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It’s one of those things that book readers everywhere dread: the adaptation. I think there’s a real reason to be cautious when it comes to these announcements. It’s because of little things like the movie Eragon, for example. We’ve been burnt before.
But that doesn’t mean there are no good fantasy shows out there. Here are my top 5 favorite fantasy shows and where to stream them. They just happen to all be exemplary adaptations, too!
Shadow and Bone
I would be extremely remiss if I didn’t mention the Netflix adaptation of one of my most favorite book series. The first season of Shadow and Bone is actually a combination of the plots of both Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy and her Six of Crows duology. Not surprisingly, news of a second season has been announced.
Quick synopsis: Mapmaker Alina holds the key to ending the terror of the Shadow Fold while a gang led by criminal mastermind Kaz Brekker plots to kidnap her for the biggest payday they’ve ever had.
For people into: heist jobs, full cast shows, and robust magic systems
Where to stream: Netflix
Game of Thrones
Okay, I hear you. We don’t have to talk about the last season.
But to ignore the rest of the series would be a mistake, in my opinion. There’s just no getting around talking about Game of Thrones when one brings up the best fantasy shows to stream. Or even the best fantasy shows of all time. The eight season epic is based on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series.
Quick synopsis: The houses of Westeros vie for the ultimate power, the Iron Throne, in a world facing an impending winter that will last years.
For people into: full cast shows, grimdark fantasy, power and political dynamics, and families/dynasties/lines of successorship
Where to stream: HBO Max
The Witcher
The Witcher is one of my favorites on this list. The series is an adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher book series which has also spawned a series of video games. The second season was released on December 17, 2021.
Quick synopsis: Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter created with magic, finds his destiny intertwined with those of an orphaned princess of a burnt kingdom and a sorceress with everything to prove.
For people into: retired, grizzled adventurer types, chosen one stories, and grimdark fantasy
Where to stream: Netflix
Wheel of Time
So, this is the only one on this list that I haven’t seen yet, but it’s at the top of my watch list. The Wheel of Time is based on the book series of the same name by Robert Jordan and co-author Brandon Sanderson. The entire first season is available to stream, and a second season has been announced.
Quick synopsis: Moiraine, a member of an organization of women known to wield the One Power, searches for the prophesized individual destined to either save the world or destroy it.
For people into: epic battles, full cast shows, and twists on traditional ideas of gender
Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video
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Castlevania
This is one I don’t see talked about nearly enough. Castlevania is an adult animated series based on the video games of the same name. The best way I could describe it as a dark, medieval take on Dracula with demons, vampires, witches, and monster hunters.
Quick synopsis: When Dracula’s wife is burnt at the stake for a crime she wasn’t guilty of, he vows revenge against the humans of Wallachia by unleashing his army of demons. His half-human son, a monster hunter from a disgraced family, and a magician unite to stop him.
For people into: Dracula (duh) but also Dungeons and Dragons, the Salem witch trials, adult animation, and buddy love stories (aw)
Where to stream: Netflix
What are your favorite fantasy shows? Let me know with a comment!
