While there are several popularfantasyTV showsthat are still loved by many, it doesn’t mean that they are as good as viewers remember them to be. There are manyolder fantasy tv shows that are still entertaining. However, it’s worth noting that even though these titles are still prominent favorites for audiences, they don’t always live up to the original hype and the memory of them is better than the reality.
As time goes on, it’s easy to be nostalgic for these shows.Upon rewatching them, many find they don’t hold up as well as remembered. With the world of fantasy TV being more ambitious and visually stunning than ever, these shows still stand out within the genre, but they just aren’t as good in comparison to when they initially aired on screens.
5Merlin (2008-2012)
5 Seasons
Merlinis one ofthe best fantasy TV shows made on a low budget, but unfortunately,the lower production quality is more noticeable now. With the competition of titles likeGame of ThronesandStranger Things,Merlin’s visuals simply aren’t as impressive as they seemed during the show’s original run.
Merlin relies on queerbaiting to push the relationship between Merlin and Arthur, and the lack of a satisfying conclusion for the pair is frustrating.
The titular character’s story is still compelling, but upon revisiting it, it isn’t as perfect as many remember it to be.Merlinrelies on queerbaiting to pushthe relationship between Merlin and Arthur, and the lack of a satisfying conclusion for the pair is frustrating. After years of a build-up,Merlin’s ending heartlessly kills Arthur rather abruptly.
Merlin
Cast
Merlin is a 2008 fantasy television series following the formative years of the legendary wizard Merlin, portrayed by Colin Morgan. Set in Camelot, it explores Merlin’s early friendship with Prince Arthur, played by Bradley James, amid a kingdom where magic is banned.
Merlin’s character development is also a little confusing, too, and his obsessive faith in the prophecy draws him further and further away from the person he starts the show as. AlthoughMerlinis still an enjoyable watch, it isn’t perfect, and there are some issues with it that are more recognizable nowadays.
4The Shannara Chronicles (2016-2017)
2 Seasons
The Shannara Chroniclesis aflawed fantasy TV showwith some redeeming qualities, but ultimately, it doesn’t meet the same standards as some titles from recent years. Many readers of Terry Brooks’ series feel thatThe Shannara Chroniclesfails as an adaptation anddoesn’t do a great job of staying true to the source material. The changes to several plotlines feel off, and many think that the show struggles to fully understand who the real target audience is.
The Shannara Chronicles
The Shannara Chronicles is a television adaptation of Terry Brooks’ Shannara series, set in a post-apocalyptic world where three teens named Wil, Amberle, and Eretria embark on a quest to stop a demon army from destroying the Four Lands. With a mix of magic and adventure, the series explores themes of friendship, destiny, and the constant battle between good and evil.
A big part ofThe Shannara Chronicles’ initial success is the casting of Austin Butler as Wil. However, the actor doesn’t offer much more than a brooding facial expression, and the show has trouble with sticking with a fully fleshed out identity for the character.The Shannara Chroniclesis cut short before it gets interestingand is afantasy TV show that wasted its potential, which is disappointing, considering the original concept.
3Shadowhunters (2016-2019)
3 Seasons
As a book adaptation,Shadowhuntersfails to replicate its source material well. While it is still relatively popular, many forget how different it feels toThe Mortal Instruments. One of the biggest issues people have withShadowhuntersis that it’s far more cringier than they remember it to be.
Shadowhunters Deserves A Proper Adaptation (& This Is The Obvious Way They Should Do It)
The Shadowhunters books deserve a better adaptation than the two they got, and there’s one obvious way to bring this world back to the screen.
Katherine McNamara, the lead ofShadowhunters’ cast, while a decent enough actress, doesn’t bring Clary Fray to life in the same way the books do. The show features an intriguing supernatural story, but the interactions betweenShadowhunters’ best charactersare rather cheesy. For example, Jace promising to protect Clary feels overly tropey and quite out-of-character.
Shadowhunters
Shadowhunters is a television series based on the book series by Cassandra Clare. Premiering in 2016, it follows Clary Fray, who discovers her lineage and joins a group of demon hunters called Shadowhunters. As she navigates her new reality, she embarks on a mission to rescue her kidnapped mother.
However, it’s worth noting that theShadowhuntersmovie is generally held in a much higher regard, so many find the TV show harder to enjoy. Considering the prominence ofShadowhuntersduring its first season, many viewers forget that the overall quality of the show declines further and further with each installment.
2Angel (1999-2004)
Angel,theBuffy the Vampire Slayerspinoff, isn’t a terrible show whatsoever, but it’s definitely not as good as audiences remember it being during its original run. The titular character is aBuffylegend anda favorite fictional character of many, but his show does have some flaws. One ofAngel’s best qualities is the in-depth storylines, but some of these become so convoluted at times that it impacts the character development.
Angel
A spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel is a drama series with supernatural elements that stars David Boreanaz, reprising his role as the titular vampire. An immortal cursed with his human soul returning to his body, which makes him susceptible to human emotions such as remorse. Angel lives in Los Angeles as a private detective, seeking redemption for his murderous past as a vicious warlord. Angel will face threats such as humans and demons that rival his own cruel potential as he ventures to help those in need.
WhileAngelis also a product ofBuffy, a show that relies on being overly dramatic at points, the spinoff leans a little too heavily into this. Angel’s constant brooding and depression over his soul gets boring after a while, andhis never ending fight against himself is only endearing to a certain degree.Angelis definitely a‘90s fantasy TV show that holds up, but compared to titles nowadays, it relies on clichés and tropes far too much.
1Charmed (1998-2006)
8 Seasons
The original run ofCharmedis still a feel-good watch, but for a fantasy TV show, it’s rather relaxed andfeels more like a sitcom without the heavy use of comedy than a drama. The decision-making of the characters throughoutall eight seasons ofCharmedare often called into question.
While it is still a great fantasy TV show,Charmedoften struggles to stick to its main genre.
Phoebe, for example, frequently makes bad choices when it comes to her dating life, yet she is supposed to be the one who typically offers advice, which makes her character arc of making up for her past less impactful. It’s infuriating to watch it again and realize that the writers don’t seem to care too much about character development ofCharmed’s Halliwell sistersor staying consistent with the show’s overall tone.
Charmed
Charmed is a television series centered on three sisters—Prue, Piper, and Phoebe—who discover their powers as the Charmed Ones, destined to fight evil forces. Set in modern-day San Francisco, the series explores their evolving magical abilities while they juggle personal lives and combat demons and warlocks.
The mythological lore throughout the show becomes less of a focus in the later seasons, which is annoying, considering it is one element that audiences tend to rememberCharmedfor. While it is still a greatfantasyTV show,Charmedoften struggles to stick to its main genre.
