10 Fantasy TV Shows With Strong Mystery Elements That Will Keep You Guessing

Mixture fantasy and mystery elements in a TV show aren't always an easy task, but the series that pull it off are some of the most engaging on television. While magic and world-building automatically set the best of the fantasy genre apart, Introducing an element of intrigue in the form of an overarching mystery, or even a crime component that the characters must investigate, successfully connects with viewers of all types. Whether the mystery is rooted in reality or is the element of fantasy itself, it creates automatic tension and stakes for the audience and characters.

Mystery series often make great fantasy TV shows for beginners, as it can be daunting to tell a speculative fiction story for the first time. However, most audiences are familiar with mystery series, as crime procedurals are some of the most popular projects on television. While Most fantasy shows that feature puzzles and detective stories are not episodic, they weave the mystery delicately throughout the season, elevating the overarching story and developing the characters. How and why strange circumstances occur and how it impacts the characters drives the narrative and keeps the audience watching.

10

Lost (2004–2010)

Known for both intrigue and controversy, Lost is eternally memorable

It's hard to keep track of the many mysteries and timelines in Lostas the series was not afraid to use a lot of misdirection and open-ended plots to confuse and excite the audience. Although there are many things Lost could have done differently, The establishment of the mystery at the beginning of Season 1 is a big part of what made viewers stick with the show until the end. While not all of the questions were answered satisfactorily, or at all, that doesn't change the monumental impact of the series.

While Lost always bordered on the supernatural and kept audiences on the edge of their seats, fully established itself as a fantasy show in the final season. LostThe unexpected twists and revelations are what the series became known for, which led to increasingly complicated and surprising plot developments over time. However, some LostThe most iconic moments came from narrative twists that left the audience and characters speechless and gave the story a new direction.

9

The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power (2022 – Present)

A prequel to the iconic films and famous book The Lord of the Rings

The freedoms that The Rings of Power takes with JRR Tolkien's source material and his changes to Middle-earth's history have been a source of controversy, but there's no doubt that the prequel series is engaging. Above all, The Rings of Power likes to give hints and foreshadow the character's future, as many of the individuals in the series play important roles in The Lord of the Rings. For example, the question of the Stranger's (Daniel Weyman) identity is a recurring part of the series.

The truth of the characters' names and roles is a significant part of the The Rings of Poweras it affects the reveal of Gandalf, Sauron, and many others throughout the show's first two seasons. However The Rings of Power it's not a mystery in the sense that the characters have to catch a killer or solve a crime, contains many questions and secrets, making the audience wait for answers. The fact that The Rings of Power is being established as separate from the original books means these mysteries can't be solved as easily.

8

Stranger Things (2016 – Present)

Netflix's blockbuster fantasy series keeps raising the stakes

Since its debut in 2016, Stranger Things has been one of Netflix's most popular TV shows, and for good reason. While Stranger Things the first season still tells the most hard-hitting story of the series, each installment delving deeper into the mystery of the Upside Down and the source of Eleven's (Millie Bobby Brown) powers. One of the most fun parts Stranger Things is that the series has maintained its sense of wonder and intrigue over the years. As the actors get older and the stakes rise, it never loses its family atmosphere.

Many things need to happen before Stranger Things final, as there are still many unanswered questions and hidden developments that the iconic series must provide answers to. Many of the mysteries in Stranger Things stem from the puzzle of how the magic system works. But sometimes it's more interesting for a series to keep these answers secret, as it preserves the scope and reach of the series. Watching the characters pick up the pieces and save the day never gets old, no matter what the mystery is.

7

Locke and Key (2020–2022)

This comic book-inspired show holds deep, dark secrets

Locke and key begins with a tragedy, when the three central brothers are transferred across the country following the murder of their father. However, his troubles are just beginning, as his father's old home holds immense power and danger within a set of mystical keys. All of this makes for an excellent setup for the overarching mystery of Locke and keyas a compelling emotional element is key to keeping the audience engaged.

The show is based on the comic book series of the same name, and the comic's stylistic influences can be seen through the visuals and aesthetics. Incorporating elements of gothic horror, Locke and key Not afraid to make your mystery scary and place characters in dangerous situations. This comes to light in the form of the demonic forces that the children fight against, although they have no idea what the source of these malevolent entities and the power of the keys are.

6

School Spirits (2023 – Present)

Even in the afterlife, the characters in School Spirits aren't done figuring out their lives yet

It's hard to be stuck in purgatory while trying to solve your own murder, but that's what happens to Maddie (Peyton List) afterwards. she dies mysteriously and wakes up as a ghost haunting her school. Fortunately, she has company, as the spirits of other children who were killed on the school grounds haunt the place and try to help each other survive. However, unlike the other characters, Maddie cannot remember her death and has the ability to communicate with her still-living best friend, Simon (Kristian Ventura).

Together, Maddie and Simon grieve and try to piece together the final moments of Maddie's life, hoping it might help her find some peace in death. However, the identity of Maddie's killer isn't the only mystery at work. School Spiritsas the plot becomes more complicated and contradictory as Maddie gets closer to the truth. Coming out of a moment of unbelievable anguish, School Spirits season two will up the ante in Maddie's quest to get her life back.

5

Dead Boys Detectives (2024)

This mysterious spin-off show proves to be just as entertaining as its source material

Based on characters and stories from comics and TV series The Sandman, Dead Boys Detectives follows two ghosts, Edwin (George Rexstrew) and Charles (Jayden Revri), who solve otherworldly crimes. Just as the name suggests, despite having passed away, Edwin and Charles take on the responsibility of being the detectives that the dead and the supernatural living turn to for help in complicated situations. Teaming up with psychic Crystal (Kassius Nelson), the mystical investigators have many mysteries to solve.

Despite its high critical and public acclaim, Dead Boys Detectives The first season will be its last release, but there's still plenty to enjoy in its singular season (via Variety). The dynamic between Edwin and Charles and their different approaches to solving crimes and problems is consistently compelling. Even though they are connected to the supernatural universe, that doesn't mean they have all the answers, and the most powerful forces working behind the scenes are constantly making their ghosts' lives more difficult.

4

Wednesday (2022 – present)

Jenna Ortega Leads This Supernatural Take on the Coming-of-Age Genre

This iteration of Wednesday Addams, played by the deadpan Jenna Ortega, is much more than an amateur detective in Wednesdaythe gothic teen drama series. Although she is drawn to darkness and disturbing events, Wednesday finds himself at the center of a much more sinister plot when he enrolls at Nevermore Academy. and realizes that the threatening deaths and dangerous circumstances are linked. Using her psychic abilities, Wednesday sets out to unravel the web of lies in Nevermore and the surrounding town.

Since Wednesday season two has been confirmed, fans won't have to wait long until the fate of Wednesday and her classmates at Nevermore is revealed. However Wednesday is based on the beloved IP of The Addams FamilyIt was still a surprise that the series was as big a hit for Netflix as it was. However, since so successfully combines fantasy and horror with fascinating mystery, it's no wonder audiences connected with him.

3

The Leftovers (2014–2017)

Questions of faith and survival are at the forefront of this philosophical spectacle

Although it covers some heady topics, The leftovers is one of the most boundary-pushing series released by HBO in the last decade. Starring Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon as two people struggling to adapt to life after 2% of the population suddenly disappears, The leftovers It's not always an easy watch. The questions of how and why the characters' loved ones disappeared frustrate both the characters and the audience, and the series isn't afraid to be dark.

The leftovers The series finale is one of the best in TV history and presents some answers about what happened to the people who disappeared, but the conclusion is ultimately open-ended. It's up to the public to decide what they believe and whether or not it matters if there is a concrete answer to the mysteries that plague the characters throughout the series. The point of The leftoversJohn's story is that the answer to why tragedies occur will never be satisfactory and that the world must recover and move forward.

2

Heroes (2006–2010)

Although it faced challenges, Heroes made its mark on fantasy television

Heroes the first season is a near-perfect season of television, as it successfully utilizes its ensemble format and gives equal time to the show's many intersecting storylines. In the first few seasons, the central mystery involves how the characters developed their powers. and what are the larger forces acting behind the scenes. Because each character has their own experience and story, audiences eagerly await the individuals to come together and share their discoveries.

Featuring performances by Milo Ventimiglia, Hayden Panettiere and many other iconic actors Heroes is anchored by the cast, who fully commit to the story's unusual events. Unfortunately, Heroes was hit hard by the 2007-2008 WGA strike, and this made seasons 3 and 4 more narratively scattered than the first two. However, this does not change the fact that Heroes perfectly executed a far-reaching dramatic mystery and managed to juggle so many equally compelling stories.

1

Supernatural (2005–2020)

This beloved series finds its heroes investigating the strange happenings in small-town America

Supernatural went through many evolutions throughout its fifteen seasons, but the core of the series remained the relationship between Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) until the end. Although it is a typical episode of Supernatural would solve the mystery by the end of the hour, the overarching plots were what kept the audience engaged and proved to be the most difficult puzzles to solve. Discovering which demons were after the brothers and how the forces of heaven and hell were messing with them this time was a common element of Supernatural.

Folktales, myths and legends served as source material to the mysteries and fantasy in Supernatural. Furthermore, many allusions and questions about religion and the existence of gods generated interesting and ephemeral questions that Supernatural often left open to public interpretation. After Supernatural In Season 5, the show underwent a soft reboot. After that, he delved further into the arcs and mysteries of the season that proved to be even more dangerous and compelling than the beginning of the series.