10 Most Perfect Fantasy Shows of the Last 25 Years
Collider has published a ranked list of the ten "most perfect" fantasy television shows from the past 25 years, compiled by journalist Jessica Toomer as a viewing guide for fans of the genre. The list runs from great to "life-altering," with entries chosen for their storytelling, world-building and rewatchability rather than sheer scale.
– A Discovery of Witches (2018–2022), ranked 10th: Sky One's adaptation of Deborah Harkness' novels, starring Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode, praised for its lush cinematography and detailed treatment of witches, vampires and daemons across three seasons
– Preacher (2016–2019), ranked 9th: AMC's adaptation of Garth Ennis' comic, starring Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga and Joseph Gilgun, noted for combining dark comedy with violent, irreverent storytelling over four seasons
– (The remainder of the top eight entries were not included in the supplied article text)
- Collider ranks the ten best fantasy TV shows of the last 25 years
- A Discovery of Witches placed 10th, praised for its visuals and world-building
- Preacher placed 9th, noted for mixing dark humour with violence
New here? Start with this
Fantasy TV has boomed over the past 25 years, with streaming services and cable networks investing heavily in adaptations of novels, comics and original epics. This has produced a crowded field of shows ranging from sprawling, big-budget epics to smaller, character-driven series, making it hard for viewers to know where to start. Lists like this one aim to cut through that abundance by singling out shows judged especially well-crafted or rewatchable, rather than simply the biggest or most talked-about.
The two entries mentioned so far illustrate the range the list covers. A Discovery of Witches, based on Deborah Harkness's novels, is a romantic supernatural drama about witches, vampires and daemons, while Preacher, adapted from a comic book series, is a darker, more violent and comedic take on the genre. Both had multi-season runs and drew praise for their visual style and tone, showing that "fantasy" here spans a wide range of moods and source material.
Such rankings matter to readers mainly as viewing guides, helping them decide what to watch next from years of choice, and as talking points for fans who may agree or disagree with the selections. They also reflect broader conversations about which shows have aged well or hold up on rewatching, rather than being tied to a single news event.