With The Rings of Power now airing on Amazon Prime Video, along with a full release schedule to keep viewers up to date, many fans are excited to return to Tolkien’s fantastical world, which will delve into the Second Age before events in The Lord of the Rings. Though many will focus on The Rings of Power for many weeks, Amazon Prime Video has a rich catalog of fantasy dramas worth checking out, each exuding the magical world in its own intricate ways.
From high fantasy treats like The Wheel of Time to inventive tales like Good Omens, there are plenty of options on the streaming service for fantasy fans. Of Amazon’s large collection of fantasy series, these are Reddit’s picks of what’s on offer.
The Wheel Of Time (2021-)
Based on the epic high fantasy book series of the same name, The Wheel of Time was unveiled last year and has already been renewed for a third season before its second has even begun airing this year. The series stars Rosamund Pike as the central character Moiraine Damodred, a woman searching for a figure called The Dragon Reborn, who may save the world or bring about its destruction.
For those who love Game of Thrones’ immersive fantasy, Redditor Adderbane suggests that The Wheel of Time is one of the “other big names” that fans should check out. Whilst it might not be able to match Game of Thrones for grit and scale, the show instead strips things back and makes intimate character moments the focal point, giving it a unique appeal.
Earthsea (2004)
Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea book series – set in a high fantasy world of islands and seas where some are born with a great talent for magic – might not ever get a big-budget adaptation on the level of The Lord of the Rings. But, this miniseries from the mid-2000s goes some way to make up for it.
Redditor hurdygurdy_sc2 acknowledges that die-hard fans of the books may not appreciate the show’s deviations from its source material but says they “enjoyed it for what it was.” Shawn Ashmore, who plays the fascinating Lamplighter in The Boys, plays the reckless main character in a show that hits all the fantasy clichés of wizards, prophecies, and magic with a low-budget charm that can be addictive.
Britannia (2017-)
Britannia is a show that intriguingly mixes fantasy with real history as it crafts its own version of the Roman invasion of Great Britain. Many of the characters are actual historical figures, but magical druids and demons play just as much of a part in its epic fantasy action. Redditor EnemyTuba was one person who was won over by its unique charms.
They say they “really enjoyed” the show’s “fantasy take on the Roman period in England.” Though its loose historical basis could easily have made it all too serious, critics praised it for going in the exact opposite direction and leaning into the absurdity of the whole thing. That’s why Britannia is a refreshing change for fans tired of more gritty fantasy offerings.
Grimm (2011-2017)
Fantasy and police procedural are two genres that sound like they shouldn’t work well together, but Grimm proved throughout its run that it could be a compelling mix. Rather than being set in the distant past, the series adds Grimm fairytale-inspired creatures into a modern world, where its homicide detectives come into contact with them.
Redditor therlwl recommends it for its unique premise, describing it as an “urban fantasy.” High fantasy may still be the flavor of choice for a lot of fans, but it is this urban element that makes Grimm uniquely appealing. The way the show incorporates its fantastical elements and fairytale monsters into the everyday lives of its main characters is as inventive as any medieval fantasy and makes for fascinating viewing.
Carnival Row (2019-)
For fantasy with a noir twist, Carnival Row is one of the most ambitious Amazon Original series of recent years. In a world where mythological beings are oppressed refugees struggling to survive in a human-dominated world, Carnival Row‘s mysterious and fascinating plot unfolds.
Redditors like allllerrrrzzz quickly became fans of the show, which stars huge names like Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne in central roles, summing it up as “very good!” Whilst some critics felt the show’s attempt to juggle social commentary and fantasy tropes doesn’t quite work, many fans were enchanted by the detail that went into crafting its ruggedly beautiful steampunk world.
The Boys (2019-)
Superhero shows aren’t usually considered fantasy, but The Boys has been so endlessly inventive across its three seasons that some Redditors think it more than deserves a place amongst the best of Amazon Prime’s fantasy collection. One of these was user goozgooz69 who commends the show’s “amazing story and premise.”
Rather than making their superhero central characters aspirational, the show portrays them as unstable, narcissistic, corrupt, and downright dangerous to the public, and it makes for devastating satire. Season 3 was one of the most popular shows of 2022 as fans couldn’t get enough of its aggressively unconventional approach to the superhero genre.
American Gods (2017-2021)
With The Sandman this year continuing the trend of amazing Neil Gaiman television adaptations, it’s easy to forget how American Gods helped get the ball rolling by taking on Gaiman’s huge novel about new and old gods in modern-day America. Though it was canceled last year, its three seasons managed to win over critics thanks to its confidence in exploring difficult themes.
For those worried that knowledge of the book might be required to enjoy the series, Redditor InMyHead33 makes it clear this isn’t the case, calling the series “so good!” and “currently reading the book because I heard it was even better.” Even for those with little literary interest, the series is a treasure trove of stylish visuals and typically clever moments that Gaiman fans love.
The Man In The High Castle (2015-2019)
Alternative history series makes for an extremely interesting subgenre of fantasy, and The Man in the High Castle is one of the most memorable examples. Based on Philip K. Dick’s 1962 novel, the series imagines a world in which the Axis powers won the second World War but impossible footage of the Allies winning the war emerges.
A series that proved Amazon does have the ambition to make big-budget imaginative shows worked all the way back in 2015, Redditor blahblahrasputan doesn’t believe The Man in the High Castle should be overlooked, complimenting it for being uniquely “very clever.” Complex characters, compelling twists, and sci-fi features make it one of the best Amazon show.
The 10th Kingdom (2000)
With so many big-name fantasy shows full of real stars cropping up recently, it’s easy to forget that great fantasy shows have been coming out for decades, and The 10th Kingdom’s fans consider it to be one of these. Redditor _APR_ notes the series’ age but describes it as “old but good” and still one of Prime’s best fantasy offerings.
The series uses the intriguing premise that two ordinary people, a father and a daughter in New York, are suddenly transported to a world of fairytales and magic. Whilst critics felt the show’s stars were lackluster, and fantasy purists didn’t approve of its melodramatic elements, the simple charm of low-budget effects and a light-hearted tone means it still has plenty of fans.
Good Omens (2019-2022)
An adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s collaboration with Terry Pratchett, not everyone could agree on whether Amazon’s Good Omens series managed to do the books justice. However, what critics and fans alike did agree on is that its premise of an angel and a demon trying to prevent the apocalypse is joyfully inventive and portrayed with plenty of humor.
In particular, fans including Redditor ofcabbagesandkings14 consider David Tennant and Michael Sheen “so perfectly cast it was almost absurd” as the central demon and angel protagonists of Good Omens. Both deliver winning performances, and their hilarious dynamic is a big part of why the show is highly acclaimed.
