10 Best Live-Action Dark Fantasy Shows

Summary

• Dark fantasy genre offers a gritty and twisted take on traditional hero stories with morally complex characters and dark themes.
• Popular series like Game of Thrones and Supernatural set high standards for high fantasy with dark undertones.
• Underrated gems like The Magicians, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Penny Dreadful offer a darker and more macabre take on dark fantasy.

Live-action dark fantasy is a rapidly expanding genre with many phenomenal TV shows that offer excitement and thrills. The story of good versus evil has a perennial quality that appeals to optimism and justice. However, in a world that’s increasingly chaotic and filled with hate, these stories have begun to feel disingenuous. This has led many people to seek out stories that provide a degree of escapism while also reflecting reality. Dark fantasy is the perfect solution.

Dark fantasy is an age-old countercultural movement that challenges the traditional hero’s journey, black-and-white morality, and fairytale idealism. These stories incorporate elements like violence, horror, gothic style, existential themes, and deeply flawed protagonists. While the genre has always existed, dark fantasy animes and live-action TV shows have gained popularity in the past decade. There are now many great series for viewers looking for the more twisted side of imagination.

11 Honorable Mention: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

A High Fantasy Series with Dark Storylines

The TV show Game of Thrones and its spinoff, House of the Dragon, are two of the best-known fantasies on TV, and they set high expectations for the genre. Based on the books by George R.R. Martin, the two series are both typically considered high fantasy. They exist within a world of their own, incorporating a unique magic system, history, and rules. However, due to their dark themes and storylines, they both verge on dark fantasy. The Game of Thrones shows also include morally ambiguous characters who commit acts of violence.

Because these two verge on dark fantasy and are so iconic, they needed to be included among the best live-action dark fantasy shows. However, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon don’t contain enough dark fantasy tropes or characteristics to rank higher than an honorable mention.

10 Wednesday (2022-Present)

A Tamer Dark Fantasy Aimed At Teenagers

Netflix’s Wednesday is a superb dark fantasy that caters to teens and young adults. The show follows the sarcastic Wednesday Addams, who tries to solve a killing spree and harness her psychic abilities as a supernatural school. Because of the audience, the show doesn’t boast quite as many dark themes. However, the TV show incorporates gothic and macabre styles that are visually striking and exciting.

Wednesday makes references to dark fantasy/horror authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley, helping establish the tone and mood. On top of all these things that make the show great, Netflix’s Wednesday season 2 will include a much darker tone and themes than the first one.

However, the show is still a more child-appropriate, tamed version of a genre that pushes back against the morality boundaries found in traditional fantasy. As such, Wednesday is slightly less impactful than other dark fantasy live-action TV shows that lean into darker characters and stories.

9 Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-2020)

A Dark Fantasy Riverdale Spinoff

The Riverdale spinoff, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, is an excellent and campy example of dark horror for young adults done well. The TV show follows a half-human, half-witch named Sabrina Spellman, who tries to balance the two worlds and come to terms with her family’s legacy in the Church of the Night. The series incorporates elements of horror in its visuals and characters. There’s no absence of blood and violence.

When developing the world and storylines, the show includes aspects of witchcraft, the occult, demons, and dark forces. The main characters of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina also include dark humor that pushes the limits of what’s appropriate in a teen drama, much like its predecessor. Somehow, the show manages to blend school, drama, teenage romances, horror, and fantasy without any of the genres ruining the other.

8 Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)

A Dark Fantasy With Gothic Literature Characters

Showtime’s Penny Dreadful only lasted for three seasons, but it created a legacy as one of the best dark fantasy TV shows. The story centers on a medium named Vanessa Ives, who interacts with Gothic horror literature characters like Dorian Gray, Victor Frankenstein, and Count Dracula while trying to stop the evils lurking in the shadows of 1891 London. The series blurs the line between horror and dark fantasy by including supernatural elements. It also features profound and morally complex characters.

Impressively, Penny Dreadful garnered a whopping 13 Primetime Emmy Nominations over three years, pointing to the show’s strengths. The second season has an impressive 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. Additionally, the showrunner chose to end the series because it was a natural end to the story instead of getting canceled. Penny Dreadful only falls lower on the list of bests because the others are that excellent, rather than the show’s failings.

7 The Originals (2013-2018)

The Dark Fantasy Spinoff Of The Vampire Diaries

The Originals is a spinoff of The Vampire Diaries that leans further into dark fantasy, gritty visuals, and violence than its predecessor. The story follows a cruel vampire-werewolf hybrid named Niklaus (Klaus) Mikaelson and his vampire siblings, who try to take control of their old home in the French Quarter of New Orleans, where there’s a turf war between vampires, witches, and werewolves.

Unlike the predecessor series, the point-of-view characters are morally gray and Machiavellian, upping the dark motivations and horrifying actions. The storylines include human sacrifices, evil rituals, and spirits possessing people – all of which verge on horror. This show is often regarded as the best in the Vampire Diaries Universe due to its darker and more mature tone. Additionally, The Originals seasons 2 through 4 all hold an impressive 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. Unfortunately, the show didn’t see as much critical acclaim as other dark fantasy shows.

6 Interview With the Vampire (2022-Present)

An LGBTQ+ Dark Fantasy Based On Anne Rice’s Books

The AMC series Interview with the Vampire is by far one of the best dark fantasies on TV. Based Anne Rice’s books, the story follows a vampire named Louis de Pointe du Lac who gives an interview to journalist Daniel Molloy about his past – most notably his romance with a man named Lestat de Lioncourt in the 1910s New Orleans. Interview with the Vampire has all the hallmarks of a dark fantasy, incorporating gothic horror elements into the raunchy LGBTQ+ fantasy.

The series gained overwhelming critical praise due to its incredible writing, soundtrack, and production design. Both seasons hold an almost perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 98%, and Interview with the Vampire season 3 is on the way. Additionally, Interview with the Vampire was included in IndieWire’s list of the 25 most essential LGBTQ+ TV shows of the 21st century.

5 Shadow And Bone

Based on the Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows series by Leigh Bardugo, this show follows Alina Starkov, an orphan cartographer who discovers her heritage and magical gifts that could save the universe. Shadow and Bone easily places among the best dark fantasy live-action TV shows due to the quality of the show and the audience response.

The show itself is incredibly well done from a technical standpoint. It has a clear voice and aesthetic that’s familiar and distinct from other fantasy stories. The acting and writing are also noteworthy because they combine to create well-rounded characters.

The audiences also loved Shadow and Bone, ranking 24th for the most-watched streaming original show across all platforms in 2023 (via The Wrap). The show was also voted Fan Favorite Series of 2023 on Rotten Tomatoes, garnering 54% of the vote. Sadly, the show was canceled due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes, so it feels incomplete, unlike the shows that rank higher.

4 Supernatural

Supernatural is a TV show with a passionate and dedicated fanbase. The show follows Dean and Sam Winchester, two brothers who hunt all the things that go bump in the night. This series is considered the longest-running horror TV show (via MovieWeb), but it falls more into the dark fantasy genre. The gore is moderate, the tone is gritty but not typically scary, and the show leans into cinematography styles common in fantasy.

Supernatural ranks high among the best dark fantasy series because of its long-running legacy. Though some shows run for a long time, it’s not often that shows can maintain such a passionate fanbase and a decent story over a long period. Many of the fans connected with Supernatural because of the chemistry and relationship between Dean and Sam. The brothers bounce off each other perfectly, which provides a counterbalance to the darker storylines in the show. The show garnered an impressive nine nominations for the Saturn Awards – six of which were for Best Network Television Series.

3 The Magicians

The Magicians is both criminally underrated and one of the best live-action dark fantasy TV shows ever. The series follows a group of graduate students from a magical university called Brakebills who travel to the twisted fantasy world of Fillory. Though it has its whimsical and goofy moments, The Magicians is known for being gritty, macabre, and gory.

The show isn’t afraid to maim or kill its main characters, which many fantasy series are too scared to do. The characters regularly behave in morally ambiguous ways, that make them both lovable and hateable. The storylines also integrate real-life and fantastical horrors. Some of the darkest moments in The Magicians involve mental illness, sexual assault, and homophobia.

Overall, The Magicians is a masterpiece that deserves much more attention and praise. The characters and plot are incredibly well-developed, and the visuals are impressive. The series includes excellent representation of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. Impressively, The Magicians was nominated five times for Best Fantasy Television Series at the Saturn Awards. Every season except the first also has a Rotten Tomatoes score over 90%, with two holding 100%. Still, it’s usually written off when it comes to fantasy shows because of its heavy themes and storylines. That’s what makes it the perfect dark fantasy, though.

2 The Witcher (2019-Present)

A Dark Fantasy Based On The Hit Video Game Series

The Witcher follows a monster-hunting mercenary named Geralt of Rivia who tries to exist in a corrupt and twisted world. The characters in this show mostly fall into the category of morally gray, doing whatever benefits them the most. Additionally, this dark fantasy trait is a nice deviation from the black-and-white characters found in many high fantasy shows.

The Witcher is one series where critics and audiences disagree about its merits. Critics have given mixed reviews, but audiences adore the series. After its debut, The Witcher dethroned The Mandalorian and Stranger Things to become the most in-demand streaming show (via Business Insider). Netflix revealed that the show was the second most popular show of 2019, with only Stranger Things beating it (via Variety). Ultimately, between the acting, soundtrack, visual effects, makeup, hair, and cinematography, The Witcher has many fantastic elements that land it among the best dark fantasy TV shows.

1 The Sandman

While many phenomenal dark fantasy TV shows exist, Netflix’s The Sandman is the best. The story follows Morpheus (also called Dream), the anthropomorphic personification of dreams, who tries to restore his realm after escaping his 106-year captivity. This show integrates gothic visuals, a dark tone, and a jaded protagonist, which helps create a gloomy and nihilistic ambiance.

Because the show is based on DC Comics, the storyline and characters are extremely well-developed and complex. All the characters make questionable decisions, but their dysfunction is humanized. The creative team showed attention to detail in the costuming and production design, which elevates the show. The score is influential, shaping the plot and mood. Unlike many dark fantasy TV shows, The Sandman has a hopeful message about what it means to be human. Ultimately, the technical elements, strong story, and incredible acting make this the best dark fantasy TV show on a technical level.

On top of that, the critical response and audience response was overwhelmingly positive. The show received a nomination at both the Saturn Awards and Nebula Awards. It was also popular enough to spur the spinoff Dead Boy Detectives and get a second season.

Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, IndieWire, The Wrap, MovieWeb, Business Insider, Variety