Fantasy television has been one of the most popular genres in the world for a long time, but it really hit its peak in the ’90s and 2000s, with high-concept supernatural fantasies and elaborate world-building, covering every subgenre from heartwarming family stories to grittier, more complex narratives. Some of those iconic fantasy shows are deeply detailed in their storytelling and world-building, while others are pure fun, without any deeply layered message or glorious production. But what all of them have in common is their undeniable ability to entertain.
The last few decades produced some of the most iconic fantasy shows on American television, now considered modern classics. Even if some of these shows may not be as popular as they used to be, they’re still icons of the genre that continue to command dedicated fan followings. With that in mind, here’s our ranked selection of some of the most fun fantasy shows of all time.
8
‘Once Upon a Time’ (2011–2018)
A fantasy drama created by Lost and Tron: Legacy writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, Once Upon a Time stars Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, who meets her long-lost son Henry and is brought to the town of Storybrooke, populated entirely by cursed fairy-tale characters. The story shifts between the real-world town and the fantastical fairy tale world that these characters originally came from. Besides Morrison, the series stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, Jared S. Gilmore, Robert Carlyle, and more in key roles.
Blending fairy tales and contemporary mystery drama, Once Upon a Time is a highly imaginative show that turns classic Disney heroes and villains inside out. The show heavily relies on dramatic dialogue, theatrical magic, and campy comedy, which might feel soapy but makes for an engaging comfort show. Hopeful and positive, Once Upon a Time is praiseworthy for the effective plot twists, imaginative storytelling, and the standout performances by Morrison, Goodwin, and Parrilla.
7
‘Merlin’ (2008–2012)
Created by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps, and Julian Murphy, Merlin is a British fantasy adventure drama series loosely adapted from the Arthurian legends, depicting the close friendship between King Arthur and his court wizard, Merlin. In the show, a young Merlin (Colin Morgan) is sent off to Camelot, where he rescues Prince Arthur (Bradley James) and becomes his most trusted aide, helping the young prince fulfill his destiny of greatness. The series also features Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath, Richard Wilson, John Hurt, and more as important characters.
Merlin is a cozy low-fantasy show that puts a lighthearted spin on the folklore of medieval mythology with fascinating worldbuilding and stunning visuals that won the series a BAFTA TV Award in 2011. The show reimagines the ancient legends of Merlin and Arthur as two young contemporaries navigating identity, loyalty, and destiny. Their fun dynamic, shifting from bickering frenemies to devoted friends, forms the heartwarming core of the show, which has made it enduringly popular with fans.
6
‘Charmed’ (1998–2006)
The WB Network’s second-longest drama series, created by Constance M. Burge, Charmed follows the story of three sisters possessing magical powers that they use to protect innocent lives from evil forces. While maintaining a “normal life” in modern-day San Francisco, the sisters navigate the challenges and consequences of their unique abilities, which also impact their social and romantic lives. The main characters, played by Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, and Rose McGowan, grew to become pop culture icons of their time and are still beloved by fans today.
The first primetime television show about a coven of witches, Charmed became the longest-running hour-long TV series featuring an all-female lead cast in 2006, a title it held until it was surpassed by Desperate Housewives in 2012. Fun and campy with a cozy ’90s vibe, Charmed is an immensely popular fantasy drama, even if parts of it may now seem dated. The show left a lasting legacy with its depiction of witchcraft, influencing future fantasy and supernatural shows and even sparking academic discussions surrounding the genre.
5
‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ (1996–2003)
Created by Nell Scovell and based on the 1971 Archie Comics series of the same name by Dan DeCarlo and George Gladir, Sabrina the Teenage Witch follows the titular teenager who learns on her 16th birthday that she has magical powers. Living with her two eccentric, centuries-old aunts, Hilda and Zelda, and their talking cat, Salem, Sabrina learns to control her newfound powers while navigating teenage trials, with hilarious outcomes. The series stars Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina, with Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, Nick Bakay, and Nate Richert in other main roles.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a lighthearted fantasy that blends magical mishaps with silly teenage comedy in a breezy narrative style. The fantasy sitcom successfully captures the spirit of the ’90s and ranks among the best fantasy shows of the decade. While it was not a critical darling, Sabrina the Teenage Witch was a cult favorite that stood out at the time with its charm, wit, and layered humor.
4
‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ (2007–2012)
A fantasy teen sitcom that transformed Selena Gomez from a child actor to a global star, Wizards of Waverly Place revolves around her character, Alex Russo, a teenage wizard living in the titular neighborhood of New York City. Alongside her brothers, Justin and Max, Alex trains to hone her magical abilities but faces challenges in keeping them a secret while navigating her teenage life. Created by Todd J. Greenwald, the sitcom also stars David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera, and David DeLuise as main characters.
Wizards of Waverly Place is a highly entertaining fantasy sitcom that blends magic with relatable family comedy. The show derives its fun from the everyday mischief, chaotic spell mishaps, and funny sibling rivalry of Alex, Justin, and Max, and has been praised for Gomez’s comic timing and endearing performance. With its themes of family, friendship, and teenage life of the 2000s, Wizards of Waverly Place is a charming and cheeky modern Disney (TV) classic.
3
‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)
Developed by Tom Kapinos, Lucifer is an urban fantasy series reimagined from and named after the titular DC Comics character created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg in The Sandman comics. Starring Tom Ellis as the central protagonist, the series follows the Devil as he abandons Hell and moves to Los Angeles as a nightclub owner, where his life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes a civilian consultant to the LAPD and encounters Detective Chloe Decker, played by Lauren German. Kevin Alejandro, D. B. Woodside, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Rachael Harris, and Aimee Garcia play other key characters.
While the show did not open to great acclaim, Lucifer quickly transitioned into a cult hit and eventually evolved into a massive streaming success. Part fantasy, part procedural, the show is enjoyable because it refuses to take anything seriously, but still delivers its story with the utmost charm and flourish. Powered by Ellis’s deliciously dark depiction of the Devil, Lucifer is thoroughly entertaining and often heartwarming, ranking among the best crime comedies of the 21st century.
2
‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019–2024)
Created by Jemaine Clement, What We Do in the Shadows is a comedy-horror mockumentary series based on the 2014 film of the same name by Clement and Taika Waititi. The FX series revolves around five vampire roommates and their daily struggles with the modern world, other supernatural forces, and sharing a house. The show stars Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, and Kristen Schaal, with Clement and Waititi reprising their characters as guest stars.
What We Do in the Shadows merges ancient monsters with mundane modern New York life in an exceptionally entertaining and uniquely creative way. The combination of absurdist fantasy and dark, straight-faced comedy not only feels refreshing for the genre, but also ridiculously funny. Even though it was a cult favorite during its run, What We Do in the Shadows has since remained an underrated fantasy series that deserves to be watched by a much bigger audience.
1
‘Good Witch’ (2015–2021)
Developed by Craig Pryce and Sue Tenney, Good Witch is a continuation of the series of Hallmark films of the same name, following the story of a good-natured witch and widowed mother, Cassie Nightingale, who starts a new life in the fictional town of Middleton with her teenage daughter Grace. When a new neighbor moves in next door, they start suspecting Cassie and Grace of something fishy, leading to silly mishaps. Catherine Bell stars as Cassie, with Bailee Madison, James Denton, Catherine Disher, and Sarah Power as key characters.
Good Witch is rather a cozy and heartfelt show and not high-energy entertainment like most fantasy comedies, making it a great pick for a comfort watch. The show’s success largely relies on kindness, community, and practical wisdom, with its magic feeling more subtle and grounded than that of its contemporaries. Good Witch was not just popular during its run, but continues to enjoy a dedicated fanbase and is widely praised for Catherine Bell’s charming depiction of Cassie, who is undoubtedly one of television’s best witches.
Good Witch
- Release Date
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2015 – 2021-00-00
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Catherine Bell
Cassie Nightingale
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James Denton
Dr. Sam Radford
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Catherine Disher
Martha Endicott Tinsdale
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Sarah Power
Abigail Pershing
