Looking for a new sci-fi/fantasy show to binge? You can't go wrong with any of these nine series, which run the gamut from brand new to tried and true:
The Wheel of Time
Let's get the bad news out of the way first...The Wheel of Time has been cancelled, but that doesn't mean it's not deserving of being on our list. Based on the 14 book-series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, The Wheel of Time books walked so that the Song of Ice and Fire books could run.
If we had to explain this fantasy epic in full, we'd be here all day. It's a magical story about a group of unassuming country kids — Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, Egwene al'Vere and Nynaeve al'Meara — taken on a world-spanning journey that will have them cross paths with the most powerful people alive as they prepare to face down the malevolent Dark One. The Wheel of Time has a huge cast of characters and draws on several real-life mythologies. It's a rich text.
Like nearly every book-to-live-action adaptation, the Prime Video series made several changes to the source material, which is why we recommend watching the show and reading the books (which might be easier said than done). That may sound like a lot of work, but we can guarantee that if the show isn't enough for fantasy lovers, the books will suffice.
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Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones includes so many elements that fans of the fantasy genre love, from dragons to kingdoms, battles, magic, giants, and more, and that's without touching all the betrayals, alliances, and power grabs the show became famous for. Based on the Song of Ice and Fire book series by George R. R. Martin, the HBO show never shied away from graphic violence and sex, and catapulted the acting careers of performers like Jason Momoa, Emilia Clarke, Sophie Turner and Pedro Pascal.
With eight seasons to its name, Game of Thrones had television, media, and pop culture in a vice from beginning to end, arguably becoming one of the most influential television shows in recent history. We recommend reading the books and diving into the show for the ultimate fantasy indulgence.
Doctor Who
One simply does not attend a comic convention of any sort and not encounter a single Doctor Who reference. While we have a lot of science fiction content to choose from on our list, there is no denying the cultural phenomenon that is Doctor Who.
Already at 41 seasons, our beloved Time Lord has been played by a multitude of people over the years, including such talented actors as William Hartnell, Tom Baker, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Jodie Whittaker, and currently Ncuti Gatwa. Doctor Who has met countless historical figures while encountering numerous villains and dangers, like the unmistakable Daleks, Cybermen, and Weeping Angels.
Each Doctor travels with a Companion, adding more depth to the story and to the Doctor themselves. Chances are, if you've never watched the television show, you are well aware of the unforgettable theme song.
Star Trek
When it comes to science fiction, there are two fandoms often compared to each other: Star Trek and Star Wars. While we'd love to discuss both, we decided to choose Star Trek this time around, in honor the influence its immunerable shows have had over the years.
Star Trek is another powerful force that dominates the comic convention circuit, showing no signs of stopping. And frankly, we don't want it to.
For years, audiences have been captivated by the of the enterprising explorers adventuring throughout the universe, mostly featuring the crew aboard the United Federation of Planets ships such as the USS Enterprise and the Enterprise-D. Some of the most powerful names in Hollywood have been connected to the franchise, including William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Oded Fehr, Michelle Yeoh, Patrick Stewart and LeVar Burton.
The creativity and imagination will never faze us as the lore continues to grow, introducing new planets, aliens, and languages. Star Trek keeps us interested time and time again.
There are a ton of Star Trek shows out there to choose from, but the most popular one of the moment is Strange New Worlds, which is a great one to check out if you're a beginner. It's got great reviews and most episodes stand alone.
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone is a classic for all the right reasons and will leave you second-guessing the world around you. Long before Black Mirror, audiences had this wonderfully written and acted science fiction show that told strange stories and thought-provoking, cautionary tales where happy endings weren't always guaranteed.
Narrated by Rod Sterling (the creator of the show and writer of several episodes), audiences never knew what story they were about to experience. It could be the infamous William Shatner episode "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," Julie Newmar's devilishly profound "Of Late I Think of Cliffordville", Telly Savalas in the creepy "Living Doll," or Lois Nettleton's plot twist episode "The Midnight Sun." The Twilight Zone combines sci-fi, horror and more.
Some episodes may have aged better than others, but there's no denying way The Twilight Zone couldn't be on our list.
Stranger Things
Science fiction and fantasy come together in this horror Netflix television show! With only one season left of the series (we know, we're bummed to), there is plenty of time to catch up on Stranger Things.
What is the premise? It's the 1980s, kids are out and about, music is great, and a midwestern small-town secret lab is about to change the lives of several people.
Three friends, Mike, Lucas, and Dustin, search for their missing friend Will and stumble on a girl with special abilities. It turns out she was one of several secret experiments occurring at the underground lab, which leads to the discovery of another dimension filled with ungodly creatures like the dreaded Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer.
If you can handle the heavy horror elements of this addictive and innovative science fiction show, we recommend binge-watching it on a rainy, stormy day with snacks.
Supernatural
For 15 seasons, two brothers are tasked with hunting everything paranormal. Following in their father's footsteps, Dean and Sam Winchester face practically everything you can think of, from angels to demons to ghosts, changelings, sirens, elves, reapers, Gorgons, fairies and skinwalkers.
Supernatural has everything for people who love the paranormal side of the fantasy world. It's impressive to see a show with such a long run. Audiences became invested in the dynamic between the brothers, completely absorbed in a world where real life mixes with all things supernatural.
The show is easy to watch and digest and has a very strong fanbase; there are even Supernatural conventions!
Xena: Warrior Princess
I'm about to date myself here, but who doesn't like Xena: Warrior Princess after they've watched it? I would argue that it is one of the best fantasy television shows of all time, complete with action, adventure, romance, and historical fiction (raise your hand if you loved and still love Greek and Roman mythology). Not bad for a spinoff of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
The six-season show starred the charismatic Lucy Lawless as our main character Xena, the heroine with the most epic battle cry ever! Other familiar faces from the series include Karl Urban (yes, we are not joking), Renee O'Connor, Bruce Campbell, Timothy Omundson and Kevin Sorbo.
A classic fantasy television show with one of the coolest feminist icons ever, we're already making plans to rewatch Xena: Warrior Princess.
Once Upon a Time
Last but not least is one of the most popular fantasy television shows of all time! For those who are devoted Disney fans or simply enjoyers of fairy tales, we present with you with ABC's Once Upon a Time.
Another show on our list with a star-studded cast, (Ginnifer Goodwin, Colin O'Donoghue, Tom Ellis, Giancarlo Esposito, Jamie Chung, and Robert Carlyle are all present, to name a few), the seven-season show brought in a multitude of characters from fairy tales and literature to life in the modern world.
That said, you may need to forget most of what you know about these characters. It's very easy to get confused over the changes, including when villains turn good, when good guys go bad, who falls in love with whom, and who is related to whom. Characters that show up include Snow White, the Evil Queen, Captain Hook, Merida, the Wicked Witch of the West, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, Mad Hatter, Dr. Facilier, Hades, Cruella De Vil, and Dr. Henry Jekyll.
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