Fantasy demands more from its audience than many other genres. Starting a new show involves immersing oneself in a whole new world, its rules, its magic system, and, of course, all the characters that will propel the narrative… before the story can truly begin. This is precisely where weaker fantasy shows lose viewers, as the great ones understand the significance of harmonizing setup and plot.
The enjoyment of following a fantasy tale lies in exploring its world as the characters navigate through it. The series featured in this list not only achieved that balance early on and captivated the audience, but also managed to maintain that momentum throughout every season.
‘Blood of Zeus’ (2020–2025)
Image via Netflix
<em>Blood of Zeus</em> presents Greek mythology in its raw, chaotic, and dramatic essence. The animated series opens with Heron (Derek Phillips), an outcast in Ancient Greece who learns he is secretly the son of Zeus (Jason O’Mara). This revelation swiftly draws him into a conflict involving demons, vengeful gods, and the formidable Seraphim (Elias Toufexis), whose link to Heron complicates this struggle between good and evil. Blood of Zeus Season 1 delivers all the spectacle expected from a tale about Olympus, but it’s engaging because it allows the gods to be selfish and emotionally destructive, much like humans.
Season 2 delves deeper into the Underworld, while Season 3 resolves Heron’s relationships with his father and other gods satisfactorily. Blood of Zeus is as purposeful as a miniseries can be because every episode propels the narrative forward meaningfully. The show continually introduces characters from Greek mythology, yet never loses sight of Heron amid all that escalation. In achieving this, Blood of Zeus becomes as immersive as it is ambitious.
‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021–2023)
Image via Netflix
<em>Shadow and Bone</em>, based on Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels, is an expansive fantasy that never feels overly complicated. The narrative focuses on mapmaker Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li) who realizes she is a rare Sun Summoner capable of generating light. This ability suddenly elevates her status to one of the most significant individuals in Ravka, a kingdom divided by a massive wall of darkness known as the Shadow Fold, teeming with deadly creatures. The plot intensifies when General Kirigan (Ben Barnes, the enigmatic leader of the Grisha) takes Alina under his wing while her childhood friend Mal (Archie Renaux) desperately seeks to reconnect with her.
The show simultaneously introduces Kaz (Freddy Carter, Inej (Amita Suman, and Jesper (Kit Young)—a band of criminals whose storyline gradually intertwines with Alina’s. While this might seem overwhelming, Shadow and Bone succeeds in ensuring that lore does not overshadow its narrative. The first season carefully establishes Ravka, the Fold, and Alina’s relationship with Kirigan, revealing just how perilous her surroundings are. For such a detailed fantasy, Shadow and Bone succeeds in being surprisingly binge-worthy by weaving elements of romance, friendships, heists, and betrayals into its narrative. This unique blend gives the show a distinct personality that resonates with fans. It’s unfortunate that the series was canceled after two seasons since it truly set a standard for contemporary fantasy storytelling.
‘The Sandman’ (2022–2025)
The Sandman, based on‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s
