Anyone looking to escape into fantasy for a quick and easy binge-watch needs to watch these ten miniseries, which are the best out there. It's easy to get invested in a long-running fantasy TV show like Supernatural or Game of Thrones. They stretch on for so long that they can last weeks to months, depending on the speed of consumption. It’s ideal for folks who want a story that will last. However, Fantasy TV shows don't have to be long to be impactful.
Miniseries are the perfect compromise between a short feature-length film and a monolithic multi-season series. They can dive deeper into stories thanks to the extra time, without requiring a long-term commitment. Even more appealing, they are formatted so it’s easy to start and stop as needed. It isn’t like pausing in the middle of a movie to go get food or use the restroom. Ultimately, these ten fantasy miniseries offer quality storytelling and innovative ideas, diving into completely original worlds that will leave you speechless.
10 Alice In Wonderland (1986)
Alice in Wonderland is one of the most adapted books, with over 40 different versions of the story on screen. Without watching every single version, it’s impossible to know which is the most faithful. However, I can say that the BBC’s 1986 Alice in Wonderland miniseries is very loyal to Lewis Carroll’s fantasy book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, lifting much of the dialogue directly from the book and maintaining the sequence of events.
Although the masks are mildly creepy, the book itself is extremely eerie and psychedelic, so the visuals feel appropriate. The flat set design feels like an homage to The Wizard of Oz or storybook drawings. On top of that, the acting and practical effects bring the feeling of whimsy to life.
9 Moon Knight (2022)
The TV show Moon Knight is one of the best MCU TV shows, even if it isn’t #1. The story follows Steven Grant and Marc Spector, two alters in a dissociative identity system. Marc is the avatar of Khonshu, the Egyptian moon god. Marc and Steven work together to stop a cult leader trying to resurrect the goddess Ammit. There’s so much to enjoy about Moon Knight, including the top-notch acting from Oscar Isaac and the fantastic action sequences.
However, one thing that sets it apart from other shows is how it handles mental health. Dissociative identity disorder is often demonized in TV and movies. Moon Knight approaches the topic with care and compassion, though. They may take artistic license, but they clearly put a lot of attention into understanding DID. Notably, the disorder isn’t the fantastical part of the story. This makes it both a meaningful exploration of trauma and an entertaining TV show.
8 The 10th Kingdom (2000)
Long before Once Upon a Time, The 10th Kingdom saw the real world and fairy tale stories collide. Virginia might believe that she's a regular woman living in New York City, but when she gets involved with Wolf and the treacherous Evil Queen, secrets come out that make The 10th Kingdom a classic hero's journey adventure story for the modern age.
The 10th Kingdom has an official sequel novel called Big Bad Wolf: A Tenth Kingdom Fairytale written by co-creator Simon Moore.
Fans of Gilmore Girls might recognize one of the lead actors in The 10th Kingdom, Scott Cohen, who plays Wolf in the miniseries and Max Medina in the dramedy show. However, Cohen is just one of the many great actors who lend their skills to The 10th Kingdom, which puts a fun spin on the fairy tale genre. He's joined by Kimberly Williams as Virginia, the protagonist.
7 Merlin (1998)
Image via MovieStillsDBThough the BBC TV series Merlin, which aired from 2008 to 2012, might be better remembered than the 1998 miniseries, the older project is still extremely enjoyable. In this version of the stories of Camelot, Merlin, the iconic warlock who pushes Arthur from behind the scenes, gets his moment in the spotlight, and his romance with Nimue is explored.
Sam Neill plays Merlin, with Isabella Rossellini co-starring as Nimue. Though some of the visual effects are a little dated, the central story and themes of Merlin bring the title character to life and give him an arc that forces the viewer to see him through fresh eyes. It's a moving, epic story of romance and sacrifice that's unique within its genre.
6 Tin Man (2007)
Before she was Jess on New Girl, Zooey Deschanel took on many unexpected roles, and the protagonist of Tin Man, DG, was one of them. There have been many interpretations of The Wizard of Oz, but Tin Man might be the most out-there, as it incorporates fantasy, sci-fi, and steampunk elements into the story. The beloved characters are familiar but nowhere near the same.
Tin Man shines a light on the darker elements of The Wizard of Oz, as DG is an older, wiser version of Dorothy who's made even more charismatic by Deschanel's lead performance. The story becomes one of identity, good versus evil, and finding oneself against all odds. Tin Man is luckily just as much of a spectacle as it is an emotional story. This makes the SyFy series beautiful to watch.
5 Agatha All Along (2024)
Agatha All Along is one of the most entertaining Marvel shows, delivering a compelling anti-hero who is allowed to be an anti-hero. Set three years after WandaVision, a powerless Agatha Harkness escapes a magical spell with the help of a teenager. The two form a coven in order to face the trials of Witches’ Road.
The WandaVision spinoff has amazing plot twists and character development. However, Agatha isn’t forced into a redemption arc, which is refreshing. She remains the hilarious, selfish, and flawed character she has always been onscreen. Kathryn Hahn is an absolute powerhouse actor, and she really nails this role. On top of that, she gets a romance arc with Lady Death, played by Aubrey Plaza, and they have palpable chemistry. Ultimately, the show received three Emmys, which is pretty impressive for a superhero TV show.
4 Angels In America (2003)
Based on the iconic play by Tony Kushner, Angels in America might be the most culturally and socially poignant fantasy miniseries ever made. Kushner's play is a reflection of the AIDS epidemic and the U.S. government's discrimination against people with AIDS. Packed with a star-studded ensemble cast, Angels in America works hard to live up to its source material, and it doesn't back down from the difficult subjects.
While the stage play also leans into the fantastical side of the story, the 2003 screen adaptation of Angels in America had the opportunity to push the visuals even further. The story is heavy, but extremely important. The sweeping narrative touches upon many niches of experience within the LGBTQ+ community and is a must-watch addition to the genre.
3 The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is one of the most underrated and entertaining fantasy shows, and it easily lands in the top three of the best miniseries in the genre. The story follows three Gelflings named Rian, Deet, and Bria who come together to save their planet Thra from power-hungry overlords and a destructive blight.
While many sequels are simple cash grabs, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance doesn’t feel that way. The characters are compelling, and the story feels like it needed to be told. On top of that, they used notes from Jim Henson and Frank Oz to create it, meaning it feels tonally in line with the original. Plus, the puppetry is fantastic.
2 Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (2015)
Credit: MovieStillsDBSome of the best fantasy TV shows in history have been based on books, and it's not difficult to see why the novel Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell called itself to be adapted for the screen. A revisionist take on early 19th-century England that overflows with magic, demons, and intrigue, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell does justice to Susanna Clarke's original book.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell holds up today because the series never dated itself while it was airing in 2015. Despite being set in the past, there are very few uncomfortable moments that would chafe modern viewers, and the visual effects look gorgeous compared to even the most high-budget projects of the 2020s in the fantasy genre. It helps that Bertie Carvel and Eddie Marsan are a dynamic pair to watch onscreen as the title characters.
1 Over The Garden Wall (2014)
From its star-studded cast featuring Elijah Wood, Melanie Lynskey, and Christopher Lloyd, to the atmospheric character and production design, there's a lot to recommend about Over the Garden Wall. For many fans of the ten-episode series, rewatching the show as soon as the weather gets cooler in the fall is a yearly tradition. Nothing puts you in the autumnal mood like a journey into the Unknown.
It's easy to see why Over the Garden Wall is considered the pinnacle of fantasy television by so many, as the show is able to balance its surreal, stylized elements with a strong character-driven narrative that all viewers can relate to. Blending elements of fairy tales, folk legends, and toeing the line between episodic and serialized, Over the Garden Wall is a miniseries that we'll never get tired of.
English (US) ·