Summary
Fantasytelevision contains some of the most imaginative storytelling in visual media, and the best fantasy TV shows of 2024 all exemplify this ability. Of course, there’s overlap between fantasy shows and the other great genre TV that’s been put out in recent years. However, fantasy distinguishes itself with its magic, otherworldly settings, and plots that bend the forces of nature and reality. Not to mention,there were fantastic performances achieved by actors in the past year.Transforming into characters who inhabit another world and translating complex interpersonal dynamics demonstrates the strength of a show.
Translating the visual language and magic systems from the written word into sets, costumes, and effects can be difficult, but the creative teams behind fantasy shows are dedicated to living up to audience expectations.
It’s common for fantasy series to be adapted from existing IP,and many greatfantasy books are getting movie and TV adaptations. Translating the visual language and magic systems from the written word into sets, costumes, and effects can be difficult, but the creative teams behind fantasy shows are dedicated to living up to audience expectations. However, there are also plenty of projects that are completely new and are breaking ground in introducing fantasy to new generations of audiences. As technological developments increase in ability and prowess in film, there will only be an influx of fantastic achievements on TV.
10 Fantasy Book Series That Never Get Old
Some fantasy book series can be read over and over and still feel just as magical as the first time around, allowing them to stand the test of time.
10Echo (2024)
Echo is Disney+’s underrated miniseries that introduced new characters and paid tribute to old ones.
The protagonist ofEcho, Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox), was a featured character inHawkeye, the 2021 show that Marvel produced in 2021. After the events ofHawkeye,Maya is on the run and her story is in the perfect position to get its own focus.She goes to Oklahoma to reconnect with her family, but that doesn’t mean that the past is fully behind her.Echodoes a good job of balancing the serious moments and Maya’s coming to grips with her past with the brilliantly choreographed action sequences that feature Cox’s skills as a performer and an action star.
As a miniseries, it’s unlikely thatEchowill return, but after her strong work in the show, it’s likely that audiences haven’t seen the last of Cox. Just five episodes long, the series had a lot of ground to cover but paced itself well overall. Everyfemale-led MCU movies and TV showsface additional scrutiny and judgment, but it’s one of the best projects from the company.Echois a great step forward for Marvel in being taken more seriouslyand grappling with darker, more complex tones.
Marvel’s Echo
Cast
Alaqua Cox returns as the anti-hero Maya Lopez in Marvel’s Echo, one of the street-level MCU’s Disney+ series that take place during the Multiverse Saga. After her confrontation with Clint Barton and Kate Bishop in Phase 4’s Hawkeye, the titular Echo returns to her hometown and reconnects with her Native American heritage.
9The Acolyte (2024)
Despite the pressure of the Star Wars franchise, The Acolyte has its strong points.
TheStar Warsmovies and TV shows have always operated on the line between sci-fi and fantasy, andThe Acolyteis an enjoyable new installment of the franchise.The Acolyteis interesting becauseit’s set before the events ofThe Phantom Menaceand explores an unseen conflict between a Jedi Master and Padawanthat becomes a conflict long before Darth Vader rises to power. Starring Amandla Stenberg, the series features her playing the twins Osha and Mae, who reside on opposite sides of the force.
It’s important for theStar Warscanon that shows likeThe Acolyteare made and allow the stories of the universe to expand and grow.
The Acolytefocuses on modern stories within the context ofStar Warsbut still stays true to the lore in a way that makes sense and enriches the series. One of the biggest complaints lodged against the show was that the pacing was a little slow, and the characters could have been more fully developed, but this argument can be made about many shows in theStar Warsuniverse. It’s important for theStar Warscanon that shows likeThe Acolyteare made and allow the stories of the universe to expand and grow.
The Acolyte
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
8Sweet Tooth (2021–2024)
Sweet Tooth’s final season gives the characters their due and promises a better future.
Equal parts dark and hopeful,Sweet Toothhas been a unique part of the television landscape since its premiere in 2021, and though the third season was the last, it provided a solid finish. The three-season arc was the perfect amount of time to tell the storySweet Toothset out to tell. Despite featuring a child, Gus (Christian Convery), as a lead character,the post-apocalyptic worldSweet Toothis set in is full of dangers, prejudice, and experimental science.The show’s conceit is that human-animal hybrids begin being born in the aftermath of a pandemic.
Much of the series revolves around the discrimination that these young hybrids face,as so many of them are children. Like all great fantasy,Sweet Toothcan be seen as a commentary on contemporary culture. Post-apocalyptic narratives are more popular than ever, and even amidst this oversaturation of the genre,Sweet Toothmanages to bring something new to the table. Based on the comic series by Jeff Lemire,Sweet Toothwill be missed, but the final season wraps up the story with heart and excitement.
Sweet Tooth
Based on the comic series of the same name, Sweet Tooth is set in the not-too-distant future, post-apocalyptic United States in the wake of a devastating viral pandemic. After the disease decimated the world’s population, some children began to be born with human and animal hybrid characteristics. Many people are afraid of the hybrids, believing them to be the cause of the virus. When his father is killed, a young deer hybrid named Gus (Christian Convery) embarks on a quest to find his mother with the help of a traveler and loner named Tommy Jeppard (Nonso Anozie).
7Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024–Present)
Based on the beloved animated series, the live-action Avatar was hotly anticipated.
Regardless, the beautifully plotted and developed story arc across the three seasons is revered as some of the best animated television of all time, children’s or not.
The originalAvatar: The Last Airbenderran for a complete three seasons on Nickelodeon and has an incredible legacy and millions of adoring fans who grew up watching the show or discovered it later in life. Regardless, the beautifully plotted and developed story arc across the three seasons is revered as some of the best animated television of all time, children’s or not. Due to this popularity,it was only a matter of time before the IP was picked up to make a live-action show.
This occurred in the wake of the failure of the live-action movie that was panned by critics and fans alike, and Netflix spent a long time casting, writing, and producing the series. Though it didn’t quite live up to the high standards set by the fans,the visual effects are far better than that of the movie,and the casting was accurate to the ages and characterization of the characters. There’s no doubt that the live-action show will continue for many more seasons and only get better with each installment.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender follows a young boy, the Avatar, who embarks on a quest to master the four elemental powers. Tasked with saving a world engulfed in war, he must confront a relentless adversary determined to thwart his mission.
Dead Boy Detectivescomes from the world of theSandmancomics by Neil Gaiman and is full of the trademark gothic fantasy that Gaiman is known for. TheSandmancomics are some ofNeil Gaiman’s best books, andtheDead Boy Detectivesfeature some characters that were inThe Sandmanserieswhich was an intriguing crossover for viewers who watched both shows.Dead Boy Detectiveschronicles the story of Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri) and Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) who are the ghosts of two young boys who investigate murders.
Though it has plenty of darkness and intrigue, younger audiences might be more inclined to seek outDead Boy Detectivesbecause it features stories about adolescence and young love. While the Endless are a large part of theSandmanuniverse,Dead Boy Detectivesfocuses more heavily on the paranormal and the thin line between life and deathin the context of the story. With two charismatic leads in Revri and Rextrew, exciting things are in store forDead Boy Detectives.
Dead Boy Detectives
Based on the DC series, Dead Boy Detectives is a supernatural comedy-mystery series created for Netflix. Two young men from different find one another in death but decide to skip the afterlife and remain among the living with a new purpose - to solve various supernatural mysteries the way only two deceased detectives can.
5Blood Of Zeus (2020–Present)
With gorgeous animation and original stories, Blood of Zeus stands apart in the Greek myth genre.
Blood of Zeusis a great example of how adult animation has evolved and how Greek mythology has taken hold of cultural interest. Last year, the television adaptation ofPercy Jackson and the Olympianscame out in late 2023 and demonstrates how there has never been more space for retellings of myths on TV. However,Blood of Zeustakes the individualized approach of creating new stories and delivering them under the guise of being legends lost to time.The protagonist, Heron, is a demigod and son of Zeus who faces many challenges.
Blood of Zeusis an epic in every sense, taking the viewers to situations and enthralling them with stories that transcend the boundaries of imagination.
Audiences have been waiting a long time forBlood of Zeusseason 2, asseason 1 dropped in 2020, and there was enormous pressure for the series to deliveron the hype from the first outing. The animation style has been praised since the beginning, but season 2 pushes the skills on display to new heights.Blood of Zeusis an epic in every sense, taking the viewers to situations and enthralling them with stories that transcend the boundaries of imagination. IfBlood of Zeusseason 3 is half as good as the most recent season, it will succeed.
4Doctor Who (1965–Present)
After decades on the air and many new actors, Doctor Who continues to surprise and delight.
The latest season ofDoctor Whohas shown that the long-running series is anything but past its prime. It’s shown it will be able to nimbly evolve in the future. Ncuti Gatwa plays the fifteenth Doctor, and the new incarnation of the beloved character has put the show on track for an amazing string of upcoming seasons. Additionally,the return of Russell T. Davies has been excitingand has seen the series explore LGBTQ+ stories and themes more than ever before. Between Gatwa’s charm and Davies' new direction, viewers can expect plenty of fun fromDoctor Whothis year.
EachDoctor Whoseason 14 episodehas brought something unique to the table, and though there were some uneven episodes, on the whole, the season was strong.Doctor Whois a difficult show to write and execute, as it has a long history and many fanshave strong opinions about how the Doctor should be characterized. The current iteration ofDoctor Whopromises new ideas and fun visuals, and it will be interesting to see who the new companion is that joins Gatwa next season.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who: Released on June 25, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
3Interview With A Vampire (2022–Present)
This recent show is a brilliantly reimagined take on Anne Rice’s novel and the 1994 film.
Interview With The Vampireseason 2 encapsulates the second half of Rice’s book, but there are more installments of the novel series that the show can turn into additional seasons.
There are plenty of movies and TV shows about vampires, but Anne Rice managed to transform the genre with her 1976 book that generated new interest in the classic horror monster. Though the book was adapted into a film in 1994, it never eclipsed more than cult status among moviegoers and isn’t considered a faithful take on the story. However, this has changed with the 2022 showInterview With The Vampire, which recently dropped its second season and continues to update and transform the plot for modern audiences.
Interview With The Vampireseason 2 encapsulates the second half of Rice’s book, but there are more installments of the novel series that the show can turn into additional seasons. This is good news, asseason 2 is making waves and has only increased audience and critical appreciationfor the show. One of the thingsInterview With The Vampiredoes better than the book or movie is expand upon Louis' (Jacob Anderson) character and the issues with his relationship with Lestat (Sam Reid). Additionally, his bond with Claudia (Delainey Hayles) is even more complex and interesting in season 2.
Interview with the Vampire
Based on Anne Rice’s novel series that began in 1976, Interview with the Vampire is a gothic horror fantasy series that explores the life of Louis de Pointe du Lac through an interview with a journalist. Told through flashbacks of Louis' life during the interview, the series examines Louis' relationship with the vampire that turned him, Lestat de Lioncourt, and a teenage girl named Claudia, whom he turns. The series is the first of Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe media franchise.
2Parasyte: The Grey (2024–Present)
Based on the hit manga, this updated take on the Parasyte story is an exciting new development.
Part horror, sci-fi, and fantasy,Parasyte: The Greyencapsulates many genres and has a distinctive visual style developed based on the manga by Hitoshi Iwaaki. Its premise revolves around the aftermath of the invasion of aliens who take over the bodies of humans and transform them into grotesque monsters. However, for Jeong Su-in (Jeon So-nee), when a parasitic creature attempts to take over her body, something strange happens. She doesn’t die, but instead,the alien merges with her body, and she becomes something akin to a dark superhero.
Like all the best TV shows that blend sci-fi and fantasy,Parasyte: The Greycreates an inherent sense of mystery and excitement through its magic system and character relationships. Since its release,Parasyte: The Greyhas received almost universal acclaim and isconsidered an amazing successor to the manga, anime, and Japanese live-action film that preceded it.It’s a tall order to take on such a well-known and beloved IP and make it into something unique and engaging. However,Parasyte: The Greyhas connected with new audiences alongside longtime fans of the story.
Parasyte: The Grey
“Parasyte: The Grey” imagines a world where alien parasites begin taking over human hosts, blending horror with psychological drama. The story follows a young man who forms a symbiotic relationship with his alien parasite, leading to a morally complex journey as they confront other parasites threatening humanity. This adaptation adds a unique twist, focusing on the grey areas of survival, identity, and the essence of being human.
15 Best Sci-Fi TV Shows Of 2024
Sci-fi television has never been stronger, & the best shows of 2024 have made this even clearer with their amazing characters & innovative stories.
1House Of The Dragon (2022–Present)
The Game of Thrones spinoff has brought the franchise back with a vengeance.
The characters inHouse of the Dragoninclude greatfantasy heroines like Daenerys Targaryen, which isn’t surprising considering how many of them are her direct ancestors.Game of Throneswas written before the publication ofFire & Blood. However, George R.R. Martin’s fictional history of Westeros describes the political and cultural events that lead up to the story inGame of Thrones.House of the Dragonis the first spinoff to come from the fantasy juggernautGame of Thrones,which was responsible for catapulting fantasy TV back into the mainstream and became synonymous with HBO’s success in the 2010s.
Like any HBO fantasy series,House of the Dragongoes the extra mile in set design, costumes, and visual effects, setting it above much of the competition.
House of the Dragonseason 2 recently dropped, and it’s living up to the expectations set by season 1.The essential conflict between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke)is at the heart of the show, and the story is at its best when the actors work together. Like any HBO fantasy series,House of the Dragongoes the extra mile in set design, costumes, and visual effects, setting it above much of the competition. It remains to be seen if it will reach the heights ofGame of Thrones, but it’s doing well so far.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
