When the topic of fantasy TV shows come along, viewers tend to think of series as Game of Thrones and The Rings of Power — examples that clearly fit the genre. These shows tend to be high fantasy and take place in worlds full of the extraordinary. With so many projects trying to copy Game of Thrones’ success, there’s no shortage of simple fantasy stories to dive into. However, There are also great fantasy shows that combine their magical settings and themes with other genres.
Fantasy and horror are a common combination, as anything supernatural tends to fall into both categories. However, some series even mix fantasy with science fiction, romance and comedy; the possibilities are endless. However, diving into multiple categories alone doesn’t guarantee that these shows are good. Such projects need to find the right balance between both genres to be successful, and only a few fantasy TV shows achieve this.
10
Supernatural (2005-2020)
Combines fantasy with: horror
Supernatural is one of the CW’s most recognized shows as it had 15 seasons to capture the hearts of viewers. For most, it didn’t take long to get involved in the Winchester brothers’ monster hunting antics. Even with the first few seasons taking on the monster-of-the-week format, Supernatural manages to hook viewers with its lovable main characters and overarching mystery plots. Somehow it finds a way to feel rooted in the real and fantastical world at the same time.
With its strong focus on creatures that don’t actually exist, Supernatural is clearly a fantasy series – but it balances that with its horror elements.
With its strong focus on creatures that don’t actually exist, Supernatural is clearly a fantasy series – but it balances that with its horror elements. It would be difficult to have a TV show with ghosts, demons and urban legends that didn’t fall into the horror category to some extent. But while many horror and fantasy combinations lean too much in one direction, Supernatural strikes an impressive balance. It rarely feels so scary that it keeps you up at night, but it uses disturbing horror tropes and monsters to create a fantasy version of the real world.
9
The Mandalorian (2019-present)
Combines Fantasy with: Science Fiction
Majority Star Wars projects straddle the line between fantasy and science fiction, and The Mandalorian is no exception. The series is set in space and features futuristic technology, a hallmark of the science fiction genre. However, The MandalorianThe central themes and focus on the Force also give it a fantasy feel. Star Wars The magic system is a big reason why the franchise falls into the fantasy category, as it highlights the existence of the extraordinary in this universe. Unlike straight science fiction stories, Star Wars it doesn’t just depend on technological advances to move its plots forward.
The Mandalorian can also expand the Star Wars universe, exploring new scenarios and introducing new characters and stories. The emphasis on world-building gives the Disney+ series a lot in common with popular fantasy shows, underscoring how it lends itself to the genre. Anyone who loves a good mix of science fiction and fantasy will appreciate any Star Wars project, but The Mandalorian leans towards the latter more than the films.
8
Stranger Things (2016-2025)
Combines fantasy with: horror
Netflix Stranger Things is classified as fantasy and horrorand the show incorporates both genres impressively. The Netflix hit emphasizes its horror elements from the start, making Will’s disappearance and the arrival of the Upside Down as disturbing as possible. However, it draws heavily on Dungeons and Dragons – a fantasy tabletop RPG – and its use of extraordinary powers like Eleven’s puts it in the fantasy category.
Overall, the reason why it’s hard to say where Stranger Things lands is because it combines both categories perfectly.
Stranger Things it arguably leans more towards horror in terms of aesthetics, especially as the series continues. However, its focus on good overcoming evil and themes like friendship align more with fantasy stories than horror stories. Overall, the reason why it’s hard to say where Stranger Things lands is because it combines both categories perfectly. It even includes science fiction and mystery components, proving that stories don’t need to commit to a single genre to be a success.
7
My Lady Jane (2024)
Combines fantasy with: romance
My Lady Jane It may have been canceled by Amazon after just one season, but it’s a fun addition to the fantasy genre — and some of the series’ greatest aspects stem from its focus on romance. Based on the book of the same name, My Lady Jane reimagines the life of Lady Jane Graygiving a feminist twist to her story and changing its outcome. It also adds humans who can transform into animals, replacing the religious conflicts of 16th century England with more fantastical problems.
But in essence, My Lady Jane is still a romance story about Lady Jane Gray and Lord Guildford Dudley. Their relationship fuels the story, expertly balancing their fantasy conflict. It is a shame My Lady Jane won’t be able to reveal what happened to England after its heroine’s escape – but it’s a relief that Jane and Dudley at least get their happy ending.
6
Wednesday (2022 to present)
Combines fantasy with: horror
Often compared with Strange things, Wednesday is another Netflix series that expertly combines fantasy and horror. While there are some criticisms about the show leaning more towards fantasy than horror, this makes a certain amount of sense given its young adult focus. It also sounds like Wednesday season two will ramp up the horror, which is an exciting prospect that could bring it even more in line with another hit Netflix show.
Even though Wednesday continues on its current path, has a solid balance of horror themes like Monster while also taking advantage of its magic school setting. This scenario, along with the extraordinary powers seen at Nevermore Academy, guarantees Wednesday will never lose sight of its fantasy roots. That being said, the supernatural aspects of Wednesday Addams’ journey have a lot of potential for scary moments. The show has already accomplished this somewhat, merging its two genres effectively.
5
The Good Place (2016-2020)
Combines fantasy with: comedy
The good place is presented more like a comedy or sitcom than a fantasy seriesbut the fact that it follows characters who go through the afterlife gives it a place in each of these categories. And even if The good place It doesn’t have an equal balance between fantasy and comedy, it definitely has the right balance. The show features just enough of the extraordinary to help it stand out and get its point across. Yet it still manages to feel grounded in the very human subjects it explores.
The good place proves that a show doesn’t need an even mix of two genres to be successful.
Even though it happens in the afterlife, The good place doesn’t seem all that different from any other sitcomand that’s a testament to writers’ ability to balance genres. They never overdo the fantastical parts of the story, but it’s clear from the beginning that they exist. The good place proves that a show doesn’t need an even mix of two genres to be successful.
4
The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
Combines fantasy with: romance
the Vampire Diaries is a supernatural fantasy series, but part of the reason the series is so beloved is that it also feels like a teen drama. This is because the Vampire Diaries expertly infuses its fantasy narrative with romancemaking relationships between characters an equal priority. Love is at the center of the story, even as it embarks on adventures with packs of werewolves and covens of witches.
Even though we know how things are going to unfold, the character moments and romances keep them coming back the Vampire Diaries I feel like going back home.
While romantic subplots aren’t necessarily uncommon on supernatural shows, it’s the way to go. the Vampire Diaries it balances them with its fantasy narratives that set it apart among similar titles. Their relationships feel fully formed and engaging outside of the rest of the story, which is probably why the CW show is such a great review. Even though we know how things are going to unfold, the character moments and romances keep them coming back the Vampire Diaries I feel like going back home.
3
Locke and Key (2020-2022)
Combines fantasy with: horror
Starring Darby Stanchfield and Connor Jessup, Lock & Key is a fantasy horror television series created for Netflix and based on the comic book series of the same name. The premise follows three children who move into a special house and find supernatural and magical keys.
- Cast
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Darby Stanchfield, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Jackson Robert Scott, Petrice Jones
- Release date
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February 7, 2020
- Writers
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Carlton Cuse, Aron Eli Coleite
- Directors
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Marcos Tonderai
Locke and key It initially seems like a haunted house story, and the show maintains its focus on horror throughout its three seasons. However, the Netflix series also proves to be a fantasy talewith the house offering keys that give the Locke family various powers, each more extraordinary than the last. While there are disturbing moments – along with ghosts and shapeshifting – it feels very Wednesday in the use of its horror tropes. It never gets too scary and mostly uses them to drive a narrative that has a greater fantasy feel.
Locke and keyThe good versus evil story and hopeful ending lean more on fantasy conventions than horror ones, and the series also gradually moves away from horror as it continues. This doesn’t necessarily harm the series, as straddled the line between horror and fantasy from the start.
2
Outlander (2014-present)
Combines fantasy with: romance
Outlander is one of the best examples of mixing genresas the historical fantasy series also falls into the romance category – and some viewers also classify it as science fiction. Based on the book series by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander has a premise that relies almost entirely on the time travel premise. And although this awakens science fiction associations, Outlander does not use advanced technology to carry out its time travel. Instead, it uses stones and magic, relying on fantasy elements to make its narrative possible.
Of course, OutlanderThe fantasy components of it don’t go much beyond time travel. The story focuses overwhelmingly on romance and drama rather than things like magic, and it works well for that. OutlanderThe central romance of is one of the most beloved of the genre, and its lighter fantasy elements make that possible. They are perfectly utilized, even if they are not always in your face.
1
What We Do in the Shadows (2019-2024)
Combines fantasy with: comedy
What we do in the shadows is about vampires, placing it firmly in the supernatural fantasy category – but its satire and mockumentary format also places it in the comedy genre. Fantasy comedies aren’t as common as fantasy-horror mixes, but that makes them more exciting when they happen. AND there is a reason What we do in the shadows lasted six seasons: combines both masterfully, delivering a final result that will certainly delight fantasy lovers in its absurdity.
Of course, What we do in the shadows had a blueprint to follow, as the TV show followed the 2005 short and the 2014 film. But the TV medium allows it to really shine and gives it plenty of time to capitalize on both its fantasy elements and its signature humor. It’s one of the best fantasy TV combines the last decade and is one of the most entertaining additions to the genre.