A quick scroll through Netflix's TV show roster makes it easy to see why the platform is the gold standard of streaming entertainment. One reason is the variety of genres available at the click of a button. Horror, sci-fi and fantasy all have a home in the Netflix library, but since this guide focuses on the last category, I'll be spotlighting fantasy series available on the streamer.
Fantasy has become a major force on the small screen over the past two decades, and Netflix offers just about every flavor you can think of within the genre. But where do you start? I'm here to help narrow down the options so you can get straight to binging the good stuff.
What are you in the mood for? If it's a monster-hunting adventure, I suggest The Witcher. You want a gothic murder mystery? Head on over to Wednesday. And when all else fails, you could join Monkey and crew on their treasure hunt in One Piece.
Below is CNET's guide to the best fantasy TV shows Netflix has to offer. I'll be updating this list regularly, so be sure to check back.
Read more: 55 of the Best TV Shows on Netflix That Will Keep You Entertained
Larry Horricks/AMC Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire If you recall the original movie adaptation of Anne Rice's horror fantasy classic novel, die-hard fans were up in arms about casting Tom Cruise as the vampire Lestat. Well, AMC did something about those woes by bringing Rice's Vampire Chronicles to the small screen. AMC's horror series leans heavily into the romantic fantasy realm of Rice's books, and thanks to the writing and casting -- Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson's portrayal of Lestat and Louis is *chef's kiss* -- this adaptation is a delight.
Netflix One Piece Eiichiro Oda's One Piece is a global phenomenon. The hit anime got the live-action works on Netflix and, thanks to the insight provided by Oda, this One Piece instantly became a hit with fans the world over. The cast's fun collective performances and the program's immersive world-building and action-packed vibe proved that a live-action adaptation can absolutely work.
The program, like the anime and manga before it, follows Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) as he pursues his dream to become a pirate and find Gol D. Roger's legendary treasure known as, wait for it, the One Piece.
Susie Allnutt/Netflix The Witcher The Witcher stars Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, the program's titular hero. Based on the books by Andrzej Sapkowski -- which first inspired the popular video game franchise -- the Netflix show follows the adventures of Geralt as he hunts monsters. Thanks to the detailed world-building and ensemble performances, The Witcher is a must-watch for any fans of the fantasy genre. Cavill left the series after season 3, with Liam Hemsworth taking over the role.
Netflix Wednesday With Wednesday, Tim Burton has found further gold to mine in the Addams Family story canon. The series follows Wednesday Addams, played with deadpan delight by Jenna Ortega, as she's sent off to attend Nevermore Academy -- the school for outcasts. Throughout the first season, Wednesday investigates a murder mystery plaguing the school and the nearby town of Jericho. She may not make friends easily, but she definitely leaves her mark (as does the program).
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