For all of television history,fantasyTV shows have been airing and appealing to audiences of all kinds. Though fantasy on television has evolved significantly over the years,there are some series that have lost none of their potency or relevancy as time has progressed.The 1990s was a great decade for film and television, and its contributions to the fantasy genre have aged well. Though there are dated elements in these shows, as some are over thirty years old, overwhelmingly, they continue to connect with viewers who love watching magic and mystery on TV.
While thebest fantasy movies of the 1990sare well remembered, there are TV shows famous enough to have remained a large part of the cultural conversation. Though influence isn’t the only way to measure a series' success,most of these shows paved the way for modern fantasy television. Many of them have either received reboots or are currently being revived because their fanbases haven’t faded with time. The characters, magic systems, and enduring themes that the writers and showrunners crafted all came together to form shows that hold up well compared to contemporary additions to the genre.
As one of thebest supernatural teen TV shows,Sabrina the Teenage Witchis full of lighthearted magic and comedic moments, making it easy to watch today.Melissa Joan Hart plays the titular witch, Sabrina,who navigates high school and young adulthood while learning to be a witch and use her powers. Joined by Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick as her aunts, Sabrina often turns to the older witches for guidance when one of her spells goes wrong or when she doesn’t use magic the way she’s supposed to.
Even at its most magical,Sabrina the Teenage Witchrooted itself in the relevant and relatable parts of coming-of-age, which remain universal to this day.
Sabrina the Teenage Witchis a fun twist on the traditional sitcom, and it’s because of this nontraditional magic element thatSabrinastands out compared to similar teen series from the ’90s. Running for seven seasons,Sabrina the Teenage Witchfollows Sabrina as she makes the transition to college and sheds some of the more immature issues that defined the early seasons. Even at its most magical,Sabrina the Teenage Witchrooted itself in the relevant and relatable parts of coming-of-age, which remain universal to this day.
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The bonds of sisterhood are the real magic inCharmed, the long-running romantic fantasy series that follows the ups and downs of the Halliwell family. Upon discovering that they’re the legendary Charmed Ones,the Halliwell sisters uncover their powers and fight various demons and dark forcesthroughout the show’s run. Though there were considerable shakeups in the cast and story structure throughout the series,Charmedalways managed to keep audiences engaged.
Quippy and immersed in popular culture,Charmedis a time capsule of the late ’90s and early 2000s, but these dated references are nostalgic rather than off-putting. While romance played a central role inCharmed, the sister’s relationships with each other were what gave them strength and allowed them to tap into greater power sources. Though imperfect,the Halliwells are strong female characters who inspired young women watching, then and now, to believe in their abilities.
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ThoughHercules: The Legendary Journeyswas eventually eclipsed by its spinoff show,Xena: Warrior Princess, the mythological TV show has many merits.Today, retellings of Greek myths are more popular than ever,with shows likePercy JacksonandBlood of Zeusreminding audiences of how many classic stories come from Greek legends. However, the 1995Herculesdid a great job of taking these classic narratives and imbued them with some tongue-in-cheek references to modern times.
25 Best TV Shows About Greek Mythology
From Hercules and The Odyssey to Xena and Wonder Woman, these are the best Greek mythology shows.
Kevin Sorbo led the cast as Herculesand strikes a memorable figure as the stalwart hero who spends each episode doing what’s right and stepping up to save those in need. WhileHercules: The Legendary Journeyswasn’t the most ground-breaking fantasy show of the 1990s, it has aged fairly well and helped spark a renewed interest in mythological stories. As one of the most iconic heroes in Greek mythology, it’s easy to root for Hercules and get swept away by his epic quests.
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Though the novel of the same name has eclipsed the TV show in name recognition and longevity, theNeverwhereseries came before the book. This is somewhat surprising, considering it’s usually books that are brought to life onscreen. However, the world ofNeverwhereimmediately lent itself to the literary format. Set in the fictional world of London Below,Neverwherefollows Richard Mayhew (Gary Bakewell), a young man who accidentally becomes a denizen of London Below,losing his ability to live in the everyday world of London Above.
When watchingNeverwheretoday, the class commentary is instantly recognizable, as well as the references to other iconic works of fantasy.Neverwhereforces Richard to question his worldview and concept of reality, as the people who inhabit London Below are in touch with magic and mysteries he never thought possible. Asurban fantasy has become more popular in recent years in both TV and literature,Neverwhereis a great place to start for those curious about this niche of the genre.
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Animated additions to the fantasy genre are often some of the most innovativeand enduring because of their visual style and timeless themes.Gargoylesis a great example of a ’90s cartoon with surprising depth and a dedicated audience base who haven’t forgotten this short-lived TV show. Unlike typical animated series of the time,Gargoylesused season-long story arcs and didn’t shy away from darker, more adult themes that grappled with serious moral questions.
For fantasy fans, there’s nothing better than a series that takes its lore seriously, andGargoylesdelivers in this regard.
It wasn’t just the action and adventure that setGargoylesapart, as it was entrenched in classic fantasy and folklore, incorporating conversations about theology and the legacies of myths. For fantasy fans, there’s nothing better than a series that takes its lore seriously, andGargoylesdelivers in this regard. In the 21st century, most animated projects work hard to leave an emotional impact on the viewer and present a story as compelling and relevant as any live-action show.Gargoylesachieves all this and more, making it well ahead of its time.
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The star-studded cast of the 1998 miniseriesMerlinincludes Sam Neil, Isabella Rossellini, and Martin Short, among many others. Together, they bring this adaptation of Arthurian legend to life,focusing primarily on the life of Merlin (Neil) and bringing his experiences before his role in placing Arthur on the throne to life.InMerlin, the eponymous wizard dedicates his life to stopping his rival, Queen Mab, who consistently thwarts Merlin’s actions, especially his intentions to put a fair king on the throne.
Merlin’s romance with Nimue (Rossellini) is a compelling addition to the well-known storyand helps the viewer connect with the otherworld Merlin. Though the series isn’t as well remembered as many of theKing Arthur moviesor the 2008 TV show of the same name, it deserves a resurgence in popularity. It’s a sweeping and timeless tale, andMerlinwas one of the earlier examples of a take on King Arthur that showcases the moving parts surrounding the legendary king that made his ascension possible.
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Lucy Lawless leadsXena: Warrior Princessas the titular character, Xena, and paved the way for strong female protagonists within the fantasy genre on TV.Characters like Xena and Buffy were hugely important representations,as they were the heroes of their stories. This is a huge factor in how wellXenahas aged, as even though the series was a spinoff, it eclipsed the popularity and longevity of the project it was based on. While there are some pulpy moments inXena, watching the show today is just as fun as it was in the ’90s.
Outside the strength and skill of Xena herself, the series as a whole was revolutionary.
Outside the strength and skill of Xena herself, the series as a whole was revolutionary. While the LGBTQ+ representation on television today is better than viewers in the ’90s would have ever imagined, many of these initial boundaries were broken by shows likeXena: Warrior Princess. Though the romantic overtones of the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle were never officially confirmed onscreen, the series made it fairly obvious that fans were meant to interpret their life partnership as a love story.
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The brooding heartthrob who fueled Buffy’s fantasies inBuffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel (David Boreanaz), received his own spinoff series in 1999. Though it took a little while forAngelto find its footing and establish what made it different fromBuffy, once the show hit its stride, it was unforgettable. Set in LA and following Angel’s work as a vigilante in the city,Angelwasn’t afraid to be bleak and let the audience witness Angel’s internal struggle with his complicated past.
Angelis aspinoff TV show that’s darker than the originalseries it was based on, which is saying something considering how intenseBuffygot in the later seasons. However, it’s becauseAngelleaned into tough contemporary social issues and distanced itself from the formulasBuffyfollowedthat it became a show that could stand apart within the genre’s landscape. Grittier and generally more adult,Angelonly gets better as the seasons progress, rewarding the audience with a fantastic final installment.
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This surrealist mystery TV show was the source of intense debate and intrigue both while it was airing and in the years since some of the questions it posed were answered.Starring Kyle MacLachlan in one of his most recognizable roles, Agent Dale Cooper,Twin Peakstransports the audience into an intriguing and, at times, terrifying version of reality. Though there are many intersecting plot threads inTwin Peaks, the heart of the story revolves around Cooper’s attempts to solve the murder of a young woman, Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee).
David Lynch’s television masterpiece returned in 2017 with the third installment,Twin Peaks: The Return, which was hailed as a near-perfect conclusion to the iconic series.
However,Twin Peaksis far from a typical crime drama, as its creator had much larger things to say about small-town America and the dangers that hide under its surface. David Lynch’s television masterpiece returned in 2017 with the third installment,Twin Peaks: The Return, which was hailed as a near-perfect conclusion to the iconic series. The fantastical elements ofTwin Peakspush the genre forward and demonstrate what it can be used for on television.
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Buffy The Vampire Slayerisn’t just a great vampire show or teen drama;it’s a cultural phenomenon that has inspired generations of fantasy fans and writers.Outside of the dated clothes and occasionally off-color jokes, watchingBuffy The Vampire Slayertoday feels as fresh and witty as if the dialogue was written yesterday. Buffy’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) character development and experience as the Slayer isn’t only an epic fantasy quest. She goes on a very real emotional journey that any viewer can relate to.
10 Buffy Episodes It Will Be Impossible For The Reboot To Top
News of the potential Buffy reboot is exciting, but there are certain episodes of the original series that the revival shouldn’t attempt to outdo.
As new viewers discoverBuffyfor the first time, it’s amazing to see how instantly it connects with them. Though it would be impossible to recreate the lighting-in-a-bottle success of the originalBuffy The Vampire Slayer, Hulu is getting close to ordering a reboot series to pilot (viaVariety). Capturing the elements that have allowedBuffy The Vampire Slayerto be one of the most belovedfantasyseries of all time will be a tall order, but the world of the show might be enough to propel this revival.
