10 Best Fantasy Shows From Before The 2000s (#1 Is A Masterpiece)

The 2000s saw the release of many great fantasy TV shows, but there were many other iconic fantasy shows before that decade. The fantasy genre is one of the most versatile ones, as it can mix with many other genres without losing its essence and gives artists great creative liberty.

The list of the best TV shows of all time has various fantasy shows of different styles and for different audiences, with many of them coming from the decade of the 2000s. However, the fantasy genre has had many hits for decades, and some of the genre’s greatest TV shows came before the 2000s.

Dungeons & Dragons

1983-1985

The world of Dungeons & Dragons took over TV screens in the 1980s with an animated series. Dungeons & Dragons follows a group of friends between the ages of eight and 15 who are transported to the title realm after taking a magical dark ride on an amusement park roller coaster.

There, they meet Dungeon Master, who gives each of them a magical item that grants them powers. While the kids try to find a way home, they come across different characters and threats, with the main antagonist being the powerful wizard Venger.

Dungeons & Dragons is a classic fantasy adventure show with the bonus of well-developed characters and emotional depth. During its original airing, Dungeons & Dragons was criticized for being too “violent”, but after all these years, new viewers will surely have a different opinion.

Charmed

1998-2006

Charmed is a fantasy drama TV series created by Constance M. Burge. Charmed introduces the audience to the Halliwell sisters: Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), Prue (Shannen Doherty), and Piper (Holly Marie Combs). The sisters learn they are a trio of powerful witches, and with their combined “Power of Three”, they protect innocents from all types of evil creatures.

Charmed has become a cult classic and one of the best fantasy shows of all time, while also being key in maintaining a very specific fantasy trend from the 1990s. Charmed has been praised for its blend of fantasy, action, and drama, its relatable characters, sense of humor, and its mythology.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

1983-1985

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is one of the most popular and beloved animated shows of the 1980s, and with good reason. Based on Mattel’s Masters of the Universe toyline, He-Man takes viewers to the magical planet of Eternia to meet Prince Adam, son of Eternia’s rulers King Randor and Queen Marlena, and twin brother of Princess Adora.

Whenever Prince Adam holds the Sword of Power and says the now iconic words “By the Power of Grayskull! I have the power!”, he transforms into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. Along with other superpowered allies, He-Man defends Eternia from the big villain Skeletor.

Skeletor plans to conquer the fortress of Castle Grayskull, from which He-Man takes his powers. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was such a success that it has received comic books, movies, and reboots, and it continues to be quite popular among fantasy fans.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

1996-2003

Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a fantasy sitcom created by Nell Scovell and based on the character Sabrina Spellman from Archie Comics. Sabrina the Teenage Witch follows Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart), who, on her 16th birthday, learns that she has magical powers.

Sabrina lives with her aunts, Hilda and Zelda, who are also witches, as her father was punished for marrying a mortal, and she can’t see her mother without unpleasant consequences. With her aunts’ help and that of her sassy talking cat Salem, Sabrina learns to use and control her powers, while she does her best to navigate high school in the most normal way possible.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a fun mix of supernatural fantasy with comedy, with relatable characters and situations, and an entertaining look at a world with magic. Sabrina Spellman got another TV adaptation in the 2010s with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which is a lot darker than the previous show.

Gargoyles

1994-1997

Another beloved animated classic from the fantasy genre is Gargoyles. Gargoyles centers on the title creatures, specifically the clan led by Goliath, who, in 994, were betrayed. While many were killed, the remainder were cursed to “sleep” (meaning being frozen in stone) until the castle “rises above the clouds.”

In 1994, billionaire David Xanatos purchased the castle and reconstructed it atop his New York skyscraper, and this broke the curse. As the gargoyles adapt to the modern world, they become the city’s secret nighttime protectors, and with time, they begin to see Xanatos’ true colors.

Gargoyles has been praised for its folklore inspiration, character development, and the themes addressed in it, which make it darker than most fantasy shows but also a lot richer and engaging.

Merlin

1998

Unlike the rest of the entries on this list, which have various seasons, Merlin is a two-part miniseries directed by Steve Barron. Merlin recounts the life of the title wizard (played by none other than Sam Neill), loosely adapting the legendary tales of Camelot and introducing new characters.

Merlin also expands on the backstory of the title character before the birth of King Arthur. Merlin was a big hit back in 1998, and it got a miniseries in 2006 titled Merlin’s Apprentice. This show is not to be confused with the 2008 British TV series of the same name, which is also worth watching.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

1992-1996

Are You Afraid of the Dark? is a horror anthology created by D. J. MacHale and Ned Kandel. Are You Afraid of the Dark? follows a group of teens who call themselves “The Midnight Society” and meet at a secret spot in the woods at midnight.

There, every night, one member of the group tells a scary story to the rest, and these go from horror to sci-fi to fantasy and a combination of all. Despite being a show aimed at a young audience, Are You Afraid of the Dark? is also for more mature audiences, with fears that appeal to both audiences and shocking scenes that push boundaries.

The stories in Are You Afraid of the Dark? are quite creative, and some of them truly traumatizing, but that’s the charm of the show. Fantasy is present in every episode at different levels, from alien invasions to talking dolls to disturbing comic book characters jumping out of the comic book pages.

Highlander: The Series

1992-1998

Highlander: The Series is a science fantasy action-adventure TV show and an alternative sequel to the 1986 movie Highlander. Highlander: The Series introduces the audience to Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul), an Immortal part of the Scottish Clan MacLeod and the title Highlander.

Duncan does his best to live a normal life while hiding his immortality, but he also must fight other Immortals, as the last one standing will claim the “Prize.” Highlander: The Series also introduces The Watchers, a secret society of mortals observing the lives of Immortals. Highlander: The Series expands the complex world of the Highlander franchise, so it’s a must-watch for fans of this universe.

Xena: Warrior Princess

1995-2001

Xena: Warrior Princess is a heroic fantasy TV series and a spin-off of the show Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Xena: Warrior Princess follows the title character (Lucy Lawless), who looks to be redeemed for her past sins by using her fighting skills to help the innocent. Accompanying her is Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor), a farm girl turned Amazon warrior.

Xena: Warrior Princess is action-packed with fantasy elements mixed with Greek mythology, historical elements, supernatural creatures, and a good dose of drama and comedy. Xena: Warrior Princess is one of the best fantasy TV shows of all time, and it paved the way for other strong female lead characters.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

1997-2003

Of course, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has to be on this list, even if it ended in the 2000s. Created by Joss Whedon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a supernatural drama TV series based on Whedon’s 1992 movie of the same name. Buffy the Vampire Slayer introduces Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), the latest in a succession of young women known as “Vampire Slayers.”

The Slayer’s mission is to battle against vampires, demons, and other forces of darkness, and for that, Buffy is trained and guided by her Watcher, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head). Buffy is also aided by her best friends Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Xander (Nicholas Brendon), who also get involved in supernatural situations.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a perfect blend of fantasy, horror, drama, and comedy, with a variety of monsters (in addition to vampires, of course) and human threats that keep its audience engaged throughout seven seasons. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a must-watch, and it’s also a rewatchable show.