This may come as a little bit of a shock to a few of you (although maybe not if you happen to’re studying this), however there are much more fantasy packages on the market than simply HBO’s Game of Thronesand Netflix’s The Witcher (although each are on this record). For causes we’ll by no means perceive, fantasy packages have traditionally struggled to seek out traction with mainstream audiences, however as any fantasy fan can let you know, fantasy sequence — which might take viewers to far-off locations or open their eyes to new, fascinating worlds proper right here — are glorious sources of escape. And we may actually use an escape hatch proper about now.
The next exhibits will quench your thirst for fantasy programming and assist you to neglect, only for a bit of bit, about the actual world exterior your window. At the least till you keep in mind that we’re nonetheless ready on that adaptation of The Kingkiller Chronicle. Till then…
Recreation of Thrones
Do not let the memes idiot you. The rationale so many individuals had been up in arms in regards to the last stretch of Game of Thrones is that the present was principally glorious up till that time and set an impossibly excessive bar for fantasy sequence. The difference of George R.R. Martin‘s e book sequence turned a must-watch due to its well-crafted characters and elaborate narratives. And by leaning into its spectacle enchantment, it turned a full-on occasion sequence. Set within the fictional realm of Westeros, the drama was all the time high-stakes; no character was ever protected from violence, sacrifice, or different penalties, and there have been surprises aplenty in retailer for each single one who ever even dreamed of getting energy. For those who in some way missed out on the present that had completely everybody speaking, now’s nearly as good a time as any to determine why your whole buddies ponied up for an HBO subscription for all these years. –Amanda Bell
Watch it on: HBO Go, Amazon with HBO add-on, Hulu with HBO add-on
The Witcher
One of many causes The Witcher was such a divisive present when it premiered on Netflix was as a result of it is not the kind of horny, spectacle fantasy that mainstream audiences discovered so interesting in Recreation of Thrones. The Witcher could be very a lot traditional excessive fantasy, full with quests, unusual monsters, and a world during which people stands out as the dominant species however are removed from the one one. The story, a couple of mutant monster hunter for rent, Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), nonetheless tackles essential points — together with racism, socioeconomic oppression, and warfare — however wraps every part up in a well-recognized, and considerably nostalgic, conventional fantasy TV present framework. Because of this, The Witcher might not enchantment to everybody (and even to everybody who performed the video video games), but it surely’s certain to please die-hard followers of the style. And whereas the Netflix hit does ship pleasant (and typically grotesque) monster-of-the-week tales, the overarching narrative of a prophecy that binds Geralt to a younger princess, Ciri (Freya Allan) — and Geralt’s staunch resistance to present in to his personal future — offers the present a story hook that may go away you eager to toss a coin to The Witcher. –Sadie Gennis
Watch it on: Netflix
Darkish Crystal: The Age of Resistance
There are such a lot of ways in which Netflix’s prequel to the seminal 1982 movie The Dark Crystal may have gone unsuitable, however The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance managed to keep away from all of them. The temptation to show the darkish kids’s fantasy movie right into a CGI extravaganza should have been robust, however frequent sense dominated and Age of Resistance honored Jim Henson’s puppeteering and sensible results for a sequence that really looks like an extension of the traditional practically 4 a long time later. The considerably stunning tone — it could be the primary “scary” film your child watches — stays on this sequence, as an intricate however accessible plot explores Thra and its characters earlier than the occasions of the movie. However the spotlight as soon as once more is the creativeness displayed within the attractive world and fantastical creatures. This one’s a fascinating eye-popper that is actually completely different from anything on TV. –Tim Surette
Watch it on: Netflix
Good Omens
Amazon and the BBC’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett‘s beloved fantasy-comedy novel Good Omens is a couple of demon and an angel who workforce as much as stop the Antichrist from bringing in regards to the finish of the world as a result of they’ve grown somewhat keen on Earth and its inhabitants, and it options among the greatest casting tv has ever seen. David Tennant because the hedonistic demon Crowley is so good it is like he was born solely for this goal, and the way in which he performs off Michael Sheen‘s angel, Aziraphale, makes for an ideal odd-couple pairing that results in the present’s greatest moments. Though the restricted sequence is devoted to the novel (maybe to a fault), it does not all the time retain the identical magic and whimsy, so it is actually the solid, which additionally contains Michael McKean, Frances McDormand, and Jon Hamm, that makes it price your whereas. Plus, it is a fast binge at solely six episodes. –Kaitlin Thomas
Watch it on: Amazon
Outlander
For those who love a fantasy present however don’t need your head to blow up with the nitty-gritty mechanics of intricate world-building, welcome to Outlander. Starz’s roving journey story facilities on Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a WWII nurse who unintentionally travels again in time 200-plus years to 18th century Scotland. It is there she meets the real love of her life, a strapping highlander named Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). Collectively they attempt to change historical past, manipulate royalty, and — most significantly — make time for sizzling, steamy romance. That is proper, that is an R-rated journey sequence, so do not watch it with an impressionable viewers. You will be intrigued by the premise, be awed by the cinematography, and end up sticking round for the love story that defies the ages. –Megan Vick
Watch it on: Starz, Amazon with Starz add-on, Hulu with Starz add-on
The Magicians
When The Magicians first premiered, Syfy’s adaptation of Lev Grossman’s hit fantasy trilogy was billed as Harry Potter for adults. However what began off as a coming-of-age story a couple of group of twenty-somethings discovering magic at a secret college blossomed right into a darkly comedic have a look at energy, household, love and the way they form us. Over 5 seasons (and infrequently throughout the similar episode), The Magicians served up unexpectedly fantastical highs and astonishingly grounded emotional lows, garnering some of the devoted fandoms Tumblr has ever seen. It is a binge-watching quest you simply cannot flip down. –Krutika Mallikarjuna
Watch it on: Netflix
His Darkish Supplies
Followers of Phillip Pullman‘s books know that His Dark Materials is about in some of the alluring fantasy worlds — one during which each human is born with an animal embodiment of their soul, often known as a dæmon; the North is residence to huge armored polar bears who’re as clever as they’re expert in battle; and there are numerous universes that anybody can entry in the event that they merely understand how. However this world can be a harmful one, because the present’s heroine, Lyra (Dafne Keen), quickly discovers. The sequence follows the younger woman as she units out to be taught why kids are going lacking all around the nation, solely to comprehend that it is all a part of a lethal conspiracy that she’s prophesied to play an important function in. Whereas the HBO sequence fails to dwell as much as Pullman’s best-selling trilogy, the star-studded solid — which incorporates Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy, and Lin-Manuel Miranda — ship standout performances that make it simple to get misplaced in Lyra’s world. –Sadie Gennis
Watch it on: HBO Go, Amazon with HBO add-on, Hulu with HBO add-on
The Letter for the King
Did the violence of Recreation of Thrones and the profanity of The Magicians flip you off? We humbly put ahead The Letter for the King to your healthful consideration. Set in a medieval realm the place knights are nonetheless very a lot a factor, a younger boy, Tiuri (Amir Wilson), finds himself on a mission to ship a letter to the king warning him of an important darkness threatening the dominion. For those who liked The Witcher, you have completely bought to take a look at this extra teen-oriented fantasy sequence. It has a number of the identical parts: a super-smart horse companion, a singing sidekick, and a complete bunch of magic that threatens the destiny of the realm. Plus, with solely a six-hour runtime, it is an ideal technique to spend a day. –Lindsay MacDonald
Watch it on: Netflix
The OA
There is a purpose #SaveTheOA was cluttering up your Twitter feed for a number of months of 2019. Netflix’s existential fantasy sequence was minimize down in its prime, after two seasons of great weirdness, so do be warned that you will completely be left wanting extra if you happen to watch this one via. The present, which was co-created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, follows Marling’s Prairie (who later reveals she has many names) as she invitations viewers to come back on a fully wild journey via area, time, and past. All through its all-too-brief run, The OA produced among the most unpredictable, emotionally provocative, and actually WTF scenes conceivable, and if you happen to get into it, you’ll completely be In. To. It. To say rather more could be a spoiler, however brace your self for an unbelievable efficiency by Jason Isaacs and a large octopus that may break your coronary heart proper in half. Sure, actually. –Amanda Bell
Watch it on: Netflix
As soon as Upon a Time
On this intelligent tackle traditional fairy tales, Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin), Prince Charming (Josh Dallas), and all the opposite members of the Enchanted Forest have been cursed by the Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla) to dwell within the worst place conceivable: our world. With no reminiscence of who they are surely, it is as much as one very skeptical orphan, Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), to interrupt the curse and assist everybody get residence. This quirky drama depends closely on some questionable CGI, however the ingenious methods it twists a few of your favourite fairy tales will make it exhausting to care about Once Upon a Time‘s typically subpar visible results. –Lindsay Macdonald
Watch it on: Netflix