The fantasy genre has long been about tales of magic, adventure, and perilous quests. And while the modern era retains those beloved elements, the year 2024 has seen an evolution of the genre in that it has introduced fresh tropes like political intrigue, dragon fights, alternate histories and darker worlds. Franchises like Lord of the Rings and cult favorites like Harry Potterhave long dominated the silver screens, but on the small screens, there is scope for even more detailed and expansive universes to unfold.
Ever since HBO’s Game of Thrones brought the epic saga of dragon queens and scheming kings to life and became a global phenomenon, television has constantly been adding new shows to its database and casting magical spells on viewers. 2024 isn’t far behind in establishing itself memorable, especially with creators dreaming up imaginary worlds filled with tales of unlikely heroism.
This year, shows like the GoT spin-off, House Of The Dragon, and Marvel’s most recent Agatha All Along have been hyped enormously. Here are 10 of the biggest fantasy series of 2024.
10 The Acolyte
Set in the twilight of the High Republic Era, The Acolyte dives into the dark underbelly of the Star Wars universe by telling a story that takes place around 100 years before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. It follows a well-respected Jedi Master as he investigates a series of shocking crimes, only to be confronted by a dangerous warrior from the past. Together, they uncover sinister forces that might threaten the nexus of the Jedi Order and the Republic.
Taps Into the Full Potential of Star Wars
Expanding an already established and widely recognized lore is no easy ordeal, but The Acolyte manages to hold its own by focusing on the darker aspects of Star Wars and offering a fresh perspective of the High Republic era. It plays out like a well-paced and extremely thrilling detective story, exploring shades of gray instead of outright villainy, and shedding new light on all that fuels the franchise. Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, and Manny Jacinto deliver strong performances in a show that deftly combines mystery, action, fantasy, and philosophy.
9 Kaos
A wonderful reimagining of Greek and Roman mythology, one that infuses light-hearted dark comedy to the mix, Kaos centers on three humans – Eurydice, Caeneus, and Ariadne – who have chance encounters with each other and realize that their destinies are intertwined through a prophecy. As they try to understand this, they face corrupt and arrogant gods and unwittingly become pawns in Prometheus’s plans to overthrow Zeus.
Mythology Meets Modern Comedy
Charlie Covell and Georgi Banks Davies’ adaptation of an age-old mythology is rich with references as it combines ancient stories with contemporary themes of politics and power plays with genuinely clever humor. Kaos also excels in its unique storytelling approach where, despite the mythological elements, the plot remains unpredictable and engaging. While the visual style alone is to get you hooked, the performances, particularly by Jeff Goldblum as Zeus and Stephen Dillane as Prometheus, add to the charm.
8 House of the Dragon (Season 2)
House Of The Dragon is a prequel to Game of Thrones, taking place nearly two hundred years before the events of the show. It chronicles the turbulent history of House Targaryen, 172 years prior to the birth of Daenerys Targaryen. While capturing the bitter succession crisis between two siblings and the devastating civil war that nearly tore the Targaryen dynasty apart, the series builds up to the epic battle known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Another Grand Adaptation of Martin’s Works
With dragons soaring in the sky and political intrigue at every turn, House Of The Dragon retains the scale and drama of George R.R. Martin’s glorious world, one that the audiences have been in awe of ever since the books were written. The latest season, specifically, continues to build on its strong foundation with intricate plotlines and character acts. Season 2 focuses on the conflict between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), which is very compelling.
7 Sweet Tooth (Season 3)
An event called “The Great Crumble” led to the downfall of society, where a viral pandemic of a disease wiped out almost all population and the new babies that were born were hybrids with animal characteristics. Sweet Tooth follows the journey of Gus, a 12-year-old boy who is part human, part deer, as he sets out to find his mother after the death of his father. He traverses through a land where hybrid children like him are hunted by humans. Accompanying him are Tommy Jepperd, a lone traveler, and Bear, a teenage warrior.
Heartwarming Tale of Survival
Based on a comic book series created by Jeff Lemire, Sweet Tooth is an unexpectedly moving drama tackling themes of found family and self-discovery. The final season of the show brings a poignant conclusion to Gus’s quest. There are bittersweet reunions, character deaths, and a high-note ending where Gus and his friends build a sanctuary for the hybrids.
The series has been praised for its emotional depth and stunning visuals, balance between dark themes and dystopian narratives, and standout performances by Christian Convery as Gus and Nonso Anozie as Jepperd.
6 The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Season 2)
Set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s famed literature, The Rings of Power explores some major events that took place during the Second Age of Middle-earth. Multiple storylines, such as the rise of Sauron, the forging of the Rings of Power, and the epic battles that eventually shaped the fate of the universe, intersect as Middle-Earth is threatened by a shadow once more, and elves, dwarves, and humans join the fight to defend their home against Sauron.
Second Age of Middle-Earth Reinvented
Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay have painstakingly brought this influential set of histories to life with their unparalleled vision and extreme attention to detail. The visuals, the state-of-the-art costumes and set design have enchanted viewers endlessly. But what makes The Rings of Power stand out is the intricate politics and alliances that went on to define the era. Despite some criticisms of pacing, its mystery-box-like storytelling paired with McCreary’s score make the show a narrative triumph.
5 Time Bandits
Terry Gilliam’s 1981 fantasy was successful enough to spawn two sequels. But the franchise, described as “part fairy tale, part science fiction and part comedy” by critics, went above and beyond by expanding its world to television. Like the movie, it tells the story of an eleven-year-old history buff named Kevin, who embarks on a chaotic adventure with the ragtag group of travelers. Their mission? To steal certain valuable artifacts from ancient civilizations as well as distant futures to evade the Supreme Being.
A Fantastical Treat for All Ages
Gilliam has already infused an absurdist wit to his small-screen winner. Inspired by the same tone, Time Bandits offers a delightful blend of humor and fantasy. It is created by Jemaine Clement, Iain Morris, and Taika Waititi (who also plays the antagonist, Supreme Being), and starring Lisa Kudrow, Kal El-Tuck, Tadhg Murphy, and more, the show is a visually engaging experience. But despite its ambitious world-building and irresistible comedy timing, Time Bandits was canceled after just one season.
4 My Lady Jane
My Lady Jane captures an alternate 16th-century England, where Lady Jane Grey unexpectedly becomes queen after being forced to marry Lord Guildford Dudley. But in this world, humans can transform into animals, which adds a fantastical twist to historical tales. Jane, along with her husband, must navigate the treacherous political waters and face many magical challenges to secure the throne from those who seek to destroy it.
Historical Fantasy with 21st Century Vibes
My Lady Jane is created by Gemma Burgess, who adapted a novel written by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, and Cynthia Hand. Like the source material, the show succeeds in combining historical drama with supernatural elements and receives roaring reviews from critics, who note that “My Lady Jane has her cake and slays it too.”
The lavish sets, Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel’s phenomenal turns as Jane and Guildford, as well as the incredible use of beloved tropes like enemies-to-lovers, make it a standout in 2024’s lineup of fantasy shows. Surprisingly, the show was canceled only recently.
3 Renegade Nell
Another recent fantasy series that got canceled after just one season despite decent reviews, Renegade Nell tells the story of Nell Jackson, a quick-witted young woman framed for murder in a fantastical 18th-century England. Forced to go on the run with her two sisters, Nell becomes the most notorious highwaywoman in the country. She also encounters a magical sprite named Billy Blind, who helps her on her journey of heists in the perilous world.
A Sensational Fantasy Led By Louisa Harland
Television has become a competitive landscape for the fantasy genre, which is why shows like Renegade Nell are failing to establish themselves as mainstays. Regardless, it stands out in its bold and feminist approach to storytelling, where the main character is magnetic and fearless and has a great destiny ahead of her. Louisa Harland, known for her role as Orla in Derry Girls, owns the role of Nell and captivates all with her dynamic with weather characters. The vibrant setting and magical twists make Renegade Nell a must-watch for fans of adventure fantasy.
2 Avatar: The Last Airbender
This live-action adaptation of Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko’s beloved animated fantasy follows the same narrative. In a world divided into four nations based on the classical elements, Avatar: The Last Airbender introduces us to Aang, a twelve-year-old boy who is the last Airbender and the Avatar. His destiny is to master all four elements and bring peace to a world fraught with tension. With his friends Katara and Sokka, Aang prepares to stop the Fire Nation from conquering the world.
Epic Reimagining of a Beloved Classic
The masterful world we immersed ourselves into between 2005 and 2008 comes to glorious and cinematic life under Albert Kim’s direction. Cultivated with the same care, creativity, and emotional depth as the original, the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender is a stunning tribute that honors the soul of the story but also portrays the beloved world in a fresh light.
Gordon Cormier shines as Aang and is supported by a talented cast including Kiawentiio and Dallas Liu. The long time taken for casting and producing the series clearly helped cement the show as another favorite.
1 Agatha All Along
Agatha All Along, Marvel’s most recent Disney+ outing, picks up three years after the events of WandaVision, with Agatha Harkness escaping her magical imprisonment in Westview and realizing the truth about her own identity. After a visit from a mysterious goth teen, Agatha recruits a coven of reluctant but powerless witches to journey down the Witches’ Road. Along the way, they face a series of trials and face old enemies.
Whimsical and Witchy
Only three episodes of the highly anticipated miniseries have premiered on the streaming service so far, but Agatha All Along is already shaping up to be a huge success and the viewership numbers are proof of its popularity. Created by Jac Shaeffer, it brings back Kathryn Hahn in her iconic role as Agatha and features fresh talent in the form of Joe Locke and Aubrey Plaza. The show, claimed to be Marvel’s scariest yet, combines dark comedy and fantasy elements and is a truly distinct addition to the franchise.
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