7 Fantasy TV Shows That Beat The Big Screen

These 7 fantasy TV shows prove the small screen can outshine even the biggest fantasy movie franchises when it comes to world-building and storytelling.

Fantasy movies have brought us some of cinema’s most iconic moments, but when it comes to deep storytelling, emotional arcs, and immersive world-building, TV might just have the upper hand. These seven fantasy shows didn’t just meet the bar set by the big screen—they cleared it. From groundbreaking animation to bold adaptations, here are seven fantasy series that surpassed their movie counterparts or the genre as a whole.

7. His Dark Materials (2019–2022)

His Dark Materials 1x06 – The Daemon-Cages

This adaptation of Philip Pullman’s beloved books easily outdid its 2007 movie counterpart The Golden Compass. With a three-season run, His Dark Materials had the time to dive deep into its complex themes, character arcs, and expansive universe. It matched blockbuster-level production quality and featured an acclaimed cast, proving that prestige television can be the best medium for fantasy storytelling.

6. Stranger Things (2016–2025)

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From the moment season 1 dropped on Netflix, Stranger Things felt cinematic. The show’s nostalgic sci-fi-horror blend only got bigger and more ambitious as the seasons progressed. With character-driven narratives, expanding lore, and stunning effects, it’s a fantasy epic that no movie could contain in just two hours. Its final season is shaping up to be more massive than most modern movie franchises.

5. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023–)

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After the disappointment of the movie versions, Disney+ gave Percy Jackson the faithful treatment fans were hoping for. With a strong ensemble, visual effects that meet expectations, and a story that sticks to Rick Riordan’s books, the series is already making waves. Season 2 promises a “total upgrade,” and the show’s future looks bright, likely outshining many fantasy films to come.

4. Arcane (2021–2024)

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A rare 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and jaw-dropping animation have made Arcane one of Netflix’s crown jewels. Adapted from the League of Legends universe, it blends cinematic visuals with rich storytelling. Its unique art style, complex characters, and emotionally resonant soundtrack elevate it above most fantasy animation—TV or film.

3. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)

The Physics of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra | by Zia  Steele | Whiteboard to Infinity | Medium

Even long before the era of prestige fantasy TV, Avatar: The Last Airbender set a new standard. Its smart storytelling, layered characters, and vast world-building proved that animation could be just as powerful—if not more—than live-action. Each episode contributed meaningfully to the bigger arc, something many movies struggle to achieve.

2. Attack on Titan (2013–2023)

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Anime has gained massive popularity in the fantasy space, and Attack on Titan leads the charge. Its later seasons feature movie-level animation, and the story’s intense moral complexity simply couldn’t be tackled in a standard movie format. The show’s sprawling epic spans over a decade and resonates on levels few fantasy films reach.

1. Game of Thrones (2011–2019)

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Love it or hate the finale, there’s no denying the cultural dominance of Game of Thrones. With dragons, White Walkers, epic battles, and intricate politics, it created a world as rich and layered as anything on the big screen. Its scale, budget, and impact rivaled—and often surpassed—fantasy movie franchises like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

These seven shows prove one thing: when it comes to fantasy, the long-form storytelling of television often beats the spectacle of film. With more time to develop characters and worlds, fantasy TV is not just on par with fantasy movies—it might be leading the charge.

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