The 2010s saw the medium of television undergo a drastic change. Cable TV took a bit of a decline in popularity, streaming services and on-demand viewing began to take over, and networks started dumping bigger budgets into their original productions. Platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Hulu really started to dominate things, changing the way people consume their favorite shows.
With this change came a few new trends. One of these trends was that there was a massive uptick in fantasy TV shows, a trend that began in the early 2010s and that persists to this very day. It seems that people just can’t get enough of the fantasy genre, and with modern film techniques, it’s now easier than ever to tell more outlandish stories. Every year of the 2010s, several major fantasy shows debuted to the point where it’s easy to forget some of them. As such, this list will outline which fantasy shows were the absolute best for each year of this innovative decade.
10
‘Adventure Time’ (2010–2019)
Image via Cartoon Network
Adventure Time started as any other Cartoon Network show. Only, this one completely blew up and managed to surpass every single expectation. The silly, whimsical Land of Ooo is home to a lot of things, from sentient, talking game consoles, kingdoms made of candy, and even a race of lemon people. Nothing is too weird or off the wall for this show, which is part of why so many people fell in love with it.
With it being a cartoon, of course, there’s lots of humor involved. The humor doesn’t feel immature, though, as it appeals to many age groups, including kids and adults alike. Yet, its humor isn’t the only area where the show shines, as it also does pretty well in the morality department. There are a lot of relatable takeaways from this series, which often come with a bunch of life lessons that one would do well to remember. True to its namesake, there is indeed adventure involved, but where the show really succeeds is in its heart.
9
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
You probably knew that Game of Thrones would take the number one spot for the year 2011. Was there ever any doubt? It’s hard to pinpoint any other TV series of any genre that has had quite the cultural impact Game of Thrones did. Seriously, this show was a huge, huge deal, unlike anything television had ever seen before. The complex story, the dozens, perhaps hundreds of unique characters, and the immense production value made this not only a great pit of drama, but also a feast for the eyes.
There’s a little something for everyone in this series. Whether one likes comedy, drama, political thrillers, action, romance, or adventure, this show has it all, which is probably why Game of Thrones got so successful. Though many viewers expressed extreme disappointment at the show’s finale, there is little doubt that most of the seasons of the show are absolutely perfect in pretty much every way. It’s going to be a long time before television sees another phenomenon like Game of Thrones again.
8
‘Gravity Falls’ (2012–2016)
Gravity Falls is another one of those series that starts off looking and feeling pretty simple, but that gets way, way more complicated the longer one spends watching it. While initially, it’s about two pre-teens spending their summer in the remote town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, the intervention of mysterious forces and magical beings makes their vacation very interesting, indeed. The show kicks off pretty much right away, thrusting viewers into the mystery surrounding the sleepy little town.
Unlike a lot of typical cartoons, there is genuine continuity in this one, meaning the episodes have to be watched in order of release, or there is no way one will be able to fully grasp the complex plot. There are so many unanswered questions in this series that it has prompted loads of online theories and discussions about it, which persist to this day. It is absolutely excellent and is a great watch for the curious or for those who enjoy philosophical themes in their cartoons.
7
‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)
Image via Crunchyroll
Attack on Titan is an iconic anime series that really took the world by storm. It wasn’t just a hit with fans of the medium, either, as it attracted a ton of non-anime fans to it with its dystopian world, darkness, lovable characters, and creative premise. The premise in question follows the remnants of humanity in a war for their very survival against flesh-eating giants called “titans,” which are nearly unkillable.
The world establishes itself right off the bat, letting the audience feel the crushing weight of humanity’s insignificant place in this new, hostile world. No longer is humanity the apex predator; no longer do they rule the animal kingdom, because there are things out there that are much smarter and more powerful than them. It offers a new perspective to fantasy that isn’t really explored much. This series is one heck of an emotional journey, which excels in nearly every aspect.
6
‘Over the Garden Wall’ (2014)
Over the Garden Wall might be just a miniseries, but it was somebody’s passion project, and it shows. The story follows two brothers who get lost in a deep, dark forest and have to find their way home. It’s a simple, fairytale-like premise at first glance, but what ensues is something profound, as well as remarkably moving. While geared towards kids, the show found an audience of fans from all age groups due to its adventure and its heartfelt subtext.
It has a star-studded cast, too, with Elijah Wood, Christopher Lloyd, and John Cleese all having roles in it, and that’s just some of the big names that make up the cast. At exactly 10 episodes, Over the Garden Wall managed to tell a concise, clear story that touched the hearts of its audience all around the world, and managed to develop a dedicated following that still discusses the show, even now. It’s incredibly special, not just to the creators, but to those who have seen it, too.
5
‘The Magicians’ (2015–2020)
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The Magicians is honestly pretty underrated, but there’s little doubt that it definitely deserves to be crowned the best fantasy series of 2015. The story starts with a student enrolling at a university, hoping to become a magician. Only, he ends up becoming a magician in the more literal sense. Instead of learning to pull rabbits out of hats, he winds up learning proper spells and incantations, discovering that the magical world from his favorite childhood fairytales is not only real, but also in a state of crisis.
For being a SyFy series, the visual effects of the magic are actually pretty impressive, and it really does a good job of hooking the viewer and never letting go. Fans loved the endlessly entertaining cast of characters and the banter between them, as well as the high-stakes story and its overall imagination. This is a perfect series for Harry Potter fans and for low fantasy fans in general.
4
‘The Good Place’ (2016–2020)
The Good Place isn’t exactly fantasy in the traditional sense. There’s not a lot of magic or mythical beings found within. Instead, it fits the definition because it takes place in an alternate dimension, an afterlife used to reward people who have lived their lives virtuously. Unlike most other fantasy TV shows, this one is a sitcom at heart, focusing on how the departed interact with each other in this new realm of eternity.
However, the series proved that it can still floor its audience just as well as any fantasy drama series. It includes one of the most legendary plot twists of all time, which cemented its legacy as a sitcom with a surprising amount of substance. There are also some deeply profound moments of moral wisdom contained within, especially in the finale. While the show is funny, it can just as easily make the viewer cry, and it definitely deserves the spot of being the best fantasy series of 2016.
3
‘Castlevania’ (2017–2021)
Normally, one would expect a TV show based on a video game to be nothing but a quick cash grab with little substance, and that barely resembles the source material. Fear not, because Castlevania puts those fears to rest. Based on the original Japanese video game series, which began in the 1980s, this series was actually created by an American studio. However, they decided to pay homage to the franchise’s Japanese roots by having it done in an anime art style—”Americanime,” if you will.
But don’t expect to find common anime tropes of ninjas or samurai here. The show, like the original games, draws inspiration from European Gothic literature. This means vampires, werewolves, and other terrifying creatures of the night rule here. It’s dark, gritty, but also a wonderful treat for fans of the original video games. Even if you’ve never played the games before, this is honestly an exceptional show that demands more attention.
2
‘The Dragon Prince’ (2018–2024)
The Dragon Prince is a really ambitious project considering how lore-heavy it is, and how it has no source material to fall back on. There is no comic series, no group of novels, no video game to back this one up. It comes straight from the minds of its creators. Considering that, the world they created and the history behind it is actually really impressive. The series centers on the continent of Xadia, which is at war with itself. Non-magical humans have begun a war with the magical elves and dragons, throwing the continent into chaos.
Netflix’s The Dragon Prince plays things a little safer. While it’s not good for little kids, it’s more of a young adult/teen fantasy series, though one that can still safely be enjoyed by adults. It’s not just charming—the 3D animation and use of color are absolutely stunning. The fact that it’s gorgeous isn’t all it has going for it, however, as the story is also pretty engrossing, as is its expansive world. It’s not easy to get tired of The Dragon Prince, which is why it’s easily the best fantasy series of 2018.
1
‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ (2019)
Crowning the best fantasy TV show of 2019 is honestly kind of a big ask, because there were so many good ones that came out that year. From The Witcher to South Korea’s Kingdom, there are really a lot of options to choose from. However, in terms of charm, consistency, quality, and overall world-building, the title has got to go to The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. This one is a true masterpiece, which is why many still haven’t forgiven Netflix for unceremoniously cancelling it after just one season.
The show is a prequel to the 1982 Jim Henson film The Dark Crystal, taking audiences back to the world of Thra and allowing them to witness the rise of the Skeksis and the extinction of the gelflings. Like the movie, it’s created almost entirely with practical effects and puppetry, giving an extra special something in the world of television. The world of Thra is truly beautiful, and it’s so easy to get lost in this show, which is just one of many reasons why it was the best fantasy series to come out that year.
