adaptation). With this wonderfully colorful cast of characters and its queer representation, it’s no wonder Dead Boy Detectives resonated with audiences.
‘Sweet Tooth’ (2021-2024, 3 Seasons)
Robert Downey Jr. executive-produced Sweet Tooth, a DC Comics adaptation that’s not precisely about candy. However, it does center on a fantastical world post-The Great Crumble. Caused by a viral pandemic known as the Sick, hybrids now exist in its aftermath – humans with animal body parts. Unfortunately, these hybrids are discriminated against and hunted. Did they cause the Sick, or are they merely the result of it? Viewers meet young Gus, a part-deer hybrid, and Tommy Jepperd, who saves the boy from hunters. Tommy calls Gus “Sweet Tooth” due to his love of candy. (See? We circled back to that.)
Sweet Tooth is critically lauded and audience-beloved. It’s a beautifully told, achingly sweet fantasy series. It’s also appealing across multiple demographics, making it a fun watch for the whole family. If you want to believe in magic again, add this show to your watchlist.
‘Lockwood & Co.’ (2023, 1 Season)
If you love your fantasy with a smattering of supernatural horror and a dash of detective-thriller elements, look no further than the short-lived Lockwood & Co. Based on the book series of the same name by Jonathan Stroud, the Netflix show takes place in an alternate universe. In present-day Britain, technological advancements have ground to a halt due to ghosts who are deadly to the touch rising from their graves. While adults can’t see the specters, kids can. One teenager, Lucy, escapes to London to join Lockwood & Co., a ghost-hunting agency spearheaded by two boys.
With nods to British staples like Sherlock Holmes, Lockwood & Co. deserved to live beyond its first season. The leads deliver compelling performances, while the show itself offers Ghostbusters vibes and feels fresh despite the antiquated technology. It’s an engaging story with an entertaining mystery at its core.
‘One Piece’ (2023-Present, 1 Season)
Who knew being a pirate could be so fun (and stretchy)? Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s long-running One Piece is boisterous, candy-colored fun. Iñaki Godoy is delightful as Monkey D. Luffy, a carefree, perpetually optimistic young man with two lofty aspirations: find the One Piece and become King of the Pirates. He assembles a ragtag gang to do just that. The Straw Hats encounter seedy combatants and flamboyant characters aplenty on their quest to recover Gold Roger’s treasure, with their next destination being the famed Grand Line.
Unlike most shows on this list, One Piece has been renewed for Season 2 and Season 3, with the former premiering this month. There’s a lot more story to tell, which is good, because I’m all for more adventures with the Going Merry crew.
‘Kaos’ (2024, 1 Season)
One might argue that Kaos is more comedy than fantasy, but those fantasy flourishes are baked into the show’s DNA. It is all about Greek gods, after all. The Jeff Goldblum-led series centers on Prometheus’ plan to overthrow the autocratic Zeus with the unwitting help of three mortals and a prophecy that foretells the “family” falling and “Kaos” reigning. This series is a wild, rip-roaring good time, filled to the brim with heart and plenty of profound moments.
I’m a sucker for anything Greek mythology-related. Throw in a heaping helping of humor, and this scratches that itch for me. If only it had at least one more season under its belt (two seems to be the streaming modus operandi). Still, it’s a strong one-and-done season.
‘Warrior Nun’ (2020-2022, 2 Seasons)
Who doesn’t love a thoroughly unique premise? Warrior Nun, based on the comic book character Warrior Nun Areala, revolves around 19-year-old Ava Silva, who wakes up in a morgue. She discovers she has a divine artifact embedded in her back (as you do). Ava’s also part of the Order of the Cruciform Sword, an ancient organization tasked with rooting out demonic entities on Earth. Oh, and as if that’s not enough, both heaven and hell want to control her. That’s a whole lot to contend with at 19.
Warrior Nun seems to pull from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which is a good thing. It boasts solid fight choreography, nuanced performances, an evergreen exploration of religious themes, and palpable chemistry between Alba Baptista’s Ava and Kristina Tonteri-Young’s Sister Beatrice. While it’s exciting that the central romance becomes canon in the Season 2 finale, it’s disappointing that we won’t see how that relationship develops in future seasons. That said, Warrior Nun deserves your attention.
‘Castlevania’ (2017-2021, 4 Seasons)
Now, for the longest-running entry on this list: Castlevania. Based on the Japanese video game series of the same name, the anime-style dark fantasy follows vampire Vlad Dracula Țepeș after his human wife is burned at the stake under the accusation of witchcraft. Cue a bloodthirsty revenge arc. Dracula summons an army of demons to lay waste to Wallachia. Trevor Belmont, the lone survivor of a family of monster hunters, decides to fight back against the vampire, with allies Sypha Belnades and Dracula’s own son, Alucard, by his side.
For starters, Castlevania boasts an all-star voice cast. Sci-fi/fantasy fans will undoubtedly recognize names like James Callis, Graham McTavish, Richard Armitage, Emily Swallow, the late (and great) Lance Reddick, Jason Isaacs, and more among the roster. The series is also the perfect blend of dark fantasy and horror. Its devilishly sumptuous visuals are a feast for the eyes, and it’s perfect for any animation fan with a love of monsters.
What are your favorite Netflix fantasy series that surpass The Witcher in quality? Did we include your picks? Let us know in the comments.
- Release Date
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2021 – 2024-00-00
- Showrunner
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Jim Mickle
- Directors
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Jim Mickle
- Writers
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Jim Mickle
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