:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-fantasy-shows-091624-81b38f36053944aaa826a9e8abe6ad5f.jpg "The 22 best streaming fantasy shows for a bit of wonder while you watch")
Escapism never felt so good. The 22 best streaming fantasy shows for a bit of wonder while you watch Escapism never felt so good. By James Mercadante, David Reddish, and Ilana Gordon January 4, 2026 10:00 a.m. ET Leave a Comment :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/bestfantasyshows09162481b38f36053944aaa826a9e8abe6ad5f.jpg) Milly Alcock as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen on 'House of the Dragon'; Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson on 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'; Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven on 'Stranger Things'. Credit: HBO; Disney/David Bukach; Netflix Open the escape hatch; it's time to exit reality.
Escapism never felt so good.
The 22 best streaming fantasy shows for a bit of wonder while you watch
Escapism never felt so good.
By James Mercadante, David Reddish, and Ilana Gordon
January 4, 2026 10:00 a.m. ET
Leave a Comment
Milly Alcock as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen on 'House of the Dragon'; Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson on 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'; Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven on 'Stranger Things'. Credit:
HBO; Disney/David Bukach; Netflix
Open the escape hatch; it's time to exit reality.
The fantasy shows on this list represent some of the most engaging and entertaining ways to distract your brain, featuring scheming royals, overburdened witches, and time-traveling nurses. Adapted from best-selling novels or straight from the showrunners' wildest dreams, these fantastical series are sure to give you the mental vacation you deserve.
Journey on for the 22 best fantasy shows currently streaming.
Bewitched (1964–1972)
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Dick York as Darrin Stephens and Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens on 'Bewitched'. Everett Collection
In the grand scheme of campy sitcom silliness, *Bewitched* sweeps past the competition on a magic broomstick. ABC's eight-season classic flew Elizabeth Montgomery to fame as Samantha, a witch who marries mortal Darren (Dick York, later replaced by Dick Sargent) despite the disapproval of her all-powerful mother (Agnes Moorehead).
Though numerous attempts at a reboot have become non-starters — and the less said about the 2005 movie remake, the better — nothing beats the original fantasy show's bubbly allure. Even 60-plus years after its debut, *Bewitched* proves to be timeless TV magic. —*David Reddish*
Where to watch *Bewitched*: Hulu
**Cast:** Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, Agnes Moorehead, Dick Sargent, David White
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
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Michelle Trachtenberg as Dawn Summers and Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.
20th Century Fox/Everett
The ultimate TV It Girl doesn't just rule Sunnydale High — she slays vampires...in heels! California teen Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) already has her hands full with the usual adolescent pressures, but throw in the responsibility of being the chosen Slayer, destined to defeat all evil? That's a whole other beast.
Joss Whedon's *Buffy the Vampire Slayer** *became an Emmy-winning cult sensation, with fans obsessing over every battle, outfit, love triangle, and snappy Buffy-ism. Though some of its '90s quirks may now feel a little passé, the WB fantasy show still stands as a feminist touchstone, breaking away from the 1992 film's damsel-in-distress trope to deliver a complex, empowered hero. —*James Mercadante*
Where to watch *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*: Hulu
**EW grade: **A–
**Cast: **Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head
Charmed (1998–2006)
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Holly Marie Combs as Piper Halliwell, Shannen Doherty as Prue Halliwell, and Alyssa Milano as Phoebe Halliwell on 'Charmed'.
Richard Cartwright/The WB Television Network/Everett Collection
The Halliwell sisters — psychic Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), telekinetic Prue (Shannen Doherty), time-freezing Piper (Holly Marie Combs), and (later) healing Paige (Rose McGowan) — accede to their fates as the Charmed Ones, the most powerful good witches who must beat dark forces one spell at a time. In between saving the world, they're busy juggling their love lives, dodging skeptical FBI agents, and maintaining normalcy. With plenty of drama both on and off screen, it's nearly impossible to recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of *Charmed* (though the CW reboot gave it a shot with a four-season run). —*J.M.*
Where to watch *Charmed*: Peacock
**Cast: **Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan, T. W. King
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019)
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Brea (voice: Anya Taylor-Joy) on 'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance'. Kevin Baker/Netflix
Set in the mythical world of Thra, this prequel series to Jim Henson's 1982 cult feature follows tribes of the elf-like species, Gelflings, fighting back against the genocidal Skeksis (an alien race set on dominating the planet).
Lauded by EW's writer as a "visually spectacular feat of magnificent world-building," *The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance* combines cutting-edge special effects with the classic art of puppetry. The series was canceled after one season due to massive production expenses, but it undoubtedly surpasses the original in terms of technical achievement and storytelling, with more accessible characters, a grander plot, and deeper emotional resonance. —*D.R.*
Where to watch *The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance*: Netflix
**Cast: **Sigourney Weaver, Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nathalie Emmanuel, Shazad Latif
A Discovery of Witches (2018–2022)
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Teresa Palmer as Diana Bishop on 'A Discovery of Witches'. Simon Ridgway/Bad Wolf Productions/Sundance Now
In a world where supernatural beings hide in plain sight, Oxford historian and witch Diana Bishop (Teresa Palmer) discovers a long-forgotten, enchanted manuscript that reveals the esoteric truths of magical creatures. As she joins vampire and biochemistry scholar Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode) in protecting the book from dark forces, their all-consuming attraction goes against the Covenant's strict ban on interspecies relationships.
Based on Deborah Harkness' *All Souls* trilogy, *A Discovery of Witches** *unveils a steamy, *Romeo and Juliet*-style fantasy romance that remains true to its source material while also reimagining elements for the screen. Plus, Palmer and Goode's oh-so-palpable chemistry conjures up a hypnotic charm that even Harkness couldn't resist. —*J.M.*
Where to watch *A Discovery of Witches*: Netflix
**Cast: **Teresa Palmer, Matthew Goode, Edward Bluemel, Louise Brealey, Malin Buska
Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
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Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark and Kit Harington as Jon Snow on 'Game of Thrones'.
Helen Sloan/HBO
Based on George R. R. Martin's fantasy books, HBO's Emmy-winning series about political rivalry in a world of magic and dragons raised the bar on technical and dramatic innovation on television…not to mention wild sexual content.
Anyone who couldn't get enough *Lord of the Rings* won't want to miss this eight-season ride. Replete with plenty of shocking plot twists, violence, and soapy backstabbing, EW's critic praised it for its ability to become a "generational phenomenon, uniting viewers in a shared symbolic perspective of the world." —*D.R.*
Where to watch *Game of Thrones*: HBO Max
**EW grade:** B
**Cast: **Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Rose Leslie, Gwendoline Christie, Maisie Williams
Ghosts (2021–present)
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Richie Moriarty as Pete Martino, Devan Chandler Long as Thorfinn, Sheila Carrasco as Flower, Rebecca Wisocky as Hetty Woodstone, Danielle Pinnock as Alberta Haynes, and Brandon Scott Jones as Isaac Higgintoot on 'Ghosts'.
Jonathan Wenk/CBS
When NYC journalist Samantha Arondekar (Rose McIver) inherits a beautiful country estate, she and her chef husband, Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar), see only one option: turn it into a bed-and-breakfast! Little do they know the property is already occupied by quirky ghosts who haven't yet been "sucked off" to the afterlife — and they're more than ready to scare the couple out of their business venture.
Based on the eponymous British series, *Ghosts* has become a sleeper hit for CBS, with growing audiences (thanks to TikTok!) as it's in the middle of its fifth season. While each character comes from a distinct era and cultural background, the ensemble's unique and upbeat dynamic is the perfect recipe for some cozy, escapist entertainment. —*J.M.*
Where to watch *Ghosts*: Paramount+
**Cast:** Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Brandon Scott Jones, Danielle Pinnock, Richie Moriarty
House of the Dragon (2022–present)
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Olivia Cooke as Queen Alicent Hightower and Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole on 'House of the Dragon'.
Theo Whiteman/HBO
Thankfully, *Game of Thrones* fans didn't have to wait long for another trip to Westeros. *House of the Dragon* takes viewers to the height of the Targaryen dynasty, where King Viserys (Paddy Considine) defies centuries of tradition by naming his daughter, Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy), as heir to the Iron Throne. However, the birth of Viserys' son, Daemon (Matt Smith), erupts tensions that will ultimately cause the brutal war of succession known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Already racking up 15 Emmy nominations (and two wins), this HBO prequel series reinvigorates the franchise with breathtaking cinematography and CGI, stellar directing choices, and exceptional performances — offering a satisfying counterbalance to *GOT*'s divisive end. *—J.M.*
Where to watch *House of the Dragon*: HBO Max
**EW grade:** B
**Cast: **Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans
Locke & Key (2020–2022)
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Connor Jessup as Tyler Locke, Emilia Jones as Kinsey Locke, and Darby Stanchfield as Nina Locke on 'Locke & Key'. Amanda Matlovich/Netflix
After a decade of rotting in "development hell," Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez's horror-fantasy comic made it to the screen. Following the murder of their father, siblings Tyler (Connor Jessup), Kinsey (Emilia Jones), and Bode (Jackson Robert Scott) are relocated to his eerie Victorian estate in Massachusetts. There, they find themselves in a high-stakes battle with a demon (Laysla De Oliveria) over a set of magical keys hidden throughout the house.
While *Locke & Key* leans on a few fantasy clichés, it also elevates the genre with ingenious storytelling and tear-jerking depth. As EW's critic writes, the series is a "*Goosebumps* for grown-ups, or *Stranger Things* on antidepressants" — achieving "an entertaining and heartfelt family adventure about growing up [and] coping with loss." —*J.M.*
Where to watch *Locke & Key*: Netflix
**EW grade: **B+
**Cast: **Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Jackson Robert Scott, Darby Stanchfield, Laysla De Oliveria
Masters of the Universe: Revelation (2021)
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Skeletor (voice: Mark Hamill) and He-Man (voice: Chris Wood) on 'Masters of the Universe: Revelation'.
More than 30 years after *He-Man and the Masters of the Universe *aired, this Netflix sequel series takes the extraordinary step of letting the original plot grow into something darker and more mature. When a cataclysmic battle kills both He-Man (Chris Wood) and Skeletor (Mark Hamill), former enemies Teela (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Evil-Lyn (Lena Headey) must join forces to restore magic to the universe and save their dying planet.
*Masters of the Universe: Revelation* has no shortage of daring storytelling choices and gasp-worthy plot twists, but it also offers a thrilling adventure with first-rate voice acting and eye-popping animations. —*D.R.*
Where to watch *Masters of the Universe: Revelation*: Netflix
**Cast: **Chris Wood, Mark Hamill, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liam Cunningham, Lena Headey
Here are all the 'Game of Thrones' spinoffs in the works
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Everything we know about 'Blood of My Blood,' the 'Outlander' prequel — plus, first look images
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My Lady Jane (2024)
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Emily Bader as Lady Jane Grey, Robyn Betteridge as Margaret Grey, Isabella Brownson as Katherine Grey, and Anna Chancellor as Lady Frances Grey on 'My Lady Jane'.
While Lady Jane Grey's real historical reign was cut short by a wrongful execution, Emily Bader's anachronistic character skirts around the guillotine but is still roped into marrying Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel) — an Ethian who transforms into a horse — and being crowned queen overnight. Once Jane takes the throne, she becomes the prime target of villainous schemers eager to usurp her.
A feminist revision of history, *My Lady Jane* is a campy, *Princess Bride*-meets-*Ladyhawke* romp full of romantic tension and Oliver Chris' hilariously self-aware narrations. Though Amazon Prime Video pulled the plug after one season, more than 75,000 fans signed a petition to bring it back. —*J.M.*
Where to watch *My Lady Jane*: Amazon Prime Video
**Cast:** Emily Bader, Edward Bluemel, Anna Chancellor, Rob Brydon, Jordan Peters
Outlander (2014–present)
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Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser and Caitríona Balfe as Claire Randall on 'Outlander'.
Sony Pictures Television
World War II combat nurse Claire Randall (Caitríona Balfe) is mysteriously transported to 1743, where she meets hulking Highland warrior Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). Despite her marriage to MI6 officer Frank (Tobias Menzies), neither war, sickness, captivity, nor multiple time jumps can break the kismet between Claire and Jamie.
Based on Diana Gabaldon's book series, *Outlander** *has lured audiences with its sweeping historical fantasy and once-in-a-lifetime(s) love story. EW's critic says it best: "What gets me the most hot is the romance — and how everything else the show does well makes the romance more ravishing." The eighth/final season will premiere on March 6, 2026. —*J.M.*
Where to watch *Outlander*: Starz
**EW grade:** A–
**Cast:** Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Tobias Menzies, Graham McTavish
Penny Dreadful (2014–2016)
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Eva Green as Vanessa Ives on 'Penny Dreadful'.
Great horror fantasies often walk the line between terror and camp, and *Penny Dreadful* finds the razor's edge. This show about a haunted woman (Eva Green) on the run from evil takes a page from the Universal Monsters playbook, as it mashes up tales of vampires, werewolves, witches, Satanists, and monsters as they run amok in Victorian London.
Gothic visuals and bombastic performances are sure to pull horror buffs into *Penny Dreadful*'s world. Yet what elevates the show is its focus on gender relations and atoning for the sins of the past, adding layers of depth beyond its lurid plotting and somewhat ridiculousness. —*D.R.*
Where to watch *Penny Dreadful*: Paramount+
**Cast:** Reeve Carney, Timothy Dalton, Eva Green, Rory Kinnear, Billie Piper
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023–present)
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Leah Sava Jeffries as Annabeth, Aryan Simhadri as Grover, and Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson on 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'.
*Percy Jackson* readers had every reason to lament the lackluster film adaptations of Rick Riordan's YA fantasy novels. Thankfully, this Disney+ series captures Camp Half-Blood the way it was always intended to be seen. Walker Scobell takes on the role of the titular 12-year-old who discovers he's the son of Poseidon with extraordinary powers (oh, also that Greek myths are true and he's been framed for stealing Zeus' lightning bolt).
With Riordan penning scripts and serving as a producer, this show faithfully revives fan-favorite elements while embracing the youthful spirit of its main characters. As EW's critic writes, "Scobell brings a wide-eyed charisma to the role" while the lead trio of Percy, Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), and Grover (Aryan Simhadri) "have a crackling chemistry." Season 2 began Dec. 10 and drops new episodes every Wednesday through Jan. 21. —*J.M.*
Where to watch *Percy Jackson and the Olympians*: Disney+
**EW grade:** B+
**Cast:** Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Daniel Diemer, Dior Goodjohn
Pushing Daisies (2007–2009)
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Anna Friel as Charlotte 'Chuck' Charles and Lee Pace as Ned on 'Pushing Daisies'.
ABC/Adam Taylor
The facts were these: The 2007/2008 Writers Guild strike was responsible for many television deaths, but one of the saddest was the cancellation of *Pushing Daisies*, an hour-long comedy-drama that aired on ABC for only two seasons, despite its seven Emmy wins. The show follows professional pie maker Ned (Lee Pace), who possesses a supernatural, albeit slightly inconvenient, gift — he can wake the dead with just one touch, but if he touches the person more than once, they'll die again. *Pushing Daisies *offers a whimsical plot and the kind of beautiful production design that would have inspired many a Pinterest board — if Pinterest had been around back in 2007. *—Ilana Gordon*
Where to watch *Pushing Daisies*: HBO Max
**EW grade: **A–
**Cast: **Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Field Cate, Kristin Chenoweth
Stranger Things (2016–present)
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Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers (front), Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler on 'Stranger Things'.
Netflix/Everett Collection
Combining classic horror tropes with '80s nostalgia, Netflix's groundbreaking phenomenon follows a group of plucky, small-town kids that stumble onto a government conspiracy involving a parallel universe brimming with monsters. Known as the show that redefined binge-watching from casual viewing to ravenous fixation, the real appeal of *Stranger Things*, as EW's critic writes, comes from its "fresh locales, appealing new characters, and a rewarding expansion of the mythology." We feel the same joy every time we watch — part 2 of the final season drops Dec. 25, while the last episode of the series airs on Dec. 31. —*D.R.*
Where to watch *Stranger Things*: Netflix
**Cast: **Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo
Twin Peaks (1990–1991)
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Kyle MacLachlan as Special Agent Dale Cooper on 'Twin Peaks'.
Critics originally wrote off *Twin Peaks* as both too sophisticated and satirical for mainstream TV (EW's own critic declared there wasn't "a chance in hell" the show would ever connect). Yet the show, centered on the murder of Laura Palmer, became a surprise sensation — lasting two seasons, spawning a prequel movie, and returning two decades later for a revival season.
But wait: Isn't the show just a soap opera? Surrealist nonsense? Not quite. *Twin Peaks* is a world rife with magic and mystery, filled with demonic possessions, time travel, parallel dimensions, and ritual sacrifice. Just like all things *Peaks-*related, the seemingly standard whodunnit premise holds mystical secrets of its own. —*D.R.*
Where to watch *Twin Peaks*: Paramount+
**EW grade: **A+
**Cast:** Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, Richard Beymer
The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)
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Ian Somerhalder as Damon and Paul Wesley as Stefan on 'The Vampire Diaries'.
Bob Mahoney/The CW
As if dealing with survivor's guilt isn't enough, orphaned teen Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) discovers her world is far stranger than she imagined: Her new boyfriend and his brother are 100-plus-year-old vampires; her best friend is a witch; werewolves are real; and the supernatural has seeped into every corner of Mystic Falls, Va. Oh, she also has an evil doppelgänger to worry about…
Based on L.J. Smith's book series, *The Vampire Diaries* offers some of the most richly layered and multifaceted characters the CW has ever seen (with a stellar cast bringing them to life). Its rapid-fire storytelling and plot twists kept viewers under compulsion for eight seasons, paving the way for several successful spinoffs. —*J.M.*
Where to watch *The Vampire Diaries*: HBO Max
**EW grade:** B+
**Cast:** Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Steven R. McQueen, Kat Graham
WandaVision (2021)
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Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch in 'WandaVision'. Marvel Studios
When *WandaVision* premiered in 2021, the first third of the miniseries was groundbreaking TV. Each of the first three episodes takes place in a different decade and parodies a different generational style of sitcom. Wanda and Vision solve the problems that plagued TV characters in the '50s, '60s, and '70s, but by the end of the third episode, it's clear that dark, destructive forces are at work here.
The Marvel faithful will appreciate the seeds the show planted to kick off Phase Four of the MCU, and the Marvel uninitiated will enjoy watching Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany engage in a playful romp, pleasures that were denied their characters during their earlier movies. EW's critic calls the show "the best original series on Disney+." *—I.G.*
Where to watch *WandaVision*: Disney+
**EW grade: **B+
**Cast: **Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Debra Jo Rupp, Fred Melamed, Kathryn Hahn
What We Do in the Shadows (2019–2024)
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Kayvan Novak as Nandor and Harvey Guillén as Guillermo de la Cruz on 'What We Do in the Shadows'. Russ Martin/FX
Staten Island might be home to several *Jersey Shore* icons, but it also holds four centuries-old vampire roommates: self-appointed leader Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak), sexually liberated Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), British dandy Laszlo (Matt Berry), and day-walking Colin (Mark Proksch). Among them is their human familiar, Guillermo (Harvey Guillén), who tries to keep up with the clan's everyday chaos in hopes of one day becoming immortal.
Viewers adore FX's *What We Do in the Shadows* — inspired by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's 2014 film — for its irreverent, *Addams Family*–meets–*The Office* spin on the vampire mythos, with its ensemble cast delivering some of the sharpest, toothiest lines on TV. —*J.M.*
Where to watch *What We Do in the Shadows*: Hulu
**Cast: **Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch
The Wheel of Time (2021–2025)
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Madeleine Madden as Egwene Al'Vere and Josha Stradowski as Rand al'Thor on 'The Wheel of Time'. Jan Thijs/Amazon Studios
Based on Robert Jordan's beloved book series, *The Wheel of Time** *stars Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike as Moiraine, a sorceress investigating an ancient prophecy about a reincarnated being powerful enough to save the world — or destroy it.
Though EW's critic notes that this series wants to be heir to *Game of Thrones*' success, despite being less accessible, its massive budget delivers lush visuals and top-notch effects. The dense mythology may challenge some viewers, but even *GOT *had early hurdles in adapting its source material. —*D.R.*
Where to watch *The Wheel of Time*: Amazon Prime Video
**Cast: **Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Josha Stradowski
Xena: Warrior Princess (1995–2001)
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Lucy Lawless as Xena on 'Xena: Warrior Princess'. Everett Collection
No list of great fantasy shows would be complete without *Xena: Warrior Princess*, the '90s adventure series that made a household name out of star Lucy Lawless. Each episode finds Xena (Lawless) and her companion Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) encountering characters from both history and mythology.
Originally a by-product of the action series *Hercules: The Legendary Journeys*, *Xena* would go on to even greater success over its six-season run, maintaining a devoted fan base all these years later, one which holds the title character up as a feminist icon. —*D.R.*
Where to watch *Xena: Warrior Princess*: Amazon Prime Video
**EW grade:** B+
**Cast:** Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Connor, Ted Raimi, Kevin Smith, Hudson Leick
- Sci-Fi & Fantasy Shows
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Source: "EW Sci-Fi"
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Source: Sci-Fi
Published: January 04, 2026 at 10:38PM on Source: RON MAG
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Escapism never felt so good. The 22 best streaming fantasy shows for a bit of wonder while you watch Escapism never fel...
