Underneath the long-stretching umbrella of fantasy is sword and sorcery. As a staple of the genre, these types of stories feature rugged heroes, armed with a blade, courage, and little else. Their missions are personal and frequently involve bloody vengeance. Unlike the high fantasy in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, sword and sorcery stories are intimate and down-to-earth despite the fantastical stakes. While they make for fun watches, the expected beats can become tiresome.
If you've watched Conan the Barbarian (1982) or Willow (1988) dozens of times, sword and sorcery might have lost its edge. Whether you want a subversion of the same tropes or something entirely different, here are 7 fantasy shows to watch if you're bored by the standard sword and sorcery fare and want something new to watch on Netflix, HBO Max, and other streamers.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (2023-Present)
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End isn't clear-cut sword and sorcery; it offers a unique subversion of many of the subgenre's best elements. Picking up decades after an epic showdown with the Demon King, the series follows Frieren (Atsumi Tanezaki/Mallorie Rodak), a near-immortal elf mage who begins to realize how different her life is compared to her human companions. Time moves differently for Frieren, and what's only a short while for her can literally be the entirety of her friends' lives.
Beautifully animated, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is an epic watch for any anime fan. However, its character-driven story, emotional beats, and deep exploration of existential themes make it a worthy addition to anyone's watchlist, especially if you like fantasy. As someone who generally avoids anime, Frieren is the exception, and it easily ranks among my favorite series of all time. The action isn't as bombastic as other sword and sorcery offerings, but Frieren's slower, contemplative moments are what make it so lovable and different.
The Witcher (2019-Present)
If you have Netflix, chances are you already know about The Witcher, which frequently wanders into the Top 10 whenever a new season drops. However, if you haven't tried it yet, consider changing that. The series, like the books and video games that inspired it, follows the titular Witcher Geralt, who must contend with mythical monsters and sinister humans. While it's pretty standard sword and sorcery at first glance, The Witcher offers darker plot points and more morally gray characters than you might expect.
Like Frieren, Geralt has a set of magical abilities that aid his monster hunting. If you like historically set shows with frequent action, like Spartacus (2010) or Black Sails (2014), The Witcher has a similar vibe, just with more worldbuilding and fantasy. Henry Cavill's departure in Season 3 might be jarring to some. However, Liam Hemsworth makes a compelling Geralt, depending on who you ask.
Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Game of Thrones is high fantasy. While that alone might be enough to convince audiences bored of sword and sorcery to watch, it still retains some of the subgenre's tropes… in case you're not quite ready to let it go entirely. Dripping with morally gray characters, Game of Thrones isn't just one hero's story. Really, it's about the world of Westeros and the many powerful families vying for power.
Well-rounded storytelling ensures you get to know all these characters intimately, giving it a more grounded sword and sorcery-esque appeal. Perhaps more mature than any other entry on this list, Game of Thrones has oodles of violence, dark themes, and nudity. It remains a cultural phenomenon for a reason, with each season inching toward the question you'll have from Episode 1: Who will sit on the Iron Throne? Don't let anyone tell you the final season "ruins" the series. Even with all its faults and fumbles in the end, Game of Thrones still ranks in my Top 10 favorite shows of all time.
Arcane (2021-2024)
Arcane is the answer for anyone wanting to fully turn their back on traditional medieval-style sword and sorcery. Set in the universe of Riot Games' League of Legends universe, this two-season series offers fantasy infused with steampunk energy and sci-fi sensibilities. Like Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Arcane also puts female protagonists at its center, as sister duo Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell) become entangled in a battle between their native city and the growing power of Piltover.
In addition to magic, the characters also utilize modern tech, including weapons, techy gauntlets, and cybernetic arms. Truthfully, Arcane is experimental, but it works. The genre mash-up makes for a fun and emotional action-adventure that you don't come across every day. I want to compare it to The Legend of Korra (2012) or even Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022), but really, it belongs in its own category.
Into the Badlands (2015-2019)
Good luck putting Into the Badlands into just one genre. Like Arcane, the three-season series blends multiple genres to deliver a fantasy story equally steeped in sci-fi, martial arts, and dystopian elements. Set 500 years in the future, Into the Badlands puts an unlikely duo in the spotlight when a mighty warrior named Sunny (Daniel Wu) sets out on a long and dangerous journey with a teenage boy, M.K. (Aramis Knight).
M.K.'s supernatural powers give the series a "sorcery" feel, while Sunny's prowess with a sword will impress any sword and sorcery connoisseur. (Firearms are banned in this world, so don't expect any high-tech weapons to make an appearance. It's medieval-style weaponry or nothing.) Although fantasy purists might be disappointed with the show's futuristic setting, anyone searching for a subversion of the genre will get plenty of that and more.
Castlevania (2017-2021)
Castlevania falls into the sword and sorcery subgenre for two reasons: It has swords, and it has magic. However, the inclusion of gothic horror and supernatural powers places it in a unique category. Pulling from the famed video game series, Netflix's animated show follows Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage) and Sypha Belnades (Alejandra Reynoso) on their quest to protect themselves and the Romanian region of Wallachia from Dracula (Graham McTavish).
The four-season series offers a good balance of action, up-close-and-personal character moments, and some genuine horror. Don't let the animation fool you into thinking it's for kids. Castlevania is gory, violent, and chock-full of mature themes. If you ever thought, "I wish my fantasy had vampires," this one is for you. And, hey, even if that's never crossed your mind, the combination of fantasy and supernatural elements might be exactly what you need for your sword and sorcery slump.
The Last Kingdom (2015-2022)
What makes The Last Kingdom different from the other entries on this list is its setting. Set in 9th and 10th-century England during the Viking invasions, this five-season series fits most comfortably into the historical drama category. That said, it carries an almost Arthurian vibe, with legendary weapons and dark magic.
Its political plotlines aren't quite as complicated as Game of Thrones; however, that's not necessarily a bad thing. For many, The Last Kingdom is easy to jump into, and Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) makes one heck of a likable protagonist as he navigates complex feelings about his split Saxon and Viking roots. If you like action, you'll also get plenty of it. The Last Kingdom has some of the best (and most realistic) battles and swordfights around.
