Fantasy has always been one of the most powerful vehicles for imaginative storytelling. Some might write the genre off as escapism, but it actually serves as a lens to explore the very world that we live in. Fantasy has always been seen as childish or unserious, but the truth is that the genre has a long history of depth with how it uses magic and myth to raise larger questions about humanity.
However, what makes modern fantasy so exciting is that it embraces this duality to prove that tales of dragons and wizards can be just as nuanced and mature as any highbrow drama series. If you’re still not convinced, here are some of the greatest fantasy shows on Netflix that are 10/10 in my opinion and capture the genre at its best.
1
‘Kaos’ (2024)
Kaos has to be one of the most inventive and unique shows on Netflix. Charlie Covell‘s dark comedy-drama takes Greek mythology and adapts it for a modern audience. The premise follows Zeus (Jeff Goldblum) as he realizes that his grip on the cosmos may not be as strong as he thought. This leads the God of the sky to spiral into paranoia and do everything he can to stop his prophesied downfall. To make things worse, Prometheus (Stephen Dillane) has spent centuries plotting to overthrow the king, and he has been waiting to set his plan in motion. This brings together three mortals, Eurydice “Riddy” (Aurora Perrineau), Orpheus (Killian Scott), and Ariadne “Ari” (Leila Farzad), who have no idea that they are connected to each other or to the fate of the gods.
The story reimagines Greek mythology and makes Olympus feel like the most dysfunctional political dynasty you will ever see. The show leans into its absurdity and melodrama to put an almost theatrical spin on these stories we all heard growing up. Goldblum is the highlight of Kaos and portrays Zeus with the perfect blend of ego and childish insecurity. In fact, his performance makes the viewers understand exactly why the universe is always on the brink of collapse. The show manages to build a world that feels both modern and mythic. However, the narrative never loses sight of the character-driven stories that ultimately drive the stakes. Kaos was cancelled far too soon, given how brilliant it was, but its single season stands as one of the streamer’s most ambitious fantasy experiments.
2
‘The Sandman’ (2022–2025)
The Sandman took a bold step in trying to bring one of DC’s most complicated comics to life. Many believed that it would be impossible for a show to pull off the intense world-building and character-building required to tell the story, but the Netflix fantasy series did it all. The show stars Tom Sturridge, who plays Dream/Morpheus with incredible precision. The narrative follows the Lord of the Dreaming from his century-long imprisonment to his slow, painful evolution into something almost human, but never quite. The Sandman combines dark fantasy, supernatural horror, and drama to deliver a story that is more than just a standard comic-book adaptation.
Instead of dumbing things down, the Netflix series leans into the dream logic and metaphysical debates that define its source material. Sturridge’s performance anchors the show’s spectacle and shifting landscape full of surreal imagery. However, what really makes the show work is its pacing. Many episodes of the show are self-contained stories that explore themes such as mortality, hope, and identity. However, The Sandman demands its viewers to sit with the ideas it puts forward and watch them unfold patiently. Season 2 continues expanding this lore with complex arcs and even higher stakes. It’s a shame the show was cancelled, because it definitely had the potential to become a full-blown fantasy epic.
3
‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ (2018–2020)
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina reimagines one of Archie Comics’ most iconic characters through a shockingly dark yet intriguing lens. The show is a huge departure from the bright, light-hearted tone of the sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch and tells a grim, occult, coming-of-age story that is steeped in gothic horror. The show follows Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka), a half-witch, half-mortal teenager raised by her aunts Hilda (Lucy Davis) and Zelda (Miranda Otto) as she balances high school life with coven politics, ancient rituals, and the increasingly sinister pull of the Dark Lord. The characters in the Netflix series are familiar, yet entirely different from their sitcom counterparts. The show is a breath of fresh air for its unapologetic exploration of horror and fantasy.
Whether Sabrina is fighting oppressive religious structures, confronting family legacies, or navigating messy teenage relationships, Shipka delivers a powerful performance that ties the show’s magic to emotional stakes. What makes Chilling Adventures of Sabrina special is that it doesn’t shy away from darkness. Very few shows have managed to do that without feeling completely bleak, but this Netflix series isn’t afraid to have fun with its own chaos. There’s no denying that Season 1 stands as the strongest in terms of writing, while the later seasons experienced a dip in quality. However, the show never falters in delivering a fantasy experience that will stay with you for a long time.
4
‘Arcane’ (2021–2024)
Arcane is a rare video-game adaptation that not only works but also stands on its own as a fantasy series. The show, created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee, is a steampunk fantasy story that takes place in the world of League of Legends. However, it never gets bogged down by over-explaining the lore or resorting to fan service. The story is an emotionally rich epic that follows sisters and Zaunite orphans, Violet “Vi” (Hailee Steinfeld) and Powder “Jinx” (Ella Purnell), who are torn apart as the undercity of Zaun erupts into conflict with the wealthy, utopian Piltover above. Arcane is a story about two cities at war, but its heart lies in the characters we meet along the way. Even viewers who have never played League of Legends will find themselves immersed in the show thanks to how compelling Vi and Jinx are. The series grounds its rich worldbuilding within relatable emotional stakes, even when nothing else about the story is.
The show doesn’t rush to deliver one emotional payoff after the other. Instead, it is committed to spending a lot of time developing the characters’ arcs. In fact, the biggest example of this is Jason Spisak‘s Silco, who started off as a villain and then became one of the most emotionally complex figures in the show. Arcane is special in how it treats all its characters with respect and gives them space to make mistakes. The writing is honest and sympathetic, but it can take a terrifying turn in no time, and that speaks to the show’s brilliant storytelling. The show’s hybrid animation style is another standout element that makes every frame look like a hand-painted concept piece come to life. All in all, Arcane is a fantasy series like no other, and might just be one of the greatest video-game adaptations ever made.
5
‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)
If you’re looking for a fantasy series that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still being rooted in complex mythology, Lucifer makes for the perfect watch. The series is adapted from The Sandman universe created by Neil Gaiman and reimagines the Devil as a dashing immortal who decides to leave Hell and run a piano bar in Los Angeles out of boredom. However, things take a turn, and Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis) ends up joining forces with LAPD detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German) to solve crimes using his cosmic abilities. Lucifer is a gateway fantasy show, the kind that will pull you in almost immediately with its unique premise, but you soon find yourself becoming emotionally invested in the Devil’s moral arc.
However, beneath all the jokes and pop-culture references, the show takes its supernatural elements seriously. It uses demons, angels, and otherworldly elements to explore themes including guilt, forgiveness, and honesty. It shows that even celestial beings can go to therapy and crash out at times. Lucifer makes the supernatural feel intimate rather than some distant fantasy, and that’s why it resonates with viewers. Ellis is obviously the star of the show, and his mischievous portrayal of the Devil will remain an iconic part of pop culture history. However, the writing ensures that his arc never leans too far into comedy and always anchors it with something meaningful. The show begins as a fantasy procedural with familiar beats, but it slowly transforms into an exploration of the idea that everyone, even Lucifer, is capable of growth.
6
‘Sweet Tooth’ (2021–2024)
Sweet Tooth is a post-apocalyptic fantasy series that focuses on hope and wonder more than the devastation that it is set against. The show, developed by Jim Mickle and adapted from Jeff Lemire‘s Vertigo comic, takes place ten years after The Great Crumble, a viral pandemic that destroys humanity at the exact moment when hybrid children begin to appear. The story follows Gus (Christian Convery), a ten-year-old deer hybrid who leaves his secluded forest home after the death of his father, Pubba (Will Forte), and teams up with Tommy Jepperd (Nonso Anozie) on a journey across a world that fears what Gus represents. Some might mistake this for a kids’ show, but Sweet Tooth is actually a whimsical fairytale adventure that is complex enough to tackle larger themes of prejudice and survival.
Gus and Jepperd’s dynamic is the defining element of the series, with Anozie delivering a career-defining performance as a reformed hybrid hunter who is trying to run away from his past. Sweet Tooth isn’t subtle with the parallels it draws to the real world without losing its storybook quality. The show, with its rich worldbuilding and memorable characters, is a family-friendly fantasy that keeps you hooked from the first episode. The fantasy series spanned three seasons without dragging things out too long and avoided filler plots. The result was a fast-paced, refreshing fantasy show that always knew where it was going and stuck the landing perfectly.
7
‘The Witcher’ (2019–)
The Witcher is one of Netflix’s most-streamed titles, and the popularity is definitely well deserved. The show, based on Andrzej Sapkowski‘s highly acclaimed book series of the same name, follows Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill and Liam Hemsworth), who finds himself bound to two of the most important people on the Continent. One is Princess Cirilla of Cintra (Freya Allan), whose untamed magical abilities make her both a target and a symbol of hope. The other is Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), a powerful sorceress. The Witcher has carved out its own lane in the fantasy genre. Some people find Season 1’s fractured timeline disruptive, but it’s a bold narrative gamble that ultimately pays off in the end when everything comes together. Sure, the show delivers brutal monster hunts and grand battles, but it never leans on spectacle alone to deliver something impactful.
The Witcher Season 1 spends time on building its characters, politics, and lore with a level of confidence that has been missing from the genre lately. The writers don’t shy away from the messiness of the mythology, especially as the story branches into larger conflicts. Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Geralt is obviously a huge reason behind the show’s success, even when the pacing falters a bit. The actor’s departure from The Witcher after Season 3 has obviously led to a lot of scrutiny. However, Season 4, with Liam Hemsworth taking over as Geralt, dominated Netflix’s top 10 after its premiere on October 30, 2025, with 7.4 million views accumulated in just 4 days. That goes to show that fans remain invested.
8
‘Wednesday’ (2022–)
Netflix’s Wednesday revived the iconic Addams Family for an entirely new era. The show breathes fresh air into the familiar lore of the kooky and spooky families and leans into the campiness of past adaptations. However, what makes it stand out is the focus on Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) as a sharp but mysterious teenager who starts attending Nevermore Academy, the boarding school for outcasts. The show retains the gothic aesthetic of The Addams Family franchise, but puts a modern twist on it by turning Nevermore into a vibrant blend of supernatural teen drama and dark comedy.
We see the world through Wednesday’s eyes, which presents a brand-new framing of familiar characters like Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Gomez (Luis Guzmán), and Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez). The show stays true to Wednesday’s signature deadpan humor, but it also develops her character beyond that. Whether it’s her emerging psychic abilities or her unexpected friendship with her pastel-loving werewolf roommate, Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers), the Netflix series reimagines the iconic character in a way that feels emotional yet still creepy enough. Ortega really shines in her role, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else taking on the titular role except for her. At the same time, Wednesday gives the Addams Family universe a level of detail that has never really been explored on screen. It’s this balance of nostalgia and reinvention that makes Netflix one of the streamer’s most popular fantasy titles.
9
‘One Piece’ (2023–)
Netflix’s One Piece live-action adaptation is one of the platform’s biggest breakout hits, and that really came as a surprise. The show adapts Eiichiro Oda‘s beloved manga of the same name, and while many fans thought it wouldn’t do justice to the source material, the fantasy series proved everyone wrong with its level of sincerity. One Piece follows the young Poraye Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy), who is on a quest to find the legendary One Piece and become King of the Pirates. The setup works in anime and manga form, but is definitely hard to pull off in live action without feeling cartoonish. However, the show embraces the manga’s eccentricity and creates a bold world full of sea monsters and superpowered misfits. Godoy delivers a compelling performance, and his crew, Zoro (Mackenyu), Nami (Emily Rudd), Usopp (Jacob Gibson), and Sanji (Taz Skylar), are as true to the source material as ever.
Just like the anime, the heart of the story isn’t just adventure, but the idea of a group of outsiders choosing one another as family. Even those unfamiliar with the manga can’t deny the old-school adventure charm of One Piece. The show doesn’t rely on CGI and makes use of massive practical sets to make the world feel lived-in, along with its vibrant costume design, high-energy fight choreography, and color palette. One Piece truly breaks the live-action curse, thanks to its smart production choices, and will go on to be a fantasy show for the ages.
10
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005–2008)
No animated series has ever come close to recreating the magic and brilliance of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The show debuted on Nickelodeon in 2005 and featured authentic Eastern philosophies, martial arts-inspired bending, and a coming-of-age story that has retained its impact over the years. The story is set in a world divided into four elemental nations and follows Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), the young Avatar who is destined to restore balance. Aang sets out on a journey across the four nations with Katara (Mae Whitman) and Sokka (Jack De Sena) to master the elements and confront the trauma of being the last Air Nomad.
The animated series balances lighthearted humor with intense themes, and each episode is a thoughtful lesson in identity and the choices one must make for the greater good. The show features some of the most well-rounded, thoughtfully crafted characters you will ever see on screen. Whether it’s Katara’s water-bending, Sokka’s unexpected intelligence, or Zuko’s (Dante Basco) memorable redemption arc, the show spends a lot of time developing all of this with sincerity. Not to mention that every new culture Aang encounters deepens the story with unique philosophies and important lessons. Avatar: The Last Airbender is a masterpiece of animated storytelling and only grows more meaningful every time you watch it.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Release Date
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2005 – 2008
- Network
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Nickelodeon
- Showrunner
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Michael Dante DiMartino
- Directors
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Giancarlo Volpe, Ethan Spaulding, Lauren MacMullan, Dave Filoni, Joaquim Dos Santos, Anthony Lioi
