fantasy TV shows based on books, as having source material with effective world-building and predetermined lore can be enormously helpful for the layered plotlines of a fantasy show. Some series are high fantasy, full of magic and dragons, while others lean into the horror and supernatural sides of the genre. Regardless, these projects have influenced the trajectory of fantasy forever.

Everyone should watch these fantasy TV shows, as they have crossover appeal for longtime fans of the genre and viewers who don't find themselves drawn to fantasy. However, these shows are so innovative and unlike anything else seen on TV that anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story will find themselves falling in love with these series. Many other shows have tried and failed to capture the momentum and magic that were generated by these landmark works, but it's usually best to watch the original, especially when they're this good.

7 WandaVision (2021)

WandaVision Proved That Marvel's Foray Into Television Could Work

Led by Elizabeth Olsen reprising her role as Wanda Maximoff, AKA Scarlet Witch, WandaVision remains one of the most creative and innovative projects that the MCU has put out. A stunning tribute to all genres and eras of television as well as a surprisingly touching portrayal of grief, WandaVision was unlike anything audiences had seen from the studio before. The show set a high bar for all the projects that would come after and demonstrated how more metatextual storytelling could connect with a wide array of audiences.

WandaVision opened an exciting new door for the niche of superhero stories within fantasy. Eventually leading to the spinoff, Agatha All Along, WandaVision was an important step for the MCU and the future of heroes on TV. Paul Bettany is a fantastic co-lead, as his chemistry with Olsen helps give the series a touch of realism amid the ups and downs of the narrative. While it was hugely popular, this isn't the only reason why WandaVision was important. All fantasy show writers and creators were emboldened to get a little bizarre with their storytelling thanks to the show.

6 The Magicians (2015–2020)

This Underrated Series Deserves To Be Better ed

Based on the book trilogy by Lev Grossman, The Magicians has been called a more adult Harry Potter, a twist on Narnia, and the next step in the evolution of the magic school genre. The series took the original text and pushed it even further, quickly cementing The Magicians as a fantasy show for a new generation of fans. Opting for a softer magic system that can be bent to fit the needs of the story, The Magicians is a wild ride of twists and new realms that the characters learn about alongside the audience.

There are elements of The Magicians that are a little dated in of humor and style, but this is part of the charm of a series that pushes itself to keep up with pop culture. The Magicians was the answer to highly explicit and adult fantasy shows premiering in the 2010s. While the show did touch upon dark and mature themes, it was more tongue-in-cheek and let its characters act like the messy, imperfect young adults they are. This makes the characters dynamic, as the viewers can see themselves in them and in on the magical adventures.

5 Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)

Transcending Both The Animation & Fantasy Genres, ATLA Appeals To Everyone

Like the fantasy genre, animation comes with a lot of preconceived notions attached to it, especially a children's cartoon series like Avatar: The Last Airbender. However, ATLA is the perfect example of why we should all be watching a lot more kids' animated shows. With nuanced, emotional storytelling and one of the most cohesive multi-season arcs of the past twenty years, ATLA captures the audience's attention with interesting lore and compelling characters who change a lot before the series comes to an end. While there are stand-alone episodes, there isn't a wasted moment in ATLA.

ATLA is an American cartoon that's as good as anime, and the influence of major anime series is evident in both the visuals and storytelling. The trajectory of modern animated TV shows has a lot to do with ATLA, as the series was fun and full of humor, but trusted that its audience would understand the bigger interrogations of big social issues that the story engages with. When Avatar: The Last Airbender is at its best, there's nothing that compares to the power of the series. Though ambitious, every risk the series takes pays off.

4 Supernatural (2005–2020)

For 15 Seasons, Supernatural Was A Hallmark Of The Genre

There's no shortage of long-running TV shows, but not every fantasy series can say that it ran for well over a decade. However, each season of Supernatural justifies itself, and the enormous impact that the show has had on fans, as well as the genre as a whole, speaks for itself. One of the most unique parts of Supernatural is the many meta episodes that punctuate each season and the way the writers and creators weren't afraid to poke fun at the way the series was received by fans and critics alike.

Supernatural created a generation of dedicated fantasy fans.

This sense of humor that sustained Supernatural throughout its fifteen seasons was vital, as the story was dark and saw the central brothers, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles), go through intense emotional moments. The bond of the brothers– and the angels and demons they befriend along the way– became the defining emotional thrust of the story. Supernatural was always hyper-aware of its impact and enjoyed its place in the cultural conversation. Proving that magic and demons can be fun, tongue-in-cheek, and scary, Supernatural created a generation of dedicated fantasy fans.

3 The Leftovers (2014–2017)

Though The Fantasy Elements Are More Subtle, The Leftovers Delivers Them Perfectly

Though The Leftovers is often compared to Lost, another famous mystery box series, watching the show today only cements the fact that there has never been another project quite like The Leftovers. Unlike many of the most famous fantasy series, The Leftovers is firmly rooted in reality, using gritty realism as an anchor for the intense interpersonal drama that fuels the characters' actions and decisions. The Leftovers uses its fantasy elements to uplift the essential themes and lessons that it imparts to the audience.

Though The Leftovers was never as popular as fantasy heavyweights like Game of Thrones and only ran for three seasons, it's become a blueprint for the mystery box genre. The willingness to let questions go unanswered and allow the viewer to draw their own conclusions about the nature of the magic is what makes The Leftovers so iconic and what has already allowed it to age so well. It's a dark show and unafraid to grapple with grief, but all the best fantasy series are.

2 Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)

Without GOT, The Fantasy Renaissance Might Never Have Happened

At its peak, Game of Thrones was one of the most popular TV shows on the air, making waves and generating renewed interest in fantasy from its initial premiere. While there has never been a shortage of interesting and engaging speculative fiction projects to watch on TV, GOT was a crossover hit for longtime fans of the genre and audiences who wouldn't traditionally seek out fantasy. While George R.R. Martin's books are what made the show's story so vivid, the series did an incredible job adapting the narrative for the screen.

In the wake of GOT's premiere, there has been an influx of series trying to capitalize on the momentum generated by this show.

In the wake of GOT's premiere, there has been an influx of series trying to capitalize on the momentum generated by this show. However, it's not just the fact that there have been many copycats that make GOT notable. The scale and resources that went into crafting each scene of Game of Thrones made an excellent case for investing in fantasy. Additionally, the focus on a sprawling ensemble of characters with overlapping plots was a storytelling style perfected by the series.

1 Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

Buffy's Perfect Episodes Have Been Copied Many Times Over

The supernatural side of fantasy has been explored many times over, and series that centered on strong female protagonists were booming in the 1990s. However, few shows compare to the magic and impact of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. With a litany of episodes that have been copied by fantasy and non-fantasy shows alike, Buffy struck the perfect balance between humor, drama, and action. Packed with characters that the audience couldn't help but fall in love with, Buffy is a once-in-a-lifetime series that still has a hold on the cultural conversation.

It will be interesting to see what characters return in the Buffy reboot and how the revival tackles the rich history and legacy of the show. Buffy The Vampire Slayer is arguably a perfect series with no bad seasons. A large part of what makes it special is how well it uplifted and empowered female fantasy heroes while maintaining the humanity and imperfections of its characters. Though there are plenty of stand-alone episodes, the show's overarching stories and character development are what have inspired countless teen dramas and fantasy series.