Within the fantasy genre, there are many amazing TV shows, considered the best and most influential, that fall victim to putting out a few bad episodes throughout their run. This isn’t unforgivable, as it’s difficult to maintain a high quality of storytelling in every single installment of a series. However, the fact that this is so challenging makes the shows that achieve a perfect string of episodes so impressive.
There are plenty of fantasy shows that betray their audiences, losing steam and ruining character arcs for seemingly no reason. Fortunately, these series understand that sometimes it’s best to commit to a limited run of seasons and make every episode count instead of airing for years and declining in quality.
Fantasy shows with perfect endings are few and far between, but all of these projects stuck the landing, ensuring that their finale maintained their streaks of flawless episodes. Thanks to the pacing, writing, and performances that bring these shows to the next level, each of these fantastical works will never get old, allowing us to revisit them multiple times.
The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (2022)
Based on the novel Half Bad by Sally Green, The Bastard Son & the Devil Himself is one of the most underrated fantasy TV shows on Netflix. Fans of the genre must check out this adaptation, as each of its eight episodes sheds light on a new mystery and pulls the audience deeper into Nathan’s (Jay Lycurgo) journey to find himself and save the world.
The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself excels thanks to the fact that the series takes its time and lets the story evolve naturally, never feeling the need to rush through the exposition. One of the series’s best characters, Gabriel (Emilien Vekemans), isn’t introduced until the third episode. This lets the viewer get used to Nathan and understand his story before the stakes are raised.
It’s disappointing that The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself wasn’t renewed for a second season, as it’s almost certain that the series would’ve continued its pattern of making every episode count. As season 1 progresses, and the audience learns about the truth of the magical world alongside Nathan, the previous events are thrown into sharp relief, making the narrative even more compelling.
The Good Place (2016–2020)
The Good Place is one of the most innovative additions to the fantasy genre in recent years, blending comedy and high-concept philosophical questions into the fabric of the story. The many twists and turns of The Good Place keep the audience on the edge of their seat, but The Good Place doesn’t fully rely on narrative turns to keep us interested, raising the personal stakes in every season.
The ensemble cast of The Good Place includes Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto, and Ted Danson, among many other veterans of the comedy scene. While a lesser cast would’ve failed to embody the tone and fantastical elements of the show, thankfully, the actors and the writers came together to craft a series that’s stood the test of time.
When The Good Place finally came to an end in season 4, the series ended on a high note, delivering a satisfying ending that was in line with the high quality of every episode throughout the show. Revisiting The Good Place five years after it went off the air proves that there’s a place for moral conversations and questions alongside comedy and fantasy.
Primal (2019–Present)
Primal has a perfect critic score on Rotten Tomatoes for both of its seasons, and based on the performances of the installments, it seems likely that the series will continue its streak. Set in a fictionalized version of history that sees Neanderthals, dinosaurs, and early humans coexist, Primal is a violent, bloody series with a shockingly moving emotional core that makes it impossible not to invest in the project.
The first season was notable because it used almost no dialogue, with season 2 bringing in limited amounts to shake things up. This forced Primal to rely on its visuals more than anything, and the nonverbal communication between its lead characters, the Neanderthal Spear and the T. rex Fang, who bond in the first episode after they both experience traumatic loss.
The overwhelmingly positive critical and audience response to Primal has allowed the series to stand out among the many violent, gory animated series that populate our screens today. Each episode of Primal builds the world of the story and deepens the connection between Spear and Fang. Between the action and character development, every episode of Primal is an adventure.
His Dark Materials (2019–2022)
Based on Philip Pullman’s fantasy book series of the same name, His Dark Materials is the best fantasy show you probably missed. Airing for three seasons on HBO, His Dark Materials stars Dafne Keen as Lyra, the young protagonist of the show who’s thrust into a dangerous, magical adventure that sees her travel between worlds and uncover the secrets of the universe.
It’s not surprising that His Dark Materials was quickly hailed for its pacing and storytelling, as it had Pullman’s work to inspire the structure and provide the details necessary for world-building. However, His Dark Materials did make some changes, such as introducing Will (Amir Wilson) early so that his story parallels Lyra’s from the beginning.
His Dark Materials is a fantasy TV show that wasn’t canceled early, which is practically a miracle these days, as streaming services are quick to axe projects that aren’t massive hits in their first season. Fortunately, His Dark Materials was able to bring every installment of Pullman’s iconic novel series to life, providing the satisfying, moving ending audiences were hoping for.
The Sandman (2022–2025)
Tom Sturridge leads the cast of The Sandman as the titular character, also known as Dream of the Endless and Morpheus. Following the King of Dreams as he learns to forgive humanity for their mistakes and learns to be more lenient, not just with himself but also others, The Sandman brings to life his adventures and interactions with some of the most famous characters in fiction and myth.
Unfortunately, The Sandman never had the opportunity to reach the end of its planned arc, but this doesn’t mean that season 2 was any less committed to the deliberate pacing and sweeping storytelling that made us fall in love with season 1. The entire ensemble is a large part of what builds the texture of The Sandman, but it’s Morpheus’s balance between his fragility and strength that creates an emotional core in each episode.
A few of the episodes in The Sandman season 2 contend with many different characters and plot lines, and the second installment does have the air of a farewell from the start, but this isn’t a bad thing. The Sandman has its lighter moments, but it overwhelmingly takes itself seriously, making Dream’s experiences feel as real and impactful as the viewer’s own.
Arcane (2021–2024)
One of the best video game adaptations in recent history, it was unexpected how quickly Arcane became widely regarded as a boundary-pushing addition to the fantasy genre. Only two seasons long with nine episodes in each season, it’s not surprising that every installment of the show is perfectly paced and gorgeously crafted, as Arcane had a limited amount of time to tell its story.
However, the fact that Arcane didn’t last forever is part of what makes the project so special and so fun to revisit today. The central relationship between the sisters Vi and Jinx is the series’ overarching emotional story, but the episodes that explore different characters and the hidden niches of the larger world and its lore are just as compelling, if not more so sometimes.
Arcane will live on past its time on the air, and is a great example of how to make a tightly-packed, action-oriented series without sacrificing character development or world-building. The visuals and art style of Arcane are what will capture your attention, but it’s the relationships and emotional sacrifices that will keep you watching until the end, deeply invested in the outcome of the narrative.
The Leftovers (2014–2017)
Frequently compared to Lost and considered one of the modern masterpieces within the mystery box genres, the fantasy elements of The Leftovers might not be the most important part of the series. However, they pave the way for the unforgettable interrogations of human nature that the series grapples with and portrays better than any other show, as the high-concept series pushes itself in every episode.
The show isn’t always easy to watch, as The Leftovers engages with serious issues of grief and questions about how to live in the world without understanding your purpose. However, even the most depressing episodes of The Leftovers are vital additions to the story and well-crafted projects because the series understands that the characters need to go through their darkest moments to find peace.