The best "fantasy series" of the 21st century
Here is a list of the 10 most popular fantasy series that have been published in the last 25 years.
The fantasy genre has been present in literature for a long time, and later it made its way to cinema, video games, and television. This genre has always attracted a large audience by creating new worlds or changing the rules of the real world. Sometimes the monotony of everyday life becomes boring and watching a world where the laws of nature and physics are different provides an opportunity to experience new adventures.
Of course, not all fantasy series are successful; Some have failed to satisfy audiences due to poor storytelling, but others have become so popular that they are still talked about years after their release. Next, we introduce the top 10 fantasy series of the 21st century.
10. Supernatural (Supernatural); 2005 to 2020
The Supernatural series was on air for 15 years; An impressive achievement in the world of television that many series do not even reach a tenth of this time.
The story is about two brothers who travel across America as hunters and investigators of supernatural phenomena and investigate strange cases. The series not only became an iconic work with enduring dialogues, but also inspired a large number of internet satirical patterns due to its humorous moments.
However, Supernatural is not just a comedy. In addition to funny moments, this series has a dramatic and sometimes very impressive story. Its cultural influence is such that even those who are not fans of it cannot ignore its influence on popular culture and the internet space.
9. Attack on Titan (Attack on Titan); 2013 to 2023
Attack on Titan is one of the anime series that has managed to attract audiences outside the anime fan community. The story takes place in a fantasy world with relatively limited magical elements; Where after the appearance of man-eating giants known as titans, humans are forced to live in a huge city surrounded by walls.
But these walls also do not guarantee permanent security. The Titans finally find a way to infiltrate the city and disrupt the order of society by attacking the humans.
Special atmosphere, attractive story, terrifying themes and stunning images are among the factors that distinguish this collection from many similar works. Accuracy in the design of the scenes and extensive world building has also added to its quality. The production of four seasons of this series took about a decade and the result is a work that, along with action scenes, confronts the audience with a complex and detailed world.
8. Avatar: The Last Airbender (Avatar: The Last Airbender); 2005 to 2008
This Nickelodeon animated series was inspired by the style of Japanese anime, but it was able to find a special identity due to its independent story and attractive characters.
The story is about Avatar; A character who should unite the four nations of water, earth, fire and wind. Themes such as friendship, unity and responsibility, along with exciting battles, are the main elements of the series.
Although this series is primarily made for children, its clever humor, lovable characterization and adventurous narrative appeal to adults as well. The animated version still holds a special place among audiences, and the live-action Netflix adaptation has not been able to reach the same level of popularity and impact.
Avatar: The Last Airbender remains popular after nearly two decades, and for many viewers, it is one of the most enduring childhood television experiences.
7. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance); 2019
This dark fantasy series is a prequel to the 1982 Dark Crystal movie; A film that, despite its artistic value and stunning visual effects, remained a lesser-known work for a long time.
The story takes the audience back to the world and narrates the events that lead to the story of the original film. Impressive decorations, complex puppetry and the design of various creatures are among the most prominent features of the collection. Jahan Sara is both beautiful and terrifying and each of its inhabitants has their own appearance, culture and special status.
Despite critical acclaim, the series was canceled after only one season; A decision that many enthusiasts find disappointing. Critics welcomed the return to the fantasy world of Sara and praised the artistic quality of the collection.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is an example of works whose short life does not prevent them from becoming a lasting experience in the fantasy genre.
6. Merlin (Merlin); 2008 to 2012
Merlin is one of the most well-known characters in the legends of King Arthur; A wizard, in traditional representations, is usually depicted with a long beard, a magical robe, and a pointed hat.
But the Merlin series took a different path and instead of focusing on the aging and mysterious witch, it told the story of her younger years. Colin Morgan appears as Merlin; A young man who gradually discovers his magical abilities and faces many challenges in his life.
This series is not just a fantasy adventure; Humor, emotional relationships and love stories also have an important place in it. A different reimagining of the Arthurian legends, Merlin offers a fresh and entertaining narrative that continues to appeal to fantasy lovers.
5. Witcher (The Witcher); 2019 until today
The Witcher is based on a collection of novels and short stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The main character of the story, Geralt from Rivia, is a professional monster hunter who fights mythical creatures for a living.
The wide story world, diverse characters, fierce battles and scary and creative creatures are some of the outstanding features of this collection. The Witcher was released right at the end of Game of Thrones; When a group of audiences were not satisfied with the end of that series and were looking for a new work in the same mood.
The Witcher has similarities to Game of Thrones in terms of world-building, political conflict, and dark atmosphere, but it also maintains its own independent identity. Although the quality of its later seasons has been criticized, this series is still considered one of the most successful fantasy works of Netflix and one of the important series of this genre in the 21st century.
4. The Dragon Prince 2018 to 2024
Dragon Prince is an ambitious series that creates a new world full of magic, mystery and dragons. Its creators, without relying on a known literary work, had to form the history, mythology and rules of the fictional world from scratch.
The result is a collection that quickly immerses the audience in its world. The extensive story and characters are designed in such a way that each episode reveals a new part of this world. Visually, the collection looks like a painted movie and shows the efforts of the production team to create an artistic experience.
The Dragon Prince may not be as well known as some of the more famous works on this list, but it has earned the fourth place in this ranking; A place that shows the importance of world building and coherent narrative in the success of a fantasy series.
3. House of the Dragon; 2022 until today
House of Dragons is a prequel to Game of Thrones and is based on the book Fire and Blood by George R. R. Martin made; A book that narrates the fictional history of Westeros and its ruling families.
The story deals with the Targaryen family gaining power in the Seven Kingdoms; An era in which war, competition for succession and political violence play an essential role. After several years away from the world of Westeros, the audience waited a long time to return to this story space.
Like its original series, House of Dragons is full of political intrigue, romance, drama, and epic battles. The scale of the production and its powerful narrative have made this series one of the most popular works of recent years.
Although it may not ultimately have as much cultural impact as Game of Thrones, House of Dragons remains one of the most prominent fantasy television series of the 21st century.
2 . Kingdom (Kingdom); 2019 to 2022
Kingdom is a Korean series in the genre of fantasy and horror, which, according to many fans, has not received the attention it deserves. The story takes place during the Joseon Dynasty and is about a crown prince who faces the powerful family of his stepmother, the Cho Dynasty; A family trying to seize royal power.
The story becomes more complicated when the king dies before the birth of the stepmother's child. To maintain their power, the Chu family tries to bring the king back to life using a legendary herb, but this action inadvertently causes the outbreak of a zombie-like disease.