Summary
- Not all fantasy TV shows deliver impressive endings, but some like "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" do.
- High-budget fantasy projects may not always justify their costs, as seen in canceled Netflix shows and divisive finales like "Game of Thrones."
- A great fantasy show ending ties up loose ends, provides satisfying character conclusions, and aligns with the series' overarching themes.
Netflix has canceled many fantasy shows in recent years, and it isn't the only streaming service or network to do so. Such projects often require high budgets to get right, and they don't always prove worth the cost.
Even when fantasy shows do get endings, they don't always stick the landing. Even a series as huge as Game of Thrones delivered a controversial conclusion that left many viewers feeling dissatisfied. Fantasy projects often have more moving parts than contemporary stories, which makes it harder to tie everything together. Game of Thrones is far from the only series in the genre to disappoint viewers with its ending. Fortunately, some fantasy TV shows do remain amazing from beginning to end.
8 Fantasy TV Shows With Real-World Settings That Actually Make Sense
It is difficult to blend the fantastic realm and the real world, but some shows, like Wednesday, have done a great job of doing just that.
10 Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
Final Episode: "Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang"
Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of the best fantasy TV shows of all time, and its ending gives a satisfying send-off to the characters viewers know and love. Avatar: The Last Airbender earned a reputation for its writing and storytelling over its three-season run on Nickelodeon. That reputation has endured for years after its series finale, and the fact that "Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang" doesn't disappoint likely contributes to the show's lasting legacy.
The Last Airbender's ending is satisfying for multiple reasons, the biggest being that Aang and his friends defeat the villains and bring peace to their world.
The Last Airbender's ending is satisfying for multiple reasons, the biggest being that Aang and his friends defeat the villains and bring peace to their world. The Nickelodeon show ends on an uplifting note, keeping it in line with ATLA's overarching themes. Aang and Zuko become the leaders they're meant to be, giving meaning to their three-season arcs. "Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang" also boasts plenty of action and heartfelt character moments, as well as some of the series' signature humor.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Release Date
- 2005 - 2008-00-00
- Network
- Nickelodeon
- Showrunner
- Michael Dante DiMartino
Cast
Jim WardUncredited
Kya (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
Avatar: The Last Airbender, released in 2005, follows a young boy in a war-torn world of elemental magic as he reawakens to embark on a challenging mystical quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar and restore peace to the world.
- Directors
- Giancarlo Volpe, Ethan Spaulding, Lauren MacMullan, Dave Filoni, Joaquim Dos Santos, Anthony Lioi
- Writers
- Tim Hedrick, Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Joshua Hamilton, James Eagan, Joann Estoesta, Nick Malis, May Chan, Katie Mattila
- Franchise(s)
- Avatar
- Seasons
- 3
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
9 His Dark Materials (2019-2022)
Final Episode: "The Botanic Garden"
His Dark Materials' series finale isn't satisfying in the same way that Avatar: The Last Airbender's is, as the show ends on a much sadder note. Even though viewers may find themselves weeping over Lyra and Will's definitive separation, there's no denying that "The Botanic Garden" is the right conclusion to the BBC/HBO show. It hits all the right emotional beats and sees Lyra and Will making a sacrifice for the greater good. It feels in line with the show's themes, and it balances the aftermath of the series' big showdown extremely well.
"The Botanic Garden" isn't as action-packed or tense as what comes before it, but combined with the previous installments, it makes for a powerful ending. Even with the changes His Dark Materials makes to the books, it comes off impressively. And while Lyra and Will won't see each other again, their love is highlighted in the final moments of the show. It also seems as though they have plenty of potential for the future, which is a better ending than many fantasy characters get.
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His Dark Materials
- Release Date
- 2019 - 2022-00-00
- Network
- BBC, HBO Max
- Directors
- Tom Hooper
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on author Philip Pullman’s beloved novel trilogy, His Dark Materials is a fantasy/drama television series that follows Lyra, a brave young woman from another world. Lyra’s quest to find her kidnapped friend leads her to uncover a sinister plot of a secret organization, encounter extraordinary beings, and protect dangerous secrets. Lyra will find that her life is inextricably linked with another as they discover they may be the ones to change the world.
- Writers
- Philip Pullman
- Seasons
- 3
- Streaming Service(s)
- MAX
8 The Magicians (2015-2020)
Final Episode: "Fillory And Further"
The Magicians killing off Quentin in season 4 felt like a questionable decision, and it could easily have ruined the rest of the show. However, despite this dubious choice, The Magicians bounces back relatively well in season 5. The SyFy series ends on a much higher note, tying up the remaining storylines nicely. It also gives the other characters happy endings, and this definitely feels earned after everything they go through.
While The Magicians season 5 proves a satisfying ending for the show, it also leaves you wanting more from this world and these characters. That may leave some viewers feeling disappointed. However, you can argue that an ending that leaves you wanting is an accomplishment. It's certainly better than a fantasy show continuing for too long and ending after its fans are bored with its story.
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The Magicians
- Release Date
- 2015 - 2020-00-00
- Network
- SyFy
- Showrunner
- Sera Gamble
Cast
Olivia Taylor DudleyAlice Quinn
Jason RalphQuentin Coldwater
WHERE TO WATCH
The Magicians follows a group of young adults who enroll at Brakebills University, a secretive institution devoted to teaching magic. As they engage in an unconventional education in spellcasting, they realize that a childhood fantasy world is indeed real and presents a significant threat to humanity.
- Directors
- Chris Fisher, James L. Conway, Joshua Butler, John Scott, Carol Banker, Scott Smith, Guy Norman Bee, Rebecca Johnson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Meera Menon, amanda tapping, Bill Eagles, Jan Eliasberg, Kate Woods, Shannon Kohli
- Writers
- John McNamara, Henry Alonso Myers, David Reed, Noga Landau, Christina Strain, Leah Fong, Alex Raiman, Elle Lipson, David Reed
- Seasons
- 5
- Streaming Service(s)
- AppleTV+
7 Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Final Episode: "Chosen"
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of the best supernatural shows ever, and it benefits from an incredibly satisfying conclusion. After seven seasons, Buffy the Vampire Slayer's finale, "Chosen," gives a heartfelt send-off to its heroine and the rest of its ing cast. The stakes are high in the show's final installment, and "Chosen" embodies everything that makes Buffy the Vampire Slayer a classic. That's likely why it's one of the series' top-rated episodes on IMDb, even if reviewers have some minor issues.
Perhaps the most satisfying element of Buffy the Vampire's ending is that Buffy gets exactly what she desires for the entire seven-season series.
Perhaps the most satisfying element of Buffy the Vampire's ending is that Buffy gets exactly what she desires for the entire seven-season series. Having more slayers around means she'll no longer feel so alone or weighed down by her destiny. It's a fitting ending to her journey, and that's not to mention all the other great character moments that occur before the credits roll on "Chosen."
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Buffy The Vampire Slayer
- Release Date
- 1997 - 2003
- Network
- The WB
- Showrunner
- Joss Whedon
Cast
Buffy Summers
Alexander Harris
WHERE TO WATCH
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
- Directors
- Joss Whedon
- Writers
- Joss Whedon
- Seasons
- 7
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Dis
6 The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
Final Episode: "I Was Feeling Epic"
Stefan's fate at the end of The Vampire Diaries is divisive, but the series' ending remains one of the better fantasy finales. In fact, there are a lot of The Vampire Diaries, making it a heartfelt send-off to the hit series.
There are also some great character moments at the very end of The Vampire Diaries, from Stefan and Elena's emotional goodbye to Elena and Damon's long-awaited reunion. The fact that Stefan gets some version of the future he dreamed of makes his fate slightly better, and his sacrifice gives meaning to the prior seasons of the show. The Vampire Diaries' hopeful ending is one that lands every time, and it makes the series a pleasure to rewatch.
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The Vampire Diaries
- Release Date
- 2009 - 2017-00-00
- Network
- The CW
- Showrunner
- Julie Plec
Cast
Paul WesleyStefan Salvatore
Damon Salvatore
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on the novels by L.J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries is a story about the developing love triangle between Elena Gilbert and two vampiric brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Set in the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the show follows the trio from high school through college as they battle for one another's affection.
- Directors
- John Dahl
- Writers
- Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson, L.J. Smith
- Seasons
- 8
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Franchise
- The Vampire Diaries
5 Lucifer (2016-2021)
Final Episode: "Partners 'Til The End"
Lucifer is another supernatural show that makes divisive choices in its series finale, but overall, "Partners 'Til the End" is a fitting and satisfying ending to the TV show. It highlights the journey Tom Ellis' character goes on throughout Lucifer's six-season run, concluding his arc in a place that feels right for the character. Ellis chooses to help others redeem themselves after going through his own redemption story, and he returns to Hell — a development that is a long time coming by the time the series finale arrives.
While Lucifer and Chloe's initial farewell feels tragic, their separation makes Lucifer's series finale an emotional one. Their reunion after Chloe Decker's death is also wonderfully sweet, and the other characters get heartfelt endings as well. Viewers might have wanted more for Chloe and Lucifer, but "Partners 'Til the End" makes sense after all that happens.
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Lucifer
- Release Date
- 2016 - 2021-00-00
- Showrunner
- Joe Henderson
- Directors
- Joe Henderson
Cast
Tom Ellis
WHERE TO WATCH
Lucifer is a Comedy/Drama and Mystery series developed by Tom Kapinos and starring Tom Ellis, Kevin Alejandro, D. B. Woodside, and Lauren German. The premise follows the Devil, Lucifer Morningstar, as he abandons his Kingdom of Hell and instead moves to Los Angeles to run a club called Lux.
- Writers
- tom kapinos
- Franchise(s)
- Arrowverse
- Seasons
- 6
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
4 Once Upon A Time (2011-2018)
Final Episode: "Leaving Storybrooke"
Once Upon a Time draws inspiration from fairy tales, so it's fitting that the ABC show gives its characters a fairy tale ending. Although things look worrisome in Once Upon a Time's finale, the series' last episode manages to redeem Regina and unite Storybrooke. Everyone gets a satisfying ending, which allows Once Upon a Time to go out on a high note.
In fact, "Leaving Storybrooke" is the show's sixth highest-rated episode on IMDb, emphasizing how strong Once Upon a Time's conclusion really is. In addition to giving Once Upon a Time's characters uplifting send-offs, "Leaving Storybrooke" impressively encomes the show's themes and pays homage to what comes before. This is why longtime fans are mostly content with it. It gets a lot right in its final installment.
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Once Upon A Time
- Release Date
- 2011 - 2018-00-00
- Network
- ABC
- Showrunner
- Adam Horowitz
Cast
Ginnifer Goodwin-
josh dallas
WHERE TO WATCH
Once Upon a Time is an adventure fantasy-drama series created for ABC that features fairy tale characters and their Disney incarnations in a modern setting. When Emma Swan and her son Henry accidentally drive into the town of Storybrooke, they soon discover the inhabitants are those from fairy tales, and they have no knowledge of the modern world inhabited by Emma and Henry. Robbed of their pasts and given new identities by the Evil Queen known as Regina, the hope of the town's residents lie solely in the hands of Emma, who has stronger connections to the town than she knows.
- Directors
- Christopher Gorham
- Writers
- Adam Horowitz
- Seasons
- 7
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
3 Charmed (1998-2006)
Final Episode: "Forever Charmed"
Despite Charmed season 8's shortcomings, the original series' ending properly pays homage to the Charmed Ones and their fans. Not only do the main characters fulfill their destiny, but they get a conclusion that's both heartfelt and a tearjerker. "Forever Charmed" doesn't feel too outlandish, but it captures the magic of the series and its main characters. It also works in many nods to the fans that stuck with the show for all eight seasons.
Such elements make Charmed's ending satisfying, tying up loose ends and delivering on promises from years earlier. It's no wonder that the Charmed series finale is so heavily praised; it's even the highest-rated installment of the show on IMDb.
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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.
- Directors
- James L. Conway, Joel J. Feigenbaum, John T. Kretchmer, Mel Damski, John Behring, Derek Johansen, Craig Zisk, Jonathan West, Stuart Gillard, Michael Grossman, Chris Long, David Straiton, Kevin Inch, James A. Contner, Noel Nosseck, Shannen Doherty, David Jackson, Anson Williams, LeVar Burton, Michael Zinberg, Michael Schultz, Richard Compton, Richard Denault, Les Sheldon
- Writers
- Daniel Cerone, Chris Levinson, Zack Estrin, Krista Vernoff, Jeannine Renshaw, Alison Schapker, Sheryl J. Anderson, Monica Owusu-Breen, Cameron Litvack, Henry Alonso Myers, David Simkins, Rob Wright, Nell Scovell, Mark Wilding, Andy Reaser, Edithe Swensen, Vivian Mayhew, Peter Hume, Sheryl Anderson, Valerie Mayhew, William Schmidt, Erica Messer, Debra J. Fisher, Michael Gleason
- Seasons
- 8
- Where To Watch
- Prime Video
2 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009-2010)
Final Episode: "Journey's End"
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of the best fantasy anime, and its ending leaves things on a hopeful note. Although Edward sacrifices his alchemy to get Al's body back, the Elric brothers accomplish what they set out to do. This makes the anime's conclusion a happy one, even if it comes at a price. And Edward seems content with his decision, as he gets to live out the rest of his life surrounded by the people he loves.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood's ending is action-packed, full of great character interactions, and aligned with the anime's overarching themes.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood's ending is action-packed, full of great character interactions, and aligned with the anime's overarching themes. It's an impressive send-off to the anime, and unlike the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist, it's in line with the manga. Even down to the small artistic details, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood delivers an impressive ending that remains highly praised years later.
- Created by
- Hiromu Arakawa
- TV Show(s)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Video Game(s)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Stray Rondo, Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir, Fullmetal Alchemist: Dual Sympathy, Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel
- Movie(s)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos
- Character(s)
- Edward Elric, Alphonse Elric, Roy Mustang, Winry Rockbell, Maes Hughes, Riza Hawkeye, Scar (Fullmetal Alchemist), Ling Yao, Lan Fan, May Chang, King Bradley, Lust (Fullmetal Alchemist), Envy (Fullmetal Alchemist), Greed (Fullmetal Alchemist)
1 Attack On Titan (2013-2023)
Final Episode: "The Final Chapters: Special Two"
Attack on Titan is another acclaimed anime in the fantasy category, and its ending makes it an even greater masterpiece. From the very beginning, Attack on Titan establishes that no one in its world is safe, and its final episodes prove that applies to its main character. Although Eren Jaeger's fate is tragic, he accomplishes what he sets out to and changes the fate of his people. It's a satisfying ending from that point of view, and it allows our favorite characters to get somewhat happy endings.
Attack on Titan also delivers epic action sequences and exciting twists during "The Final Chapters." And while the anime's messaging may be bleak, Attack on Titan holds up its central themes until its very last scene. The ending encomes everything viewers love about this fantasy anime, making it one of the most satisfying additions to the genre.
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Attack On Titan
- Release Date
- 2013 - 2023
Cast
-
Matthew Mercer
-
Josh Grelle
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on the manga, Attack on Titan is a dark-action fantasy series set in a world where humanity has been corralled into walled cities from fear of monstrous human-eating Titans that exist outside of them. When protagonist Eren Yeager's mother is killed in front of his eyes at a young age, his thirst for vengeance leads him to an elite group of soldiers created to fight back against the Titan menace.
- Seasons
- 4
- Main Genre
- Action
- Franchise
- Attack on Titan
- Production Company
- Wit Studio, MAPPA
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