Sometimes, you find a show that sticks with you long after you watch it. Perhaps you remember it for the breathtaking scenes that capture your imagination or the rich themes and emotional moments that broaden your perspective on life. No matter what it is that connects with you personally, these shows ultimately reshape and redefine how you interact with media moving forward. Fantasy is one of the best genres to capture this feeling, especially when we are treated to seasons of slow, organic worldbuilding and deeply intricate character arcs that allow the audience to grow alongside the protagonists. Now, it’s your turn to go on a journey with me as we explore the most unforgettable fantasy shows on Netflix.
For more recommendations, check out our list of 10 Fantasy Classics That Are Truly Legendary and The 10 Greatest Fantasy K-Drama Shows, Ranked.
Disclaimer: These titles are available in the US.
‘Arcane’ (2021 – 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 9.0/10
As someone who hasn’t played a single second of League of Legends, I can say that you don’t have to know anything about it to enjoy the complex and beautiful world of Arcane. The series revolves around badass sisters Vi and Jinx, from the popular PvP battle game, while diving into a whole new world steeped in arcanotech steampunk imagery. Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell are stunning as they lend their voices to the sisters in this story about the lengths one will go to for their family, which enriches their backstories while using them to examine inequity, manipulation, and political strife. Beyond the insanely great writing, the animation from studio Fortiche makes it worth watching by itself as the paint-style textures mixed with the 3D models give it a highly distinct look and flavor.
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005 – 2008)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 9.3/10
Often replicated but never duplicated, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a series that feels like creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko captured lightning in a bottle and bent it into a multimedia franchise. This adventure series — inspired by cultures across Asia, including Chinese, Japanese, and Inuit aesthetics — is much more than your classic hero’s journey, as it uses its three-season run to develop the world of elemental benders and showcase the intricacies of fighting against imperialism and colonialism. There’s a reason there have been two live-action remakes, a sequel series, and a new entry on the way, as the emphasis on diversity and representation within Avatar makes it a show that people from all walks of life can see themselves in.
‘Supernatural’ (2005 – 2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.4/10
One of the longest-running supernatural series in television history, Supernatural is a wild ride — and that’s not just because the ‘67 Chevy Impala they roll in probably has terrible suspension. The series stars Jared Padalecki and Jenson Ackles as the Winchester brothers, who drive all around the country fighting supernatural creatures from across many different mythologies and demonologies. A large aspect of the series is the vocal online fandom that effectively starts to become a part of the show after a certain point in the series’ 15-season run, as the episodes feel like they are in conversation with the feverish conversations that were taking place during the show’s airing.
‘Love, Death + Robots’ (2019 – Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 8.4/10
- Release Date
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March 15, 2019
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Víctor Maldonado, Patrick Osborne, Robert Valley, Alfredo Torres Martínez, Jerome Chen, Emily Dean, Rémi Kozyra, Léon Bérelle, Dominique Boidin, Alberto Mielgo, Maxime Luère, Andy Lyon, Robert Bisi, Dave Wilson, David Nicolas, Simon Otto, Damian Nenow, Laurent Nicolas, Kevin Van Der Meiren, Vitaliy Shushko, Owen Sullivan, István Zorkóczy, Javier Recio Gracia, Oliver Thomas
A rare sci-fi and fantasy anthology series, Love, Death + Robots is a series of short stories with varying art styles, themes, and vibes. One episode could be a thoughtful contemplation on the appeal of simplicity in technology, while the next episode will make you laugh as you watch a bunch of robots revel in a world after humans have long died out — and don’t get me started on the ones that leave you with a dark existential dread. This series, created by Tim Miller, feels like a dream for lovers of fantasy and science fiction, as it gives the audience just enough story to dip their toes in a unique world, then leaves them to imagine what comes next.
‘Lucifer’ (2016 – 2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | IMDb: 8.0/10
It’s odd to think that a show where the devil moonlights as a police consultant and solves crimes would be as charming as it is, but somehow, Lucifer pulls it off while also being hilarious. A good chunk of that charm comes from series lead Tom Ellis, who captures the curiosity and whimsy of the fallen angel while consistently delivering a delightful smarm. Despite being a police procedural and a loose adaptation of the Neil Gaiman character from DC Comics, the series stands on its own as it builds the lore around the politics of heaven and hell while presenting a fun mystery in each episode. Plus, once the show transitioned from a broadcast TV series to a Netflix original, there was a whole lot more freedom to explore swearing, skin, and all that fun stuff.
‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019 – 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 7.8/10
Based on the hit graphic novel co-created by Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance fame, The Umbrella Academy captivated audiences with a quirky sense of humor and an oddball cast of characters. The adaptation not only fleshes out the X-Men-inspired Hargreeves family of super-powered kids turned bitter adults but weaves elements of the source material into a tight tapestry that uses time travel, aliens, and bureaucratic fish to suck audiences into a series of mysteries. Bringing the messy siblings to life are Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, and Elliot Page, who each bring a unique flavor to the story while giving heartfelt and grounded performances in a world of chaos.
‘Interview With the Vampire’ (2022 – Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.5/10
This latest adaptation of Anne Rice’s gothic vampire novel is probably the best it will ever be. Pack it up, future 2080s TV studios thinking it’s time for a reboot — don’t even try it. Rolin Jones’s interpretation of Interview With the Vampire is diverse, queer, and just the right amount of horny. Jacob Anderson takes the lead in this version as the titular vampire providing the interview, and the addition of Louis de Pointe du Lac being portrayed by a Black man adds new layers to the racial dynamics of being a closeted businessman in the early 1900s. Anderson’s performance would be enough to carry the show by himself, but his chemistry with Sam Reid as Lestat takes this series to the next level.
‘Sweet Tooth’ (2021 – 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.7/10
This post-apocalypse series, based on the comic by Jeff Lemire, is a great balance of heartwarming, harrowing, and whimsical. As folks who are living through an ongoing pandemic, the inciting incident of Sweet Tooth is very relatable, though we didn’t get cool animal hybrids from our virus… boo! But we did get to experience a world of paranoia, misinformation, and tribalism, which is similar to the issues faced by our two leads, played by Nonso Anozie and Christian Convery, as they traverse across a desolate America filled with people who fear and hunt hybrids. The series has a big Lone Wolf and Cub feel to it while also taking place in an interesting setting that leans into the premise to extrapolate how the world would change.