10 Fantasy TV Series That Prove Television Does World-Building Better Than Movies
Fantasy is one of the best and richest genres in entertainment. It comes with countless possibilities regarding characters, institutions, religions, societal structures, mystical lore, and, often, magical powers that defy all comprehension. As such, fantasy has become a certified fan favorite on both movies and TV, but it must be said that the latter is much better at constructing truly immersive fantasy worlds.
It makes sense that a long-form television program with multiple seasons can better develop a complicated yet engaging fantasy world than a two-hour movie. However, the shows on this list go out of their way to craft absorbing fantasy worlds that far surpass any motion picture. Sure, the budgets in movies might be higher, but television still prevails when it comes to lore and captivating storytelling.
‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023-Present)
Anime has some of the best fantasy stories in any medium, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is the perfect example. Based on the eponymous manga series, the story centers on Frieren, an elf mage with a lifespan of over a thousand years. When her former companions die of old age, Frieren finds herself invaded by a sense of guilt and sets out on a new journey with new companions, hoping to share one last meaningful encounter with her previous friends.
The world-building in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End finds the perfect balance between heavy lore and approachability. Most of it comes from interactions rather than exposition; Frieren discovers how her actions have helped improve the world and how she and her former companions have touched the lives of others. There is magic and mysticism here, but the focus is on Frieren’s internal growth, her newfound appreciation for humans, and her struggle to appreciate the beauty in their fleeting lives.
‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ (2023-2025)
Netflix’s Castlevania was a surprise hit that went on for four seasons and introduced a whole new audience to the Konami video game series. A sequel loosely based on the game Castlevania: Rondo of Blood came out in 2023, focusing on Richter Belmont (Edward Bluemel), a young vampire hunter who discovers a larger conspiracy seeking to provoke the rise of a so-called vampire messiah. It’s set during the French Revolution and features other well-known characters from the franchise, including Alucard (James Callis).
Castlevania: Nocturne might not have lasted as long as its predecessors, but it makes the most out of its two action-packed seasons. The show is far more dense and ambitious, featuring a complex plot that dates back to Ancient Egypt and involves genuine gods, mainly the goddess Sekhmet. Season 2 really goes all-in on the world-building, injecting what was already a supernatural story with a heavy dose of mysticism that not only involves mythology but also religion. The result is an audacious series, beautifully animated and emotionally poignant.
‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ (2022-Present)
Based on the first campaign of the web series Critical Role, The Legend of Vox Machina has become a true success for Prime Video. Set in the well-known world of Dungeons & Dragons, the show chronicles the quest of Vox Machina, a crew of eight unlikely heroes, as they try to avenge the murders of the rulers of Whitestone and their offspring at the hands of the evil Lord and Lady Briarwood.
The Legend of Vox Machina thrives on the strength of its writing, which balances humor with intense world-building. It can sometimes be a tad overwhelming, especially for the uninitiated, but it’s nothing that can’t be solved by a rewatch. More importantly, the show effortlessly captures what it feels like to be in an actual D&D campaign, enhancing the experience through a collection of instantly memorable characters. The animation is also a highlight, fluid and detailed, bringing to life these imaginary realms in striking fashion.
‘Gargoyles’ (1994-1997)
Gargoyles is among the most underrated animated shows of the ’90s. The series centers on a group of Gargoyles in Medieval Scotland, led by Goliath, who are betrayed, cursed, and turned to stone until the castle they reside in “rises above the clouds.” When they are transported to a New York City skyscraper, the curse lifts, and the gargoyles come back to life to act as nocturnal warriors.
Like all the best fantasy shows, Gargoyles thrives by creating a complex and enveloping world full of dark magic and supernatural threats. Moreover, the show really embraces the fantasy genre’s main tropes, including a heavy dose of mysticism, fairytales, folk tales, and even referencing religion. The gargoyles themselves are fascinating characters, particularly the stern and noble Goliath and the shifting Demona, quite possibly the best femme fatale in animation who acts as the show’s main antagonist, driven by her hatred for humanity.
‘Pushing Daisies’ (2007-2009)
Not every fantasy show needs to create entire new worlds to be compelling. Case in point, Bryan Fuller‘s delightfully quirky noughties comedy Pushing Daisies, starring an Emmy-nominated Lee Pace as Ned, a piemaker with the ability to bring people back from the dead with one touch; a second touch, however, will kill them forever. His life changes when he revives his childhood crush, Chuck (Anna Friel), dooming them to a contact-less existence.
Pushing Daisies thrives on its offbeat sense of humor, full of rapid-paced dialogue laced with quirky overtones. The performances are simply incredibly, especially an Emmy-winning Kristin Chenoweth as Ned’s love-struck co-worker, Olive. The rules of Ned’s powers are explained perfectly and lead to some hilarious situations, and the central conflict in his and Chuck’s relationships adds emotional stakes to an otherwise wacky comedy. Plus, Chenoweth’s musical numbers are the stuff of musical theater dreams. A third season is supposedly in development, so chances are we’ll see this group again.
‘The Wheel of Time’ (2021-2025)
Many shows have tried to be the next Game of Thrones, but The Wheel of Time is arguably the only one with enough ambition to actually achieve it. Based on the thirteen-book series by Robert Jordan, the show centers on the efforts of the Aes Sedai Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) to find and train the Dragon, a prophecized figure capable of either breaking or saving the world. Her quest leads her to five young individuals from a small town in the Two Rivers.
The Wheel of Time is high fantasy at its finest, using the genre’s main tropes to their fullest. The world is massive in scope, full of mystery and danger and featuring countless morally grey characters, each trying to survive in a merciless and seemingly unwinnable situation. The ability to channel the One Power, key to the main story, is interesting without being too overwhelming, as is the backstory regarding the Dragon’s previous incarnation and his battle against the dark. Sadly, Amazon canceled The Wheel of Time after three seasons, leaving this fascinating story incomplete.
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019)
Ah, Game of Thrones. Once seen as the crowning jewel of fantasy television, the show is now considered a cautionary tale for how not to end your story. The show adapts George R.R. Martin‘s A Song of Ice and Fire into eight seasons, chronicling the struggles of several noble families vying for the Iron Throne to control of the continent of Westeros. The story is sprawling, following numerous characters in different corners of this high fantasy world.
The books are fantasy masterpieces, and the first four seasons of the show are among the finest pieces of television we’ve ever seen. And while the second half of the show is much less consistent, the world-building laid out in those four initial years was brilliant enough to support the entire show. Westeros is one of the most fascinating and complex settings in television, a ruthless, hyper-violent world full of magic and danger. Game of Thrones features many fantasy tropes, including dragons and magic, but its world-building was strongest when focusing on character dynamics and politics.
‘Merlin’ (2008-2012)
A foundational entry in modern fantasy storytelling, Merlin is a gem of noughties television. The show reinvents the Arthurian legend by turning the legendary warlock Merlin, played by a delightful Colin Morgan, into Prince Arthur’s (Bradley James) contemporary rather than his senior. The two form a a bortherhood that guides Arthur to the throne of Camelot and ultimately to his demise during the prophesied Battle of Camlann.
Merlin successfully reconfigures a classic tale for a modern age. The show is full of zany comedy, to the point of often bordering on straight-up slapstick. The show borrows heavily from Arthurian Legend and the Matter of Britain to create exciting stories full of charm, but never forgetting the high stakes at play. You might already be aware of many aspects of the story, but that doesn’t take away from it; on the contrary, it eases you into the show’s world, thus allowing the enjoyment to come faster. Any fan of fantasy is bound to watch this incredible gem at one point in their genre education.
‘Sailor Moon’ (1992-1997)
The world of anime is rich with fantasy stories that embrace the genre’s possibilities, usually with a heavy dose of humor. Add in a generous dose of romance, and you get Sailor Moon, one of the defining works in the medium. The story is based on the manga by Naoko Takeuchi and follows Usagi Tsukino, a crybaby teen girl who discovers she is a Sailor Guardian meant to protect the world against the forces of the dark.
Sailor Moon thrives in creating a captivating world of urban fantasy. The backstory of Usagi and her fellow Sailor Guardians as galactic warriors in their previous lives is the initial hook, but the show expands that as it progresses. Sailor Moon was never afraid to get dark; the monster design was unique and creepy, and each season introduced new evil organizations, each one more powerful and layered than the one before. The Dark Kingdom and Shadow Galactica might be the best and most famous, but every enemy Usagi faces is quite effective and has a unique gimmick, from Black Moon to the Dead Moon Circus.
‘One Piece’ (1999-Present)
Few TV shows or movies can match the sheer scope of One Piece. The anime, based on the eponymous manga by Eiichiro Oda, has been going for over twenty years, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down any time soon. The series follows Monkey D. Luffy in his quest to recover the One Piece and become the King of the Pirates, accompanied by his crew, the Straw Hats.
One Piece benefits from a truly wild and borderline unhinged fantasy world. The characters are larger-than-life in both appearance and power, featuring wacky creations that come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Each new place is also delightfully over-the-top yet strangely inviting. Luffy is also among the most powerful characters in anime, but very relatable and endearing, making it very easy to root for. In fact, each character is very compelling, from Luffy’s fellow heroes to the many enemies he encounters as he travels across this fantasy world.
