It’s easy to get invested in a long-running fantasy TV show, but that doesn’t mean the best miniseries of the genre should be overlooked. While not all of these are miniseries with no bad episodes, they craft innovative and entirely original worlds that will leave the viewer speechless. In just a few short episodes, audiences will be taken to universes they’ve never imagined in these miniseries.
The Stand (2020)
Based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Stephen King, the 2020 adaptation of The Stand quickly justifies itself. The most recent take on the narrative expands the story and digs into the fantastic ensemble of characters who are brought to life by a skilled cast. Watching the 2020 take on The Stand will transport the viewer to a unique post-apocalyptic world.
Perfect Stephen King shows are rare, as it isn’t easy to do justice to the author’s writing style when adapting his stories to the screen. The Stand blends fantasy and horror, like all of King’s best work, using these elements to examine the characters and the world they inhabit, grappling with the line between good and evil in the dire circumstances of the end of the world.
The Mists Of Avalon (2001)
There are many ways to adapt the legend of King Arthur and his Round Table to the screen, and plenty of adventures to choose from when doing so. The Mists of Avalon is an older miniseries, but no less capable of tackling its source material and shining a light on the ways in which the women in the stories of Camelot are too often overlooked.
The Mists of Avalon focuses on Morgan le Fay, who’s typically framed as a villain and foil to Arthur, though her origin story is even more tragic than his. Tracking Morgan’s experiences and development from early childhood to her final battles with Arthur, The Mists of Avalon is a richer, more nuanced take on these familiar stories, allowing Morgana to express all parts of her character, good and bad.
The 10th Kingdom (2000)
Fans of Gilmore Girls might recognize one of the lead actors in The 10th Kingdom, Scott Cohen, who plays Wolf in the miniseries and Max Medina in the dramedy show. However, Cohen is just one of the many great actors who lend their skills to The 10th Kingdom, which puts a fun spin on the fairy tale genre. He’s joined by Kimberly Williams as Virginia, the protagonist.
Long before Once Upon a Time, The 10th Kingdom saw the real world and fairy tale stories collide. Virginia might believe that she’s a regular woman living in New York City, but when she gets involved with Wolf and the treacherous Evil Queen, secrets come out that make The 10th Kingdom a classic hero’s journey adventure story for the modern age.
Merlin (1998)
Though the BBC TV series Merlin, which aired from 2008 to 2012, might be better remembered than the 1998 miniseries, that doesn’t make the older project any less compelling. In this version of the stories of Camelot, Merlin, the iconic warlock who pushes Arthur from behind the scenes, gets his moment in the spotlight, and his romance with Nimue is explored.
Sam Neill plays Merlin, with Isabella Rossellini co-starring as Nimue. Though some of the visual effects are a little dated, the central story and themes of Merlin bring the title character to life and give him an arc that forces the viewer to see him through fresh eyes. It’s a moving, epic story of romance and sacrifice that’s unique within its genre.
Tin Man (2007)
Before she was Jess on New Girl, Zooey Deschanel took on many unexpected roles, and the protagonist of Tin Man, DG, was one of them. There have been many interpretations of The Wizard of Oz, but Tin Man might be the most out-there, as it incorporates fantasy, sci-fi, and steampunk elements into the story, and makes a few of the beloved characters unrecognizable.
Tin Man shines a light on the darker elements of The Wizard of Oz, as DG is an older, wiser version of Dorothy who’s made even more charismatic thanks to Deschanel’s lead performance. A story of identity, good versus evil, and finding oneself against all odds, Tin Man digs into the emotional side of its story while going all in on spectacle, as it’s a beautifully series to watch.
The Odyssey (1997)
Today, retellings of Greek myths and modern adaptations of these epic tales are more popular than ever, and many of these contemporary works should look to the 1997 The Odyssey miniseries for inspiration. Starring Armand Assante as Odysseus, The Odyssey leans on the source material to carry the emotional heart of the story, but it’s a pure fantasy adventure that audiences will immediately enjoy.
Though Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey movie is the upcoming adaptation of the Greek epic on everyone’s mind, the 1997 miniseries shouldn’t be forgotten about. All iterations and takes on Odysseus’s iconic journey are in conversation with each other, and the work done by this show establishes The Odyssey as a story that will always transcend generations, remaining relevant and gripping no matter who steps into the role of Odysseus.
Angels In America (2003)
Based on the iconic play by Tony Kushner, Angels in America might be the most culturally and socially poignant fantasy miniseries ever made. Kushner’s play is deeply in conversation with the AIDS epidemic and the way the U.S. government actively failed and discriminated against people with AIDS. Packed with a star-studded ensemble cast, Angels in America works hard to live up to its source material.
While the stage play also leans into the fantastical side of the story, the 2003 screen iteration of Angels in America had the opportunity to push the visuals even further, thanks to the resources of television. Though the story is heavy, it’s a sweeping narrative that touches upon many niches of experience within the LGBTQ+ community, and is a must-watch addition to the genre.
Midnight Mass (2021)
The creator of Midnight Mass, Mike Flanagan, is well known for his fantastical and horrifying miniseries, and Midnight Mass is no exception. Touching upon faith, guilt, and the social politics of small communities, Midnight Mass uses its fantasy elements to grapple with these themes and isn’t afraid to get gory and shocking as the series progresses, leaving the viewer with an intense final episode.
Zach Gilford and Hamish Linklater take center stage in Midnight Mass as Riley and Father Paul, two opposing characters who represent different ideologies and desires. As Father Paul gets his hooks into the fabric of the small town and uses his position of power to spread his beliefs, Midnight Mass doesn’t shy away from the darkness of its premise, growing in scale and scope with every new reveal.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (2015)
Some of the best fantasy TV shows in history have been based on books, and it’s not difficult to see why the novel Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell called itself to be adapted for the screen. A revisionist take on early 19th-century England that overflows with magic, demons, and intrigue, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell does justice to Susanna Clarke’s original book.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell holds up today because the series never dated itself while it was airing in 2015. Despite being set in the past, there are very few uncomfortable moments that would chafe modern viewers, and the visual effects look gorgeous compared to even the most high-budget projects of the 2020s in the fantasy genre. It helps that Bertie Carvel and Eddie Marsan are a dynamic pair to watch onscreen as the title characters.
Over The Garden Wall (2014)
From its star-studded cast featuring Elijah Wood, Melanie Lynskey, and Christopher Lloyd, to the atmospheric character and production design, there’s a lot to recommend about Over the Garden Wall. For many fans of the ten-episode series, rewatching the show as soon as the weather gets cooler in the fall is a yearly tradition. Nothing puts you in the autumnal mood like a journey into the Unknown.
It’s easy to see why Over the Garden Wall is considered the pinnacle of fantasy television by so many, as the show is able to balance its surreal, stylized elements with a strong character-driven narrative that all viewers can relate to. Blending elements of fairy tales, folk legends, and toeing the line between episodic and serialized, Over the Garden Wall is a miniseries that we’ll never get tired of.
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