FantasyTV shows have accounted for some of the best series of the last few decades thanks to hits likeGame of ThronesandHouse of the Dragon, as well as more controversial (but still conversation-dominating) titles likeThe WitcherandThe Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power. Yet the genre’s true depth stretches far beyond these blockbusters, offering worlds every bit as compelling.
Despite thedominance ofGame of Thronesand its ilk, underrated fantasy TV shows have been quietly delivering high-quality storytelling for decades. These series boast rich mythologies, gripping characters, and stunning worldbuilding that can rival - and sometimes surpass - the most popular entries in the genre. Unfortunately, they often get overshadowed by the heavyweights.
Some ofthe best fantasy showsare also those that have flown under the radar of even the most dedicated fans. These shows are criminally underrated, wonderfully imaginative, and absolutely deserve more recognition. Some are cult favorites, others are barely discussed at all - but all of them are worth your time.
10The 10th Kingdom (2000)
A Magical Miniseries That Blends Fairy Tales With Modern Adventure
The 10th Kingdomis a whimsical, ambitious NBC miniseries that deserves far more credit than it gets. Mixing thecharm of classic fairy taleswith a modern twist, it follows Virginia Lewis (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) and her father Tony (John Larroquette) as they’re swept from New York into the Nine Kingdoms - a fantastical world where fairy-tale politics and danger collide.
What sets it apart is its mix of heartfelt character arcs with sly, meta humor. The story cleverly subverts familiar tales, making the Big Bad Wolf (Scott Cohen) a morally complex antihero rather than a straight villain. At nearly seven hours long, it’s more of an epic event than a standard series, with the scale and ambition to match.
Overlooked due to its one-off miniseries format and initial mixed reception,The 10th Kingdomhas aged intoa beloved cult classic. Its blend of humor, adventure, and fairy-tale intrigue makes it one of the most imaginative entries in the fantasy genre.
9Galavant (2016-2016)
A Musical Fantasy Comedy That Deserved A Longer Run
Originally airing on ABC,Galavantis a gleefully irreverentmash-up of medieval fantasy and Broadway-style musical comedy. Created by Dan Fogelman, it follows the dashing but down-on-his-luck knight Galavant (Joshua Sasse) on a quest to reclaim his lost love, accompanied by an eccentric band of allies.
Galavant’sgreatest weapon is its self-awareness - it constantly pokes fun at fantasy tropes while still delivering genuine stakes and heart. Original songs by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater give it a theatrical flair, and the cast fully embraces the absurdity with impeccable comedic timing.
Unfortunately,Galavant’s two-season runwas too short to fully explore its zany world, and it was largely overshadowed by bigger fantasy shows of the time. Still, it remains a refreshing, genre-bending gem, proving fantasy doesn’t always have to be grim to be great.
8Lost Girl (2010-2015)
A Supernatural Noir With A Unique Mythological Twist
Canadian fantasy seriesLost Girlcarved out a cult following with its blend of urban fantasy, noir intrigue, and LGBTQ+ representation.Anna Silk stars as Bo, a succubus discovering her powers and navigating a secret world of Fae creatures hidden among humans.
What makesLost Girlstand out is its expansive, original mythology. Drawing from global folklore rather than sticking to Western fantasy norms, it introduced viewers to a rich tapestry of supernatural beings. Bo’s moral struggle between feeding her nature and protecting others adds emotional weight to the show’s mysteries and political intrigue.
Despite running for five seasons, theBuffy-likeLost Girlnever achieved the mainstream attention it deserved, especially outside Canada. Its combination of mystery, romance, and inventive worldbuilding cements it as one of the most underrated fantasy TV shows of the 2010s.
7The Shannara Chronicles (2016-2017)
A Lavish Adaptation Of A Classic Fantasy Book Series
Based on Terry Brooks’Shannaranovels,The Shannara Chroniclesbrought an epic, post-apocalyptic fantasy world to MTV’s audience. It followsWil Ohmsford (Austin Butler), Amberle Elessedil (Poppy Drayton), and Eretria (Ivana Baquero) as they attempt to protect their world from an encroaching demon army.
Visually,The Shannara Chronicleswas stunning - filmed in New Zealand with sweeping landscapes and intricate costumes that rivaled bigger-budget productions. Its mix of traditional fantasy with sci-fi undertones gave it a distinctive tone, separating it from standard medieval settings.
Despite its strengths, it struggled to find an audience on MTV and later Spike,leading to its premature cancellation. Still,The Shannara Chronicles’high production value and earnest storytelling make it a must-watch for fans seeking something grand yet overlooked.
6A Discovery Of Witches (2018-2022)
A Romantic Fantasy Steeped In Magic And History
Adapted from Deborah Harkness’sAll Soulstrilogy,A Discovery of Witchesblends historical drama with supernatural romance. Itcenters on Diana Bishop (Teresa Palmer), a historian and reluctant witch, who discovers a long-lost magical manuscript and attracts the attention of vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode).
The show’s appeal lies in its rich, slow-burn storytelling. By intertwining witchcraft, vampire lore, and alchemy with real historical events, it crafts a fantasy world that feels both grounded and enchanting. Its central romance is layered with political intrigue and centuries-old grudges.
While it enjoyed a devoted following,A Discovery Of Witchesnever broke intothe wider fantasy conversation dominated by larger franchises. For those who like their fantasy tinged with academic mystery and romance, it’s an underrated treasure.
5Carnival Row (2019-2023)
A Gritty, Politically Charged Fantasy Noir
Carnival Rowbrought a unique blendof Victorian-inspired noir and high fantasy to Prime Video. Orlando Bloom plays Rycroft Philostrate, a human detective investigating a string of murders, while Cara Delevingne’s Vignette Stonemoss is a refugee fae caught in a web of political and personal struggles.
The show stands out for its allegorical depth - using its human/fae tensions to explore real-world issues like immigration, xenophobia, and class conflict. Its lush production design, practical effects, and layered worldbuilding make it one of the most visually immersive fantasy series in recent years.
Unfortunately,strong performances from the castand an ambitious scrope weren’t enough, asCarnival Rowfailed to gain the mainstream audience its quality warranted. Despite this, though, the show’s complex storytelling in a fantasy world that feels lived-in, and it’s one of the fantasy genre’s best-kept secrets on the small screen.
4Shadow And Bone (2021-2023)
A Richly Woven Fantasy That Deserved More Time To Grow
Based onLeigh Bardugo’sGrishaversenovels,Shadow and Bonemerged the original trilogy withSix of Crowscharacters for a sprawling, interconnected story. Jessie Mei Li stars as Alina Starkov, a mapmaker who discovers a rare power that could unite a fractured world.
Its layered characters, morally gray antagonists, and blend of political intrigue with magical spectacle setShadow and Boneapart. The seamless integration of two separate book series gave it a narrative scope rarely seen in modern fantasy adaptations.
Though critically praised,Shadow and Bonewas canceledafter just two seasons, leaving much of its story untold. Still, it remains one of Netflix’s most polished and ambitious fantasy offerings - and one of its most undeserved cancellations.
3His Dark Materials (2019-2022)
A Faithful, Visually Stunning Adaptation Of A Beloved Series
HBO and BBC’sHis Dark MaterialsadaptedPhilip Pullman’s acclaimed trilogywith care and scale (especially compared to the 2007Golden Compassmovie). A young Dafne Keen starred as Lyra Belacqua, whose journey spans parallel worlds, mysterious Dust, and a cosmic battle between freedom and authoritarian control.
The series impressed with its faithful recreation of Pullman’s complex themes - from the nature of the soul to the clash between science and religion. Its visual effects, including fully realized daemons, brought the novels’ most imaginative concepts to life.
While popular with book fans and was far from a flop,His Dark Materialsnever reachedthe cultural saturation of other fantasy series. Still, it stands as one of the most sophisticated adaptations in recent memory, perfectly balancing spectacle and intellect.
2The Magicians (2015-2020)
A Dark, Unpredictable Twist On Magical Academia
Adapted from Lev Grossman’s novels,The Magiciansbegins asa “graduate school for magic” premise before spiraling into something far stranger. Jason Ralph leads as Quentin Coldwater, whose studies at Brakebills University pull him into a dangerous, whimsical, and often terrifying magical world.
One area thatThe Magiciansdeserves particular appreciation for is its adaptability. The show constantly reinvented itself, blending comedy, horror, and heartfelt drama without losing narrative momentum. Its meta-humor and willingness to tackle dark topics set it apart from more traditional fantasy fare.
Though critically acclaimed,The Magiciansremains anincredibly under-the-radar fantasy TV show, which - considering its quality - feels almost criminal. Still, for viewers willing to embrace its unpredictability, it’s one of the most rewarding series of the past decade, regardless of genre.
1Grimm (2011-2017)
A Police Procedural With A Supernatural Twist
Of all the underrated fantasy shows out there, few feel more deserving of greater recognition than NBC’sGrimm.The series fused crime drama with dark fantasy,following detective Nick Burkhardt(David Giuntoli) as he discovers he’s a Grimm - a guardian tasked with keeping the peace between humanity and creatures from folklore known as Wesen.
The series excelled at monster-of-the-week storytelling while slowly building a deeper mythology. Its inventive creature designs and use of folklore from around the globe kept the show feeling fresh across six seasons. Taking all the best elements of shows likeSupernaturaland giving them its own unique spin, it’s shocking thatGrimmdidn’t find more success.
Although it enjoyed a steady fan base,Grimmrarely entered mainstream conversationalongside other fantasy series. Yet its mix of procedural familiarity and supernatural innovation makes it one offantasyTV’s most consistently entertaining hidden gems.
