The 10 Best Fantasy Shows of the 21st Century, Ranked

Image via HBO Published Jul 30, 2026, 7:12 PM EDT Sign in to your Collider account Fantasy is an age-old genre of literature, which has also been introduced to movies, video games, and television. Since its inception, it has been a very popular type of fiction, with many creators making whole new worlds or altering our own to bring something really special. And why shouldn't fantasy be popular? Sometimes, the monotony of everyday life can get boring, so being presented with a world in which ordinary physics and laws of nature don't apply is always wonderful. Naturally, some shows have absolutely tanked and can't satisfy audiences with their stories due to their poor execution. However, many have exploded in popularity and are still being talked about decades after their release, such as the 1950s anthology series The Twilight Zone. Of course, some new fantasy shows have been just as big, if not bigger, and are just as perfect. While it's hard to say whether or not the citizens of the distant future will come to appreciate them, for the short term at least, audiences can definitively say that these are the best shows of the 21st century. 10 'Supernatural' (2005–2020) Image via The CW Supernatural lasted 15 years, which is quite an accomplishment in the world of television — most shows are lucky to last a couple of years, much less a whole decade and a half. The story is about two brothers who work as paranormal investigators and travel across the US in search of paranormal cases to solve or examine. The show is not only iconic and unbelievably quotable, but has spawned dozens of memes as well due to just how funny it is. But it isn't just a comedy. It's a drama too, and can be as crushing and heartfelt as it is comedic. The legacy of this show has surpassed a point that other shows can only dream of reaching. Even if you aren't a fan of Supernatural, one cannot escape its sphere of influence. It is all over the internet and littered throughout pop culture, which of course wouldn't be possible unless it was one of the greatest fantasy series of the 21st century. 9 'Attack on Titan' (2013–2023) Image via Wit Studio It's no secret that anime isn't for everyone. Some people don't like the way anime typically goes about showing action or dialogue, and that's totally okay. However, even non-anime fans found themselves thoroughly enjoying Attack on Titan, a show that takes place in a low-fantasy setting. After the emergence of the flesh-eating giants known as the titans, humanity is forced to take shelter in a giant city surrounded by walls. Before long, though, the titans find a way to breach the wall and invade, turning human society on its head. Its setting and storyline, combined with its macabre themes and electrifying visuals, are probably why it appeals to so many non-anime fans. Not only is it easy to watch, but it feels so different from most other anime shows, which helps it not only stand out but rise above the rest. On top of that, so much care was put into each and every frame of the show, which is why it took ten years to produce four seasons. It's pretty much always entertaining, made even better by its extensive worldbuilding and stellar action. 8 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' (2005–2008) Avatar: The Last Airbender is a Nickelodeon show that sought to emulate the Japanese anime style and bring it to Western audiences. But they didn't even need to, because it captivated audiences on its own with its storylines about friendship and unity combined with its surprisingly adept approach to action. Since its original release, it has seen a live-action series released by Netflix, but of course, this is nowhere near the level of the cartoon. It is primarily geared towards kids but leaves a lot of room for adults to enjoy it, too, with its lovable characters, cheeky sense of humor, simple story, and exciting action. Avatar: The Last Airbender isn't just a story about the titular Avatar trying to unite the nations of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water — it's a source of nostalgia for many, and has proven to be a surprising success that hasn't died down a bit in nearly two decades. 7 'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance' (2019) Image via Netflix The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is a dark fantasy show that was canceled way too soon. It came as a prequel to the 1982 movie The Dark Crystal, an underrated yet intelligent and visually stunning film. Taking viewers back to the world of Thra, it tells the complete story of the events that led up to the original Jim Henson movie, featuring gorgeous sets and intricate puppetry. The world of Thra is a wonderful yet frightening place, and yields many different beings, all of whom have their own unique culture, appearances, and role in the world. After only one season, the show saw an abrupt cancelation, but that doesn't mean it deserved it. In fact, reviews were not just good; they were excellent, with many critics praising it for allowing them to witness the splendor of Thra once again. Even though it only got one season, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is still one of the greatest fantasy shows of the century, and anyone who has seen it will likely agree. 6 'Merlin' (2008–2012) Image via BBC Merlin is a pretty famous figure of folklore. The wizard of Arthurian legend is known for his appearance, which is where various wizard tropes come from: the blue robes and pointy hat adorned with stars and moons, the glasses, and the long, silvery beard. Throughout most of his appearances across various forms of media, Merlin is a bit of a curmudgeonly character, as befits an age-old wizard. However, the Merlin TV show decided to go a different route and tell an origin story for him. In this show, Merlin is played by Colin Morgan, who must face various challenges as he discovers his magical abilities. But this fantasy show isn't just an action-adventure series--it's also got some impeccable comedy and sweeping romance. Different, yet wonderfully refreshing, 2008's Merlin TV series is a show for the ages and a fantastic retelling of Arthurian legend. Collider Exclusive · Game of Thrones Personality Quiz Which Game of Thrones House Do You Belong To? Stark · Lannister · Targaryen · Baratheon · Tyrell Five great houses. Five completely different answers to the same question: how do you hold power in a world that will take it from you the moment you stop paying attention? Eight questions will determine where your loyalties — and your nature — truly lie. 🐺Stark 🦁Lannister 🐉Targaryen 🦌Baratheon 🌹Tyrell FIND YOUR HOUSE → 01 Someone powerful is acting dishonourably and everyone knows it. What do you do? In Westeros, the answer to this question has ended more than one great house. ACall it out, openly and on the record. If honour means anything, it has to mean something when it's costly. BUse it. Information about someone else's dishonour is leverage — and leverage is power. CAct decisively to correct it — with or without the approval of those around me. DChallenge them directly. Strength settles disputes more honestly than courtroom manoeuvring. ENavigate carefully — build alliances, apply quiet pressure, and create a situation where the right outcome becomes inevitable. NEXT QUESTION → 02 What is the source of your power? Every house endures because of something. What is it for yours? AThe loyalty of people who trust me — earned over generations, not bought with gold. BWealth, intelligence, and the willingness to use both without sentiment. CA legacy so fearsome and a vision so total that opposition becomes unthinkable. DPhysical strength, military force, and the respect that comes from being the kind of person nobody wants to fight. ECharm, connection, and the ability to make powerful people feel that my success is also theirs. NEXT QUESTION → 03 Who do you truly fight for? Strip away the banners and the words. The honest answer tells you everything. AMy family and my people — those who depend on me and have kept faith with me through everything. BMy family — the ones who share my blood, even when they exhaust me, even when they disappoint me. CMy cause — a vision larger than any single person, including me. DMyself, and those few who've proven themselves worth fighting beside. EMy house — its name, its future, the position I intend to leave it in when I'm gone. NEXT QUESTION → 04 How do you deal with your enemies? A house's method reveals its character as clearly as its words ever could. AHonestly — I face them directly, and I give quarter when it's warranted. BThoroughly — I don't leave loose ends, and I don't make the same enemy twice. CDecisively — fire answers questions that diplomacy only delays. DHead-on — I'd rather meet a threat on the battlefield than behind closed doors. EElegantly — I prefer to make former enemies into allies, or at least into people who owe me something. NEXT QUESTION → 05 What kind of ruler do you believe in? Westeros is full of answers to this question. Most of them end badly. AA just one — someone who serves the realm rather than using it, who leads by example rather than fear. BA capable one — someone smart enough to navigate the game, ruthless enough to win it, and realistic about what winning costs. CA transformative one — someone who doesn't just rule what exists but reshapes what's possible. DA strong one — someone whose authority is beyond question because the alternative is obviously worse. EA wise one — someone who understands that the realm is fed by more than armies, and that a full stomach keeps more peace than a sharp sword. NEXT QUESTION → 06 You suffer a devastating loss. How does your house respond? How a house handles defeat tells you more about it than how it handles victory. AWe grieve, properly and together — and then we endure, because endurance is what we do. BWe adapt. We reassess. And we ensure that whoever caused this loss comes to regret it completely. CWe burn hotter. Setbacks don't soften us — they clarify what needs to happen next. DWe hit back. Grief and revenge are the same motion in our house. EWe regroup quietly, rebuild our position, and return when we're ready — on our terms, not theirs. NEXT QUESTION → 07 Which of these truths about Westeros do you most believe? Every house has a philosophy. This is yours. AThe lone wolf dies, but the pack survives. Nothing matters more than the people you protect. BA Lannister always pays their debts — in gold or in kind. Reputation is built on consistency. CI am the blood of the dragon. Some destinies are written before the person who carries them is born. DOurs is the fury. When we move, we move completely — and we don't stop until it's done. EGrowing strong means knowing when to bloom and when to wait. Patience is its own kind of power. NEXT QUESTION → 08 The Iron Throne is within reach. What do you do? The answer reveals not just your ambition — but your character. AClaim it only if the realm needs me to — and rule in a way that makes it worth having. BEnsure someone who owes us sits in it. The power behind the throne is safer than the throne itself. CTake it. It was always meant to be mine — I feel that in my bones and in my blood. DSeize it — with both hands, without hesitation. Opportunity in Westeros does not wait to be asked. EPosition my house to be indispensable to whoever sits there — influence outlasts any single reign. REVEAL MY HOUSE → The Maester Has Spoken Your House Is…Your answers point to the great house whose words, values, and way of surviving in Westeros match your own. Bend the knee — or don't. That's very much up to you. 🐺 House StarkWinter is Coming — and you have always known it. You prepare not out of fear but out of duty, because the people who depend on you deserve someone who takes the long view. You lead with honour even when it costs you, because you understand that a reputation built on integrity is the only one worth having. Your loyalty to family and people runs deep — not as sentiment but as a code that doesn't bend when things get difficult. The North endures because Starks endure — not by being the cleverest players in the game, but by being the kind of people others are willing to follow into the cold. You are that kind of person. The pack survives. The lone wolf dies. You already know which one you are. 🦁 House LannisterYou understand the game — its rules, its exceptions, and exactly when the rules become the exception. You play it without illusions and without apology. You are sharper than most people realise, and you have learned to use that gap to your advantage. A Lannister always pays their debts — and you always keep your word, because your word is an instrument of power, and instruments must be kept in working order. You love your family with a ferocity that sometimes blinds you, and you know it, and you do it anyway. The lion doesn't concern itself with the opinion of sheep. Neither, in the end, do you. 🐉 House TargaryenYou carry a sense of destiny that is difficult to explain and impossible to ignore — the feeling that you are not simply participating in the world but meant to reshape it. You are capable of extraordinary things, and you know it, and that knowledge is both your greatest strength and your most dangerous quality. Fire and blood are not just words to you — they are a philosophy about what change requires and what it costs. The Targaryens at their best were transformative rulers who broke chains and defied the limits of what anyone thought possible. At your best, so are you. The dragon has three heads. You are one of them. 🦌 House BaratheonYou are a force — direct, powerful, and difficult to ignore when you enter a room or a conflict. You do not negotiate with challenges. You meet them. Ours is the fury — and yours is a kind of intensity that commands attention, respect, and occasionally fear from those who underestimate what's behind it. You value strength and straight dealing. You'd rather know where you stand in a fight than navigate a web of courtly whispers. The Baratheons built their house on the back of one of the greatest military victories in Westerosi history — and then struggled with what came after. The lesson of your house is that winning is not the end of the story. Governing is. You are learning that too. 🌹 House TyrellYou understand that power does not always announce itself — that sometimes it arrives with flowers, good wine, and a smile that doesn't quite reach the eyes. Growing strong is your house's motto, and you live it: patiently, strategically, always investing in the relationships and resources that will matter most when it counts. You are charming by choice and calculating by nature — a combination that makes you one of the most effective players in any room you enter. The Tyrells fed King's Landing and shaped its politics without ever sitting on the Iron Throne — and they were arguably more powerful for it. You know that the person who controls the food controls the kingdom. And you always know where the food is. ↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ 5 'The Witcher' (2019–Present) Image via Netflix The Witcher is based on a novel and short story series of the same name by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The plot and setting are all really unique, as it follows Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster hunter known as a witcher, who makes his living by hunting down various creatures from folklore. The show, much like the novels, comes with a fully fleshed-out world and makes for some timeless and exhilarating stories. Its cast of characters is endlessly enjoyable, and its brutal action combined with creative and creepy creatures is really quite amazing. It happened to come out at the perfect time, right around when Game of Thrones was ending, so fans who were left disappointed by the show's finale really needed something to scratch the itch and fill the void left behind. The Witcher did just that, bearing a lot of similarities to Game of Thrones, yet also feeling like its own distinct thing. It's not perfect and may have fallen off a little bit in the more recent seasons, but overall, it has been a smash hit for Netflix. There is no doubt that The Witcher is one of the finest fantasy TV series of the last five years, and even one of the best that has come in the 21st century. 4 'The Dragon Prince' (2018–2024) Image via Netflix The Dragon Prince is a very ambitious project that required a lot of worldbuilding and lore, and without any source material to fall back on, it initially seemed doomed to be a failure. And yet, The Dragon Prince remains as strong as ever, shooting way higher than critical expectations to bring audiences a world of magic and mystery, and yes, dragons. First off, dragons are just plain cool, so it's definitely a winner there. Secondly, the story itself is rich and extensive, developing a brand-new world for television that sucks its viewers in and refuses to let go. It is so easy to get immersed in the world of The Dragon Prince, and extremely difficult to get off of it once you're hooked. Not only is the story straight out of a novel, but the entire show feels like a movie painting — every episode is nothing short of art, and reflects the passion of its cast and crew perfectly. While maybe not the most famous TV show of the 21st century, it is certainly the best. 3 'House of the Dragon' (2022–Present) Image via HBO House of the Dragon is based on the history book Fire & Blood, which isn't about the history of our world, but rather of the high fantasy world of Westeros. A prequel to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon is about the Targaryen family's rise to power in the Seven Kingdoms, which comes with a lot of war and violence, as is to be expected. Fans were eagerly awaiting this series, and seeing it finally grace screens after three years without Westeros was a dream come true. Like its predecessor, House of the Dragon has a lot of political twists and turns, romance, drama, and epic violence in equal measure. The scale of it is enormous, and it has become something of a fan favorite in the years since its release for its consistency and powerful storytelling. Though its legacy may not prove to be as impactful as the show that spawned it, it is still one of the greatest fantasy shows of the 21st century by a mile. 2 'Kingdom' (2019–2022) Image via Netflix Kingdom is a South Korean fantasy/horror series that has never really gotten the attention that it deserves. Taking place in the Kingdom of Joseon, which once encompassed the Korean Peninsula, the Netflix original show follows the Prince, who takes a stand against the family of his stepmother, the power-hungry Haewon Cho clan, who are intent on seizing control of the throne for themselves. The problem is that the Prince's father died before his stepmother gave birth to her and the King's baby, which would help the Haewon Cho family gain power. Desperate, they try to resurrect the King using a mythical resurrection plant, which accidentally unleashes a zombie plague. The show is based on a webcomic turned graphic novel and was met with rave reviews. However, the show is in a bit of a weird spot right now, as Netflix has yet to officially cancel or renew it. Fans can only hope they'll see more of the series, as it ended on a cliffhanger and features many memorable characters that never get boring. If you like your historical fiction with a side of fantasy and zombies, this is definitely a series you absolutely will not want to miss. Kingdom is a modern masterpiece that deserves a lot better. 1 'Game of Thrones' (2011–2019) Image via HBO Say what you will about Game of Thrones and its finale, but there is no denying the cultural impact it has had over the course of its eight-year run. Game of Thrones was, by and large, the biggest show on television, and has left an astounding legacy that many other shows will never even come close to. Based on the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series by George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones not only offered eye candy in the form of spectacular battles and action sequences, but also in romance, drama, and political intrigue. There is a huge pool of Game of Thrones characters to love and hate, and the show itself boasted an immense production value. It's unlikely TV will ever be graced with anything as huge and impactful as Game of Thrones was and still is. Like many classic shows from decades ago, Game of Thrones is still likely to be recognized as one of the all-time greats, controversial finale notwithstanding, which is what makes this show the greatest of the 21st century.