The fantasy genre is poised for a shake-up! Over the next year, we’ll see major streaming series based on beloved franchises like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings (with a new series focused on Gollum), and a reimagined Narnia by Greta Gerwig. But it’s not just about the big names; exciting adaptations of popular fantasy video games and lesser-known fantasy books are also on the way, promising a wider range of stories for viewers.
The popularity of shows like Stranger Things and Game of Thrones has opened the door for larger, more elaborate TV projects. Many shows are now aiming for the epic scope of Game of Thrones, drawing from a wealth of fantasy books ripe for adaptation. Meanwhile, Stranger Things sparked renewed interest in the kind of storytelling and adventure found in tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons. This combination of influences is leading to some really promising fantasy series currently being developed.
Magic: The Gathering
Since it launched in 1993, Magic: The Gathering has gained a dedicated following. Though it shares a similar fantasy theme with Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering is a card game with incredibly detailed rules, rather than a traditional board game. Over the years, the game has expanded into a full franchise with video games, comics, and even a previously attempted movie. So, it seemed inevitable that a new adaptation would eventually be made for television or film.
Netflix hasn’t always had success with fantasy shows, sometimes canceling them too soon or making big changes from the original stories. But their upcoming Magic: The Gathering series has the potential to be even better than The Witcher. Like the hit show Arcane, it will be animated and have plenty of source material to draw from. The series could take inspiration from successful adaptations like Arcane and Fallout, focusing on capturing the overall feel of the game rather than rigidly following one specific storyline.
The Dark Tower
Stephen King stories have seen many different adaptations on screen. While some, like the TV series Welcome to Derry (based on It), try to recapture the feel of recent movies, others, like The Mist, stray from the source material and haven’t resonated with fans. Many consider his Dark Tower series to be among his finest work, so a faithful adaptation of both the story and its atmosphere is crucial. Luckily, reports suggest that Mike Flanagan’s script for The Dark Tower impressed Stephen King himself, which is a promising sign for the upcoming adaptation.
Even with Idris Elba starring in it, the movie version of The Dark Tower failed to impress, receiving a 44% audience score and a low 16% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. After Amazon Prime picked up the rights for a TV series, only one episode was made before the project was canceled. Given the popularity of other fantasy shows, creator Mike Flanagan is committed to bringing The Dark Tower to life successfully, stating to Deadline, “We have to avoid letting the previous attempt be the definitive version.”
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Dungeon Crawler Carl is a hugely popular book that blends storytelling with role-playing in a really unique way. It’s set after aliens have taken over Earth, leaving Carl as one of the few people left. He’s forced to compete in a bizarre, galactic reality TV show, and his unlikely companion is his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut. With a memorable phrase – “the apocalypse will be televised” – and fun details like Carl’s heart-printed underwear, the book quickly gained a dedicated fanbase.
The popular webcomic Dungeon Crawler Carl is being adapted into a live-action TV series by Seth McFarlane. Christopher Yost, known for his work on Thor: Ragnarok and The Mandalorian, will be writing the series. Author Matt Dinniman recently told Variety that the show could still be animated or live-action, explaining that the final decision will depend on what looks best. He expressed confidence in the studio’s vision, saying, “It’s all gonna hinge on what it looks like,” and trusts they’ll make the right choice.
Fourth Wing
Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing kicks off the Empyrean series with a fresh take on classic fantasy romance. Violet Sorrengail has always prepared to live a quiet life as a scribe, but everything changes when she’s forced to join the brutal Basgiath War College and train as a dragon rider. She’ll face deadly trials and a complicated, potentially perilous, love interest along the way.
The books are packed with exciting imagery, suggesting a potential TV adaptation could be as popular as Game of Thrones. That adaptation is now happening – a Fourth Wing series is confirmed for Prime Video, which has a proven track record of creating visually stunning shows like The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time. With Prime Video actively investing in fantasy and science fiction, the Empyrean series – a hugely successful and fast-growing book franchise – is a perfect fit.
God Of War
The upcoming God of War TV series has already gotten attention with the casting of Ryan Hurst as Kratos. Hurst previously won a BAFTA for his performance as Kratos in God of War Ragnarök, which helped reassure video game fans that the show would stay true to the original story. However, the first released image of Kratos from the series has been met with mixed reactions. Many fans have commented that the image looks artificial, pointing to the overly bright green background that resembles a costume shoot rather than the immersive world of the game.
Initial images of the show don’t fully represent the final product, as creator Hurst pointed out in a recent Instagram post, playfully warning viewers, “Don’t believe everything you see online.” Despite this, the show appears promising. The cast includes experienced actors, some new talent, and returning voice actors from the God of War video games playing their characters in live-action.
The Stormlight Archive
Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive is a large, ongoing fantasy series. Currently, five books and two shorter stories are available, with plans for ten more novels. While his Mistborn series is being made into a movie, Apple TV is planning to adapt The Stormlight Archive. This series takes place on Roshar, a world constantly affected by powerful storms that influence both the land and its people. The story follows multiple characters as they discover a forgotten form of magic.
| The five main books in The Stormlight Archive so far | |
|---|---|
| Title | Year |
| The Way of Kings | 2010 |
| Words of Radiance | 2014 |
| Oathbringer | 2017 |
| Rhythm of War | 2020 |
| Wind and Truth | 2024 |
The stunning visuals of a world filled with massive storms could be the perfect start to a major new fantasy TV series. While it’s usually avoided, comparisons are already being made between The Stormlight Archive and The Rings of Power. Many believe The Stormlight Archive might actually make a better TV show because it focuses more on the characters and their journeys than on recounting historical events.
Warhammer 40,000
Henry Cavill is a well-known fan of fantasy, including the Warhammer games. He’s dedicated to the artistic quality of the projects he works on, and even left The Witcher because of disagreements about its direction – he wanted to play a role that stayed true to the source material, like the books and games. This passion is a good sign for his upcoming Warhammer 40,000 adaptation, which he’s helping to produce and will likely star in.
Details about Henry Cavill’s upcoming Warhammer TV series are still limited, and he has a lot of options when it comes to the story’s setting and time period. However, he’s offered a small clue. In a 2022 Instagram post, he confirmed the show would be live-action and revealed a new design for the Imperium of Mankind symbol. This suggests the series might be set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe after a significant event known as the Horus Heresy and the death of a key figure.
Ninth House
Amazon’s Prime Video is working on a television series based on Ninth House, the first book in Leigh Bardugo’s Alex Stern trilogy, with the final book in the series coming out later this year. The story centers around Alex Stern, a young woman who can see ghosts. Despite leaving high school, she receives a scholarship to Yale and is tasked with investigating the mysterious activities of the university’s secret societies after a murder occurs. Given the popularity of shows like The Magicians, it’s no surprise Ninth House is being adapted, particularly since it’s received praise from other writers.
Stephen King called Ninth House “the best fantasy novel I’ve read in years,” highlighting its believable characters and surprising plot. While the book has a strong beginning and blends elements of shows like The Magicians and Gossip Girl, a potential adaptation seems stalled, leaving its future uncertain.
Read More
- Золото прогноз
- Stephen King’s Castle Rock: A Faithful Tribute to His Literary Universe
- Alan Ritchson’s War Machine Is Netflix’s Second Biggest Movie Debut of 2026
- ‘Ready or Not’ Tops Streaming Charts Ahead of Anticipated Sequel
- Outlander Season 8, Episode 9 Recap & Discussion: Old Wounds Are Finally Healed Ahead Of The Series Finale
- Picard’s Single Greatest Star Trek Line Hits Harder Than Any Sci-Fi Quote Since
- Евро обгонит канадский доллар? Эксперты раскрыли неожиданный сценарий
- Доллар обгонит индийскую рупию? Эксперты раскрыли неожиданный сценарий
- Доллар обгонит мексиканское песо? Эксперты раскрыли неожиданный сценарий
- Доллар обгонит индонезийскую рупию? Эксперты раскрыли неожиданный сценарий
2026-05-18 15:52